Blog

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Offenders
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) An NGO, Sexual Offences Awareness and Victims Rehabilitation (SOAR) Initiative, on Monday urged the Federal Government to open a register for sex offenders.

Mrs Chinyere Eyoh, the Executive Director of the organisation, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Eyoh spoke ahead of the International Day of the Girl-Child scheduled for Oct. 11.

International Day of the Girl-Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations.

The observation supports more opportunity for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.

This inequality includes areas such as right to education/access to education, nutrition, legal rights, medical care, and protection from discrimination, violence against women and unfree child marriage.

According to Eyoh, the register will allow government authorities to keep track of the residences and activities of sex offenders, including those who have completed their jail terms.

“The government has done a lot in addressing these issues with the passage of the Child Rights Act in 2003 and the Violence against Persons Act in 2014.

“However, a lot still needs to be done with myriads of children still left vulnerable and without a voice in those states that have yet to pass the Child Rights Bill, though the Act is due for a review.

“Implementation of the laws we have are, however, very weak with the Juvenile Welfare Centre Police Officers lacking the motivation, sustained training and passion,’’ she said.

The director said that the Nigeria Police Force has a specialised unit with motivated, trained and passionate officers with career path as Child Protection Police Officers.

Eyoh said that the girl-child was often viewed as a second class citizen to her male counterparts.

She said the day was not just about the fanfare, but majorly about creating and increasing awareness about the numerous challenges facing girl-child around the world.

“Nigerian girls are not exempted from these challenges.

“They are plagued daily with all sorts of issues from discrimination to child marriage, lack of access and right to education, legal rights and medicare as well as various forms of violence.

“The Chibok Girls saga is still very fresh in our memories as we await their return,’’ Eyoh said.

She said that a survey conducted by the Violence against Children funded by the National Population Commission indicated that one in four girls is sexually abused before the age 18.

Eyoh said that the day was observed by various stakeholders to dialogue and strategise on the way forward in making our girls safer with improved wellbeing.

“It is also a day where the doggedness and tenacity of girls are celebrated.

“They are motivated to continue to strive toward attainment of their live goals and ambitions in spite of the challenges and discrimination they face,’’ she said.

Eyoh said that all hands should be on the deck to protect and safeguard our children from being sexually abused.

She advised parents to be protective, observant and have a high index of suspicion for people that were allowed access to their children.

“This is because most perpetrators fall into this category and are actually trusted by both the children and their parents or guardians.

“Some children, who love and accept the abusers, do not realise that they are being abused.

“They are too afraid to say no because they see such abusers as authority figures or they are manipulated to accept it as normal.

“Parents and caregivers also need to be aware that children do not usually lie about such abuses and they should be given the benefit of a doubt if they report,’’ Eyoh said.

She urged the media, religious bodies and non-governmental organisations to educate the public and train stakeholders involved in the responsibilities of protecting children from sexual abuses.

NAN reports that SOAR Initiative was established to break the prevailing culture of silence surrounding sexual abuse and violent against children. (NAN)
OEO/EAL/GOK
(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)

Lawyers divided over judges’ arrest by DSS

NAN-H-24
Judges
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) More reactions have continued to trail the arrest of some judges at the weekend in Abuja and some parts of the country by men of the Department of State Service (DSS).

Some lawyers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, lauded the action of the DSS, while others condemned the invasion of their homes on the grounds that it contravened the provisions of the law.

The DSS had on Oct. 7 raided the residences of seven judges of the Supreme, Federal and State High Courts across the country over allegations of corrupt practices.

On Oct. 8, the service in a statement, said it had recovered over N360 million from the homes of three of the judges (names withheld) following the raid.

The DSS had said that the raid was aimed at restoring “sanity and sanctity’’ to the esteemed third arm of government in the interest of the society.

Human rights lawyer, Mr Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa described the arrest as a worrisome development.

His words:“I read with great amazement and total disbelief, the news of the invasion of the homes of judicial officers in Port Harcourt and in Abuja by the DSS.

“It is highly condemnable for the DSS to be breathing down on the judicial arm of government under the guise of fighting corruption.

“In a democracy, the rule of law prescribes the independence of the judiciary, whereby judges must be allowed the unfettered right of taking decision according to law and according to their consciences.

“It is in this regard that the mindless invasion of the homes of judges by the DSS is totally condemnable; the judiciary is the arm of government that stabilizes democracy and so, should not be exposed to ridicule or opprobrium.”

According to Adegboruwa, any fight against corruption must be done in accordance with acceptable standards and principles of law.

In the same vein, a constitutional lawyer, Mr Paul Umuzuruigbo, believed that the fight against corruption must follow laid down rules and procedures.

“Any fight against corruption must be done under the rule of law, and there is no law that authorizes the invasion of the home of a judge at an unholy hour of the night.

“Being public officers, there is no way these judicial officers would have absconded or run away from normal arrest during the day, if need be.

“It is the height of lawlessness and gross intolerance to go about the arrest of judicial officers in the way and manner played out by the DSS,” he told NAN.

But another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Justice Chimezie, reacted differently, urging the DSS to ensure that investigations were carried out to the letter about the corruption allegations.

He said:“Whether the arrest is constitutional or not, the fact still remains that there are allegations of corruptions hanging on the necks of these judges.

“The onus resides with them to establish their innocence of the allegations.

“I think we must learn to put aside sentiments in dealing with issues that touches on national consciousness.”

Chimezie stressed the need for such investigations to be done bearing in mind the principles of fundamental human rights.

To another lawyer and social critic, Mr Emenike Nnoromlele, the action of the DSS cannot be faulted.

“I keep wondering why a good number of members of the NBA are crying foul with regards to this issue; the DSS possesses every power to dispense its duties as it deems fit.

“To my mind, the fight against corruption should leave no stone unturned. There should be no sacred cows and no anointed hands; the fight must be holistic.”

Nnoromlele noted that where a case had been referred to the National Judicial Council for disciplinary measures, such a case could still be investigated by security agencies particularly if the outcome is unsatisfactory. (NAN)
UNS/DA
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Edited & controlled by Dele Akinsola

Ethiopia blames foreign groups for stoking unrest

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GroupS

Addis Ababa, Oct. 10, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Ethiopia accused elements in Eritrea, Egypt and other states on Monday of arming, training and funding groups that it blames for a wave of protests and violence in regions around Addis Ababa.

The government declared a state of emergency on Sunday after more than a year of unrest in Oromiya and Amhara regions.

The protesters said that government has trampled upon their rights in pursuit of industrial development.

Rights groups say more than 500 people have died in clashes with police and other confrontations.

The violence has damaged around a dozen factories and equipment mostly belonging to foreign firms, accused by protesters of purchasing leases for seized land.

“There are countries which are directly involved in arming, financing and training these elements,” government spokesman, Getachew Reda, said.

He named Eritrea, which has a long-running border dispute with Ethiopia, and Egypt, embroiled in a row with Addis Ababa over sharing Nile waters, as sources of backing for “armed gangs.

Although he said it might not come from “state actors”.

“We have to be very careful not to necessarily blame one government or another.

“There are all kinds of elements in the Egyptian political establishment which may or may not necessarily be directly linked with the Egyptian government,” he said.

Egypt has dismissed previous accusations that it was meddling in Ethiopian affairs.

“Egypt firmly respects the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” ,” Getachew said.

Eritrea routinely dismisses charges that it wants to destabilise its neighbour, and instead accuses Addis Ababa of stoking unrest on its own soil. (Reuters/NAN)
OYE/AMY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-44
Conference
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Lawmakers have been urged to ensure that the resolutions reached at the last National Conference were implemented instead of calling for another conference.

Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, the 2015 presidential candidate of the KOWA Party, made the call during interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.

According to her, the resolutions reached at the conclusion of the conference were wishes of Nigerians.

“I think what we need is to consider and take steps to implement the decisions of the last national conference.

“Issues relating to the amendment of the constitution should then be subjected to a referendum’’, Sonaiya said.

Other respondents also condemned fresh requests by some members of House of Representatives for the convocation of a fresh national conference.

The activists told NAN that another national conference was not appropriate at a time where the country was faced with recession

NAN recalls that Reps Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), and Peter Akpatason (APC-Edo), introduced a Bill on Oct. 5, seeking the convocation of another national conference and a referendum for a new constitution for the country.

The House, however, rejected the bill.

The National Chairman of the defunct People’s Redemption Party, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, supported the House for rejecting the bill.

“The Speaker of the House has done the correct thing. There is no concrete reason for the Federal Government to convoke a national conference.

“We will end up again with a fraud like we had in past administrations.

“The present government is facing serious problem of credibility and incompetence and it is trying to divert attention from the reality’’, Musa said.

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kano, Alhaji Musa Umar, who condemned the call, said it was not the priority of the present administration.

“I feel another national conference now will be inappropriate in view of the prevailing economic recession and it is not the priority of this government.

“The government should be allowed to settle down to implement its policies especially the war on insecurity, corruption and the economy’’, Umar said.

However, the President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, said an all-inclusive national conference was needed at this time.

“I think the best we can do now is for us to have an all-inclusive national conference that must be seen to be different from the previous ones that we had.

“Nigerians need a conference that would come from their various zones, nominated by people from their zones to represent them at the local and state levels.

“After which we go to a referendum and discuss the state of the nation and adopt a particular document as to how we have to exist as a people’’, Shettima said. (NAN)

LED/MNA/IEA
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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Idahosa Asowata

Ethiopia declares state of emergency to restore order after protests

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Emmergency

Addis Ababa, Oct. 10, 2016  (Reuters/NAN) Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, has declared a six-month nationwide state of emergency, saying that months of unrest threatened the nation’s stability, a report said on Monday.

Rights groups said more than 500 people had been killed in protests in the Oromiya region since 2015.

It said that the protest began when disagreement over a development scheme for the capital turned into broader anti-government demonstrations over politics and human rights abuses.

The government says the death toll is inflated.

“A state of emergency has been declared because the situation posed a threat against the people of the country.

“Vital infrastructure, businesses, health and education centres, as well as government offices, and courts have been destroyed,” Hailemariam said.

He also repeated earlier promises of reform and plans for dialogue with the opposition.

According to the report, the state of emergency was effective from Oct.8.

The violence in Oromiya has put a shadow over a nation where a state-led industrial drive has created one of Africa’s fastest growing economies. (Reuters/NAN)
OYE/AMY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-10
Sanctions
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) The Traditional Council of  Chiefs in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara has expelled a high chief and suspended two others.

The council expelled the Obale  Aran of Omu-Aran, Chief Jubril Arowoduye, over alleged insubordination and dereliction of duty and suspended indefinitely Chief Hassan Oyinloye, the Oloye Aran, and Chief Adebayo Omiyale, the Asaba Aran.

Both the expelled and suspended members were asked to submit their identity cards to the council with immediate effect.

The expulsion and suspension orders were contained in a statement jointly issued on Monday in Omu-Aran by the paramount ruler and Olomu  of  Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, and the council’s Secretary, Chief Joseph Adesiyan.

According to the statement, four other chiefs were to forfeit six months allowance for absence during the council’s weekly meetings between April 1 and Sept. 30.

Those affected included Chief Amos Bamigboye (Odofin Chief Aran), Chief Suleiman Salawu (Aro Aran), Chief Jimoh Olatunde (Ejemu Aran) and Chief Adebayo Ranti (Obaro Aran).

The statement enjoined the Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area, the Omu-Aran Divisional Police Officer and the Director of the  Department of the State Services  (DSS) to take note of the development.

It added that the chiefs were sanctioned over their roles in a litigation involving the traditional council and some claimants over the appointment of a new Edemo Aran for the community.

According to the statement, the roles played by the chiefs individually and jointly were capable of threatening the peace of the community, if not promptly checked.

It would be recalled that  Ibitoye recently installed a new Edemo Aran, Chief Salawu Dosunmu, the Arojoye 11, in his palace in Omu-Aran, following his affirmation by the court.

The installation of Dosunmu was sequel to a judgment of the Kwara State High Court delivered in Ilorin and which ruled in favour of the council’s nominee.

Two claimants, Akande Oyinloye and Joseph Awoniyi, had approached the court on Feb. 24, 2014, challenging the nomination and confirmation of Dosunmu as the new Edemo Aran by the council.

They had based their argument on the fact that appointment to the stool of Edemo Aran is by competition and not by rotation.

The defendants, including Ibitoye, on their part, claimed that after the demise of the late Edemo Aran, Chief Yusuf Abidoye from Adenigba compound on April 14, 2010, it was the turn of Alaa compound of Dosunmu to produce the next Edemo Aran.

In his ruling, Justice S.T. Umar had declared that the evidence of the defendants on rotation was more credible and reliable.

He affirmed that it was the turn of Alaa compound to produce the next Edemo Aran.

According to the judgment, Exhibit D10 written by all Aran chiefs, including DW3, admitted that the purported installation of the second claimant as Edemo Aran was an error which had breached the peace of the town.

“The affected chiefs apologised and suspended the exercise, promising to do the right thing.

“Exhibit D11 does not show that the first defendant, who is the Olomu of Omu-Aran, imposed anyone on them.

“Having held that the evidence of DW1 and DW2 are more credible, I therefore declare that the appointment of the second defendant from Alaa compound has sailed through as the next Edemo Aran,” Umar ruled. (NAN)
ISHO/AOS/OJO
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(Edited Bayo Sekoni and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

Benue killings: ECOWAS Court adjourn case till Nov. 9

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Rights
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has adjourned a case of alleged breach of human rights filed by Movement Against Fulani Occupation (MAFO) against the Federal Government till Nov. 9.

The presiding judge, Justice Friday Nwoke, adjourned the case on Monday for hearing, following a motion on notice for an extension of time filed by the defendants.

Nwoke, however, declined the request for cost by the applicant.

Earlier, Counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Terence Vembe, did not oppose the motion of notice and requested for a cost of 500 thousand naira.

Joined in the suit are: Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai as first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants respectively.

The suit was filed in April on behalf of Rev. Fr. Solomon Mba, and 11 others, representing the victims of attacks by herdsmen in Benue.

The plaintiffs are asking for an order directing the defendants to pay a compensation of N500 billion for unlawful violation of their rights.

They also prayed the court to direct the defendants to pay the sum of N25 million  as cost of prosecuting this suit.

The plaintiffs also want the court to direct the first and second defendants to set up an Investigative Panel to investigate attacks committed by herdsmen over the years and implement its findings.

They alleged that herdsmen had carried out more than 50 major attacks on Benue communities within the last three years.

They also claimed that more than 1000 people had been killed; hundreds of thousands displaced and living in deplorable make shift camps and properties worth billions of naira were destroyed from attacks by herdsmen in 2016  alone.

They similarly claimed that the most prominent attacks were carried out in 15 out of 23 local government areas of the state.

They claimed that communities, where these attacks were carried out, had become desolate and devastated due to wanton destruction of lives and property.

The plaintiffs also alleged that the Federal Government carried out a sustained violation of their human rights as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights by not providing security and protection to the communities against the attacks.

They said even when the locations of the perpetrators of these attacks were known to the security agencies but they  refused to accost the attackers and prevent further attacks.  (NAN)

TOP/KOLE/YAZ
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Yusuf Zango

Untreated Chlamydia causes infertility – Expert

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Chlamydia

By Chinenye Offor

Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Dr Adaora Ukoh, an Abuja based gynaecologist, has warned that untreated Chlamydia could lead to infertility.

Ukoh said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

She described Chlamydia as an infection that is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia which is spread through sexual contact.

She said that the infection could affect anyone, but pointed out that it was common in young women.

According to her, anyone who is sexually active can contract Chlamydia, noting that there are high risks of contracting it if there is a new sexual partner and without the use of condom.

The gynaecologist stressed that the infection, if left untreated, could spread to other parts of the body and lead to other health problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), among others.

However, she said that preventing the infection starts from using condom during sexual intercourse as well as oral sex.

Ukoh advised that sharing of sex toys should be avoided in order to prevent Chlamydia.

Besides, Ukoh said that Chlamydia could be treated for a week with oral medication such as antibiotics.

She suggested abstinence from sex until the patient and her partner had completed the treatment.

“If you have one-day course treatment, avoid having sex for a week or two in order to help treat it.

“It is important that your partner and other sexual partners in the last six months also get tested and treated to avoid further spread of the infection,’’ she said.

She also recommended that young adults under age of 25, who have had Chlamydia, should go for another test after 3 months of being treated, cautioning that they are at high risk of contracting it again. (NAN)

CSO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-27

Education

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Amid the strident calls for the restructuring of the polity, a university lecturer, Prof. Sat Obiyan, has told the Federal Government that restructuring the education system will resolve other national challenges.

Obiyan, who is Head of the Department of Political Science at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.

He said that restructuring the education system would address the country’s technological, agricultural and economic challenges.

Obiyan lamented that the country was still technologically backward, making it difficult for the nation to realize its growth aspirations.

According to him, the absence of appropriate technological force is a major setback for the nation’s development.

The don said that technology was the key element that could address most of the economic challenges facing the nation, regretting that technology had not been fully embraced in the country.

“Education should be the basis for the takeoff of technological development but we have not done what we should do.

“We are still very technologically backward.

“We have not really programmed our education to serve as catalyst for the technological development of this country.

The head of department argued that Nigeria must have to tailor its education to address the needs of the nation.

“If you look at countries that we started together 56 years ago, one will discover that they have made considerable progress, ahead of Nigeria.

“Today, we still talk about reliance on oil but Nigeria need to fully diversify into agriculture and industrialisation.

“To achieve these, technology is vital,’’ Obiyan told stated.

The lecturer said that stakeholders in education system should make conscious efforts to address the challenges.

“The transformation required in the country should be anchored on technological development.

“If we continue to wait and think that the western countries will come and help us, we are making a fundamental mistake.

He argued that there was serious deficiency in the country’s technology and that until “we programme our education to serve as a catalyst for development we will never go anywhere’’.

Obiyan also argued that inconsistencies in policy formulation were affecting other key sectors of the nation’s economy.

He said that the Federal Government should come up with policies that could stand the test of time, noting that government should also consult widely before formulating policies. (NAN)

OOG/AIB/SN

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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde, controlled by Silas Nwoha)

Economic Summit: FG to encourage production, consumption of local goods

NAN-HE-15

Products

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning, says the Federal Government is working with relevant stakeholders to encourage more production and consumption of Made –in- Nigeria goods and services.

Udoma said this at the opening of 22nd edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) on Monday in Abuja with the theme: “Made-in-Nigeria.’’

He said with more patronage of Made-in Nigeria goods and services, producers would be encouraged to improve on quality and create jobs for the teeming youth.

“There is no doubt that one of the fastest routes to grow our economy and create jobs is by encouraging our people to produce more, and export more.

“This strategy will also generate foreign exchange that can help in stabilising and strengthening the Naira.’’

The minister said the government would start taking steps to encourage its officials to buy Made- in- Nigeria products.

Udoma said the government would also continue to improve the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.

“We will continue, among other things, to prioritise our spending towards critical infrastructure to improve Nigerian competitiveness.

“Government agencies will work with the private sector to support research with a view to developing high quality indigenous products and technologies.

“Many of our programmes have been structured in such a way as to stimulate domestic production.

“For instance, our School Feeding Programme will utilise only locally grown and produced food items.

“But much more, needs to be done by both the public sector and the private sector to encourage and support local production,’’ he said.

Udoma, however, urged the stakeholders to come up with practical roadmap that would contextualise “Made in Nigeria” as an economic growth and development strategy for our short, medium and long term development.

Also, Mr Kyari Bukar, Chairman of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) said the summit had become a platform to discuss and understand economic policies in the country for the past 22 years.

Bukar commended the government for implementing some of the recommendations of NES 21 which included diversification of the economy.

He urged the government to implement more of those recommendations to help the country out the economic recession.

The Chairman said that the theme of the summit would be used to embody the imperative to commit to the structural and fiscal change required to strengthen the economy.

“Past summits have made recommendations on self-sufficiency in local production and an export-driven economy.

“With our current economic realities, this is the perfect opportunity to articulate a national discussion on Made- in-Nigeria to become an economic growth and development agenda.

“`It will also seek to work out strategies to achieve self –sufficiency and value-addition capacities for several products and services in the shortest possible time,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NESG was incorporated in 1996 as non-profit private sector organisation with a mandate to promote and champion the reform of Nigerian economy into an open, private sector-led globally competitive economy.

The summit is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. (NAN)

CIA/EAL/IA
(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Idris Abdulrahman)