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Nigeria: Governor El-Rufai Sacks Board Chairmen, Political Appointees

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By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Governor of Kaduna State, northwest nigeria, Nasir El-Rufai has dissolved heads of all Boards, Parastatals and Agencies in the state.

Similarly, all political appointees, including chief executives that are not civil servants, have also been relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by Secretary to State Government, Balarabe Abbas Lawal made available to newsmen in the state.

According to the statement, the directive includes sole administrators of all the 23 local government areas of the state.

Others are Secretaries of Development Areas appointed by previous administration.

Special Advisers and Special Assistants were also affected by the notice.

The notice directs most senior officials in the affected parastatals and agencies to take over affairs of such places until further instructions were issued.

Security agents and all public servants have been advised to treat any of the affected persons who purports to still be in office as a trespasser indulging in unauthorised entry.

Nigeria: Senate Passes Sexual Offences Bill Into Law

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The Senate on Wednesday passed the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015 which prescribes life imprisonment for rapists and those who have sexual intercourse with children under 11 years.

The passage of the bill followed the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Chaired by Sen. Umaru Dahiru (APC Sokoto-South).

Presenting the report, Dahiru said the passage of the bill would give legal backing for the prosecution of sexual offenders.

He said if approved, rapists and those who sexually abuse children would bag life imprisonment while other sexual offenders would also be sentenced to serve various prison terms.

The President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, expressed delight on the efforts of the committee to evolve a stronger law against sexual violations,

“I want to particularly thank and congratulate Sen. Chris Anyanwu, the sponsor of the Bill for the passage for initiating the process of this amendment,’’ Mark said.

Speaking to newsmen after plenary, Anyanwu (APGA Imo East) said the passage of the bill was a parting gift from her to the public.

“It is indeed a fulfilment of my mission in the Upper Chamber,’’ she said.

She listed some of the sexual offences captured by the bill to include gang rape, lacing drinks with drugs with intent to sexually abuse, deliberately infecting partner with HIV and other diseases.

Others, according to her, include child sex tourism, sexual harassment and prostitution of persons with mental disabilities.

She said the bill had mandated the storing of names of sexual offenders in database for institutional and social discrimination.

“Culprits would never be employed in any institution where they may pose a risk to unsuspecting persons. You can see that the penalties are weighty,’’ she said.

She also said convicted offenders would be subjected to compulsory medical examination, while “those that, however, bring false sexual allegation against any person will also be liable for punishment.’’

Curled from leadership.ng

Nigeria: Kaduna Tackles Maternal Death Through Training of 900 Birth Attendants

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By Anang Bako
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria has trained 900 traditional birth attendants to boost strength of health workers in reducing the high burden of maternal deaths in the state.

Health Education Officer, State Primary Healthcare Agency, Hamza Ikara said the traditional birth attendants were trained in three phases comprising 300 in each batch.

“We conducted free training in three different phases where we select nine LGAs at a time and all the wards will be involved so as to reduce maternal mortality rate in the state.

He said training for the next two batches of 600 traditional birth attendants from 14 local government areas were conducted in Zaria and Kafanchan and were just concluded.

“Kaduna is one of the states with increasing rate of maternal mortality and we want to stem the tide.” He said.

According to him, the participants were trained on the use of modern delivery kits and skills to encourage pregnant mothers to attend antenatal clinics.

He noted that improving the capacity of the traditional birth attendants would “reduce the tally of death of women during child delivery, particularly in the rural areas.”

Ikara pointed out that the training would also prepare women to embrace routine immunization and encourage personal hygiene.

He added that the traditional birth attendants were well kitted after the training.

The Official therefore urged pregnant women to always attend antenatal clinics to ensure safe delivery and safeguard their health and that of the child.

Plateau State Water Board Cautions Against Water Vendors

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Jos (Nigeria) – Residents of Plateau State in central Nigeria have been cautioned against patronizing water vendors alleged to be lifting water from unhygienic sources.

General Manager of Plateau State Water Board, Eugene Pam gave the warning in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Nangor Ndam.

It states that residents should be mindful of sources of water the vendors use, explaining that, staff of the Board have complied with Nigeria Labour Congress directive to embark on strike – this has led water tanker operators to source water from contaminated sources.

The General Manager further advised them to treat unsafe water before domestic consumption, and called on those involved in illegal connection, especially in Rikkos to desist from it or face the wrath of the law upon resumption.

“This unfortunate situation has made major water vendors who are tanker operators not to lift treated water from our treatment plants. They are therefore restoring to lifting from mining ponds and other unhygienic raw water sources.”

Residents of Jos have been faced with water scarcity for more than a month as a result of an industrial action embarked upon by civil servants over non-payment of six months salaries.

Recently, there was also a cholera outbreak in the state which led to hospitalisation of over 20 people.

Freedom For Wasila

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Court

AFTER one year of legal mishmash, Wasila Umar, regained her freedom: she allegedly killed her husband, his three friends, and injured others. She was 14. Wise men in her community in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State found her a husband.

 
Tragedy struck 17 days into her forced marriage. Wasila reportedly poisoned the food she served her husband – she wanted her freedom. She did not reckon with the camaraderie her community shares during meal times. Her husband’s friends who ate the food were also victims of the poison.

 
Her story is pathetic and reflects a revolt of children in forced marriages. Their guardians think they have no opinion, but they have. Wasila wanted education; nobody listened to her.

 
“I have never enjoyed the opportunity of going to Islamic school or acquiring Western education. My father forced me into this mess by stubbornly forcing me into a relationship I was not prepared to live in,” she said of the marriage to her 35-year-old husband, Sani.

 
Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Musa Majia, had then said, “The case has been referred to appropriate authorities for the next line of action. I am assuring you that Wasila would appear in court soon because we have limitation on the number of days we can keep a suspect no matter the perceived weakness of the case or the personality involved”.

 
Wasila, who confessed to the crime, became dramatic in court. She was incoherent after the charges were read. Pressure mounted on the Kano State Government to free her. The trial continued.

 
Section 29 (4) (a) of the 1999 Constitution, states, “full age” means the age of eighteen years and above; (b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.” Those who married off Wasila at 14 broke the law. The law did not punish them.

 
The Child’s Rights Act of 2003 prohibits child marriages and betrothals. In Section 21, any marriage contracted by anyone less than 18 years is invalid. Under Section 22: “(1) No parent, guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person”. Both provisions are in the Criminal and Penal Codes, though they are hardly enforced.

 

Wasila’s belated release does not amount to obedience of the law. She should not have been married in the first place, being a child. How would she cope with the trauma of her ordeal? Would the State provide the professional care she needs?

 
What happens to millions of other endangered children, some in similar marriages and others destined for them? Wasila, tragically, gave them a voice. We should not wait for another Wasila to free our children.

 
Curled from vanguardngr.com

Sepp Blatter To Resign As FIFA Chief Over Corruption Scandal

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FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he would resign from his office following allegations of corruption and inquiry into the world’s football body.

 
At a news conference in Zurich, Blatter said he would ask FIFA to schedule a new election for his replacement as soon as possible.
“FIFA needs a profound restructuring.” He said

 
“I appreciate and love FIFA more than anything else,” he said. “And I only want to do the best for FIFA.”

 
79 year old Blatter has worked for FIFA since 1975. He has been FIFA President since 1998.

Nigerian Polytechnic Lecturers Threaten Total Shutdown Over Unpaid Allowances

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By Muhammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, has declared a 3 day work-to-rule action over unpaid allowances.

They also threatened a total shutdown of the institute if the management failed to yield to their immediate, legitimate demands. .

ASUP Chairman, Musa Ibrahim who disclosed this to newsmen urged the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to revisit the issue of converting the institute to university.

He explained that their demands were within the management control if they truly wants peace in the institute.

“Our present status has defied immediate remedies, as many problems confront our institution,

“Infrastructural decay has taken a huge toll on us. Our prospects of contributing more to our nation’s development are underutilized.

“We are grossly underfunded, and this has translated in all facets of our institution.

” The morale of our members is low and even getting lower.

” As I speak now, our union has commenced a mass action over our management’s unwillingness to yield to our immediate, legitimate demands.

“You may have heard, two weeks ago, that we had contemplated going on strike. It is very true.

” We had only stayed action on the strike because of our commitment to ensuring the survival of the system in the interest of our students.

“But our magnanimity is already being taken for granted as we believe that, the issues in contention are very much within management’s control, if they genuinely want peace.

“Out of over 10 critical areas where we have found our management wanting, the contentious Excess workload allowance,

“In particular, is not beyond the management’s immediate intervention.

“The unjustifiable removal of the allowance remains condemned; its immediate reinstatement remains unconditional.

“We stand uncompromised. We have given the benefit of restraint for which management has failed.

“We have declared a work-to-rule action for three days beginning from today.

“Our members will make appearance in class, but will not teach.

“If our grievances are not addressed, we shall proceed on a 3 days warning strike, after which we shall declare a total shutdown, should the need arise,” he said.

He said the union is committed to peace and industrial harmony of the Polytechnic.

“We believe the institution’s interest and our members’ welfare should be of paramount concern.

“We are also of a strong belief that, our management can save the impending debacle by immediately addressing our demands.

“While we acknowledge that, the more challenging constraints of the institution can only be remedied by a much more holistic intervention by the federal government.

“We are confident that, our final, immediate conversion into university is the only panacea that will reposition Kaduna Polytechnic.,” he said.

The union also commended the Nigerian Government over conversion of four Colleges of Education, including FCE Zaria into universities.

Nigeria: Governor Al-makura Loses Mother-in-law

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Jos (Nigeria) – Governor Tanko Al-makura of Nassarawa state, North central Nigeria has on Monday loss his mother-in-law, Hajiya Aisha Mamman Musa,

Report says Hajiya Mamman died in the morning in her residence in Jos, Plateau State.

Aged 85 years, she is survived by eight children and 50 grand children.

She has since been buried according to the Islamic rite.

Among the the early sympathisers were Nigeria’s First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, and senators representing Nasarawa State in the National Assembly, namely Senator Amed Lawan, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Solomon Ewuga.

Speaking, Senator Lawan said, “God Knows why she goes at this time, we pray for her soul to rest in peace.”

Responding on behalf of the family, Governor Al-makura thanked them for sympathizing with the family, saying that their visit has overwhelmed him and the family, “thank you for sympathizing with the family at our trial moment, only God will reward you,” he added.

He described her dead as a loss to the family and prayed God to accept the spirit of the departed.

Describing the deceased, her second daughter Aisha Dahiru Ibrahim, described her mother as a generous, loving, accommodative mother, who preaches peace among her children and other people.

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