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Police operatives in Lagos have arrested a nurse over the death of a 36-year-old woman simply identified as Abiola in the Lekki area of the state.
She reportedly died after undergoing a botched buttocks enlargement procedure at a clinic in the Lekki-Phase 1.
BBL is a popular enhancement surgery that sculpts the buttocks while removing excess fat from other body areas.
Read Also: What you need to know about FG’s ban on under-18 WAEC, NECO candidates
The spokesman for the state police command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement.
He said the deceased’s driver reported the incident at the Maroko Police Division.
“Upon their arrival, the clinic owner directed a nurse to administer the injection on Abiola. Moments later, chaos ensued as the woman lost consciousness and started gasping for breath.
“Desperate for help, the driver rushed Abiola to another hospital in Lekki Phase 1 but she was confirmed dead by the staff on duty upon arrival.
“Detectives from the command had visited the scene, gathered evidence, inspected and photographed the woman’s remains, and subsequently transported the corpse to a morgue for autopsy.”
“The nurse has been taken into custody while an investigation into the incident continues.”
Meanwhile, experts have warned that complications from butt enhancement can lead to death, particularly if conducted by a quack.
The Federal Government’s decision to ban under-18 candidates from sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examination Council has sparked mixed reactions.
The Federal Government introduced the 6-3-3-4 system of education in 1983 with the primary focus of meeting the educational needs of its citizenry and equipping the youths with sellable skills that would make them self-reliant.
More than two decades later, a modified system, Universal Basic Education (UBE), also known as the 9-3-4, was introduced, with a curriculum expected to meet global best practices.
Experts have, however, observed that the implementation of the education policies led to the menace of admitting underage children into secondary schools.
The trend of parents pushing their children to finish their education at a very tender age has become alarming.
It has been observed that parents encourage their children to skip primary five and six and “jump” into Junior Secondary School. At the end of secondary school, a Nigerian is expected to be about 18 years old, but many students often graduate at 16 or less due to skipped grades.
Read Also: Nigeria needs effective leadership to address unhealthy inter-ethnic relations, says University Don
This is also applicable to Senior Secondary schools as some parents push their children into taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) while in SS 2.
This development has led to many students graduating from secondary schools at ages 14, 15 and 16, and getting admission into tertiary institutions in the country.
The consequence is that younger, immature candidates who ought to be in the controlled space of their parents find themselves unrestrained in a tertiary school environment.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme that the Federal Government had instituted a new age policy for secondary school leaving examinations, setting the minimum age at 18.
This means underage candidates will no longer be allowed to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the Senior School Certificate Examination, both crucial for advancing to tertiary education.
The directive also affects the West African Examinations Council, which administers the WASSCE, and the National Examinations Council responsible for the SSCE.
Since the pronouncement, the minister has received both hail and knock.
Mamman confirmed that the age limit to undertake the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, overseen by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, will also be 18.
He added that this was not a new policy.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time,” Mamman stated.
Last month, Mamman, in a meeting with JAMB and other education stakeholders, insisted that the UTME should be set at 18 years.
Mamman stated: “JAMB is hereby notified that there is now a ban on underage students, those under the age of 18, from our tertiary institutions for the 2024 admissions… It doesn’t require a statement of the minister… we are only restating what is in the law.”
However, the law sparked criticisms, particularly from university stakeholders, as many of those categorised as underage candidates had already taken the UTME without anticipating the directive. This posed a threat to potential 16 and 17-year-olds, who had already passed the UTME and were seeking admission into universities.
Following the disapproval, the minister reversed the directive, allowing candidates from 16 years to be admitted into the university as it previously stood until 2025.
However, following Sunday’s pronouncement, Mamman insisted that there was no going back on the policy.
The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, maintained that ASUU had not yet discussed the matter, but stated on a personal note that children should follow the standard academic progression: six years in primary school, six years in secondary school, and then move on to university at the age of 18.
Also, Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar berated the Federal Ministry of Education over the policy.
He wondered how such anti-scholarship regulation was the next logical step in the myriad of issues besetting Nigeria’s educational system.
![Ethnic poison threat: ‘I can’t be deported,’ - Canadian based Nigerian woman boasts [VIDEO]](/media/k2/items/cache/334bdee70473e7126799ad8f2cbaa8b4_M.jpg?t=20240829_142525)
Canada-based Nigerian woman, Amaka Patience Sunnberger, has dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation after the Nigerian House of Representatives urged the Canadian government to prosecute her for inciting violence and genocide against Yoruba and Benin people.
In a viral video clip that started trending on X.com on Thursday, Sunnberger cited her Canadian citizenship as protection, stating that Canada’s legal system is unlike Nigeria’s, where arrests can be made without questioning.
She said, “Somebody just send me message, say them arrest me, say them wan deport me, with passport? I be Canada pikin.
“See am now, I dey house, why I go dey lie?
This comes after a video clip surfaced on Tuesday, showing her making threatening comments against Yoruba and Benin people during a virtual meeting on TikTok.
The woman, claiming to be a resident of Ontario, Canada, vowed to harm Yoruba or Benin individuals she encounters, sparking outrage and prompting the House of Representatives to request her prosecution.
The House of Representatives has written to the Canadian government, urging it to investigate and prosecute Sunnberger for her inciting comments, which it said violate international and Canadian laws.
Media
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Holders of Canadian visitor visas will not be able to apply for a work permit within the country.
This is coming amidst recent immigration reforms that have sparked protests, especially amongst international students.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in a statement on Wednesday said it will discontinue the policy that allows visitors to get a work permit with immediate effect.
“While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the statement read.
The policy was introduced in August 2020 to assist visitors in Canada who were unable to return home because of border closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors could apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada. Also, anyone who had held a work permit within the preceding 12 months but had changed their immigration status to “visitor” became eligible to “work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.”
However, the IRCC said that “some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.”
It, however, said it will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.”
Tensions heightened earlier this week when tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada to protest against new immigration policies introduced by the federal government that could see about 70,000 of them deported.
As of 2023, international students made up 37 per cent of study visa holders in Canada.
However, the recent cap on student visas is expected to reduce the intake of foreign students by 35 per cent, a move the government argues is necessary to alleviate pressures on housing, unemployment, and public services.
In June, the Canadian government further tightened regulations by announcing that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a PGWP at the border.
This decision has sparked fears among students who are concerned about their future in Canada.
Student advocacy groups, including the Naujawan Support Network, have warned that many international graduates could face deportation once their work permits expire at the end of the year.
The Federal Government has approved a 50 per cent subsidy for the electricity consumed in hospitals across the nation.
This followed a promise by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that the Federal Government would subsidise electricity in hospitals and universities, even if they are on Band-A feeders.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced on Thursday that the Federal Government has approved the 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals.
According to him, this gesture aims to reduce the running costs for public hospitals and alleviate the impact on patients.
Alausa made this disclosure at the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, where he unveiled the electronic health records and an alternative power supply source at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex and the solarisation project at the dialysis unit, which includes a solar-powered borehole.
Speaking recently in Ibadan, Adelabu, however, said the government would not subsidise private businesses operating in these universities and hospitals.
The minister disclosed that the government was aware that universities and hospitals are having challenges paying the bills.
However, he said the Federal Government was planning to meter all businesses running in each of the institutions to prevent paying subsidies to private businesses.
“We know they are development institutions, they are social institutions. But inside the health and educational institutions, private businesses are hiding under them. These people charge their customers commercially and they expect to be subsidised because they are located within the territories of these institutions.
“We said no, go and do a proper search and meter everybody. For the ones that are properly health and education-related, we are ready to subsidise them, even if they are on Band A. We are compiling our data, DisCos will collect a certain amount and the government will pay the balance. But we must get the data right so that we are not subsidising a private business that is charging its customers commercially. That will be an abnormal profit and it is unfair,” he stated.
After the Federal Government removed subsidies from customers categorised as Band A and upgraded their daily electricity supply to a minimum of 20 hours daily, universities and public hospitals cried out that their bills had skyrocketed.
Recently, the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital cried out over what they described as an outrageous electricity bill charged by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company for May.
The institutions said they were jointly presented with a bill of about N280m for May instead of the less than N100m they used to pay.
The Ministry of Power has yet to give details of the subsidy arrangement for the institutions.
The Minister of Power’s spokesman, Bolaji Tunji, promised to revert.
Africa has become a dumping ground for 55 million used vehicles from Europe and America, the Chief Executive Officer of the the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), David Coffey, has said.
He said the trend can change if there is synergy between the National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC) and AAAM, which is on a mission is to industrialise and grow the automotive sector in Africa.
He said the sector can be developed wworking with African governments to develop and refine policies, collaborating with the public and private sectors, promoting affordable mobility with safe, low-emission vehicles, and eveloping a value chain, including finance sector partnerships.
Coffey, who dissected Nigeria’s manufacturing capability, identified the lack of demand as a key challenge.
He called for the strengthening of the automobile policy for increased investment in the sector, adding that partnership with local businesses would boost local production, enhance technology transfer and raise industrial capacity.
He was impressed by the capability he witnessed and suggested partnering with local businesses.
Coffey spoke during the tour of automobile companies by the Director-General of the National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin.
Accompanied by the AAAM team, he visited Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) and Afro Asia at Nnewi, Anambra State, where he applauded the companies for their innovation approach.
Osanipin expressed a strong interest in replicating Innoson’s model to boost local manufacturing capabilities across Nigeria.
The Director-General acknowledged the success of Innoson, which manufactures complete CNG buses from scratch, using locally sourced materials like glass, iron, and plastic.
He said the model should be replicated in other manufacturing entities and partnering with Innoson to grow the industry.
Osanipin also emphasised the importance of setting standards and conducting peer reviews with other economies.
He praised Innoson’s use of local content and urged the company to improve it to 70-80 percent in view of the necessary capacity, expertise, and materials available.
Osanipin said the vehicles produced by IVM have met global standards, adding that the factory has the capacity to produce at least 30,000 vehicles per year if orders are placed.
Inoson Motors Chief Executive Officer Dr Innocent Chukwuma, urged Nigeria to adopt Natural Compressed Gas (CNG) as a fuel source, given the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He said the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle is the best option, stressing that it is a cheaper attractive alternative.
Chukwuma said: “The federal government should issue directives to promote the adoption of CNG, as it is crucial for saving our economy from the burden of expensive PMS. As the president highlighted, fuel costs are draining our country’s resources.
“By switching to CNG, we can conserve funds for other essential purposes. I urge everyone to support the transition to CNG, as it will benefit both individuals and the nation as a whole. A prosperous Nigeria benefits everyone.”
Osanipin also visited the Afro Asia Nigeria Limited, where the CEO Chief A.C. Okafor, presented a comprehensive overview of the company’s manufacturing processes, ranging from plastic recycling to finished product production.
Okafor, who spoke on the challenges confronting the industry, said policy inconsistency is a significant obstacle.
He emphasised the need for auto policy legislation to unlock the industry’s full potential and facilitate its growth.
An employee of the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Auwal Dankode, has been praised for his integrity after returning $10,000, approximately N16 million.
Dankode, a worker at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, was said to have found the money while cleaning the aircraft.
According to a post by the security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makaman, on the X platform on Wednesday, Dankode discovered the cash during his routine cleaning duties and immediately reported it to the airline company’s manager.
Zagazola stated that Dankode, a native of Kode in Kano State, is known for his strong fear of God and integrity.
His selfless act, he said, has highlighted the importance of honesty and accountability in the workplace.
Zagazola added that as investigations continue to identify the owner of the lost money, “Auwal’s actions serve as a shining example of the positive impact that even small acts of kindness can have.”
The post read: “This boy, Named Auwal Ahmed Dankode, an employee of Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), found $10,000—approximately N16m—Inside a plane while cleaning it.
“Upon discovering the money, Auwal immediately reported it to the airline company’s manager to initiate the search for the rightful owner. The incident took place at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. Auwal, originally from Kode in Kano State, is known for his strong fear of God and honesty.”
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, is dead.
Ayilara, it was gathered, died in the early hours of Thursday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, The Nation reported.
Sources close to the family told The Nation he underwent prostate cancer surgery on Wednesday before he died hours later.
“We are very sad to inform you that our friend, brother, and family, the Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, is dead,” the family was quoted as saying.
A top police officer in Akwa Ibom State, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, also confirmed the CP’s death.
In November 2023, as a DCP, Ayilara was unveiled as the acting Commissioner of Police in Lagos.
Ayilara, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, took over from AIG Idowu Owohunwa.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, deployed Ayilara to head Akwa Ibom State Command in February 2024.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police, A. A Babangida, and 19 others for 30 days over their alleged involvement in banditry, kidnapping and terrorism activities.
Justice Peter Lifu gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1146/2024, brought before the court by the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Justice Lifu ordered that Babangida be detained along with the other suspects for 30 days to enable DIA operatives to carry out a thorough investigation into their alleged involvement in the crime.
The other suspects are Usman Idris, Abu Safiyanu, Alhassan Idris, Sahada Ishaka, Abubakar Ibrahim Sani Bello, Yahaya Abdullahi, Haruna Salisu and Mohammed Muazu.
Others are Nura Idris, Manu Mohammed, Umar Lamu, Abubakar Mandara, Suleiman Mohammed, Alhaji Madayi, Amodu Oghewe and Uzoma Aghaoyibo.
Babangida was alleged to have been helping the Boko Haram, bandits and ISWAP members in carrying out terrorism activities in some parts of the country.
He was arrested in June following an intelligence report received by the DIA and has since been in the custody of the agency.
DIA’s counsel, S.A Aminu, while arguing the ex-parte application, told the court that the agency “intends to carry out a critical investigation into the unlawful activities of Babangida and others before handing them over to the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution”.
The lawyer told the court that the involvement of the suspects in terrorist activities was complex and the bomb experts for the gang had just been apprehended based on information obtained from detainees.
She, therefore, requested the permission of the court to detain the suspects for 90 days.
The agency, in a 21-paragraph affidavit ex-parte application, explained how it obtained information that led to the arrest of the suspects in various locations and at different times.
After going through the documentary exhibits placed before the court, Justice Lifu declined to grant the 90 days requested by DIA on the grounds that the suspects had been in custody for three months.
He held that according to the Constitution, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
He ordered the agency to “detain the suspects till the conclusion of the investigation.”
Justice Lifu also ordered that the DIA should do everything within its powers and within the ambit of the law to complete its investigation into the allegations against the suspects so as not to run foul of the law.
Nigeria's divorce rate, however, surpasses that of Canada, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Peru, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, placing it in a significant global context.
Divorce.com, a United States website which offers resources and support for navigating divorce, has included Nigeria on its list of countries with high divorce rates.
According to data published on their website in July, Nigeria ranked eleventh out of twenty-six countries with the highest divorce rate.
The results were meticulously obtained after sampling respondents from these countries and compiling statistics from 16 primary sources, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable research process.
The report also revealed a significant trend. Women in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria, are taking the initiative in divorce more often than men, a powerful reflection of changing gender dynamics.
According to the data, Maldives has the highest divorce rate at 5.52 per cent, while India has the lowest rate at 0.01 per cent.
Maldives tops the list because women in the country have become more financially independent and can sustain themselves without husbands. Also, there is little to no stigma associated with getting divorced in modern Maldives.
However, India has the lowest divorce rates because marriage is highly valued, and divorce has historically been stigmatised, which has created intense social pressure to maintain the marriage, even in the face of difficulties.
Rationale
Divorce.com claimed that Nigeria’s divorce rate reached 2.9 per cent in 2023 based on available data on marriage and divorce, which translates to 1.8 per cent divorces per 1,000 people in the same year.
Just like Maldives, Nigeria was ranked eleventh among the countries with the highest divorce rate because its women are financially independent and can sustain themselves without husbands.
They stated that the data was arrived at based on scholars’ belief that high divorce rates in Western countries stem from the reduced stigma surrounding divorce and the growing financial independence of women.
Countries with higher divorce rates than Nigeria include the Maldives, Cuba 2.9 per cent, Finland 2.4 per cent, Sweden 2.5 per cent, Denmark 2.7 per cent and Ukraine 3.1 per cent.
For instance, Canada, a country with a similar socio-economic profile to Nigeria, had a divorce rate of 2.8 per cent, while India, a country with a different cultural and religious context, had a divorce rate of 0.1 per cent.
Other countries with lower divorce rates than Nigeria include Malta 0.6 per cent, Ireland 0.7 per cent, Guatemala 0.6 per cent, Venezuela 0.7 per cent, Uruguay 0.8 per cent, Austria 1.6 per cent, and Belgium 1.8 per cent.
Factors that contributed to divorce
According to Divorce.com, various factors influence a country’s divorce rate, and these factors differ across continents.
In the countries with the highest divorce rates, religion, local divorce laws, lack of social support, and limited employment opportunities are significant contributors.
These factors can lead to a breakdown in trust and communication, making it difficult for couples to maintain a healthy and committed relationship.
Other common factors include marrying too young 45.1 per cent, financial hardship 36.7 per cent, substance abuse 40.6 per cent, and domestic violence 23.5 per cent.
Africa
Additionally, eleven other African countries were ranked behind Nigeria in divorce rates.
These countries include Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Mauritius, Libya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
Egypt’s divorce rate was 2.2 per cent, Algeria’s 1.6 per cent, Tunisia’s 1.2 per cent, Sudan’s 1.5 per cent, Mauritius’ 1.7 per cent, Libya’s 0.2 per cent, and South Africa’s 0.4 per cent.
Furthermore, Ethiopia has a divorce rate of 2.6 per cent, Kenya 0.06 per cent, Zimbabwe 0.07 per cent, and Mozambique 0.04 per cent.
Determining factors
According to Divorce.com, the primary factors influencing divorce rates in Africa include age at first marriage, financial independence, polygyny, and HIV/AIDS risks.
The report also revealed that women in sub-Saharan Africa initiated divorce more often than men.
Specifically, 34.6 per cent of women with secondary school education, 38.6 per cent of those living in urban areas, 57.6 per cent employed outside the household, and 75.1 per cent in monogamous unions have divorced.
Additionally, they highlighted that marriage stability in sub-Saharan African countries mainly depends on religion and extended family ties.
“In particular, conservative Christians, who considered divorce a taboo in the past, now increasingly believe it to be a better option than domestic violence and infidelity.
“In addition, if a marriage requires paying a substantial amount of money to the bride’s family, maternal relatives will try to keep the union from falling apart. Otherwise, they will have to return the portion or all of the “bride price”, Divorce.com added.
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The Lagos State Police command has arrested an unnamed nurse over the d$ath of a 36-year-old woman, simply identified as Abiola, over a failed butt-lifting procedure allegedly carried out on the deceased by the nurse.
Confirming her arrest to newsmen, the state’s Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the nurse was arrested after the Maroko Police Division received a report on Tuesday at about 11:40 am from the driver of the deceased, whose name was also not disclosed.
Hundeyin stated that the deceased’s driver reported that at about 3am on Monday, his boss, who was living at Diamond Estate, Sangotedo-Lekki, asked him to convey her to a clinic located at Lekki Phase 1 for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) injection for buttocks enlargement.
“On arrival, the owner of the clinic (not mentioned), instructed a nurse to inject the now-deceased lady, who later became unconscious and started gasping for breath. The victim was rescued and rushed to another hospital in Lekki Phase 1 for treatment, where she was confirmed d#ad by the doctor on duty. Based on the report, the scene was visited by a team of detectives.
The hospital was also visited, where the corpse was inspected and photographed before it was evacuated to a public morgue for autopsy'' he said
The Lagos police image-maker added that the said nurse had been arrested and that investigation into the matter is in progress.
The race for the Emirate of Ningi has officially begun following the recent death of the late Emir, Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed Danyaya, who passed away last Sunday at the age of 88.
The emir, who had ruled for 46 years since ascending the throne in 1978, is being succeeded according to tradition, which requires that a new emir must come from one of the three ruling houses of the emirate.
The kingmakers have sent letters to the three eligible ruling houses-Gidan Mallam Hamza, Gidan Abubakar Danmaje, and Gidan Usman Danyaya-inviting applications from interested members of the royal family.
The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by Wazirin Ningi, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu, who leads the six-member council including the Chief Imam of Ningi and the district heads.
The Bauchi State Government has instructed the emirate council and the kingmakers to commence the selection process. Applications are being accepted from now until Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 6pm.
The kingmakers will screen the applicants and submit the names of three nominees to Governor Bala Mohammed, who will appoint the new emir from this shortlist.
While five princes are currently being considered as strong contenders, including Alhaji Yusuf Yunusa Danyaya (Danburam Ningi), Haruna Yunusa Danyaya (Chiroman Ningi), Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Gurama (Danlawal Ningi), Alhaji Auwalu Isah (Danmajen Ningi) and Alhaji Zakarai Isa (Santurakin Ningi), no official details have been released regarding their applications or the process.
Governor Bala Mohammed has pledged to appoint a credible successor in accordance with the late emir’s wishes.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued pouring in since the late emir’s passing. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited the palace, where he described the late emir as a steadfast leader who maintained peace and development throughout his reign.
Atiku emphasised the monarch’s significant role in Nigeria’s political and social landscape.
The Sarkin Yakin Bauchi and District Head of Lame, Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu Lame, lauded the late emir as a leader and peacekeeper who served with dedication and commitment.
He prayed for the governor to make a swift appointment and for the late emir to be granted paradise.
Professor Fatima Tahir, Vice-Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University of Gadau, extended her condolences to the late emir’s family and the Bauchi State community, praising his contributions to education and development.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya also expressed his condolences, describing the late emir as an iconic figure known for his humility and dedication to peace and unity.
He urged the royal family to uphold the legacy of the respected monarch.
[DailyTrust]
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed the leaders of its 54 affiliate unions to accompany its President, Joe Ajaero, to the office of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) today over alleged terrorism financing and other infractions.
The umbrella labour union asked Central Working Committee (CWC) members in Abuja to assemble at the Labour House by 8 a.m today to accompany its president for the police questioning.
The NLC gave the directive in a circular by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, and copied to all affiliate unions, state chapters, and national officers.
The police, last week, invited Ajaero to its office over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.
The circular reads: “In Abuja: All CWC members resident in Abuja and other members are expected to assemble at the national headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress by 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, to accompany the President to the police for the scheduled interaction.
“In state capitals: Members should gather at their respective state secretariats of congress. From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to their state police command headquarters where they will hold a prayer session until the President’s interaction with the police is concluded.
“This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session.
“If for any reason, the President is detained, all workers nationwide shall proceed on an indefinite strike. Your unwavering support and solidarity at this critical time are crucial to defending civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement.
“Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation.”
[TheNation]
A 36-year-old Nigerian, Olukayode Ojo, is facing a five-year jail term in Texas, United States, after being found guilty of making false statements to obtain a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
US Attorney Robert Troester, announced Ojo’s conviction on Monday through a statement on the FAA’s official website, revealing that Ojo had been attempting to obtain a medical certificate necessary for piloting a commercial passenger aircraft, which led to his conviction on August 16, 2024.
Troester noted that the case was part of an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.
He said, “On June 4, 2024, a federal jury returned a two-count superseding indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making a false statement. On August 16, 2024, a federal jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.
“Evidence presented at trial indicated that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky state court in connection with a theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
“Ojo then made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate to conceal his history of prior criminal convictions. A First Class Medical Certificate permits an airman to pilot commercial passenger aircraft.”
The convict faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison, along with fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
[Punch]