TheNewsGuru

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  • Violation of children’s rights an indelible dent, says Buhari

    Violation of children’s rights an indelible dent, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said the incidence of a single violation of children rights in any country is an indelible dent on the African consciousness and is to be deplored and condemned.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari stated this on Monday at a High Level Breakfast Dialogue on ‘‘Stop the War on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts, Dividend of Silencing the Guns’’, a side event during the 33rd AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    He reassured Nigerians and the international community of the steadfast commitment of his government to secure the freedom of all children and other victims of abduction by terrorists in the country.

    Speaking on the occasion, President Buhari said: ”A number of school girls from Chibok and Dapchi earlier abducted by Boko Haram have regained their freedom. We commend the gallant efforts of the MultiNational Joint Task Force and the partners in supporting the reintegration of the girls.

    ”Let me categorically reassure you of the steadfast commitment of the Government of Nigeria to ensure the freedom of all kidnapped children from the shackles of Boko Haram. We will not relent until every child, boy, or girl, every Nigerian adult in custody of Boko Haram, is freed!”

    The President urged African countries and stakeholders on the continent to work fervently towards strengthening the protection of children from the six grave violations during armed conflict.

    The six grave violations, he said, are killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children as soldiers, sexual violence against children, abduction of children, attacks against schools or hospitals and denial of humanitarian access for children.

    President Buhari expressed concern that these grave violations against children have continued unabated.

    ”It is for this reason that the Nigerian government has severally condemned, and is combating frontally the dreadful activities of terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State.

    ”Of course, the severity of these grave violations varies from country to country.

    ”The incidence of a single violation of children rights in any country is an indelible dent on the African consciousness and is to be deplored and condemned,” he said.

    Reminding AU Member States of their commitments to protecting children affected by armed conflicts in Africa, President Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the protection of children in armed conflict zones.

    He also used the occasion to outline some concrete measures taken by Nigeria towards tackling the root causes of child soldiers and the misfortune of out-of-school children.

    ”To stem the tide of out-of-school children Nigeria embarked on an all-inclusive reconstruction of schools vandalized by the ravaging terrorist activities of Boko Haram, while returning children are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

    ”Our Nomadic Education policy is also being implemented to reduce the number of out-of-school children. We have also prioritized de-radicalisation and demobilisation of ex-combatant children of Boko Haram insurgents,” President Buhari said.

    The Nigerian leader also called on the AU Peace and Security Council to energetically champion the strategy to stop the war on children and adopt the Child Protection Architecture within the African Peace and Security Architecture and the Roadmap on Silencing the Guns.

    ”The call to action is now for accountability by all African States to the rights of the children caught up in wars.

    ”Let us stop the war on children. This is a wake-up call for us all to create the enabling environment for rooting out the impact of armed conflicts against our children across the continent,” he said.

  • Boko Haram kills 30, kidnaps several others in Maiduguri

    Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 30 people and abducted many women and children in a raid in Borno State, a regional government spokesman said on Monday.

    The attack Sunday evening targeted the village of Auno on a key highway linking to regional capital Maiduguri.

    The jihadists stormed in on trucks mounted with heavy weapons, killing, burning and looting before kidnapping women and children, state government spokesman Ahmad Abdurrahman Bundi said.

    They aimed at travellers who had stopped for the night and torched vehicles.

    The attackers “killed not less than 30 people who are mostly motorists and destroyed 18 vehicles,” Bundi said in a statement after visiting the scene.

    The attack, some 25 kilometres (15 miles) west of Maiduguri, occurred in an area where fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province have been active, mounting roadblocks to target security forces and civilians.

    Witnesses said jihadists set alight 30 vehicles in the raid, including trucks that had stopped overnight on their way to Maiduguri.

    “Many of the drivers and their assistants who were sleeping the vehicles were burnt alive,” civilian militia fighter, Babakura Kolo tod newsmen

  • Breaking: Delta PDP chieftain resigns, citing personal reasons

    Breaking: Delta PDP chieftain resigns, citing personal reasons

    A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Hon Chris Oghenechovwen on Monday waved goodbye to the party, stating personal reasons for quitting.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the former House of Representatives member, and former Commissioner in the state must have left out of frustration from some members of the party.

    Multiple sources confirmed to TNG that his anger to quit the party may not be unconnected to the fact that Oghenechovwen was a close associate of the immediate past Governor of the State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was treated with disdain by the party.

    Recall Oghenechovwen was Commissioner for Water Resources during Uduaghan’s tenure as Delta State Governor.

    Another source said “it’s unfortunate losing a founding member of our party now that we need such old hands but we know he left out of anger”.

    According to Oghenechovwen’s resignation letter, dated 7th February, 2020, and addressed to the State Chairman of the PDP in Delta State, his resignation takes immediate effect.

    “As a founding member, I have remained loyal and committed to the cause of the party these past 20 years. The decision to resign my membership is personal and takes immediate effect,” he stated.

  • FIIRO DG, Chima Igwe not awarded PhD – ICPC

    FIIRO DG, Chima Igwe not awarded PhD – ICPC

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said the Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Chima Igwe, has not been awarded a PhD degree.

    The anti-graft agency made this known in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, on Sunday in Abuja.

    Igwe has been under ICPC investigation for claiming to have secured a PhD at the Universite d’Abomey Calavi, Republic of Benin, but has no certificate to show for it.

    He is said to have risen through the ranks in FIIRO based on a letter of attestation from the university, prompting some officials of the institute to petition the ICPC.

    The ICPC spokesperson said investigation showed that Igwe actually completed the three-year programme between 1999 and 2002, and wrote his thesis.

    However, she said he did not defend the thesis, and so cannot be said to have been awarded a PhD.

    Okoduwa stated that the university said that much in a letter to the Nigerian Mission in Benin dated Jan. 22, 2020.

    In the letter, the institution reportedly said it had given the FIIRO boss, at his request, a chance to update his research results in the 2019/2020 academic year.

    “It stands to reason, therefore, that if the PhD programme was concluded there would have been no need for Igwe to request re-registration.

    “The Commission is firmly of the opinion that he cannot be said to have been awarded a PhD since he is yet to complete the process of defence of his thesis 18 years after he is said to have finished the course work.

    “By global standards, the successful defence of a thesis is a compulsory condition for the award of a PhD.

    “Therefore, in line with its avowed commitment to discharging its duties with professionalism and responsibility, the Commission has since communicated its most recent findings and position to the relevant authorities for necessary action”, she said.

  • 2023: Northern elders open up on choice of candidate

    2023: Northern elders open up on choice of candidate

    The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has said by 2023 the North will only support candidates with genuine commitment to deal with its problems and political will to meet the region’s aspirations.

    This is contained in a statement by the Convener, NEF, Prof. Ango Abdullahi in Zaria, Kaduna State on Sunday.

    The statement reads: “The forum has observed that political maneuvers around the 2023 elections are targeting the North as a region available for exploitation.

    “We want to make it clear that people of the North will be very careful in committing to persons seeking their support on the basis of their region or wealth.

    “The North knows its interest and will stand together to elect only persons who meet the standards and interests of the people of the North.

    “No politicians should assume they are entitled to our support unless they show a clear understanding and a commitment to deal with our problems and meet our aspirations.”

    On national security, Abdullahi called for the injection of higher level of competence, integrity and accountability in the manner Nigerian security agencies deal with security challenges.

    “We appeal to our religious leaders and fellow citizens not to fall into the trap of insurgents to set us up against each other.

    “We condemn the tactic of targeting Christians and publicising their executions by an insurgency seeking to exploit our different faiths.

    “We also condemn the murder of thousands of Muslims and Christians in communities which the insurgency has made permanent target in the last decade.

    “These are times when we must unite and resist a common enemy as well as demand that our leaders protect us all as Nigerians,” he advised.

    According to him, the forum supports the idea of improving the policing capacity of the nation, emphasising that all initiatives to improve public safety must be accommodated within the law.

    He recommended the adoption of a more vigorous and inclusive process which would result in the creation of acceptable frameworks and confidence among all communities with respect to policing strategy.

    The Convener said the forum extended its hand at any group willing to discuss this important matter, assuring that it would utilise its entire assets to collaborate with other groups to achieve an understanding on the way forward.

    “We advise government to exercise higher levels of restraint and responsibility in the manner they respond to the challenges of improving our security and safety.

  • Breaking: Organised labour suspends strike in Niger

    Breaking: Organised labour suspends strike in Niger

    The Organised labour in Niger has suspended the strike it started on February 4 over non implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.

    The strike was called off on Sunday following resolutions reached between the state government and labour.

    The suspension was contained in a statement by Mr Yakubu Garba, Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart Yunusa Tanimu in Minna.

    Recall that the labour unions had directed their members to commence an indefinite strike over non implementation of the new national minimum wage and other entitlements.

    “We are happy to announce to you that the series of rigorous meetings and negotiations between Niger state government and organised labour has finally yielded results.

    “As is traditional with the principle of collective bargaining, both parties made concessions in the interest of sustainability and progress of Niger state.”

    It said that the government and organised labour resolved that the discussion on pension issues resumed immediately.

    The statement said that it was agreed that the Ministries of Finance and Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs be directed to pay the outstanding leave grants between May and September.

    It further said that it was agreed that the issue of N30,000 National Minimum Wage for grade levels 01 and 06 in all salary structures had been concluded and government effected payment within January.

    That the Local Government Councils would start payment with effect from February.

    It was also agreed that the arrears for state workers would be for two months and for local government workers, three months to be paid in March.

  • ‘Women who have undergone FGM find it difficult to enjoy sxx’

    ‘Women who have undergone FGM find it difficult to enjoy sxx’

    Dr Esther Somefun, a gender and reproductive health analyst, on Sunday said women who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) find it difficult to enjoy sxx.

    Somefun, who works with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), told the News Agency of Nigeria that it was difficult for circumcised women to enjoy sxxual pleasure due to the complications of FGM.

    She described FGM also known as female circumcision as the partial or total removal of female external genitalia due to non-medical reasons.

    “Due to the complications of FGM, women find it difficult to enjoy sxx because the external female organ, the clitoris which ensure lubrication during sxx has been cut off.

    “These women can also experience painful sxx, infertility, pelvic inflammatory infections, menstrual pains and keloids.

    “FGM can also cause obstructed labour due to the narrowing of the external genitalia. Women with type two and three FGM are most at risk during child birth.

    “Lubricants can be used but it will not totally resolve the pain experienced during sex.

    “Depending on the type of FGM, corrective surgery can be done to open the external genitalia to allow for easy passage of the male external genitalia,” she said.

    Somefun said there were huge benefits when a woman did not undergo FGM both for short term and long term.

    “There is no risk of gynecological problems, including painful menstruation; no repeated pelvic infections or problems of infertility and urinary tract infections.

    “Sxxual intercourse will not be painful and there is no risk of obstructed labour,” she said.

    Somefun urged women experiencing some of these complications of FGM to see a gynecologist for check and assessment.

    She, however, advised parents and girls to join forces together to push against FGM through advocacy in the communities and media campaign.

    Somefun said that the UNFPA had been supporting the Federal Government to revise the National Policy and plan of action on FGM in the country.

  • President Buhari expresses concern over Libya

    President Buhari expresses concern over Libya

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the lack of tangible progress and the worsening security and humanitarian situation in Libya.

    President Buhari raised the concern at the African Union Peace And Security Council Summit on Situations in Libya and the Sahel in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

    A statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa said on Sunday that President Buhari was represented by the minister of foreign affairs Geoffrey Onyeoma

    President Buhari said inspite the best intentions and determined efforts by this Council and the entire African Union, the devastating impact of the conflict on the Libyan people, neighbours, the Sahel and the Lake Chad regions remains alarming.

    “Nigeria joins in the urgent call for a new and fresh approach that truly reflects the paramount interests of the Libyan people, the region and the continent in general.

    “We condemn strongly all forms and manifestations of external interference in Libya including the evident presence of mercenaries and call for strict implementation of the arms embargo.

    “It is more worrisome that the international community is divided across as some external powers, continue to interfere and provide military support to different armed groups and militias.

    The President said that the interference must stop! , noting that there can be no military solution in Libya.

    He reiterated that it has become imperative for all actors to totally respect the hard-won sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya.

    President Buhari also explained that the report by the Chairperson of the Commission provides ample details of the prevailing security situation in Libya and its implication for the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, especially the dangers posed by illicit proliferation of small arms and lights weapons.

    “We should also bear in mind the horrific situation of many African migrants caught up in the crisis.

    “We are witnesses to the recently agreed ceasefire after the outbreak of hostilities due to renewed attacks by the so-called Libyan National Army to forcefully takeover Tripoli, ” the President stated.

    He however noted that the threat had persisted and made worse by the lack of a truly national, professional security forces that could defend the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

    He said that the resultant heavy dependence of the government on armed groups and external military assistance for its own security was not sustainable nor in the interest of Libya and regional cohesion.

    President Buhari said that the international community must all work to facilitate Libyan national dialogue, negotiated peace settlement and national reconciliation.

    He also expressed dismay on the reluctance of the UN Security Council to approve the appointment of a joint AU-UN Envoy on Libya.

    “For emphasis, Nigeria reaffirms that the AU must play a constructive role in this process in line with the Decision of our 32nd AU Assembly. “

    “In this respect, Nigeria welcomes the outcome of the AU High Level Committee Meeting held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on 30 January 2020, which sets out a comprehensive roadmap for Africa to play active roles in the Libyan peace process.

    “We would continue to work towards the success of ongoing regional efforts to address the challenges of terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime” he said.

    President Buhari said that it was the collective responsibility of members to strengthen the support for the Government and people of Libya and the Sahel, as they strive to create a path towards durable peace and prosperity.

  • Breaking: Police arrest more suspects involved in gruesome killing of Emir’s Police escorts

    Breaking: Police arrest more suspects involved in gruesome killing of Emir’s Police escorts

    More suspects involved in the recent attack and attempted kidnap of the Emir of Potiskum that resulted in the gruesome killing of the Emir’s Police escorts have been arrested.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in a statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, has also released the names of the suspects, three (3) more members of the Ansaru Terror Group.

    According to the statement, the arrest followed sustained mop-up operations by Police operatives at the operational bases of the Ansaru Terrorists’ Group in Kuduru Forest, Birnin-Gwari.

    The suspects are Munkailu Liman Isah aka Babban Driver ‘m’ 32yrs, Abdullahi Saminu aka Danmunafiki ‘m’ 21yrs and Aminu Usman ‘m’ 22yrs.

    According to the Police, the arrest brings the number of persons arrested to eight (8), and they are already assisting Police investigators with useful information relating to the membership spread and make-up, criminal/operational records, logistics and general modus operandi.

    “Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested suspects were actively involved in the recent attack and attempted kidnap of the Emir of Potiskum that resulted in the gruesome killing of the Emir’s Police escorts.

    “They were also involved in several other kidnap operations and terror attacks on commuters and other innocent citizens along some major highways, especially in the North-West and North Central States of the country,” the Police statement read.

    The Police, however lamented that investigation has revealed that some citizens, especially those within the business community, give tacit support to the terror groups by deliberately doing businesses with them through the supply of essential goods, drugs (licit/illicit) and other services.

    “To this end, the IGP calls for patriotism amongst the people, noting that this is the only way the fight against the criminal elements can truly be won.

    “While Police operatives are on the close trail of other fleeing members of the terror groups and their collaborators, the IGP has expressed immense appreciation to all and sundry, especially the good people of Birnin-Gwari and environs for their understanding, cooperation and support which have resulted in the measure of successes recorded so far particularly in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other heinous crimes in the ccountr,” the statement read.

  • JUST IN: 94 passengers, 6 crew miraculously escape aircraft disaster [Photos/Video]

    JUST IN: 94 passengers, 6 crew miraculously escape aircraft disaster [Photos/Video]

    Ninety six passengers and six crew members have miraculously escaped an aircraft disaster after a Boeing airliner on Sunday crash-landed at the Usinsk Airport in Russia.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Boeing 737-500 aircraft, built in 1997 and belonging to UTair with registration number VQ-BPS, made a hard landing and was damaged in the process.

    However, nobody was injured, and all 94 passengers and six crew members have been evacuated.

    The aircraft, en route from Moscow, slided to a stop on its engines and belly, according to Russian news agencies, citing emergency officials.

    https://twitter.com/RuAviaPhotog/status/1226461247060795394?s=19