Month: July 2024

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has expressed concern over the severe economic hardship currently affecting Nigeria and has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the potential collapse of the nation. 

Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the National Coordinator of CNG, voiced these concerns during a press briefing in Abuja, warning that the situation “portends imminent danger.”

Charanchi emphasized the importance of addressing the escalating hardship that has permeated every segment of Nigerian society, noting that life has become highly unbearable for the majority of citizens. 

He stressed that the CNG felt obligated to bring this alarming danger to President Tinubu’s attention, pointing to the potential for a massive revolt against the government.

Charanchi also criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu for worsening the country’s economic situation, making life even more difficult for the vast majority of Nigerians, especially the poor.

He stated, “The suffering of Nigerians is palpable across every stratum. The CNG holds the present and previous governments responsible for creating this dire situation for Nigerians.”

He stated that the current economic indices and data from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty, with 20 million people, mostly young and within the productive age bracket, either completely unemployed or underemployed. 

Charanchi highlighted the growing disillusionment among the populace with the government’s economic policies and institutions, which poses a significant danger to the country.

He noted that inflation has had severe economic consequences, including substantial investment losses, business disruptions, increased poverty, and unemployment. 

He added that the insecurity has led to displacement, loss of lives and properties, and psychological trauma, adding, “The widespread hardship has eroded trust in the current government and threatens national unity, peace, and security.”

Charanchi pointed out that overall inflation has risen to 34.19% from 22.41%, a 52.6% increase, while food inflation has surged from 24.82% to 40.66%, a 64% increase within a year—the highest recorded in decades. 

He also criticized the significant rise in electricity tariffs, despite no improvement in power supply, noting that the electricity tariff has increased by an average of ₦71.59 to ₦225, a rise of over 200% for band A. Nigeria has experienced multiple national power grid collapses in the past six months, including the most recent on July 6, 2024. 

Charanchi also criticized the government’s recent announcement to distribute 880,020 bags of rice nationwide to alleviate hardship, stating that these measures are inadequate to address mass hunger affecting millions of Nigerians. 

He added that the president’s cosmetic measures are insufficient to contain the anger of the people, particularly when they are faced with economic hardships, massive hunger, and rampant poverty, while the political class lives in opulence.

By Ishaka Mohammed

The Da’wah Institute (DIN) has launched an online quiz for Nigerian Muslims to deepen their understanding of Islam and win cash prizes and laptops.

According to the Institute’s director of digital media, Teslim Adeyemo, 20 winners will emerge, with the least prizewinner receiving N50,000. Part of the statement details the prizes as follows:

“Awards await the top 20 performers as follows: 1st place (laptop + N500,000), 2nd place (laptop + N350,000), 3rd place (laptop + N150,000), 4th – 10th places (N100,000 each), and 11th – 20th places (N50,000 each).”

The top ten winners will be invited in person to the prize-giving at the Islamic Education Trust (IET) headquarters in Minna, the Niger State capital, while the rest of the winners will join virtually.

The maiden “Know Your Deen Online Quiz” is scheduled for August 25, 2024 and will be based on a book titled “Authenticity of the Qur’an: A concise analysis of arguments regarding the divine authorship and authenticity of the Muslim sacred scripture.”

Interested Muslim residents in Nigeria can register for free at https://dawahinstitute.org/online-quiz-registration/ before August 15 and download the electronic (PDF) version of the book, which has fewer than 100 pages.

The Da’wah Institute (DIN) is the research and public enlightenment department of the Islamic Education Trust (IET), a non-governmental organisation established in Nigeria in 1969.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

President Bola Tinubu said on Friday in Abuja that the federal government would ensure that investments in key sectors of the economy follow clear timelines and are impactful on the lives of citizens.  

President Tinubu, who received the management of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) led by the Chairman, Alexey Arnautov, at the State House, said the government was keen on reviving the smelter company in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.  

“It is good to have you at this meeting. Smelter is necessary for the development of the country,’’ the President stated.  

President Tinubu reiterated the need for clear vision and detailed plans in the steel and energy sector, adding that “there must be timelines’’. 

In his remarks, the Chairman of ALSCON assured the President of the preparedness of the management to turn around the fortunes of the company within a given period by injecting $500 million.  

Arnautov said the management was aware of the centrality of aluminium in modern development, particularly for Nigeria, and would continue to support the growth of the country.  

President Tinubu directed the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Ms. Olu Verheijen, to review and provide an update on the status of ALSCON.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government has shut down an illegal gold mine site in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The move is part of the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and reposition the sector to boost Nigeria’s economy.

The operation was carried out by the Mining marshals in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East LGA.

The team dislodged illegal miners who had prevented lawfully authorized miners with licenses from accessing the site for 16 years.

Seven suspects leading various groups of illegal miners were arrested during the operation, which was led by Commander Attah Onoja of the Mining Marshals.

The site workers have been given five days to vacate the site, and operations to secure the area and ensure its full recovery for lawful mining activities will continue.

This crackdown comes after the Federal Government announced the arrest of eight Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining in Abia State on July 12.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A former Kaduna State lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has claimed that the viral video showing a prominent Kano political commentator being molested for criticizing Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sano, was nothing more than a planned movie designed to attract public concern.

He described the viral video as “rubbish skit” that was amateurishly planned and directed for calumnious purposes and therefore should be discarded.

The senator lambasted the alleged planned video on his verified X timeline, as reported by The Daily Reality on Friday.

It was reported that Danbilki found himself a victim at the hands of unidentified men who whipped him severely for allegedly criticizing the governor, as shown in the video that went viral on social media platforms.

The Daily Reality reports that the video has generated significant concern among people on social media, with many, despite political rivalry, sympathizing with the whipped Danbilki.

However, despite the molestation, Shehu Sani perceived the viral video as a plan to generate sympathy from people.

He wrote, “The viral video going around that depicted a prominent Kano-based political commentator being physically molested for criticizing the Kaduna State governor appeared to be nothing but a rubbish skit.

“The movie is amateurish and intended for calumnious purposes. It should be ignored,” Shehu Sani added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, announced the seizure of various contraband items worth N3,636,594,600 within June 2024.

Comptroller Kola Oladeji, in charge of the unit, made the announcement at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday. 

The seized items include 1,500 pieces of bulletproof jackets, 989 kg of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa), 5,229 cartons of expired drugs, and other contraband items.

Comptroller Oladeji stated that the importation of military wares by individuals is prohibited and requires an End-User Certificate (EUC) for controlled items and products. 

Other seized items include 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit, 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 32 units of used motor vehicles, 120 bags of sugar, and 3,560 cartons of poultry products.

Four suspects were arrested for various offenses, including violating import/export guidelines and smuggling. 

Comptroller Oladeji warned about the dangers of expired drugs and urged patriotic citizens to provide valuable information to aid in the arrest of illegal importers.

He also encouraged importers and licensed agents to make sincere declarations and adhere to existing guidelines. 

The unit recovered N62,017,875.82 in revenue for June 2024 through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices.

By Lawan Bukar Maigana 

According to a report by the World Health Organization, Nigeria, after India, has the highest number of maternal mortality in the world. The report shows 788 women and children deaths per hundred thousand’ in India, and 540 women and children ‘per thousand’ died in Nigeria.

Other countries with high maternal, neonatal, and stillbirth rates are Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and the United Republic of Tanzania.

‘About 57,000 mothers died from pregnancy and complications during childbirth in 2023 alone,’ said Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, at a public health function.

Unfortunately, the frequent loss of lives among pregnant women in Nigeria, particularly Northern Nigeria, remains an issue of concern. This gives Nigeria a poor global ranking.

Pate explained that the Federal Government was committed to drastically reducing maternal mortality through the new Safe Motherhood Strategy. He noted that the central government will take actionable steps and cascade the strategies to state and local governments, targeting at least seven million pregnant women.

“The aim is to ease six million new births by activating the Decentralised Facility Financing package, establishing robust collaboration with health NGOs, community leaders, and media to boost awareness campaigns.” 

Sequel to the Health Minister’s lamentation, the Girl Child Concerns (GCC), in collaboration with the Borno State Government through the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), has trained 300 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) on Basic Emergency Obstetric Care and Early Neonatal Care in Borno State.

The Chief Adviser and Coordinator for Sustainable Development, Partnerships, and Humanitarian Support to the Governor of Borno State, Dr. Mairo Mandara, stated that the training aimed to improve maternal and child health services across the state. The training was conducted in three zones of the state. Each zone underwent one week of theoretical training followed by one week of clinical training. 

The training for Borno Central was held on May 27, 2024, for Borno North on June 3rd, and for Borno South on July 1st, with each zone being exposed to theoretical and clinical aspects of the training.

Dr. Mandara emphasized the governor’s commitment to ensuring quality health services for the resilient people of Borno State, especially the locals, given the magnitude of the challenges they face due to the terrorist activities of Boko Haram insurgents in their communities.

Dr. Mina Endeley from the Namu Project in the UK and Oluwaseyi Akinlaja from Princes Alexandra Hospital Trust in the UK have also joined the training, leading a practical session on successful delivery and universal approaches to handling emergency cases.

Endeley at MCH Biu Local Government Area practically taught non-medical attendants the concepts of basic life support, including managing catastrophic bleeding in the community.

The participants practised approaching the scene safely, calling for help, managing catastrophic bleeding, and reviewing the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation using a mnemonic we created.

Oluwaseyi Akinlaja from Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust, UK, explained the labour mechanism: how a baby is delivered as it passes through the pelvis into the birth canal and is born by expulsion. This was done to enable CHEWs to visualize the birth process so that they could make early referrals when necessary.

She exposed the participants to the seven steps/processes that a baby passes through before delivery, namely engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and extension.

On his part, the Emir of Biu, Maidala Mustapha Umar Aliyu II, described the combined efforts of the organization—GCC—and Borno State Government as a “timely homily” and expressed readiness to support the effort in every way possible.

The lead facilitator of the training, Hadiza Yahaya, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the participants during the training and expressed hope that the CHEWs will help greatly in the fight against maternal mortality. 

The training offered to Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Borno State is expected to result in each participant putting the knowledge into practice and witnessing a drastic reduction in maternal mortality in the state.

Lawan Bukar Maigana is the Communication Officer for Girl Child Concerns, GCC, and can be reached via email at lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers, with a promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. 

The president made this announcement during a meeting with leaders of organised labour, including the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Usifo, among others. 

Prior to the meeting, labour leaders had demanded a minimum wage of N250,000, but the approved amount is a compromise.

This development is a significant step in the ongoing negotiations between the government and labour unions.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The House of Representatives has resolved to support the Federal Government by cutting down its salaries by 50% for six months to address the high cost of food and support food sufficiency across the country.

This decision was made on Thursday during the plenary session in Abuja, and the lawmakers also appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as it addresses the challenges and hardships faced by citizens.

The House mandated its Committee on Appropriation, Humanitarian Affairs, Finance, and Budget to ensure compliance with the resolution. The motion was moved by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (APC-Ogun State) and adopted by the House.

Additionally, the House of Representatives has pledged to support the Federal Government with ₦648 million for six months to address food sufficiency and the high cost of food.

Details later….

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government has reversed its earlier decision, announcing that 16-year-olds can now be admitted into tertiary institutions.

Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman had initially directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to only admit candidates who are 18 years or older.

However, stakeholders at a policy meeting organized by JAMB in Abuja objected to this decision, arguing that it is illogical to deny admission to 16-year-old students who have passed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and JAMB exams.

Following this feedback, the minister accepted the stakeholders’ suggestions and announced that candidates aged 16 and above would be eligible for admission this year, while the new policy would take effect from next year.