Month: December 2024

By Uzair Adam

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have rescued four children from an alleged child trafficking ring and arrested two suspects linked to the crime.

The children, aged between one and thirteen, were reportedly found at Alaeze Guest House in the Rumukwachi community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where they were allegedly being held before being handed over to a nurse identified as Loveth, who runs a maternity home.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the command, stated that the hotel manager played a key role in uncovering the situation.

“The Managing Director of the Guest House became suspicious of the activities of one Esther Anthony, who attempted to check out with the children. He insisted that she provide proof of being their mother,” Iringe-Koko explained.

In response, Anthony left the premises and returned with police officers, accusing the manager of abducting the children and threatening her with a firearm.

However, the manager contacted the Choba Area Command, leading to Anthony’s arrest.

Further investigations revealed that Anthony had conspired with another suspect, identified as Favour, to traffic the children from Swali community in Bayelsa State.

Another accomplice, Purity Silas, was also apprehended in connection with the case.

In a startling development, a family in the Rumuodara area of Port Harcourt identified Anthony as the person who had previously stolen three of their children and sold them to Loveth.

The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime and are now in police custody, with the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Port Harcourt for further investigation.

By Uzair Adam

Police have arrested a woman suspected of trafficking teenage girls from Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, to neighboring African countries for prostitution.

Sources revealed that the suspect, who runs a tailoring shop, allegedly lured girls who came to sew clothes with promises of lucrative jobs abroad.

“She convinced them by painting a picture of better opportunities overseas,” a resident said.

It was also gathered that several parents had been questioning the woman about the whereabouts of their daughters before her arrest.

“One of the girls disclosed to a family member that the tailor facilitated her travel plans,” another source added.

A police official from the Abraka Division confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect has been transferred to the Police Headquarters for further investigation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Orji Kalu, who represents Abia North at the upper legislative chamber has revealed that the federal government made a mistake not to have carried the National Executive Council, Nigeria Governor’s Forum, and the Council of State along in its tax reform bills.

Kalu disclosed this on Monday in an interview with Arise Television on the controversial tax reform bills.

Recall that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the Northern Governor’s Forum, the National Economic Council, and others have openly opposed the tax reforms.

However, Orji noted that the bills are very progressive and would bring back fiscal federalism in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, he faulted the initiators of bills for not carrying key stakeholders along saying, “As I told you before, the bill is very progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been briefed. I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the bills would have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum”.

Recall tax reform bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, were sent to the National Assembly for passage since October 2024.

The bills gained momentum last week when they secured second-reading passage at the Senate.

This comes after the Northern Governor’s Forum and National Economic Council called for the bill’s withdrawal.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST reports that economic experts have backed the tax reform bill on the grounds that it will boost Nigeria’s revenue.

However, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee had earlier in his contributions, explained why the tax bills generated so much controversy.

By Tolulope Showande 

Social media has revolutionized political discourse, transforming how people engage with politics, share information, and influence change. Platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram have broken down barriers between citizens and leaders, offering a more immediate and interactive space for dialogue than ever before. However, this transformation is a double-edged sword, bringing opportunities and challenges to modern political communication.

On the positive side, social media has democratized information. It gives marginalized voices a platform to be heard and enables grassroots movements to gain momentum without the backing of traditional media outlets. 

Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter and #EndSARS have brought global attention to issues of racial injustice and police brutality, mobilizing millions to take action. Social media also allows citizens to hold politicians accountable. Missteps or controversial statements can go viral within minutes, forcing leaders to address public concerns swiftly.

Yet, the characteristics that make social media powerful also make it dangerous. The speed and reach of these platforms have facilitated the spread of misinformation and fake news, which can polarize societies and undermine democratic processes. 

Algorithms designed to maximize engagement often amplify sensational and divisive content, creating echo chambers where users are exposed only to viewpoints that reinforce their beliefs. This has led to heightened political tribalism, replacing meaningful debate with hostility and extremism.

Furthermore, the lack of regulation around social media use in political campaigns has raised concerns about transparency and manipulation. From targeted ads to the misuse of personal data, these platforms have become tools for influencing elections, often in difficult-to-detect or counteract ways. The 2016 U.S. presidential election and the Brexit referendum are notable examples of how social media can be weaponized to shape public opinion.

Despite these challenges, the role of social media in politics cannot be dismissed. It has become integral to modern governance, activism, and public engagement. To maximize its benefits while mitigating its risks, there must be a collective effort to promote digital literacy, implement stricter regulations on political advertising, and hold tech companies accountable for their role in shaping public discourse.

Social media is a powerful tool, but society must ensure it is used responsibly. If used thoughtfully, these platforms have the potential to foster a more informed, connected, and active citizenry capable of addressing the complex challenges of our time.

Tolulope Showande sent from Bayero University, Kano, via tshowande@gmail.com.

By Idris Mustapha

 The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed in a heart-wrenching report that Nigeria’s inflation rate climbed to an excruciating 33.88% in October 2024. The pain and suffering reflected in these official figures tell a story far more profound than mere economic indicators—they represent countless nights of parents going to bed hungry, having sacrificed their meals to feed their children.

The NBS’s latest report paints a devastating picture, showing a relentless climb from September’s already unbearable rate of 32.70%. “Looking at the movement,” the Bureau notes with clinical precision that contrasts sharply with the human suffering it represents, “the September 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.55% compared to the August 2024 headline inflation rate.” Behind these sterile statistics lie the anguished faces of market women watching their businesses crumble.

The Bureau’s year-on-year analysis reveals an even more distressing reality, with October’s rate standing 6.55 percentage points higher than the 27.33% recorded in October 2023. The NBS report states, “This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in September 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year.” Each percentage point represents another burden on the shoulders of ordinary Nigerians, many of whom are already stretched to their breaking point.

The official data traces a cruel journey through 2024, from January’s troubling 29.90% to the current devastating peak. The NBS’s monthly tracking shows how “the rate of increase in the average price level is more than the rate of increase in the average price level” each month. Behind these technical terms lies the reality of young graduates seeing their dreams fade and elderly citizens finding their pensions increasingly worthless.

Perhaps most heartbreaking is the Bureau’s documentation of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) price surge, which the NBS directly links to the inflation crisis. This price hike, implemented in early September and again in October, has dealt a cruel blow to our society’s most vulnerable members. Families are forced to make impossible choices: buying food or medicine, paying school fees, or keeping their small businesses alive.

The statistical evidence presented by the NBS serves as an official testament to the widespread suffering. Markets that once bustled with life now echo the whispered concerns of traders and customers alike, haggling not for profit but for survival. The weight of this economic burden is visible in the tired eyes of parents who must explain to their children why they can no longer afford their favorite meals or school supplies.

As we look to the future, the NBS’s continuous monitoring of this crisis is a stark reminder of the urgent need for intervention. While the Bureau diligently records these devastating figures, real families make painful sacrifices to survive another day. The official data serves as a clarion call for immediate action, as each statistical update pushes more Nigerians below the poverty line, leaving deep scars that may take generations to heal.

The National Bureau of Statistics meticulously documents this crisis, which demands policy changes and a fundamental recognition of the human suffering it represents. Behind every percentage point increase lies a story of resilience: families supporting each other through unimaginable hardship, communities coming together to share what little they have. Yet, without significant intervention, these stories of resilience documented in the national statistics may soon turn into tales of despair as more Nigerians find themselves unable to cope with the relentless rise in the prices of basic necessities.

Idris Mustapha wrote via idrismustapha25@gmail.com.

By Oluseyi Sodiya

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries and daily life, the ethical implications of this technology have become a subject of paramount importance. While AI holds the promise of groundbreaking advancements, it also presents significant ethical challenges that society must address to ensure a responsible path forward.

The Promise of AI

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and transportation. In healthcare, AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and predict disease outbreaks, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. In education, adaptive learning systems can provide personalized instruction tailored to each student’s needs, enhancing learning outcomes. Financial institutions are using AI to detect fraudulent activities and automate routine tasks, increasing efficiency and security. However, these benefits come with a caveat. The rapid deployment of AI technologies often outpaces the establishment of ethical frameworks to govern their use. This gap raises critical questions about privacy, bias, and accountability.

Privacy Concerns

One of the foremost ethical concerns surrounding AI is privacy. AI systems often rely on large datasets that include personal information. While these datasets enable AI to function effectively, they also pose risks to individual privacy. The use of AI in surveillance, for example, has sparked debates about the extent to which personal data should be collected and analyzed. To strike a balance, it is essential to develop robust data protection laws and ensure that AI systems are designed with privacy-preserving techniques.

Bias and Fairness

Another significant ethical issue is the potential for AI to perpetuate and even exacerbate existing biases. AI systems learn from historical data, which may contain biases reflecting societal inequalities. If not carefully managed, AI can reinforce these biases, leading to unfair outcomes. For instance, in hiring processes, biased AI algorithms may favour certain demographics over others, perpetuating discrimination. Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort to ensure that AI systems are trained on diverse and representative datasets, and that their decision-making processes are transparent and auditable.

Accountability

The question of accountability is also central to the ethical use of AI. When AI systems make decisions that affect people’s lives, who is responsible for the outcomes? The complexity of AI algorithms can make it difficult to trace the decision-making process, leading to a lack of accountability. To address this, it is crucial to establish clear guidelines that define the roles and responsibilities of AI developers, users, and regulators. Implementing mechanisms for auditing and monitoring AI systems can also help ensure that they are used responsibly.

Balancing Innovation and Responsibility

To harness the full potential of AI while addressing its ethical challenges, a balanced approach is needed. Policymakers, technologists, and society at large must collaborate to develop ethical guidelines that promote innovation while safeguarding human values. This includes investing in research on ethical AI, promoting transparency and accountability, and fostering public awareness about the implications of AI technologies.
In conclusion, as AI continues to advance, it is imperative to strike a balance between innovation and responsibility. By addressing the ethical concerns associated with AI, we can unlock its transformative potential while ensuring that it serves the greater good. The journey toward ethical AI is a shared responsibility, and only through collective efforts can we navigate the complex landscape of technological progress and human values.

By Anwar Usman

Ibrahim Anate, the acting Executive Secretary, Kogi State Agency for the Control of Aids, has declared that no fewer than 50,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDs in the state.

Anate made this kniwn in an interactive session with journalists during a road Walk in commemoration of the 2024 World AIDS Day in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday.

The walk was organised by the Centre for Integrated Health Programmes, in collaboration with the Kogi State Agency for the Control of Aids.

In his speech, Anate said, “About 50,000 people are living with HIV presently out of which 36,066 are presently on treatment in Kogi State.”We are seriously fighting the scourge and we are giving the awareness to all the community and the hard-to-reach areas of the awareness of HIV in Kogi State.”

He further added that the state government, under Alhaji Usman Ododo, is doing its best to see that people who are living with HIV AIDs are on treatment and pregnant women who are HIV positive deliver negative babies.

“The current administration is also striving to ensure that people who are positive in Kogi State will turn to negative. The government is seriously commited to provide support to the Ministry of Health, and KOSACA to see that we take the campaign to the very hard-to-reach community and the community at large in Kogi State,” he added.

However, Anate, appealed to Ododo to sign the Anti Stigma HIV Law, which was recently passed by the state House of Assembly.

“When the governor ascents to this law, people that are HIV positive can have the confidence to declare their status. Many can’t do this because of the stigmatization in the society”, he added.

On his part, the Kogi State Technical Lead, Centre for Integrated Health Programmes, Inyama Lawrencia, lamented the transmission of HIV AIDs from mother to child in the state.

“We have been advocating for every mother to go for anti-natal services so that they can know their HIV status. With the record on the ground about mother-to-child HIV transmission, CIHP has been working in the communities to sensitise women to ensure that they come out to the masses to know their HIV status.

He noted that “one of the challenges is that due to the economic constraints of the country, Some Women who are supposed to go out to know their status don’t even go because of financial constraints”.

By Ibrahim Abdullahi

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, commemorates the 32nd International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration worldwide.

On this very special day, several celebrations of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities will take place in different parts of the world, making it a worldwide event. 

However, for others, it is a historic occasion. This may be the first time they celebrate the day; this could be because they have recently joined the community of people with disabilities due to illness, accident, or other reasons.

 Many thanks to former Nigerian President Muhammad Buhari and the individuals involved in the tireless and backbreaking efforts to pass and implement the Disability Bill into Law 2018, which has never been in Nigeria’s history since its independence.

I want to remind us that DISABILITY is not a curse or disease. It is a condition that can be rehabilitated depending on the type of disability one is struggling with. There is always ability in disability. We should not be discouraged!

Thanks to those who, in some way, took time to celebrate with us and the good people of Nigeria and Africa in general for witnessing this special day with us. 

The world stands still for us to salute our courage and fortitude to triumph over challenges we overcame and the ones coming our way. The world celebrates our abilities despite our disabilities.

We live in a world where change has become a constant basis of our individual and collective societies. In this advanced technological modern period, technological wonders appear at regular intervals, and our lives as members of particular societies regarding persons with disabilities are clearly different from those of those without disabilities. This requires inclusion to reshape our community. 

Ending discrimination, injustice, and humiliation against people with disabilities is essential. We should embrace diversity in all its forms. Tolerance and accepting our differences are important; we must be recognized as humans. Let us unite to improve our society, Nigeria. Some scholars say that everyone is disabled in one way or another, and I agree. 

Happy International Day of Persons with Disability, everyone. 

Ibrahim Abdullahi can be contacted via ibrahimbsw23@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Tinubu will depart France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The commission, set to convene on December 3, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2 at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town.

According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu and Ramaphosa will discuss bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest.

Building on their June 20 discussions in Johannesburg, the two leaders will assess progress since the 10th BNC session held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021.

“The 11th session of the BNC will feature discussions across eight working groups, focusing on political consultations, consular and migration, banking and finance, defence and security, manufacturing, social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments,” the statement added.

During the high-level meeting, both nations will sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation.

Established in 1999, the BNC serves as a platform to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties between Nigeria and South Africa. The inaugural Heads of State meeting took place in October 2019 in Pretoria.

This year’s session marks the 25th anniversary of the Commission, underscoring the longstanding partnership between the two nations.

President Tinubu will be accompanied by state governors, ministers, and senior government officials.

By Jamilu Uba Adamu

As the beautiful game continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the importance of safety and security in football stadiums cannot be overstated. In modern football administration, substantial investments are made to train security personnel on crowd control measures, ensuring spectators and players are safeguarded on match days.

However, the reality in Nigeria is alarming. A stadium with a capacity of 18,000 was recently grossly overcrowded with nearly 30,000 football fans. The stark reality is that overcrowding due to ticket overselling poses a significant threat to the structural integrity of our dilapidated stadium stands. The consequences of a disaster are too catastrophic to contemplate.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) must proactively address this ticking time bomb. The NPFL must encourage teams to educate fans, club officials, and security personnel on crowd control and ticket sales management. This includes training stewards and security officers on safety measures, such as emergency evacuation procedures, first aid, and access control measures. 

In addition, clubs should take responsibility for ensuring their stadiums meet the minimum safety standards. We all want to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone! 

The benefits of prioritizing safety and security in our football stadium extend beyond preventing disasters. A safe and secure environment enhances the fan experience, fostering a more enjoyable and family-friendly atmosphere.

In conclusion, the NPFL and clubs must address our football stadium’s safety and security issues with the urgency they deserve. By investing in education and training all relevant stadium personnel, we can prevent tragedies and ensure that football matches remain thrilling in a safe and secure atmosphere. As the saying goes, “A stitch in time saves nine.” Let us act now to safeguard lives.

On this note, it is worth commending the efforts of Dr. Christian Emeruwa, Head of Safety and Security at the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He has been instrumental in training safety and security officers, police, and other relevant stakeholders through the CAF Safe Stadium Initiative. 

Dr. Emeruwa’s tireless efforts have benefited several African countries, including Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, and Uganda. We hope that the Nigerian NPFL will soon benefit from this initiative and prioritize the safety and security of our football fans.

Jamilu Uba Adamu wrote from Kano via jameelubaadamu@yahoo.com.