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Taboos, Stigma Major Causes Of Divorce In Nigeria

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In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and across Nigeria, taboos and stigma have been cited as major barriers to marriage.

At a symposium on taboos and stigma titled “The Impact of Ethnic and Religious Biason Marriage and Mental Health in Nigeria,” Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu, President of the Helpline Foundation for the Needy, claimed this.

Ahmadu who was represented at the occasion by Onoja Godwin, Content Provider/Program Director of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, urged married couples to allow love, not culture and custom, guide their marriages.

According to her, “If different couples from different cultures are exhibiting the same culture in that marriage and if some parts of their cultures are not repressed, such marriages will have issues. Especially cultures that over bloat the right of the husband above that of the wife and there are gender role issues in the house, it can lead to divorce.

“Culture has a major role to place in the sustenance of marriage because it helps to point out morals and the dos and don’ts that should sustain marriages. But when it comes to personality differences, some cultures should be repressed for marriage to be effective.

“75 percent of divorce in marriages can be attributed to culture and tradition. To reduce the rate of divorce in marriages, the couples should know themselves and exhibit love. It is the utmost strength to sustain any marriages, not culture and tradition,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Bolaji, Head of Afrodition Consults Limited said the conference focused on ethnic and religious bais of mental health, because as a lawyer when dealing with clients, revealed that the taboos and stigma that Nigerians grew up with is affecting their ways of life negatively.

He hinted that , “So we think that it is incumbent on us to help our people to think and feel differently and behave differently and all of this challenges faced by Nigerians can be better resolved”.

World Decent Work Day: Labour Storms Head of Service, Demands for Social Security Cover

As Nigerian workers join their counterparts all over the world in commemorating the 2021 world decent work day, the Nigeria Labour Congress has called for adequate social security covers for workers at all levels across the country.
The President NLC Comrade Ayuba Wabba made the call in Abuja while leading a peaceful rally organized by labour as parts of its activities to mark this year’s world decent work day.
The match started at about 8am from labour house and terminated at the Head of service where the labour leader alongside other workers carrying various placards with different inscriptions that best described their grievances, presented their demands to the Head of Service of the Federation.

Ayuba stated that there is an urgent need for political class to implement policies that will impact positively on the lower class of citizens in the country.
He further attributed the present insecurity challenges bedeviling the nation to poverty and unemployment.

Comrade Ayuba Wabba noted that “Workers create wealth of the world, and therefore in Nigeria we create the wealth and if we create the wealth, it goes to say that workers must also be well taken care of. The challenge that is ravaging the world today. In fact, the effect is more felt by the workers, because as we speak, the purchasing power of workers have been reduced to nothing”.

“In other countries, senior citizens live with beauty and their dignity is recognised. They have houses for senior citizens. They are free medical care for senior citizens. They are housing for senior citizens, but in our own case, if you don’t have a family to take care of you, it’s between you and your God. That is not decent work” he added.

“All the workers must have social security cover that can take care of them when they are old, when they are aged and have no power, and that is why we will start every conversation with trying to defend our retirees”.

“The challenge that is ravaging the world today. In fact, the effect is more felt by the workers, because as we speak, the purchasing power of workers have been reduced to nothing.
N30,000 cannot buy a bag of rice, and we know how cost of goods or services have gone up. In fact, the worst is that when you retire, you have to struggle to get your benefits”.

He further added that “Importantly, we are also to address the issue of precarious work in all sectors of our economy.
Precarious work means that workers must work with dignity, workers must have Social Security. Workers must have adequate remuneration, and today, all of us are aware that civil servants are the least paid in Nigeria. When you compare to all other sectors. Yet, they are putting their best to service economy. These cannot continue and that is something that needs to be reviewed”.

“So, let me say nicely, that if the poor is allowed to be sleeping without having three meals per day. If the will be allowed to be sleeping with their eyes open, it then clearly means that the rich even if they have cumulated humungous wealth. He will also be a very good material for kidnapping. That is what is happening now” he noted.

In her response, the Head of Service Folasade Yemi-Esan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe, requested labour to present a written document of their demands and promised to fast track the implementation of all their demands.

It could be recalled that earlier this week, NLC held a round table discussion on decent work as parts of the activities to mark the 2021 world decent work day.

CUPP Says 2022 Budget Of High Sounding Figures, Hollow, Bogus In Substance

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…It’s Highlighted By More Debt, Borrowing,

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2022 budget, which was submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday.

The President presented the National Assembly with a budget of N16.39 trillion on Thursday.

The CUPP’s spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that the budget is characterized by increased debt and borrowing, as well as vague and elephant projects to fund the 2023 election campaigns.

The CUPP expressed surprise, saying that the budget’s main highlight is that the government has tactfully admitted that it is overwhelmed by its failings and has no remedy in hand, and that the budget is just clothed with fresh loans and borrowings.

The statement read in parts; “It does not inspire any hope in Nigerians rather it sinks the country further into economic woes.

“Recurrent expenditures and capital expenses like purchase of cars, computers and accessories, and other unnecessary and white elephant projects are all the budget contains because the ruling party will use the budget to fund their 2023 election campaigns.

“A N16.39 Trillion budget contains Debt service of N3.61 Trillion, non-debt recurrent costs of N6.83 Trillion while there is only capital expenditure of N5.35 Trillion. New borrowings in the budget is totaling N5.01 Trillion with an extra N1.16 Trillion drawdowns on loans secured for specific projects. This is the highlight of the uninspiring speech of the President as it cannot add any productive value to the economy.

“Furthermore, a close look at the speech will show Nigerians that President Buhari has been perpetually funding the same set of projects without ever completing them. After borrowing over N33 Trillion, President Buhari is still declaring to Nigerians that he is borrowing to fund Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Expressway, East-West Road, 2nd Niger Bridge etc.

“Nigerians should please ask President Buhari; when will these projects which have been in the budgets since 2016 ever be completed?

“President was severally thanking the lawmakers for speedy approvals, but Nigerians will notice that there was never any appreciation for critical analysis by the National Assembly.

“They quickly approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, they quickly approved the 2021 supplementary budget, they quickly approved loans and all borrowings and also will quickly approve this budget. All these were without critical analysis on the impact of their approvals on the people they represent”, the statement further stated.

The CUPP, therefore , called on Nigerians to bear yet again another year of suffering but have hope that when the opposition takes over, Nigeria will get back on its feet.

CONHESS: FG Forms 7-Man Committee To Fine-Tune JOHESU, AHPA Members’ Salary Scale

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The Federal Government has formed a seven-member technical committee to fine-tune adjustments to the new Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA).

Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, and Radiographers are covered by the CONHESS salary scale, which is a payment system used by the Nigerian federal government to pay health employees, with the exception of doctors.

The National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Budget Office, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FML&E), Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSOF), and Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System are all represented on the Committee (IPPIS).

The government’s decision to form the Committee may have led both unions to postpone their strike, which was set to begin this week, pending the outcome of the team.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, JOHESU’s National Chairman, Josiah Biobelemoye, stated that the union must give the government the benefit of the doubt in the implementation of CONHESS.

According to him; “JOHESU Leadership reviewed the totality of the meeting of October 6, 2021 at the instance of the Federal Government team comprising of National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Budget Office, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FML&E), Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSOF), Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), which was graced by JOHESU/AHPA leadership.

“After a thorough evaluation of the meeting, JOHESU/AHPA resolved as follows: we applaud the decision of the meeting to guarantee the participation of all the five Trade Unions and AHPA at the sessions relating to matters pertaining to Adjustment of CONHESS, noting with strong emphasis that this guarantees the laudable spirit of participatory industrial democracy.

“We also welcome the constitution of a 7-man technical team at the meeting comprising two (2) Representatives of JOHESU, and one representative each of the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Budget Office, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FML&E), Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSOF), Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

“We call on the Technical team to fulfil its mandate of coming up with an acceptable sum dedicated to the utilisation of adjustment of CONHESS within a reasonable timeline. We approved the timeline of two (2) weeks in the first instance that was resolved by the committee at the October 6, 2021 meeting as a step in the right direction.

“Following these arrangement, leadership under the aegis of JOHESU/AHPA requested that the FMoH should conclude negotiations with JOHESU/AHPA on all other subject matters as epitomised in the demand list of JOHESU/AHPA to the Federal Government.

“We therefore appeal to our members to wait patiently for the outcome of the report of the Technical team on adjustment of CONHESS and other demands as this will realistically form the basis of the next line of action for JOHESU/AHPA in the days to come,” the statement further stated.

Maina’s Son, Faisal, Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison

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Faisal, the son of Abdulrasheed Maina, a former Chairman of the disbanded Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was convicted by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja on all three counts charge against him by the Federal Government.

The ruling was issued by the court on Thursday as it was hearing the case of Faisal, who had jumped bail and fled the country.

Faisal was sentenced to 5 years in prison in count one and 14 years in count two, both of which began today.

Faisal was ordered by the court to return to the FG, where he was accused of laundering N58.1 million and the company was shut down.

The defendant was sentenced to five years in prison on count three.

The terms will run concurrently, according to the court.

Furthermore, Justice Abang directed the Federal Government to apprehend Faisal so that he can complete his sentence, and that if he is arrested outside of Nigeria, the Federal Government should legitimately repatriate him to face his sentence.

FCTA Mourns DG NECA, Calls His Death A National Tragedy

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has extended its condolences to the Nigeria Employees Consultative Association (NECA) over the death of its Director-General, Dr Timothy Olawale.

FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, sent a condolence message to the association on Wednesday in Abuja, following Olawale’s tragic death.

Adesola, who characterized Olawale’s death as a national tragedy, said the news of the enormous loss came as an unpleasant shock to the FCTA.

The message read in bits; ” I wish to express heartfelt condolences of the FCT Administration over the death of Dr Timothy Olawale, who until his death on Oct. 1, was the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

” The sad event occurred at a time we are consolidating efforts on providing the needed enabling environment for business owners and employers of labour, particularly in the FCT.

” News of the great loss has come to us as a rude shock and we consider it a national tragedy. “

Adesola , however, recalled that the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association under the dynamic leadership of the deceased was highly instrumental to the recently concluded Stakeholders Retreat, aimed at harmonising Internally Generated Revenue (lGR) and collection of taxes in the FCT.

This, according to him is with a view to enhancing the ease of doing business in Abuja, thereby promoting investment and employment generation.

” On behalf of the Management and Staff of the FCT Administration, I pray that the Almighty God rest the soul of Dr Timothy Olawale in peace and grant the family, associates and well-wishers the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Four killed, Several Injured In Killing Field Discovered Close To FCT Minister’s Residence

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…Victim’s Head Chopped Off, Hung On Tree

Kuchibena is a thriving slum in Life-Camp, a few kilometers from the FCT Minister’s official residence, where violent cult activities have transformed the area into a killing field, making life extremely tough for people.

According to neighbors, several people have perished in the last two months, including four people who were slain in a horrific manner this week by persons suspected of being cults.

The killing of a young guy, whose body was dissected and his head hacked off and hung on a stick by his assailants, seems to have shocked the hamlet.

The infamous slum, which is sandwiched between a slew of privately developed estates, is now claimed to be a staging location for hardened criminals terrorizing the area.

Residents who appear to have accepted their fate amid maddening tension are likewise wary of speaking out for fear of becoming an easy target for the violent cultists and hoodlums who operate as kings of the forest there, despite the fact that they claim to be under the age of 18.

One of the community leaders, who requested anonymity, said the fatal cult clashes had grown far too frequent and lethal, leaving members to live in constant fear and disappointment.

The most difficult period for the people, according to the source, is at night, when criminals have resisted virtually all of the Community’s and select security agencies’ preventive measures.

Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh has not reacted to inquiry regarding the incessant killings in Kuchibena, a letter addressed to Abuja Environmental Protection Board, requesting for demolition of the criminal hideouts in the community confirmed the lawless situation there.

The letter dated April 28th, 2021 and signed by the Galadima Divisional Police Officer, CSP Chinyere Akalaga, complained that the activities of the hoodlums had destroyed peace and order in village and the surrounding neighbourhood. 

The Police specifically requested for ” dislodgement of illegal structures, settlements imposing security threat within Galadima area “

The letter read in parts, ” Consequent upon Intelligence report received from the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Abuja from the Department of State Security Services and 21st April 2021 pointing Sahara Gate Market, Mab-Global Junction, Efab Queen

opposite market, Cashew Garden along Kuchibena and the popular Mami market in the same Kuchibena area among other major black spots in Galadima srca in the FCT Command. 

”  It has become even more expedient that a drastic action be taken by your agency in order to curb the excesses of hoodlums and miscreants that have over time terrorize the peace in and around the neighborhood.

”  In view of the above stated facts, it may therefore please your authority in the

interest of sanity to consider the following as measures for lasting solution: to include include:  Outright removal,  demolition of illegal structures within the area under review. Liaise with the police on a joint assignment in a bid to dislodge them from their hide-outs” .

FG Says Nigeria Not Among Red Listed Countries

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Nigeria is not on the red list of countries that must be quarantined for 14 days in a controlled UK facility, the Federal Government assured Nigerians on Tuesday.

It should be noted that the UK government has agreed with a press statement issued last week that Nigerians will continue to isolate themselves after they get in the UK.

Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), speaking on behalf of the Federal government, said that this is identical to our demand that visitors from the United Kingdom be isolated for seven days upon arriving in Nigeria.

He gave this assurance at a news briefing on the progress of COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday in Abuja.

NPHCDA boss stated that , ” The Presidential Steering Committee is in the process of reviewing these requirements. We have been in touch with the UK Government. Just like they stated clearly in their communication, the current listing of Countries with approved vaccination certification has just started in the UK.

“They are reviewing the Country’s programs in phases. If you go through the list of 50 closely, no African country made the list. The UK Government is yet to comprehensively review Nigeria’s vaccination certification program. From my communication with the UK Government officials, the vaccines administered in Nigeria are approved by the UK Government. They are also involved with the vaccination program in Nigeria through the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and they are optimistic that by the time Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccination program certification is assessed, it will be approved.

“There are many Countries in the World, so we like many other Countries are in the queue for this assessment. Once it gets to our turn, we are more likely than not to get approved in the coming weeks. Like the UK Government have clearly stated, the process of assessment would occur in phases.

“As at yesterday, the 4th of October 2021, Nigeria had vaccinated 4,963,985 eligible persons across the country with first dose of COVID-19 vaccines. This figure represents 4.4% of the targeted 111,776,503 eligible population. About 2,166,186 people have received their second doses of the vaccines. This means that approximately 1.9% of eligible populated is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It is imperative to reiterate the fact that only those who have taken their second dose are fully protected against the deadly COVID-19”.

Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative (WR), Dr Walter Mulombo Kazadi commended Nigeria on vaccines distribution.

He said other countries will come to Nigeria to learn the act of vaccine distribution.

Meanwhile, the UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Peter Hawkins said Nigeria still need to increase the number of people vaccinated per day from 100,000 to 300,000 per day, if we must meet the target.

Hawkins who was represented at the occasion by Dr. Dorothy Ochola said the number of people vaccinated daily has increased the daily average to about 100,000

He also advised that COVID-19 vaccine should be integrated into routine immunization so that it can be easily accessed.

Top Nigerians Join ‘Call From Africa’ On Need For More COVID-19 Vaccines

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UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angelique Kidjo and other African influencers today signed an open letter to G20 leaders calling on them to urgently donate COVID-19 vaccines to Africa.

Saying, “Many rich countries are already on track, yet just a fraction of Africans are fully vaccinated. 

COVID-19 deaths are declining almost everywhere except in Africa, where they are rising,” the letter warns.

“Rich nations have pledged to donate over a billion vaccines this year and hundreds of millions more in 2022, as well as supporting Africa to manufacture and buy its own vaccines. This gives us hope, but most of these promises remain unfulfilled. Africa cannot wait. We need doses now,” the letter urges. 

Top Nigerians in the field of business and entertainment joined the call, including musician and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Femi Kuti, business leader and philanthropist Tony Elumelu; musician and UNICEF Nigerian Ambassador Cobhams Asuquo; actor and producer Genevieve Nnaji, and actor Daniel Etim Effiong.

 
The signatories are asking fellow Africans to support the letter over the next month in the run up to the G20 meetings in Rome at the end of October.

Also, Nigerian singer and songwriter David Adedeji Adeleke (Davido) issued a special video message urging that vaccines are shared fairly with Africa, saying “For this pandemic to truly end, it has to end everywhere. Africans must have their fair access to the vaccines. This is the only way the Covid-19 can get out of here. As an African, as a Nigerian, I support UNICEF’s call on governments with excess doses to share them now. Let us join hands together to ensure fair access to vaccines for everyone.”

World leaders recently set a target that every country should vaccinate 70 per cent of its population. Some wealthy countries have already met or exceeded this target. But across Africa, only 4 per cent of the population are fully vaccinated, with vastly accelerated dose-sharing the only option to protect people from the worst effects of the virus.

The open letter reads, “This inequity is unjust. It is also self-defeating. It leaves Africans – and the whole world – at the mercy of the virus. Unchecked, it can create new and more dangerous variants.”

Angelique Kidjo, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador said, “I want the most at risk Africans to be safe, to not die or end up in hospital with COVID-19 because they didn’t have access to vaccines. The only way that is possible is to urgently vaccinate much higher numbers of people in African countries – and we need doses and support for vaccine roll outs to do that quickly enough.”

Countries with excess doses have pledged to donate a billion vaccines this year and hundreds of millions more in 2022, as well as support Africa to manufacture and buy its own vaccines.

“I am calling on my fellow Africans to get behind this letter, to support the Call from Africa,” said Angelique Kidjo. “Because we cannot wait for promises to be fulfilled, we need vaccines NOW, in the health centres of our countries, and in the arms of our health workers and most vulnerable brothers and sisters.”

NFC Felicitate With Nigerian Students On Scholarship To Germany

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…Charges Them To Be Good Ambassadors

Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has felicitated with three National Film Institute (NFI) Masters Degree students who are studying Film Culture and Archival Studies in Germany on a scholarship.

He also encouraged them to serve as excellent ambassadors for their homeland.

He gave them the charge at a pre-departure interactive meeting with them in Abuja.

The NFC’s executive director has given them the charge of maximizing all of the program’s prospects for building capacity for the rescue, restoration, digitization, and preservation of vintage national audio-visual heritages.

He said that, the three candidates were chosen to participate in the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdients (DAAD), or German Academic Exchange Service, Foreign Scholarship Scheme for 2021.

Nnenna Emily Ukoha, Collins Okorocha, and Stephen Okoh are among the students.

According to Maduekwe: “Be reminded that you are the pioneers of the Master’s Degree programme at the NFI.

“Thus, Nigerians are expectant that you would equally pioneer the rescue, restoration, digitalisation and preservation of the numerous vintage national audio-visual heritages that are seemingly rotting away.

“There is need for you to be guided by the rare window of opportunity provided by President Muhammadu Buhari for you to contribute to the protection and preservation of Nigeria’s audio-visual heritages.

“I commend and appreciate Geothe University, Frankfurt; Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Art, Berlin; DAAD; University of Jos and the Lagos Film Society, for the partnership in undertaking the Master’s in film and Archival Studies programme in Nigeria.”

Also, another six students will undertake intensive domestic residency programmes across selected institutions and agencies in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Okorocha, in an interview with newsmen , said he was travelling to Germany to learn more about the film culture and archiving, and to come back to impact the knowledge on others.

According to him, we are in a digital era and it is only 10 per cent of movies of 1930 to date that can be found.

“Most of those movies have 100 per cent cultural heritage, so, if we can restore those films and audio-visual materials, Nigeria will be better.

“This is a great opportunity, and I am grateful to President Buhari, NFI and NFC. This is a new field in Africa, and I am happy to be part of it,” Okorocha said.

Another student, Okoha said she was happy to get the scholarship to study Film Culture and Archival Studies in Germany.

Okoha explained that as a film maker, she was not grounded in archiving, adding that this was an opportunity for her to gain knowledge in film culture and archiving.

For Okoh, the study would not only help the Nigerian Film Industry, but Africa at large.

“This is because we are having a serious challenge in archiving our programmes, films and history. As an archivist, you need to acquire first, preserve, then create access for people.

“So, this programme will give us a global perspective and standards to archiving. Germany is a strong part of film development and archiving in the world,” Okoh said.

Meanwhile Brian Etuk, Head, Public Affairs of NFI, said there were a lot of audio-visual materials rotting away in all parts of the country.

“We have taken the lead to make sure we rescue those vintage and important history of our country and the only way to do this is to rescue, digitalise and preserve them.

“We have introduced courses that give room for people to be trained and acquire Master’s degree in Film Culture and Archival Studies.

“Our collective drive as a nation has been driven by Nigerian Film Corporation towards rescuing our heritage and archove our audio-visuals

“We must do it, otherwise, several years down the road, we would just be telling stories without evidence to show,” Etuk said.

He added that while in Germany, the three students will undertake rigorous learning processes associated with recovery of seeming destroyed or threats to audio-visual archival holdings for six months.

They are expected to return to Nigeria with demonstrated and in-depth knowledge of how Nigeria’s numerous audio-visual heritages that are found in several holdings across the country can be preserved.

Also, they are equally expected to serve as resource experts at the NFI, the National Film, Video and Sound Archives in Jos, which was recently designated as Nigeria’s central repository for audio-visuals.