Friday, April 18, 2025
Home Blog Page 332

The Shadow Pandemic

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0

Violence against women and girls in Nigeria is a pandemic-sized problem.

Millions live in fear of being abused, assaulted or raped.

Frontline heroes like the doctors, lawyers, social workers and counsellors who deal with the daily casualties of this crisis describe the heartbreak of handling cases of women and girls who have been abused or raped.

These protectors of women and children’s rights persevere in their efforts, even though they know most cases will not be reported, receive support and get justice.

And the cases we know about are only the small tip of a colossal iceberg.

So many women and girls suffer in silence and shame because they are worried about their family’s reaction and social stigma. Like a woman in Sokoto, who was assaulted by her husband whilst in purdah and denied access to critical support; or a woman in Lagos who was raped and impregnated by her neighbor and forced to leave her home for fear of stigmatization. Countless women and girls who are either ostracized or in community seclusion and at risk of violence still need to be reached.

But we are finally seeing a slow shift in attitudes.

Across Nigeria, women and girls are standing up, reporting their cases, and demanding local solutions to the problems of violence, including rape and sexual exploitation.

Cases like Blessing, who is 13 years old and lives in Abuja. Last year she was raped by her neighbor but kept quiet because he threatened to kill her. When she finally told her parents, they pressed charges and the rapist was arrested but released on bail. The rapist lives near the family and threatened her mother to drop the case. But her mother refused to settle and is pursuing justice in the courts.

“I want to be a lawyer because I don’t want other girls like me to go through a similar experience,” Blessing told us. “I want to stand up for them, be there for them and fight for them – that’s why I want to be a lawyer.”

Breaking the silence on violence against women and girls has created a momentum and encouraged more families to come forward and report cases of rape and other forms of violence or abuse. This increase in reporting is ringing alarm bells for clear political action. Nigerian communities and leaders are increasingly coming to terms with the scale of the problem and promising support to find solutions.

These are signs of hope. Even within the COVID-19 pandemic, a proactive culture is developing, whereby community leaders, health and social service providers including the police are working together with unprecedented coordination to implement a zero-tolerance policy for violence against women and girls.

Working together means engaging men and boys to address attitudes that perpetuate violence. Global solidarity campaigns such as HeForShe and #WithHer include men and boys as important allies in the gender equality movement, and in Nigeria, there is a surge of male champions actively and publicly pushing for justice for victims and survivors.

Whilst ending the pandemic of violence against women and girls in Nigeria begins with encouraging more reporting,
it is only the first step.

It must also include a comprehensive review of the system from the girl’s and woman’s point of view. Resources and training are needed to improve services so survivors of violence can get free medical care, legal support and long-term counselling and support.

The government has a critical role to play in leading the way, providing the necessary systems and removing the obstacles to accessing services. But the government alone cannot solve this problem – it is the small but momentous changes at the family and community levels – the changes we are starting to see now – that will drive the real change and finally make Nigeria a place that is safe for women and girls.

There is a long way to go before we realize the dream of a Nigeria where women and girls do not live in fear of being abused or raped. We must not squander this moment to make a lasting transformation – for Blessing and for millions of other girls and women like her.

This opinion was signed by Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs; Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative; and Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Nigeria Representative.

Covid-19: FCTA , NOA, Advisory Committee Partners To Deploy New Communication Strategies

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0

TOYIN ADEBAYO,  ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has partner with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the FCT Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 to draw up strategies for the implementation of new sensitization and awareness campaigns in the fight against COVID-19 in the nation’s capital.

 The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa  Bello  said that the FCT was faced with an even bigger challenge taking into consideration the fact that many residents were in denial about the dangers of the virus and therefore not taking the necessary preventive measures against its spread, hence the need to  re-orientate the residents of nation’s capital.

While briefing newsmen in Abuja after the meeting ,the minister said the action becomes  imperative to deploy new communication strategies to spread the message in order to contain the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the country.

Bella hinted that the earlier partnership with the organized private sector coordinated by the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee saw the FCT waging a largely successful campaign against COVID-19 with the provision and deployment of adequate bed spaces, palliatives, medical supplies and equipment and personnel.

The Minister, however, this partnership is aimed at re-invigorating the FCTA’s community communication strategies in the bid to save lives and livelihoods.

It was therefore agreed at the meeting that an ad-hoc committee be established to work  out new communication strategies to be deployed in this next phase of the fight against  the  COVID-19 pandemic.

This Committee will be Co-chaired by the DG NOA and Chairman of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee and consist of members drawn from the FCTA, the NOA and the Advisory Committee. 

The meeting was chaired by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello with the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari and the Chairman, FCT Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar.

Earlier , the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA)  Dr. Garba Abari, said that the meeting further brought to the fore the robust partnership between the FCTA and the private sector in the fight against the coronavirus.

He said the new sensitisation strategy to be tentatively known as the COVID-19 New Normal FCT Response intends to go beyond just creating awareness but to begin the process of behavior modification and change of the citizenry. This new strategy he continued is intended to ensure that citizens take personal responsibility for their health.

Abari added, had the experience and expertise to take the new message to the streets, neighborhood, places of worship and traditional institutions and also create an awareness on the nexus that exists between the containment of the disease and personal responsibility. He also said that the NOA possessed the necessary expertise and experience to spread the new message.

In his Comments, the FCT Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar said that it  was necessary to come up with a coherent communication strategy to reach the people as many of them were not obeying the basic guidelines and protocols put in place by the relevant authorities to prevent the spread of COVI’19.
Attachments area

8 in 10 Cervical Cancer Patients Dies, Bringing Mortality Rate To 25%

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0





TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA 



The Minister of Health,  Dr Osagie Ehanire has hinted that ,  cervical cancer in women is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.

He added that, in Nigeria, cancer mortality rate is about 33/100,000 and an estimated 14,089 are diagnosed every year.


This, according to him,  implies that, eight out of every ten of them presenting at an advance stage result in a mortality rate of about 25%”.   

Adding that a total population of about 200 million people, Nigeria has about 40 million women aged 15 years and older  are at risk of developing cervical cancer. 

Ehanire gave the hint at a Stakeholders’ Forum on the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Nigeria,  the technical sessions will be very robust and will yield the desired outcomes. I wish you very fruitful deliberations and I thank you for your attention.


He, however,  said that the Federal Ministry of Health under my watch is determined to spare no effort in ensuring that the global call for the eradication of cervical cancer by the year 2030 is achieved in Nigeria. 


According to him,  “Available data indicates that the incidence of cervical cancer in Nigeria is about 33/100,000 and an estimated 14,089 are diagnosed every year, with eight out of every ten of them presenting at an advance stage resulting in a mortality rate of about 25%”. 


He further stated that,  in order to reverse this trend, we have made efforts to increase our national capacity for prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix in Nigeria.


This stakeholders’ forum is timely since it is holding barely one year to the expiration of the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Cancer of the Cervix (2017-2021). It is imperative to state that its implementation essentially started after the launch in 2019. The main objective of this meeting is therefore for relevant stakeholders to review the implementation of the strategic plan, identify gaps and recommend ways forward. 
According to him, the National Strategic Plan for Prevention of Cancer of the Cervix provides a strategic direction for a national response to nib the scourge of cervical cancer in Nigeria in the bud includes; “Guidance on how to increase awareness on cancer of the cervix, screening and prevention, training of health care providers, vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), treatment of pre-cancerous lesions as well as monitoring and evaluation. It also defines roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and advocates integration of prevention of cancer of the cervix into reproductive health services at the primary health care level”.


In furtherance of the implementation of the plan, the Federal Ministry of Health has taken steps to commence national immunization programme against human papilloma virus (HPV) which is responsible for over 70% of cervical cancer and to increase screening campaigns hitherto conducted at the tertiary hospitals, through some individuals and non-governmental organizations and partners. 


Adding, the Federal Ministry of Health conducted a pilot immunization against HPV in 2011 which was one of the requirements for its integration into the National Programme on Immunization. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has assured me that HPV immunization will be introduced on a national scale in 2021. As a government, we appreciate those of you who have been very active in the area of secondary prevention. I must therefore specially appreciate all our partners in this forum that working tirelessly to increase screening and treatment of precancerous lesions across the country. 


He further stated that the Federal Ministry of Health is collaborating with the Clinton Health Access Intiative (CHAI) to scale up secondary prevention of cervical cancer in three states namely: Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna through a Unitaid- funded Programme. This Programme should have commenced in May this year but for the Covid-19 outbreak. I am aware that various partners are implementing the United States Center for Disease Control (US/CDC) funded HIV integrated cervical Cancer screening. This is also commendable. 


Furthermore, majority of our tertiary hospitals currently have the capacity to perform PAP smear, colposcopy, biopsy and histopathology services essential for diagnosis of cervical cancer. Electrosurgical excision procedures such as Loop electrosurgical excision procedure/ Large loop excision of transformation zone (LEEP/LLETZ) and cold coagulation are also available in some of our centres, he added.


Ehanire hinted that the government of Nigeria has continued to upgrade Hospitals through budgetary allocation as well as public private partnership (PPP) arrangement to provide equipment such as, Mammography machines, Colposcopes, MRIs, linear Accelerators and other radiotherapy equipment for the provision of specialized treatment of cancers including cancer of the cervix. The Federal Ministry of Health is in a partnership programme with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) to provide quality cancer chemotherapy at over 50% cost reduction. Some of these drugs are also used for the treatment of cervical cancer.  


With late presentation and diagnosis of cancer cases, many of these patients may need palliative care. Palliative care is a holistic care and an approach to care given to persons with life limiting disease that focuses on pain and symptom control for patients and family support throughout the course of illness until death and even in their bereavement. In order to address the palliative care need of these patients, I have approved the development of a National Palliative Care Policy and the process has commenced, the Minister added.


The Federal Ministry of Health is engaging several partners towards successful cancer prevention efforts in Nigeria. This stakeholder forum is a product of such partnership. The John Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) is facilitating this forum to enable us review the National Strategic Plan for the prevention of cancer of the cervix in Nigeria. 


He emphasized that the expectations this forum are the revision of the level of implementation of the strategic objectives, identification of the gaps therein and charting the way forward towards ensuring a cervical cancer free Nigeria. 









ReplyForward

Covid-19: NCH Resolves That Establishment Of Community Support Centres (CSCs) Should Be In High Burden States

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0
Dr Osagie Ehanire
Minister of Health


TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA


An Emergency Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) held via Zoom on Tuesday resolved that,the development of the Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan and the proposed establishment of Community Support Centres (CSCs), should be in the first instance, in high burden states (Lagos, Kano, and FCT) towards reducing community transmission of COVID-19.

The meeting which was chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire also noted the progress of work/support by all stakeholders and challenges encountered in the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic across the states of the federation.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and a copy made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that, Based on the technical presentations, states’ updates, and deliberations at the meeting, the Council approved the Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan Council also made the following resolutions: The Draft Guideline on Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which was earlier scheduled for presentation to Council, should be stepped down for presentation at a later time after further necessary consultations; COVID-19 Community Support Centres (CSCs) should not be established as parallel centres but as additional options to relieve the burden of service delivery on existing facilities; States are to own and lead the implementation of the COVID-19 Community Support Centres (CSCs) where desirable; and FMOH will share a Template on Needs Assessment and Daily Reporting Format on Case Management to facilitate decision making for federal government support to states.

The Communique was adopted upon a motion by the Commissioner for Health (Osun State) seconded by the Commissioner for Health (Yobe State). The meeting commenced at 10:20am. The National Council on Health, as provided for in the National Health Act (2014), is t

Mines Minister , staff Mourns The Demise Of Director Of Finance

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0
Minister of Mines and Steel
Minister of Mines and Steel


TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA


The Management and Staff of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has expressed shock over the sudden demise of the Director Finance and Account (DFA) of the Ministry, Alhaji Adamu Bala Zakari. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite, during his condolence visit to the family in Lafia Nasarawa State on Tuesday,described Alhaji Zakari as an astute and dedicated Civil Servant. He, however, commiserated with the family and assured of the ministry’s commitment to ensuring his benefits are paid Without delay.

The Minister who was represented by the Director of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining, Mr. Patrick Ojeka said the deceased was a meticulous person who always ensured files that come to his table were treated promptly. He added that, it was very painful to loss a young, healthy and ebulent man, saying that his short stay in the Ministry was very impactful.

Earlier, the representative of the family, Alhaji Abdulahi Usman said the visit was an indication of the peaceful co- existence the deceased had with members and staff of the Ministry. He said the large delegation sent by the Ministry shows that the late DFA was greatly appreciated despite his brief stay at the Ministry. Zakari joined the Federal Civil Service on 2nd August, 2000 as an Assistant Chief Accountant, and had worked in different ministries including Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Goals (SDGs).

He was posted to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development as Director, Finance and Accounts on 24th April, 2020. He bagged his BSc, Accounting (1986) and MBA (1997), from Bayero University , Kano, and was pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Nasarawa State University before his demise. He held many professional qualifications, among was Fellow, Institute of Cert

FCT FEMA Alerts Residents On Flooding, As Man Drowns In Efab Flash Flood

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0


TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA


The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Search and Rescue Team on Wednesday recovered the body of one Mr. James Odeh aged 35 from a flooded river along Dogon-gada Area, near Efab Housing Estate, Lokogoma District. While warning FCT residents to desist from the acts that could lead to flooding in this rainy season.

It is believed that the victim was attempting to drive through the flooded water in the company of one Mr. Nsendoo Uketar aged 20yrs who has been rescued alive by the FEMA search and rescue team. The vehicle of the victim, a Toyota Corola 2010 model was also rescued from the flooded river.

Saddened by unfortunate incident, the Director General (FEMA) Alh. Idriss Abbas advised residents to stay away from flooded water and avoid driving around flooded sites. According to the FEMA boss, “Most people underestimate the strength of water and the danger it poses” He then urged FCT residents to adopt attitudinal change as key to fighting disaster to the nearest minimum in the FCT.

Also reacting to the NIMET predictions that we should expect heavy rainfall this year which could lead to flooding, the FEMA DG appealed to residents to avoid unwholesome environmental practices especially the indiscriminate waste disposal and building on flood plain as these could block water ways and lead to flooding, he then called on community leaders, religions leaders, to be charged with the responsibility of sensitizing their subjects, especially those living close to flood planes to move to higher ground to avoid being washed away.

Speaking on steps taken by the Agency to curb flooding disasters in the FCT, the FEMA DG said FEMA and some of its relevant stakeholders had earlier in the year embarked on assessment tour to all flooded prone areas in the FCT to identify flash points and to access areas of repairs and improvement. Alh. Idriss further stressed.

Most COVID-19 Fatalities In Nigeria May Have Been Saved , If They Had Arrived Treatment Centers Early , Ehanire .

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire on Monday revealed that, experience they gathered suggest that some COVID-19 fatalities recorded in Nigeria may possibly have been saved if they had arrived designated treatment centers early enough.

Saying, emerging that the clinical condition of COVID-19 patients, especially the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, can change from mild to critical within such a short time that patients hardly have time to seek hospital care.

He made this known at the daily Presidential Task force on Covid-19 briefing in Abuja, while advising that all hospitals to have the right index of suspicion and recognize and promptly refer suspected cases to designated hospitals. Attempting to treat COVID-19 positive patients, when not so accredited, puts all involved at risk, including the innocent.

The Minister also advised persons with symptoms and those with underlying diseases or over 60 years of age, to check into an isolation or treatment centre, for observation. This could save your life.

According to him, “Though up to 80% of cases can be asymptomatic it helps to also bear the known common symptoms in mind: these being fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and difficulty in breathing. Additional signs can be headache, diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. While symptomatic treatment can be vital in preventing complications, close clinical observation, early enough, can be decisive.

“Confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nigeria surpassed the 20,000 mark over the weekend, reaching 20,244 between yesterday and today. We also saw the highest number of daily diagnosed new cases last Thursday of 745, but with 436 over the past 24 hours. While the overall trajectory was predicted as the a course of events, explained both by increased community transmission and rising testing capacity, it is a reminder that we must not only, not let down our guards, but begin to restrategize on additional measures of keeping control of the situation. This will not be the sole responsibility of government, but of all citizens, individually and collectively. It is also the prime feature of the National COVID-19 Response Action Plan of the Federal Ministry of Health, which tries to map a near, medium and long term health sector response strategy to the challenge, across all areas of health, over the next 3-year period. The Plan is to be presented at the National Council of Health and applied by States, for the development of State specific Action Plans, to address State peculiarities.

He continued; “As at yesterday, 6,879 persons in total had been treated for covid19 and discharged, while 518 have sadly been lost, with 96 persons in just the past week. Total samples tested are 113,575, active cases are 12,847 and case fatality rate, at 2.55%”.

He, however, commended the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) who called off strike following continuous dialogue, constructive engagement, and response to grievances that were tabled, like payment of hazard and inducement allowances and provision of PPEs.

He further noted that, “”Nigeria received a large consignment of medical supplies on Saturday, the first of a series of deliveries from the UN Group and the European Union, which several ministers were on hand to receive at the airport on behalf of the Federal government. The donation is made up of a large number of various categories of PPEs and 547 oxygen concentrators, courtesy of WHO, which our experience in Nigeria shows, are much more in use than ventilators. The Federal Ministry of Health particularly appreciates this addition to our case management assests and we thank all the donors, through the Resident Coordinator of the UN family in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon.

“I was invited to visit 063 Nigeria Air Force Hospital last Friday, to inspect the COVID-19 Observation and Treatment Centre there, a 25 bed centre with modern facilities for managing mild and severe cases. An additional 200 bed student hostel has been prepared as a backup isolation centre, in case of overspill. This centre will complement the treatment centres in FCT, able to handle Isolation 2 and 3 cases. I must commend Defence Headquarters and the leadership of the Nigeria Air force for the offer of support in the fight against COVID-19. The Air Force already supports the FMoH with mission flights to various parts of Nigeria”.

Ehanire stated that, On Thursday, 18th June, 2020 the World Health Organizations (WHO) Africa Regional Certification Commission for poliomyelitis eradication announced the certification of Nigeria as a Polio free state, an achievement worth celebrating, considering that up to 2012, we accounted for more than half the polio cases worldwide. The credit is to all tiers of government, our international partners, community leaders, and above all, the thousands of NPHCDA front-line health workers and resource groups. I particularly wish to commend and thank His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment and unalloyed support for the program.

while adding that, the certificate will be delivered in August, but it does not mean we can rest on our guards. Our energy is already being directed to supporting the fight against COVID-19, especially in this community transmission phase, with the Community Support Program of NPHCDA, using the PHC network and experienced human resource for Health to drive surveillance and community case management at grassroots level. I am mindful in that regard, that other healthcare services, like routine immunization, shall be maintained, to ensure Nigeria stays polio free.

We must daily be reminded of challenges covid-19 poses to Nigeria and the world, and further reinforce our resolve to tackle the pandemic. We can reduce case fatality in Nigeria, if non-pharmaceutical interventions are scaled up and we become more proactive in dealing with positive cases. We can scale up testing, tracing, treatment and Isolation, with priority on offering more protection to elderly citizens and those with co-morbidities, from the threat of infection, he added.

Covid-19: NCH Resolves To Develop Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

An Emergency Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) held via Zoom on Tuesday resolved to develop Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan.

They also proposed to establish Community Support Centres (CSCs), should be in the first instance, in high burden states (Lagos, Kano, and FCT) towards reducing community transmission of COVID-19.

The meeting which was chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire also noted the progress of work/support by all stakeholders and challenges encountered in the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic across the states of the federation.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and a copy made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that, Based on the technical presentations, states’ updates, and deliberations at the meeting, the Council approved the Health Sector COVID-19 Pandemic Response Action Plan

Council also made the following resolutions: The Draft Guideline on Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which was earlier scheduled for presentation to Council, should be stepped down for presentation at a later time after further necessary consultations; COVID-19 Community Support Centres (CSCs) should not be established as parallel centres but as additional options to relieve the burden of service delivery on existing facilities; States are to own and lead the implementation of the COVID-19 Community Support Centres (CSCs) where desirable; and FMOH will share a Template on Needs Assessment and Daily Reporting Format on Case Management to facilitate decision making for federal government support to states

The Communique was adopted upon a motion by the Commissioner for Health (Osun State) seconded by the Commissioner for Health (Yobe State).

The meeting commenced at 10:20am. The National Council on Health, as provided for in the National Health Act (2014), is the highest policy making body on matters relating to health in Nigeria. Membership of the Council consists of the Honourable Minister of Health who is the Chairman of the Council, the Honourable Minister of State for Health, State Commissioners for Health of the 36 States, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory. The Secretary of the Council is the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health.

The Emergency NCH Meeting, which held as a virtual meeting, was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire. The meeting was attended by the Hon. Minister of State for Health, Dr. (Senator) Olorunnimbe Adeleke Mamora; Permanent Secretary (Federal Ministry of Health), Mr. Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi; State Commissioners for Health from 25 States (Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno, Kebbi, Lagos, Edo, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Kogi, Yobe, Niger, Imo, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Anambra, Katsina, Ekiti, Kwara, Plateau, Osun, Ogun, Nasarawa, Gombe); the Ag. Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCT and Representative of Akwa Ibom (PSH) State Commissioner for Health.

FCT Court Reopens Jabi Lake Mall, Asks Violator To Tender Apology In National Dailies

By
Toyin Adebayo
-
0

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court on Tuesday re-opened the shut Jabi Lake Mall after 10 days of closure.

It also ordered the Mall to publish  an unreserved apology to Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in some National dailies,  for hosting the Lagos-based controversial artist, Naira Marley in concert.

It would however be recalled that, the Mall was shut last week by an order of same court for organising the” Drive-in-Concert which attracted crowd within the premises, against the social distancing rules and the extant 8pm-6am curfew. 

Three staff of  the Mall who were arraigned before the Magistrate that sat as a Mobile Court at Jabi, were accused of organising a concert that  violated the COVID-19 health  safety guidelines and other protocols approved by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19. 

Magistrate Idayat Akanni who ordered that the Mall should immediately be re-opened, stated that she had perused the application filed by the defence counsel Mr. Nnamdi Ekwem, praying the court to unseal the business premises. 

Akanni noted that her judgement was based on the overall interest of those who will be affected adversely,  should the Mall remain closed. She also stated that the Mall has over 100 employees and other tenants who are not co-offenders in the matter, and may have their fundamental human rights seriously  infracted.

According to her, the order is also based on compassion, especially, in consideration of the economic losses that will be suffered by those affected, coupled with the impact of COVID-19 on the people.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of FCT Ministerial Task Force on COVID-19 Comrade Ikharo Attah stated that FCTA has no objections to the rulings of the court, because the administration wants to remain a model in obeying the rule of law.

Attah noted that FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello has demonstrated a strong will to respect the laws while striving for good governance.  He   stressed that nobody can violate the laws and go unpunished in FCT. 

He also added that the management of the Mall is expected to comply with the order of the court on publishing an apology to government on national dailies, as soon as possible.

Attah added, ” In the wisdom of the court, it has decided to re-open the Mall after 10 days, while also asking the Management to publish an apology to government on national dailies,  we expect it as quick as possible. 

He added that, ” we have shown the world that government works here, we have also shown that the rule of law is respected here. We abide by the order, since the court’s judgment is based on compassion and the economic losses already recorded”.

FCT Police Command Launches Manhunt To Arrest Killers Of A Renowned Pharmacist In Abuja

By
Ola Akinola
-
0

Olalekan Akinola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command launches intensed manhunt and investigation on who shot and killed Mr Sunday Ike, a pharmacist on Friday night at about 23.00 pm in his pharmacy at Gwarinpa Estate, in Abuja.

The gruesome nature of the murder of the Pharmacist has caused outrage with many people wondering what may have warranted such wicked attack.

According to photo released by family source, the deceased assailants shot him at a very close range right inside his pharmacy located at 3rd Avenue, Gwarinpa ,shattering his skull and leaving him to lie in his own pool of blood.

The unknown gunmen , however, took his phone and vanished into the night on Ike’s light blue Toyota Camry car with registration number BS 286 KWL

It was gathered the killers did not bother to take away money found inside drawers or other sums found on the victim.

According to a statement signed by FCT Police Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah and a copy made available to newsmen in Abuja, the Command has since launched a massive manhunt to arrest the unidentified gunmen who shot Sunday Ike.

According to the press statement, “The unfortunate incident happened on 19th June, 2020 at about 2300hrs at the victim’s shop located at 3rd avenue Gwarinpa.
“Police Operatives who responded to a distress call on the incident rushed the victim for medical attention at Federal Medical Centre Jabi, where he was later certified dead by medical doctors.”
While commiserating with the family and friends of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police FCT, Mr. Bala Ciroma assured FCT residents that the perpetrators of the heinous act will be arrested and brought to justice.
He also encouraged members of the public to support the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the assailants, who are currently on the run.

The police solicited support of members of the general public on any lead to apprehend perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“Those with useful information about the assailants are encouraged to contact any of the following FCT Police Command Control Room numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, or 08028940883”.

1...331332333...343Page 332 of 343

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

Newsfocus is your news, sports,politics, entertainment, music fashion website. We offer you the latest breaking news and videos straight from the sports and entertainment industry across the world.

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© 2020 Focus Media . All Rights Reserved