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IWD 2020: PIND calls for more advocacy on gender equality in Niger Delta

YEKEEN Akinwale
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IWD 2020: PIND calls for more advocacy on gender equality in Niger Delta

THE Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) says having stakeholders participate in the co-development of ideas, solutions and responsibilities is vital to deepening gender equality advocacy in the Niger Delta region.

“We cannot afford to be disconnected in vision and purpose at this critical times as the beginning of the sustainable development goal number 5 that we all yearn for in the region lies in effective dialogue and shared learning,” said Tunji Idowu, Deputy Executive Director of PIND in Warri, Delta State on Thursday.

“More than ever before, we need dialogue like this ‘Roundtable’ to engage in meaningful discussions required for setting directions together and working smarter together towards gender equality in the Niger Delta,” Idowu said at a Roundtable organized by PIND to mark the 2020 International Day of Women (IWD).

Represented by James Elekwachi, PIND’s Economic Development Manager, he explained that gender mainstreaming was not only about including women as intervention beneficiaries, but also about deliberately addressing issues limiting women’s economic and social well-being.

“That’s why over the years, we have empowered and facilitated opportunities for thousands of women such as access to fit for purpose efficient technologies and also championed women’s issues such as violence against women and girls.

According to him, the 2020 IWD celebration with the theme ” I am generation equality: Realising women’s right, was designed to take stock of the progress made in promoting women’s rights since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, 25 years ago.

The theme of the roundtable was “Realising Women’s Right: Economic and Peace Building Route.

He said the Foundation organized the roundtable with its partners and beneficiaries to take stock of the progress it has made in gender mainstreaming in the last 10 years in the Niger Delta.

Idowu disclosed that PIND’s economic development program grows businesses, boosts productivity and income for small holder farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES).

“To enable integrated peace and economic growth, PIND’s Peace Building program strengthens conflict resolution mechanism and fosters stability through a regional network of peace actors and an early warning and early response structure,” he added.

Speaking at the event, Bose Eitohkpa, a former Capacity Building Manager at PIND and gender specialist called for bridging the gap between those who started the 1995 Beijing Declaration and the new generation so that they can carry on with the struggles.

She recalled all the various programs and activities by the Foundation towards gender mainstreaming and peacebuilding.

According to her, the Foundation has over the years facilitated access of women farmers to new agricultural technology such as demonstration of mechanical adjustable harvesters to oil palm women farmers.

Eitohkpa added that it has also facilitated economic opportunities for young women as well as saw to the establishment of parents’ waiting room and introduced paternity leave for PIND’s men.
She disclosed that PIN, in 2017,  assessed progress in gender mainstreaming.

“Based on findings from interviews, desk reviews and key observations, PIND got a rating of MODERATE against the commitments and priorities set in the strategic objectives contained in PIND’s Gender Policy.”

“The assessment noted significant progress in facilitating access to equal opportunities and benefits for women and provided recommendations that would help improve performance going forward.”

PIND is a Nigerian non-profit organization established by Chevron Corporation to build partnerships for peace and equitable economic development in the Niger Delta.

COVID-19: Buhari’s daughter currently in self isolation

Ihuoma ILO
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COVID-19: Buhari’s daughter currently in self isolation

PRESIDENT Buhari’s daughter is currently in self-isolation after returning to the country from the UK earlier on Thursday.

The first lady Aisha Buhari, who disclosed the information on her twitter page this afternoon said her daughter returned from the UK being among the high burden listed countries of COVID-19.

She stated that based on the advice of the Hon. Minister Of Health , Presidential Task force on COVID – 19 and that of NCDC, her daughter currently Self Isolating herself, not because she displayed any symptoms of the Covid-19 .

Aisha further urged all parents to do the same if possible, as prevention is better than cure.

Similarly, the first lady also shut down her office for two weeks with immediate effect, adding that essential staff can work from home because of some Staff who recently returned from the UK.

Aisha also commended the North Western governors including Niger and Kwara on preventive measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 at their security meeting yesterday in Kaduna.

She advised that all Nigerians should adhere to the instructions from the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, which encourages maintaining social distancing, high hygiene culture through regular washing of hands with soaps and sanitizers.

Adding that citizens should adopt preventive measures and ensure the safety of their families and that of General public.

‘’We will overcome the Covid-19 pandemic if we all take the necessary precautions at the same time,’’ Aisha concluded.

 

 

Explainer: Price adjustment on petrol pump price to N125 is not subsidy removal

Amos ABBA
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Explainer: Price adjustment on petrol pump price to N125 is not subsidy removal

THE Federal Government’s decision to initiate a 13.8 per cent decrease on the retail pump price of petrol nationwide from N145 to N125, was based on drop in Nigeria’s Expected Open Market Price, EOMP, rather than subsidy removal, an official of the the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, has explained.

Abdulkadir Saidu, Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, said the global demand for crude oil which dropped by $25 per barrel on Wednesday resulted in a 30 per cent drop in the EOMP of petrol below the initially approved retail pump price cap of N145 per litre.

“The directive of Government to the NNPC to reduce the Ex-Coastal price of PMS, despite the fact that the current stock of product was imported during the months of January and February, 2020 is highly commendable, although this action is not without costs to the Corporation,” he said.

The new price template of N125 was based on the approved distribution margins of petrol of which the breakdown is as follows, Ex-Coastal price (consisting cost and freight charges) set at N99.44 per litre and the new EOMP pegged at N118.81.

The average EOMP for the months of January and February 2020 was N175.52 per litre and N156.02 per litre respectively shows that subsidy paid on petrol by the Federal Government was N30.52 and N11.02 per litre respectively for two months.

Mele Kyari,  NNPC GMD, in a statement said the decision to review the ex-coastal, ex-depot and NNPC retail pump price was in compliance with the directives by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipreye Sylva, on PMS pricing.

“Effective March 19, 2020, NNPC Ex-Coastal price for PMS has been reviewed downwards from N117.6 per litre to N99.44 per litre, while Ex-Depot price is reduced from N133.28 per litre to N113.28 per litre,” Kyari said.

PPPRA template shows that with the review of the ex-depot price of the commodity, which is the price at which the NNPC sells to oil marketers, the subsidy payments were not scrapped.

The landing cost of petrol, the amount it costs to import petrol into the country also declined from N162.68 per litre on December 31, 2019 to N123.88 per litre on February 27, 2020, a PPPRA data shows is a major determinant that led to the N125 per litre retail pump price.

This implies that as the landing cost of petrol continues to fall then Federal Government’s expenditure on petrol subsidy is also expected to drop.

Nigeria spent N40.42 billion on petrol subsidy in January, indicating a 22.47 per cent decline when compared with the N55.58 billion paid to subsidise petrol in December 2019.

Nigeria spent approximately $28 billion on subsidies between 2006 and 2018 alone, a financial obligation that hinders development in other crucial sectors.

It’s the fourth time the price of petrol has been modulated since 2015, it was first adjusted from N87 to N86.50 per litre then the price leaped to N141 before settling for N145 per litre in 2016.

President Muhammadu Buhari had announced in May, 2015, the removal of 90 per cent fuel subsidy to allow market forces determine retail fuel prices in the country but it was restored in the pricing template of petrol without any public announcement.

However, Saidu said the new price is temporary until the end of March based on the indicators observed in the market.

“Going forward, PPPRA will continue to monitor trends in market fundamentals and announce a monthly Guiding/Expected Open Market price at the beginning of every month, effective 1st April, 2020,” he said.

Alex Akande, an official with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Abuja liaison office said:

“If you look at it now there are several oil buyers who have crude oil stock at the old rate of N145 and you are asking them to sell at the government’s new rate, so who is going to pay the difference between the rate of the accumulated stocks and the new rate.

“At what point will the directive take effect or are we just responding on the basis that other countries are giving relief to their citizens? I don’t know how this will work,” he said.

Crude oil prices dropped further on Thursday, with United States’ West Texas Intermediate, WTI, prices falling to an 18-year low of $22 as the global market expects an extra stock of about 3 million barrels per day in April, with even more pending in May.

WTI plunged by 15.3 percent to $22.90 a barrel on March 18, the lowest level since 2002, while Brent crude was down by 8.9 percent, at $26.17 a barrel, after falling earlier to $28.40, the lowest since early 2016.

 

Appeal court affirms Ifeanyi Ubah as Anambra south senator

Jennifer UGWA
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Appeal court affirms Ifeanyi Ubah as Anambra south senator

THE court of appeal in Abuja on Thursday has affirmed Ifeanyi Ubah as the senator representing Anambra south senatorial district, voiding the previous judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which had sacked him.

A three-man panel of the court, led by Justice Stephen Adah held that the judgment of the lower court which sacked Ubah as a senator is a nullity on the grounds that the originating process which led to the judgement by the lower court was given without jurisdiction and that Ubah was denied a fair hearing.

Ubah’s election had been annulled on April 11, 2019, by Bello Kawu, judge of a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Kubwa, on the grounds that he presented a forged National Examination Council (NECO) certificate to INEC.

Onyeachi Ikpeazu, the counsel of the appellant argued that the proceedings and the judgment emanating from the high court were not done through the due process.

The Appeal Court also found that the originating summons, with which the case was commenced before the FCT High Court was not signed by any lawyer as required by the rules of the High Court of the FCT.

Hence, the judge ruled  that “A document that is not signed is a worthless piece of paper and has no credibility,”  Adah said.

“Right to a fair hearing is very fundamental and anything did afterwards results to a nullity.”

“The judgment of the lower court is a nullity and is hereby set aside,” the judge said.

Besides setting aside the judgment, Justice Adah also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the Clerk of the Senate and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acting on the April 11, 2019 judgment which has been voided for being a nullity.

Wuhan city records no new home grown case of COVID-19

Ihuoma ILO
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Wuhan city records no new home grown case of COVID-19

THURSDAY was a day of contrasts on the front lines of the battle against the new Coronavirus. In a sign of hope, the Chinese city of Wuhan reported no new home-grown infections.

Citing reports from the Associated Press, the news from China’s central city of Wuhan, where the virus first emerged late last year, offered a rare glimmer of hope and perhaps a lesson in the strict measures needed to halt its spread.

Wuhan once was the place where thousands lay sick or dying in hurriedly constructed hospitals, the first place in the world where medical facilities appeared overwhelmed, but Chinese authorities said on Thursday that all 34 new cases recorded over the previous day had been imported from abroad.

“Today, we have seen the dawn after so many days of hard effort,” said Jiao Yahui, a senior inspector at the National Health Commission.

While China did not report any new cases in Wuhan or Hubei province, it did record eight additional deaths. Wuhan has been under a strict lock-down since January.

Officials are moving to loosen travel restrictions, but only inside the surrounding province of Hubei. Wuhan remains cut-off, with only those with special permission allowed to travel in or out.

Health workers and medical experts who had arrived Wuhan in the surge of the outbreak were also seen leaving the city as grateful citizens waved goodbye.

Still, the virus, which has infected 219,000 people around the world, took its toll elsewhere, both in human and economic terms.

Overall, 8,900 patients have died around the world, and 84,000 have recovered.

 

 

EFCC arraigns Saraki’s cousin over alleged N220m contract scam

Nneoma BENSON
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EFCC arraigns Saraki’s cousin over alleged N220m contract scam

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday has arraigned Ope Saraki, a cousin to former Nigerian Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on a two-count charge bordering on contract scam to the tune of N220 million.

The Ilorin Zonal Office of the EFCC had arraigned Saraki before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in the state.

In a statement disclosed by the commission, Saraki had allegedly got a contract to supply 13 ambulances to general hospitals through a company he had an interest while serving as Special Adviser to the Kwara State government.

Count one of the charges read: “That you, Ope Saraki, sometime in 2012 whilst being the Special Adviser to the governor of Kwara State on Millennium Development Goals within the jurisdiction of this honourable court knowingly acquired indirectly a private interest in contract worth N171m…

“…awarded to Chemistry Nigeria Limited for the purchase of 13 units of ambulances for 13 general/specialist hospitals in Kwara State, contract connected to your office contrary to Section 12 of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act, 2000 and punishable under same law”.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

In his response, the prosecuting counsel, Sesan Ola, prayed that the court set a trial date in view of the defendant’s plea, and asked that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Countering his request, the defence counsel, N. Olatoke urged the court to grant bail to Saraki, pending the hearing and determination of the case. He said his client would not jump bail as the EFCC has in its custody, Saraki’s international passport.

On hearing the arguments of both counsels, Justice Akinpelu granted the sum of N300m bail to the accused person, alongside two sureties with verifiable addresses.

She ruled that the accused, remained in the custody of the EFCC until he perfects his bail conditions.

The case was later adjourned until April 16, 2020, for further hearing.

Lagos records 4 new cases of Coronavirus, country now has 12 cases

Seun DUROJAIYE
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Lagos records 4 new cases of Coronavirus, country now has 12 cases

LESS than 24 hours after announcing that Nigeria has recorded eight cases of Coronavirus, the Lagos state commissioner of health, Akin Abayomi, has confirmed four new cases of Coronavirus in the state.

This rounds up the number of cases in the country to 12.

Abayomi disclosed details of the new cases while addressing journalists on Thursday at the Lagos state secretariat, Alahusa

According to the health commissioner, the country is now dealing with a combination of imported cases and local transmission.

Reports state that 19 new suspected cases were tested on Wednesday and four returned positive

Abayomi disclosed that one of the cases is a Nigerian female who returned from France via a Turkish airline (TK 1830) on March 14.

Another case is a Nigerian male who arrived in Nigeria on March 13, from Frankfurt, Germany on Luftansa flight LH 568, reports state.

In all, there are four new cases and contact tracing of over 1,300 people has commenced as stated by Abayomi.

The commissioner also said the first index case in the country, an Italian man, has been declared free of the virus.

The commissioner stated that the patient would however undergo another test before he is finally discharged.

Meanwhile, a recent study conducted by a group of scientists and physicians led by Gregory Rigano, an Advisor to Stanford University School of Medicine has shown a possible cure for the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, The ICIR earlier reported.

The scientists claimed that after six days, all infected patients treated with Chloroquine and Azithromycin were ‘virologically cured’.

COVID-19: CAN calls for suspension of church activities in Kaduna

Nneoma BENSON
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COVID-19: CAN calls for suspension of church activities in Kaduna

IN a bid to contain the spread of novel coronavirus in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chapter in Kaduna State on Thursday has called for the suspension of all church activities for the safety of its brethren.

The directives come on the heels of 12 confirmed cases of the virus in Nigeria.

The Kaduna chairman, CAN, Joseph Hayab in a statement advised that the duration of church services should also be shortened except for necessities.

According to him, the church has a role to play, to sensitize its members on preventive measures to take on and encourage the use of hand sanitizers, by providing for one at the entrance of the church.

Hayab said despite Christians’ belief in the power of prayers, it was important to observe global standards for prevention, adding that church leaders could adopt bringing in health workers to the church to test members with genuine equipment for overall safety.

“The church in Nigeria, therefore, should not be ignorant of this global pandemic. The church, as a school of faith, which is known for having large gatherings for church services, wedding, burial, prayer meetings, crusades and revival services must endeavour to join forces with government and health workers to stop the spread of this virus.

“Our role must not just be to pray but we must be seen taking concrete steps for the well being of our flocks and the country at large,” Hayab said.

The state chapter thereafter made appeal to worship leaders, to read through official guidelines and information about the virus, then educate their members.

Relatively, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) had also directed all its parishes in Lagos and Ogun states to limit the number of persons in one service, to 50.

The RCCG assistant general-overseer of administration and personnel, Folorunsho Odesola in a memo said parishes with an average attendance of 50 members or less can hold their service without making any changes.

“Parishes that have the facility to run more than one service can also do so, under the strict directive that worshippers won’t exceed 50 people per service,” he said.

Also, the Ansar ud deen Society of Nigeria had suspended mosque activities also involving more than 50 people. Activities such as the Jum’ah prayers and any gathering of up to 50 people were suspended by the group indefinitely.

“This decision was informed by the menacing spread of the novel coronavirus(COVID-19) and Fatwa by World Islamic bodies taking cognisance of the Islamic principles of ‘preservation of life’, ‘prevention of harm’, and ‘proactive response to impending danger’.

“The society shall abide by government recommendations and update members and mosque users of any change in the suspension decision.

“We acknowledge that many of our members and mosque users might find this unprecedented decision very uncomfortable, we should please be reassured that this is for the good of the community and it is in compliance with the Islamic response to epidemic pandemic,” the group said.

New study shows possible cure for COVID-19 virus

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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New study shows possible cure for COVID-19 virus

A RECENT study conducted by a group of Scientists and Physicians led by Gregory Rigano, an Advisor to Stanford University School of Medicine has shown a possible cure to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

The scientists claimed that after six days, all infected patients treated with Chloroquine and Azithromycin were ‘virologically cured’.

Chloroquine is a common and cheap anti-malaria drug used in most countries, particularly in Africa to cure malaria infection. Though, banned in Nigeria since 2005, it is still being used in other parts of the continent.

The Chinese authorities and South Korea also recognised the use of Chloroquine as an antiviral treatment that could ‘decrease the viral replication’ and possibly reduce victim’s stay in the hospital and recovery from the virus.

A consensus of medical experts at Department of Science and Technology, Guangdong Province and Health Commission of Guangdong Province released last week on 12 March, recommended 500mg twice daily chloroquine phosphate tablet for victims usage for 10 days.

Though, yet to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the US body responsible for regulating health and human services, Rigano, however, proved further authenticity of the discovery by sharing publicly the peer-reviewed study earlier released by Didier Raoult, also a Medical Doctor.

“Use of chloroquine (tablets) is showing favourable outcomes in humans infected with Coronavirus including faster time to recovery and shorter hospital stay,” Rigano stated in the treatment document released last week on 13 March.

“US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) research shows that chloroquine also has strong potential as a prophylactic (preventative) measure against Coronavirus in the lab, while we wait for a vaccine to be developed. Chloroquine is an inexpensive, globally available drug that has been in widespread use since 1945 against malaria, autoimmune and various other conditions.”

Yesterday, Wednesday 18 March, the scientist appeared on Fox News, a popular television station in the US to analyse the research outcome.

 

WHO identifies chloroquine, three others for clinical trial

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reportedly listed chloroquine among four drugs identified for a multinational clinical trial as part of efforts to find a cure to the pandemic.

The trial is code-named solidarity trial.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General said the four drugs or a combination of an existing drug used to cure other ailments would be tested while 10 nations already signified interest in the clinical trial.

“The drugs to be tested are antiviral drug remdesivir; a combination of two HIV drugs – lopinavir and ritonavir, lopinavir and ritonavir plus interferon beta and the antimalaria drug chloroquine,” report says. “All show some evidence of effectiveness against SARS-CoV 2 virus, which causes Covid-19, either in vitro and/or animal studies.”

The participating nations also include France, Iran, Argentina, Norway, South Africa, Bahrain, Canada, Thailand, Spain and Switzerland.

It is expected that more nations would indicate interest.

Since the outbreak in Wuhan, China, Tedros put the global casualty figure due to the COVID-19 virus at 5,000 people.

On 14 March, he described the deaths as a “tragic milestone,” identifying Europe as new epicentre of the virus.

Nigeria has so far recorded seven cases while six are currently under observation.

Right groups decry Kaduna State Government’s attempts to frustrate judicial process over Odinkalu’s case

Samad UTHMAN
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Right groups decry Kaduna State Government’s attempts to frustrate judicial process over Odinkalu’s case

 By Uthman Samad

TWO Abuja based right groups, Open Bar Initiative and Global Right Initiative have decried the slow pace of judicial process and violations of the constitutional provisions by Kaduna State Government in a case it instituted against the former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu.

Odinkalu had been charged to court by Governor Nasir El-Rufai led Kaduna State Government for “inciting disturbance, injurious falsehood, public nuisance, and furnishing false information punishable under section 77, 373, 104, and 150 respectively of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna state, 2017.”

His travails in the hands of the state government started when he alleged that Governor El-Rufai exaggerated the number of casualties in Kajuru violent clash.

However, addressing journalists at a press briefing in Abuja, the rights groups noted that throughout the proceedings, they have had grave concerns arising from manifest biases as well as lack of independence and impartiality on the part of the court, in violation of the applicable constitutional standards which the defense team has dutifully observed its professional obligation to treat the court with due respect.

The right groups alleged that the direct criminal complainant had Chidi Odinkalu’s address on the face of it but it was never served on him, noting that proceedings began, held and were adjourned three times on March 22, 25 April and May 22, all in 2019 without Odinkalu’s knowledge.

They argued that it was not until September 18, 2019 where his legal team appeared before the Magistrate Court for the first time that they were in the picture of the proceedings.

The groups also affirmed that the direct criminal complaint lacks subject matter and territorial jurisdiction which reportedly aroused from an interview Odinkalu granted in Abuja on Channels Television on February 16, 2019 where he disproved and alleged that Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai lied over the number of recorded causalities in Maro, Kajuru Local Government of the state.  

However, the rights groups also expressed worry that the “case” does not have a case number, therefore, the direct criminal complaints and any orders purporting to be based on it are a nullity because they did not exist and could not have existed.

 Micheal Opara, who spoke on behalf of the two groups,  noted that the magistrate is being represented by counsel in these proceedings by the same counsel who represents the Governor of Kaduna State, a development, he described as crass judicial aberration under the law.

He alleged that the magistrate in Kaduna is being instructed by Governor El-rufai, to overrule and disobey the High Court orders.

This, Opara said was a step that destroyed the entire bases of judicial process in Nigeria.

Chidi Odinkalu’s travail with the Kaduna State Government stemmed from an interview he granted during a live programme on Channels Television on 16 February, 2019 where he said the causalities in the Kajuru incident were not more than 11 but El-Rufai was playing politics with lives when he reported through his media aide that about 66 people were killed at the incident.

“That story, if you noticed, that story was broken by the Kaduna State Governor with his publicist, Muyiwa Adekeye standing by his shoulder. No police officer, no SSS officer, no security person in the vicinity and he was throwing out words that were calculated to be very incendiary on the eve of very difficult elections about a location that is very difficult and has had historical problems of violence across communities,” Odinkalu had said.

“And he was dropping this bromide like he was on some substance, with all due respect. I spent all of last night from all the sources in Kajuru and nobody can verify or substantiate that there has been a killing of 66 people in Kajuru over the past few days.”

In reaction to Odinkalu’s statement, Kaduna State Government filed a suit dated March 18, 2019, accusing the human rights lawyer of inciting disturbance and furnishing false information which is punishable under the state’s penal codes.

 

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