Aisha Lamidi | TRW Interns

9-Day Old Baby and Mother killed in Ondo State

December 16, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

Mourning ensued amongst the residents of Aiyedun Quarters, in Akure South Local Council of Ondo State, following the tragic incident of the death of a nine-day-old baby and her 30-year-old mother. The mother, identified as Bose Sanusi who christened her baby on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, was in her house – a one-bedroom detached bungalow – together with her baby when an overhead water tank crashed into the building. However, the baby’s grandmother and elder brother narrowly escaped because they were in the kitchen, which was unaffected by the collapse. The lifeless bodies have since been evacuated and deposited at the mortuary, at the State Specialist Hospital. Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said a 30-year-old mother and her daughter were killed in the incident. According to her, an investigation has begun to figure out the reason for the collapse of the overhead water tank. Correspondingly, a Niger State High Court in Minna presided over by Chief Judge Halima Abdulmalik, has sentenced one Stephen Jiya to death for setting his mother ablaze, resulting in her death. Delivering this verdict, in a case of culpable homicide against Jiya, the Judge found him guilty of the offence, punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code which attracts the death penalty. Jiya was arraigned by the Office of the Attorney General of Niger State for setting Comfort Jiya, a retired Director in the Niger State Ministry of Education, ablaze, in December 2021. Jiya was arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik Halima on September 14, 2022, while hearings on the case commenced on November 23, 2022. Abdulmalik made known that all pointers indicating the convict was responsible for the crime were established by the prosecutor and that all the evidence, and prosecuting witnesses that testified were able to prove that the convict was culpable. The judge said: “The prosecutor has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant, and I, hereby, find you, Stephen Jiya, guilty of the offence of culpable homicide, which is contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code.” “In the circumstances, the sentence of the court upon you is that you should be hanged by the neck, electrocuted, executed, or injected with lethal injection until you are dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul.”

The Ready Writers Consult Announce 2024 Internship

December 15, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

The Ready Writers Consult (TRWC), on Monday, December 11, 2023, took to its WhatsApp Announcement platform to make known the internship opportunity open for 2024. According to the Announcement signed by the Registrar of the Organization, the training starts in January 2024 and runs through for 15 consecutive weeks with all classes to be held on the Zoom platform. TRWC, a creative writing outfit, seeks opportunities for individuals who, either full-time or part-time aspire to build a lucrative career in writing; or an existing writer who desires to hone their writing skills to be a part of the training. TRWC further offers a rare opportunity to master other forms of writing, ranging from Lifestyle writing, and Evangelical writing amongst others to build a diverse writing portfolio. The classes, centred on handpicked topics within and around writing and its rubric will be discussed by prolific professionals some of whom are Wale Oni (UK), Tope Olaiya (Guardian), and Kunle Shittu amongst others. Registration for The Ready Writers Consult 2024 Internship can be made

Governor Orders the Scout of Bank Robbery Perpetrators

December 14, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has ordered security agencies to find the perpetrators of the bank robbery in Ikere-Ekiti on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. The Governor, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Yinka Oyebode, said the robbers must also be made to face the full wrath of the law. The statement made it known that the Governor affirmed that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the perpetrators face the law “The Governor who described the armed robbery incidence, which claimed three lives, as senseless and disheartening, said no stone will be left unturned in the bid to bring the perpetrators to book,” Oyebode said. (sic) Oyebanji condoled the families of the bank robbery victims, the Ogoga-in-Council, and the people of Ikere-Ekiti. The Governor further directed government hospitals in the State to take proper care of those who got injured during the robbery attack. Buttressing the importance of local vigilance in security, Oyebode said the Governor has urged the residents of Ikere-Ekiti who have information that can help security agencies in their investigations to make it known to relevant authorities. “The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not go unpunished. Our security agencies will go after them and ensure they face the guilt and wrath of the law,” the Governor said. “Our condolences to the families of victims of the robbery attack and the Ikere people.” The Governor further urged the people of Ekiti State to remain calm and vigilant as they go about their daily activities. Governor Oyebanji added that the Ekiti Government is committed to their security and safety and would not spare any efforts at ridding the state of criminal elements.

Stepmother to be Prosecuted over Alleged Assault

December 14, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

Following the suspected assault of a 12-year-old stepdaughter, the Zamfara State Government will prosecute the stepmother in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA). The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children, and Social Development, Dr Nafisa Maradun, made this known when she visited the victim in Tsafe on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. The Commissioner said the woman, Aisha Mustapha, was accused of melting nylon on the body of her stepdaughter and forcing her to drink urine. “So we will therefore take it up to make sure that if found guilty, she faces the full wrath of the law.” She emphasized that the government will not condone this kind of act, and as soon as investigations are concluded, the accused will be taken to court and justice will be served to the child. Dr Maradun added further that the State Government, in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the State, will follow the case to its logical conclusion to ensure that the accused woman is punished if found guilty. Speaking on the incident, the biological mother of the victim, Malama Maryam Muhammad, appealed to the State Government and concerned NGOs operating in the State to work diligently to ensure all atrocities allegedly committed by the accused are brought to life. She further thanked the Commissioner and some officials of NGOs who have shown concern about the incident.

Unions Commend FG Over IPPIS Action

December 14, 2023December 14, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, yesterday, Wednesday, December 13, 2023, exempted Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). This is coming after a long-term clamour for exemption by the members of institutions as they laid claims that the system is not favourable to their institutions. The Government made it known that remunerations to staff members of these institutions would no longer be actualized through the platform. This was made known to journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. The Government came to term that the IPPIS does not afford tertiary institutions the freedom to run their affairs. Idris said: “Today (yesterday), the universities and other tertiary institutions have got a very big relief from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. You will recall that university authorities and others have been clamouring for exemption from this system. “Today (yesterday), Council has graciously approved that. What that means in simple language, is that the university authorities and other tertiary institutions will now pay their personnel from their own end instead of relying on the IPPIS”, the Minister affirmed. The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who rationalised the decision, noted that the goal was to allow for efficient running of public educational institutions nationwide. Mamman asserted that yesterday’s move was not connected to the integrity of IPPIS, University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) or other similar systems advocated by various bodies. The Minister stated, “Simply, the President and Council are just concerned about the efficiency of management of the universities, and so it has nothing to do with integrity or platform options. “The President cannot understand why vice chancellors should be leaving their duty posts and run to Abuja to get staff enlisted on IPPIS when they get recruited. “The basic concern is that universities are governed by laws. And those laws give them autonomy in certain respects, and the IPPIS has sort of eroded that autonomy granted universities in accordance with their Acts”, Mamman concluded. (Sic) Correspondingly, lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Congress of University Academics (CONUA), yesterday, praised the decision, observing that the journey to full university autonomy may have begun. ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, said the new administration had demonstrated genuine concern for the sector. He then pleaded with the current administration to resolve all pending issues relating to salaries and implementation of agreements for Nigerian Universities to favourably compete with their counterparts globally. Also, CONUA National President, Niyi Sunmonu, expressed the hope that the government would not move lecturers to another platform that might impede the smooth running of activities in the academia. He said if migrating lecturers to another payment platform was going to give university administrators some measure of control over their finances, then, the move “is a gradual step to full autonomy for the institutions.”

Ogun: Police Arrest Three For Allegedly Snatching Car and Motorcycle

December 14, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three people suspected to have stolen a car and motorcycle in the Mowe and Ifo areas of the State. The source made this known on Thursday, December 14, 2023. The source mentioned that a suspect identified as Matthew Segun hit the head of a motorcyclist with a hammer on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, before fleeing with his motorcycle. It was gathered that Segun had earlier stopped the motorcycle and begged to take him from the Old Bank Bus Stop to Igbese in Ifo. The motorcyclist told Segun to disembark when they reached Igbese, but he (Segun) insisted that he should take him further down the route. However, Segun hit him with a hammer on the crown of his head after which the motorcyclist lost consciousness and fell off the bike. Segun thereafter absconded with the motorcycle. Upon consciousness, the motorcyclist and owner of the motorcycle approached the Ifo Police Division to report the incident. Confirming the incident on Thursday, December 14, 2023, the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said other commercial motorcycle riders in the area assisted the Police team in apprehending Segun. She said, “The suspect is a member of a syndicate responsible for snatching motorcycles from commercial motorcyclists in the area. The suspect will soon be transferred after the preliminary investigation is completed.” Meanwhile, two suspects believed to have stolen a car along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have also been arrested. The suspects were said to have been acting questioningly along the road and immediately took flight on sighting the Police approaching the area. The Police reassured that they had begun a manhunt to arrest the fleeing suspects after arresting two of the suspects. Narrating the incident, Odutola said the suspects had boarded the Corolla car in Lagos and that they sprayed some chemical substances on the face of the driver, which made him lose consciousness. She explained further that the suspects dragged the driver out of the car and immediately bolted the scene. “We have arrested two of the suspects. Our men are on the trail of the other suspects who participated in the robbery. The suspects will be transferred to Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.” Odutola stated.

NAFDAC’s Control Lab Gets Pre-qualification Approval

December 14, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced her pre-qualification approval for the Yaba laboratory, Lagos State, as a Central Drug Control Laboratory. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Dr. Adeyeye informed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recently approved the Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL) located at Yaba, Lagos. She buttressed that the approval was a momentous milestone in the Agency’s commitment to ensuring safe and quality pharmaceutical products. Further speaking, the Director General stated that the pre-qualification approval was communicated to the agency via mail received from the WHO pre-qualification inspection team on September 15, 2023. She said that the success was finally published on the WHO website, adding that the website address through which the public could cite and reference, was equally shared with the agency for dissemination. She added, “You can access the information on the pre-qualification procedure, as well as the list of pre-qualified quality control laboratories, on the pre-qualification unit medicine website: https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/medicines. ”NAFDAC is Nigeria’s regulatory body responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and other related products “NAFDAC’s mission is to safeguard public health by ensuring that only safe and wholesome products are made available to the Nigerian public,” Dr. Adeyeye affirmed. The Director General stated, “This is a huge landmark achievement for the agency and Nigeria. Very few laboratories in the world have the apex status of WHO pre-qualification. ”Our journey towards this milestone actually started since year 2010, but with renewed efforts and more commitment to attempts by our management and the Federal Government in the last four years, we have finally achieved this goal. “The WHO pre-qualification of the CDCL is a testament to the unwavering commitment of NAFDAC to meeting international standards of excellence in drug quality control and regulation.” Dr Adeyeye said that the prestigious recognition brought numerous benefits to CDCL, NAFDAC, and most importantly, to the Nigerian people. She further highlighted the benefits that the WHO pre-qualification of the CDCL would bring to Nigeria as global recognition, enhanced pharmaceutical quality, international collaboration and advanced public health. Others are the streaming regulatory process, enhancement of credibility and advancement of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Prince Harry Ordered to Pay Legal Fees after Losing Libel Case

December 13, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

On Monday, December 11, 2023, a Judge in London, Matthew Nicklin ordered Prince Harry to pay the legal fees of a British Newspaper Publisher after he lost part of a High Court libel case. King Charles III’s younger son, living in the United States, sued Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) over claims made in its Mail on Sunday title. Prince Harry had tried to throw out the newspaper group’s defense of “honest opinion” because it had no real prospect of success, but the action was unsuccessful. Judge Matthew Nicklin on Monday, December 11, 2023, ordered Harry to pay ANL £48,447 ($60,850) costs incurred dealing with the application by December 29. The Judge stated further that a full hearing in the case would be heard between May and July next year, lasting three or four days. Harry sued the British Newspaper over a February 2022 article about his legal challenge against the government’s changes to his taxpayer-funded security when he visits the UK. The article which claimed to reveal contradictions about Harry’s willingness to pay for security himself, was argued by his lawyers as “an attack on his honesty and integrity”. The publisher disagreed and submitted that the article was an “honest opinion”, and did not induce damage to his reputation. Judge Nicklin refused to “strike out” ANL’s defense on Friday. The case against the publisher is one of several involving Harry and British newspaper groups for issues including breach of privacy and illegal information gathering. In his case against the UK government, Harry said the changes to his security details made it unsafe for him, his American wife Meghan, and their two young children to visit the UK. The Home Office disputes that he has been treated less favorably and says “bespoke” arrangements are in place for whenever he visits from the United States. A decision was made not to provide him with thlevel of protection because he had quit royal duties in early 2020 and moved to the United States, its lawyers have said.

18 Students Hospitalised Over Food Poisoning In Osun State

December 12, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

18 students of St. James Primary School B, Osogbo, Osun State, have been reported to have been hospitalized after taking a mid-day meal served to them under the free school feeding programme of the State Government. The Osun State Government has begun investigations into this case of food poisoning while directing that further meal preparation at the affected school be put on hold pending the outcome of the investigations. A statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, read that the Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke took immediate actions when the matter was reported to him. According to the statement, the victims have been treated and discharged from hospitals. The statement read, “Osun State Government has ordered full investigations into the reported cases of food poisoning at St James primary School B, Owoope Osogbo. “The State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, directed immediate action when the matter was reported to him by the Special Adviser on O-Meal, Mrs Grace Ayodele. The Governor has subsequently directed the stoppage of further food cooking at the affected school pending the outcome of the investigations. The statement narrated that, “The affected cooks in the said schools alongside the planning officer for the O-Meal programme have also been summoned to a meeting by Tuesday morning. Additionally, the governor has directed enforcement of food standards and control as well as the auditing of the O-Meal structure to forestall future occurrences. (sic) “Meanwhile, the government is settling the medical bills of the affected students as narrated by the Chairman of the Local Government Education Authority, Mr Nathaniel Ojetola. The LGEA Chairman who was at the forefront of the intervention efforts disclosed that a total number of 18 students were treated and discharged”, the statement explained further. “The total student population of the school is 200 while 103 are within the population receiving food from the O-Meal Programme. A government delegation is also visiting families of the affected students”, it concluded. The incident which happened on Monday, December 11, 2023, caused panic, especially among parents of the affected students, who shared videos of them on hospital beds on social media. In one of the videos, three of the affected students were recorded receiving IV drips. Narrating their ordeal, one of the students said they were served rice with egg, after which they started running stools. Also in the video, the mothers of the students said they observed the foul smell of the egg their children were served when they returned home from school on Monday, December 11, 2023. They said their children started stooling not long after returning from school, raising concerns about the food the vendor served them. They further demanded an investigation into the incident to prevent future occurrences.

JUST IN: A 6-Story Building Partly Collapses in New York

December 12, 2023 by Aisha Lamidi

…no immediate reports of injuries were made after part of the 46-unit building came apart on Monday afternoon, City authorities said. A part of a six-story building in the Morris Heights neighbourhood of the Bronx, New York, USA collapsed on Monday afternoon, December 11, 2023. There were no immediate reports of injuries, the Fire Department reported. Photographs and videos from the scene show rooms at the corner of the 46-unit building exposed like the walls had been pulled off. Lives disrupted by the partial collapse were evident from the rubble of the collapse. On the street below, walls and bricks lay in shambles just below the apartments, left exposed to the cold afternoon air. Firefighters stated that scaffolding had surrounded portions of the structure prior to collapse.