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  • U.S. cuts $377m lifesaving support for women, girls

    U.S. cuts $377m lifesaving support for women, girls

    The United States has cut 377 million dollars  worth of funding to the UN reproductive and sexual health agency, UNFPA, leading to potentially “devastating impacts”, on women and girls.

    UNFPA stated on Friday  that the cuts would end lifesaving support for women and girls.

    “UNFPA was informed on Wednesday that nearly all of our grants (48 as of now) with USAID and the U.S. State Department have been terminated.

    “This decision will have devastating impacts on women and girls and the health and aid workers who serve them in the world’s worst humanitarian crises.”

    READ ALSO: Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.84% in Q4, 2024

    The USAID grants were designated to provide critical maternal healthcare, protection from violence, rape treatment and other lifesaving care in humanitarian settings.

    This included UNFPA’s work to end maternal death, safely deliver babies and address horrific violence faced by women and girls in places like Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.

    The UN agency partnered with 150 countries to provide access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services.

    Its goal is ending unmet needs for family planning, preventable maternal death, gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation, by 2030.

    “These termination notices include grants for which we had previously received humanitarian waivers, as they were considered lifesaving interventions for the world’s most vulnerable women and girls,” UNFPA stated.

    The grants funded programmes in countries including Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Mali, Sudan, Syria and its neighbouring countries, as well as Ukraine.

    PLEASE READ: Sub-Sahara Africa dominates terrorism related deaths

    The current cuts follow other U.S. defunding measures against humanitarian aid organisations since late January, leaving millions in jeopardy, including those benefiting from critical services and supplies provided by UN agencies like UNAIDS and UNFPA.

    UNFPA had been defunded several times by previous U.S. administrations under the accusation that it supported coercive abortion or forced sterilisation, claims that had been refuted by other US administrations, independent investigations, and leaders at UNFPA and the UN more broadly.

    “The mandate of UNFPA is in fact the opposite of this allegation – to secure rights and choices for all,” according to the UN agency.

    UNFPA relies entirely on the voluntary donations of governments, intergovernmental organisations, foundations, the private sector and individuals.

  • Fasting: Sultan declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan

    Fasting: Sultan declares Saturday as 1st Ramadan

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III has declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH in Nigeria.

    The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country.

    He stated that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across Nigeria.

    “After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee, as well as confirmations from state committees, the new moon of Ramadan was officially recognised, marking the end of Sha’aban 1446 AH.

    “In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Saturday, March 1,” the Sultan declared.

    He urged Muslim faithful to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) throughout the holy month and to use this period to pray for prevailing peace across the country and also pray for the leaders.

    Additionally, the Sultan encouraged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged, emphasising the importance of religious tolerance and unity among Nigerians.

    He prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the leaders in their commitment to leading the country.

    Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Almighty Allah.

    Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month. 

  • Ramadan: Pray for country, leadership, self – Bago tells Muslims

    Ramadan: Pray for country, leadership, self – Bago tells Muslims

    Mohammed-Umaru Bago of Niger has called for sustained prayers by the people for President Bola Tinubu, the country and the state government.

    The governor also sought Allah’s guidance in securing lives and property, while praying for the socio-economic prosperity of the nation.

    Bago made the call in a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, as Muslims begin the 2025 Ramadan fast on Saturday.

    According to him, the period is a special month of spiritual exercise, which brings blessings, favours, and forgiveness from Allah.

    Bago urged the Muslim community in the state to use the period for spiritual rejuvenation and growth. He stressed the need for self-reflection and increased devotion.

    He encouraged Muslims to allow their spiritual growth to influence all aspects of their lives beyond the Ramadan period. He also advised them to engage in righteous deeds.

    The governor reiterated his approval of a food price reduction during Ramadan. He said this would ease the burden on the less privileged and support their fasting.

    He reminded those handling the subsidised food sales to act justly, fairly, and with sincerity. He urged them to ensure that the initiative meets its intended purpose.

    Bago also reaffirmed his commitment to improving the living conditions of the people. 

  • Watch out for the Ramadan crescent

    Watch out for the Ramadan crescent

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Emminence Saad Abubakar has urged Muslims to watch out for the new moon of Ramadan.

    in a statement by Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs at the Sultanate it was admonished that the appropriate time to watch out for the crescent was Friday, 29th Sha’aban, 1446AH.

    It was advised in the statement that anyone who sights the new moon should please inform His Emminence via his telephone contact details which were provided to include the following: 08037157100, 080660303077, 08035965322, 08099945903, and 07067146900.

    Fasting by abstaining from food, drink and other bodily pleasures is enjoined on all Muslims from sunrise to sunset all through the month of Ramadan, being the nineth month of the Muslim calendar.

  • APGA Schedules Anambra Governorship Primary for April 5

    APGA Schedules Anambra Governorship Primary for April 5

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has fixed April 5, 2025, for its governorship primary election in Anambra State.

    This is in preparation for the main governorship election set for November 8, 2025.

    According to the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Ifeanyi Mbaeri, the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms will start on February 28.

    Aspirants interested in contesting under APGA will pay N5 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N25 million for the Nomination Form.

    However, a five percent discount has been approved for female aspirants and persons with disabilities.

    The primary election will take place at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where party members will gather for a special state congress.

    The screening of aspirants is scheduled for March 28 at APGA’s National Headquarters in Abuja.

    APGA has also released a provisional timetable for the entire election process.

    However, the party retains the right to adjust the dates if necessary.

    The decision aligns with the APGA Constitution and follows the timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the upcoming governorship election in Anambra.

  • Senator Natasha Wants Senate Probe Aired Live

    Senator Natasha Wants Senate Probe Aired Live

    Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has requested that her Senate probe be aired live to ensure openness.

    She was referred to the Senate’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee after a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements. 

    READ ALSO: Between Sen Akpabio and his female colleagues

    While she is ready to appear before the panel, she insists that the process should not be conducted behind closed doors.

    In a statement shared on social media, Akpoti-Uduaghan mentioned that she had previously stayed silent on Senate matters but had now decided to speak up. 

    She called on Nigerians to pay attention to the proceedings, stressing her dedication to openness in governance.

    The senator also shared a petition from a group called Northern Youths Advocacy for Excellence (NOYAD), which accused her of corruption, breach of trust, and mistreatment of local content committee staff. 

    She stated that she only recently became aware of the petition.

    READ ALSO: Stakeholders seek reserved seats for women participation in politics

    She also invited a national television station to host her for an open discussion, saying she is ready to answer any questions. 

    She urged Nigerians to watch the probe, insisting that it should be broadcast live.

    According to her, the coming days and weeks will be crucial in shaping leadership standards in Nigeria.

  • Foreign fraud rings spreading tentacles in Nigeria – EFCC warns  

    Foreign fraud rings spreading tentacles in Nigeria – EFCC warns  

    The EFCC has raised concerns over the growing presence of foreign fraud syndicates in Nigerian cities. 

    According to its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, these criminal groups are recruiting young Nigerians into cybercrime, particularly cryptocurrency fraud.  

    During a meeting with participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Olukoyede revealed that these syndicates are not only engaging in online scams but may also be involved in smuggling weapons into the country. 

    READ ALSO: Ochaigede and the lost vision: a community relations revelation

    He stressed that the illegal flow of arms and minerals is fueling insecurity.  

    Recent EFCC operations in Lagos led to the arrest of 194 foreigners from various countries, including China, the Philippines, Tunisia, and Eastern Europe.

    Many of them lacked valid visas and were conducting financial transactions primarily through cryptocurrency.

     Some of those arrested were already convicted criminals in their home countries who had fled to Africa for refuge. Investigations suggest that similar fraud networks are developing in other African nations.  

    The EFCC has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies across Africa to tackle cybercrime and money laundering. The agency stressed that addressing these threats is crucial for national and regional security.  

    READ ALSO: Would Abiola have attended the conclave for Babangida?

    Meanwhile, the National Institute for Security Studies commended the EFCC’s efforts in fighting corruption and financial crimes. 

    It acknowledged the agency’s role in uncovering hidden financial networks used to fund non-state actors, contributing to instability in Nigeria and beyond.

    The EFCC remains committed to dismantling these criminal networks and ensuring accountability.

  • Stakeholders seek reserved seats for women participation in politics

    Stakeholders seek reserved seats for women participation in politics

    Stakeholders of women’s inclusion in politics have called for quota that ensures that seats are reserved for women to attain political offices.

    The stakeholders made the call at an event on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The event was organised by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), in collaboration with UN Women, and funded by the United Kingdom International Development and Canadian Government.

    The event was tagged: “Stronger Together: Special Seats for a more Inclusive Democracy”.

    Dr. Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor, Managing Director, Emerald Int’l Development Services, said gender equality was a development issue, and no society will develop until the women were included in leadership.

    According to Otive-Igbuzor, all the sustainable development goals (SDGs) require gender equality to achieve them.

    Otive-Igbuzor, who is also a Social Inclusion Expert, said though Nigeria was committed to inclusion, considering the constitution and the national gender policy, about half of the population have been left out.

    According to her, one of the indicators that measure how well a nation is doing is the proportion of women in parliaments.

    READ ALSO: American schizophrenic politics and foreign policy

    “In the 9th Assembly, on the House of Representatives that has 366, we had 13 women. 13 over 360, that’s how poorly we were doing in the 9th Assembly.

    “In the 10th Assembly, there is a marginal increase to 17. I think we lost one person, so we now have 16 out of 360,” she said.

    Noting that there was not much difference when compared to the House of Assembly, she said Nigeria wasn’t doing well when compared to other African nations such as Ghana, Sierra Leone and Senegal.

    Otive-Igbuzor said there had never been a level playing field for women, even the qualified ones, to participate in politics in Nigeria.

    Referring to a study conducted by McKinsey Global Institute, she said: “Exclusion of women from governance costs Nigeria up to $90 billion in GDP growth.”

    She recommended the quotas, reserved seats in constitution or in electoral laws, to compensate for the long years of marginalisation that women have faced.

    Noting that countries including Kenya, Ugandan, Tanzania and Rwanda use such systems, she added that there are legal candidate quotas where political parties nominate a set minimum.

    Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, said in spite of their significant contributions in politics, women still remained under-presented.

    READ ALSO: 2,450 Vulnerable Nigerians get Saudi food donation in Kebbi

    Balogun said the lawmakers in the House of Representatives had passed a bill seeking one special seat to be given to women in every state.

    The lawmaker, however, urged women to look at positions at the grassroots level, rather than the upper echelon, so they could get enough experience to compete at the top.

    “Let’s start from our wards to make the women councillors, House of Assembly members,” he said.

    The Chairman, Conference of Speakers, Adebo Ogundoyin,  expressed concerns over the provision of special seats exclusively for women, noting that it could be a drawback for women’s inclusion in politics.

    Ogundoyin said it might limit women’s stake in political offices, adding that the main issue was that the number of women interested in politics is way less than the men.

    He, however, pledged the Conference of Speakers’ support to ensure that the constitution was amended in favour of one seat per state for women inclusion in the National Assembly.

    The Head of Editorial Operations, NAN, Lagos office, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, said there was a need for women to become executive members of political parties, to help when decisions are being made.

    Omowole called for more engagements and continuous conversations regarding the inclusion of women in politics.

    Agatha Amata, a Media Entrepreneur, acknowledged the need for the constitution to reserve special seats for women, if they are to catch-up, and achieve a level field.

    READ ALSO: Groups decry HIV, TB high prevalence in Benue

    “For women to catch-up with what is available, there needs to be some sort of compensation,” she said.

    Obukome Ibru, a movie producer and politician, said it was important for women to begin to participate early in politics.

    Ibru urged women to overcome the negative stereotypes and perceptions of women in politics, adding that she had received support from women on various levels.

  • As party stalwarts pass vote of confidence, Tinubu promises to work harder

    As party stalwarts pass vote of confidence, Tinubu promises to work harder

    Assuring that the Nigerian economy was on the road to recovery, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his resolve to put in more effort for the sake of the nation.

    The President spoke in Abuja at the All-Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee meeting, during which he received a vote of confidence for his administration’s good performance.

    He said that the party’s top decision-making body’s praise was an exhortation to strive even harder. He pledged to keep the party loyal.

    READ ALSO: Five candidates to contest for AfDB presidency

    “I am happy with your vote of confidence, and I accept it. The vote is a challenge to do more work; we will vigorously pursue our sovereignty in food security, investment and development.

    “I am happy with food prices coming down, especially as Ramadan approaches. The Sun is high, and the sky is bright outside. While the rest of the world unravels, we see growth in Nigeria. We are seeing a gradual return to stability. We are seeing improvements. I thank you, governors, ” President Tinubu said.

    President Tinubu thanked Nigerians for their continued belief and trust in the All-Progressives Congress (APC).

    He pledged to continue working assiduously with other arms of government to ensure the greater good for Nigerians and commended APC governors and executives for their continued and unwavering commitment.

    “I’m grateful to all Nigerians for the electoral successes recorded from one state to the other. Governors, you have embraced these changes, and I thank the leadership of our party. I also thank members of the National Assembly for expeditiously considering the budget.

    A cross-section of delegates at the APC caucus meeting

    “We can only build the party on a progressive platform to deliver good service to Nigerians.

    The President also commended the party’s National Working Committee for its performance and called for measures to end some of the crises in the states.

    “The National Working Committee is doing a very good job; I am pleased with them. However, there are a few conflicts in the various states. Let’s set up committees to look into the lingering problems in the states and appeal to these party leaders in various states to please be calm and be collaborative,” the President said.

    The party’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked members for their steadfastness in the face of challenges and assured them that the party would continue to deliver on its electoral promises.

    “Though the journey has been very challenging for us as a ruling party, given the big task we have at hand and the expectations from Nigerians, We can sufficiently submit that we have collectively risen to the occasion and challenges,” he said.

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu in lifting the nation from its economic and developmental woes.

    READ ALSO: CSO’s allege powerful elites depleting Nigeria’s mineral resources

    “The Senate will expeditiously pass bills that would enhance our national development, improve the economy and redirect our national pathway,” he said.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas commended the President for his vision and courage in making unpopular but essential decisions.

    He said the decisions were pivotal for Nigeria’s developmental efforts.

    The APC National Executive Council meeting took place a day after the party’s caucus meeting on Tuesday night.

    At the Caucus meeting, party leaders also praised President Tinubu’s administration for turning the economy around, with GDP growing by 3.84 per cent in the last quarter of 2024 and inflation going downhill.

  • 2,450 Vulnerable Nigerians get Saudi food donation in Kebbi State

    2,450 Vulnerable Nigerians get Saudi food donation in Kebbi State

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has distributed food baskets to 2,450 vulnerable people in Kebbi.

    The food package was donated by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Saudi Arabia.

    Flagging off the distribution at Kalgo Local Government Area on Wednesday, Gov. Nasir Idris, expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their unwavering support and generosity towards the people of the state.

    “We are deeply grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their unwavering support and generosity towards the people of Kebbi.

    “This is not the first time they have come to our aid, and we appreciate the cordial relationship that exists between our state and the Kingdom, particularly in matters related to Hajj,” he said.

    Idris, represented by his Deputy, Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, said the relief food baskets would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable families, adding that the state government was thankful for the timely intervention.

    PLEASE READ: Groups decry HIV, TB high prevalence in Benue

    The governor also urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items and to remember that government shared their pain in their struggles.

    “We wish to thank the Federal Government and commend NEMA for this intervention and similar others in the past, which are complementing the state government’s efforts in providing succor to our people who were displaced by flood and other disasters in the state,” Idris said.

    The governor commended NEMA for availing partnership through their Sokoto Operation office covering the state in the management of disasters.

    Earlier, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, noted that the event marked a significant milestone in their partnership with KSrelief Centre, which dated back to 2018.

    “Since then, the centre has continued to entrust NEMA with humanitarian support in the form of food baskets that have been distributed directly to vulnerable persons in Borno, Yobe, Kano, Zamfara, Jigawa and Katsina states.

    “The impact of these interventions have no doubt improved lives and given hope to the beneficiaries as evident in the positive testimonies of the people.

    “Under the present food donation, the centre has graciously extended the gesture to Kebbi and Adamawa States with donation of 2,450 food baskets in each of the two states,” she said.

    Mrs Umar, represented by the Director, Special Duties in the agency, Hajiya Fatima Kasim, explained that the beneficiaries of the gesture were identified and profiled by NEMA in collaboration with the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency.

    PLEASE READ: Senate refers Natasha Akpoti to ethics committee over seat dispute

    “Each of the benefiting households will have a total 59.8 kilogram basket of food, comprising of 25kg of rice; 25kg of beans; 4kg of Masa Vita flour; 2kg of tomato paste; 2 litres of groundnut oil; 1kg of salt and 0.8kg of maggi cubes.

    “It is heartwarming that this distribution is timely, coming when the people are preparing to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan,” she said.

    The DG expressed sincere appreciation to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre Saudi Arabia for their kindness and generosity.

    “May your philanthropic efforts continue to inspire other organisations to follow your example by investing in the well-being of our citizens,” she prayed.