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Niger State Residents Seek Probe Of NGO For Allegedly Promoting Same-Sex Marriage

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Amid the controversy arising from the signing of Samoa agreement by the Nigerian government, some residents of Minna, Niger State, have called on the state government to probe the activities of the International Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (INCRESE), over alleged promotion of LGBTQ rights.

They accused the organisation of violating the same-sex marriage prohibition Act 2024 and practices that are capable of destroying the moral upbringing of people of the state.

On July 9, an activist and social commentator, Mohammed Yahaya Usman shared a post on his Facebook page calling for an investigation into the agency’s activities as well as source of funding.

In the post, Usman attached some documents on the activities of INCRESE and wrote, “This NGO (INCRESE) operates from the heart of Minna, capital city of Niger State, some of my Nigerwatch Newspaper staff have under-cover attended their programmes.

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“But the Niger State/Nigeria Government will do well to question what they mean by “sexual minorities,” “safer sex behaviour,” “empowering disadvantage groups,” and “linkages to legal services for adolescents, women living under Sharia Law, and sexual minorities.

“In addition, what is their source of funding, and what does their logo or icon represent? Niger State Government, do your homework.”

However, on July 16, a few days after the post, Usman was invited by police for questioning following a complaint filed against him by the organisation.

He was later detained and released on bail after spending four hours in detention.

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His arrest, however, sparked outrage from residents of the state, who claimed the organisation was well funded and capable of destroying the values of the state.

Commenting on the controversy, and operational guides of the organisation, Facebook user MD Abubakar, said, “This is a shocking revelation. So this is what the organisation has been all about?

“I know many of my friends and schoolmates who have gone through their mentorship classes years in the past. I pray that many of their consciences are intact.

“I see nothing wrong in calling the Niger State Government to investigate their activities in all these years. No one should be afraid to come out clean if you have nothing hidden or with an unknown agenda.

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“We should join hands together to fight any act of immorality that is not known to our society, especially with our young ones being vulnerable. Thank you, Yahaya Mohd Usman, for asking the right questions and asking them to come out clean.”

Another user, Usman Babangida, said, “I thought INCRESE would go ahead and make clarifications on the question raised about its activities.

“Sai Baba Yahaya Mohd Usman, you will come out strong, In Shaa Allah.”

A teacher and activist, Jibrin Yikangi, said, “The arrest has confirmed the fears of most Nigerlites about the group activities.

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“Yahaya Mohd Usman has been detained by the police at Police Headquarters Minna for exercising his right, for saying “Increse” NGO activities should be investigated in Niger State. Our fears have been confirmed, You can see how powerful these foreign NGO’S whose purposes we need to be wary of are?”

Responding to the goodwill message he has received, Usman reaffirmed his calls for the investigation into the activities of the NGO.

“I have brought out more than enough facts about the activities of INCRESE in the state.

“The government and people of Niger should now act to protect and defend humanity and laws of God.

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“Remember, we shall all account for our roles before Allah.

“We must not relent and never give up on our duty as citizens of state and servants of God.

“Laws must be obeyed, and the government must protect its citizens from destruction”.

When contacted, the founder of INCRESE, Cesnabmihilo Nuhu-Aken’ova, said the organisation was not a pro-LGBTQ but a human rights organisation that respects and provides support for people, irrespective of sexual orientation or status.

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She added that they filed a complaint against Mr Usman over an incitful social media post.

“If he’s ignorant and has questions about our work, he could have come and sit with us. If he thinks we are operating illegally, he could have written to the state governor or reported us to the police.

“But he rushed to Facebook to publish things that are not verified. I don’t understand why he thinks right there in our office, we are doing a gay project. I am an advocate for human rights, and when I am providing services, I don’t necessarily have to ask them what their sexual orientation is.

“If a girl is chased out of the house or boy is brought to my organisation by his parents about behaviour and relationship issues, I will address them.

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“I won’t chase a boy out of my office because his parents brought him and complained that he is homosexual,” she said.

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Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.

The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.

“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”

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“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.

Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.

Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.

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Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election

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The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.

The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.

The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.

A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.

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The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”

He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”

“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”

The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.

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Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls

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Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.

In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.

However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.

Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.

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Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.

The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.

In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.

Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.

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The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.

Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.

The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.

The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.

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Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.

He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.

Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.

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He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.

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