News

About 2 Billion People Watching 2023 AFCON — CAF

Published

10 months ago

February 10, 2024

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, on Friday in Abidjan said about two billion people globally are watching the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

He described the feat as an achievement that Africans should be proud of.

“We have had close to two billion people watching AFCON globally. We should be proud as Africans and the next one will be even better.

“The success of Africa depends upon Africa working together, trading together, and in football, countries competing and playing together,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisation of the tournament has so far been top-notch, with six beautiful stadia across five cities hosting the continental showpiece.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will lock horns with hosts Cote d’Ivoire in a block-buster final on Sunday at the 60,000-capacity Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpé in the outskirts of Abidjan.

The third-place match on Saturday between South Africa and DR Congo is slated for the iconic Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny also in Abidjan.

(NAN)

News

SAD! Gunmen kill lawyer in Benue

Published

2 minutes ago

November 21, 2024

Naijablitznews

A lawyer, Mike Ofikwu, has been shot dead by gunmen in Otukpo town, Benue State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday night at his residence on Otukpa Street, Otukpo.

A source close to the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the lawyer was ambushed by two armed men while waiting for his gate to be opened.

“Two armed men had laid an ambush for him. As he was waiting for his people to open the gate, the assailants emerged from hiding and shot him at a close range,” the source said.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, but medical personnel pronounced him dead on arrival.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said an investigation was underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

“This incident is confirmed, and investigations are ongoing. I commiserate with his family and friends and assure them that justice will be served,” Anene said in a brief statement.

News

HoR Rejects Bill Seeking 6 years single tenure for President, Governors

Published

12 minutes ago

November 21, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives moved against a bill, seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the Offices of the President, State Governors and Local Government Areas Chairmen.

The piece of legislation which was sponsored by Rep Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other lawmakers, seeks zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats, as well as holding of the elections in one day.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the bill was read for the first time on July 17, 2024 on the floor of the House and was read for the second time on Thursday November 21, 2024, by the clerk of the House, but it didn’t scale through as members voted against the bill.

The proposed legislation seeks to alter Sections 76, 116, 132, 136, and some others of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to the general principles of the bill, “these amendments was to ensure inclusive governance and to curb wastages occasioned by four year periodic elections.

“The bill among others seeks amendment of Section 132 of the Principal Act by inserting a new subsection (2), deleting the extant subsection (4) and renumbering the entire section accordingly to provide that an election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be rotated between the North and the South regions of the country every six years.

“Other amendments include, Section 76 of the Principal Act is altered by inserting a new subsection (3) as follows; (3) For the Purposes of Section (1) of this section, all elections into the offices of President, Governors, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly shall hold simultaneously on the same date to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission in consultation with the National Assembly and in accordance with the Electoral Act.

“Section 116 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a new a subsection (3) as follows; < For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, all elections into the offices of President, Governors, National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and Local Government Councils shall be held simultaneously on the same date to be determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in consultation with the National Assembly and in accordance with the Electoral Act.

“Section 132 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a new é subsection (2), deleting the extant subsection (4) and renumbering the entire section accordingly: An election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be rotated between the North and the South regions of the Country every six years. Provided that where it is the turn of the North or South to present a candidate for election into the office of President, it shall be rotated among the three geo-political zones that constitutes the regions. The extant subsection (2) becomes subsection (3) The extant subsection (3) becomes subsection (4) The extant subsection (4) is hereby deleted The extant subsection (5) remains subsection (5).

“Section 136 of the Principal Act is amended by deleting the a extant subsections 1 & 2 and replacing them with new subsections I, 2 and 3 as follows: If a person duly elected as President dies before taking and subscribing the Oath of Allegiance and oath of office. or is for any reason whatsoever unable to be sworn in, the person elected with him as First Vice President shall be sworn in as President and he shall appoint a new First Vice President with the approval by a simple majority of the National Assembly at a joint sitting.

“A person who was sworn in as Governor to complete the term for which another person was elected as Governor shall not be elected to such office for another term. The Principal Act is altered by inserting a new Section 188 immediately after the extant 187 and immediately before the extant 188 and renumbering accordingly as follows; 188(1) Notwithstanding any other provision, the Governor shall present a mid-term account of stewardship performance report to the State House of Assembly at the end of the third year of the six-year term. The State House of Assembly shall determine by a resolution supported by not less than two-third majority of members whether the Governor bas by the account of stewardship report justified his continuous stay in office.

“Where, upon the consideration of the mid-term report under subsection (1) of this section, the State House of Assembly is not satisfied with the performance of the Governor for the period he has been in office, the State House of Assembly shall pass a vote of no confidence on the Governor. The State House of Assembly shall immediately commence the process for the impeachment of the Governor from office.”

When the Bill was read and put to vote by the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary session and the nays had it.

News

Reps Urge NOA To Educate Nigerians On VAPP Act

Published

31 minutes ago

November 21, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…want increase funding to women affairs ministry

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to raise awareness campaigns to educate the public on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2015) across the thirty-six (36) states and FCT.

The House also directed the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to increase funding to the Ministry of Women Affairs in order to establish survivors shelter homes ensuring they have access to necessary care and support.

The House further urged the State Houses of Assembly to push for motions on the domestication and implementation of the VAPP Act (2015).

These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”, by Rep. Kafilat Ogbara on Thursday at plenary.

Rep Ogbara noted that the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed annually on November 25th, serving as a global reminder of the need to eradicate violence against women in all its form.

According to Ogbara, violence against women is a pervasive violation of human rights that affects millions of women and girls around the world, manifesting in physical, sexual, and psychological harm.

She said: “Aware that the United Nations has identified the elimination of violence against women as a critical component of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls”.

She expressed worries that systemic discrimination, cultural norms, and societal attitudes contribute to the perpetration of violence against women, necessitating comprehensive strategies for prevention and response.

Ogbara who is also the Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs, is worried that violence against women and girls remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.

“Informed that Violence against Women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfilment of women and girls’ human rights. The promise of the sustainable development goals to leave no one behind cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.

“Also informed that it is crucial to raise awareness about the various forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage;

“Important that support services for survivors of violence, such as legal aid, counselling, and shelter must be strengthened and made accessible to all women in need;

“Whereas, education and community engagement are essential in changing societal attitudes and promoting respect for women’s rights”, she added.

The House adopted the motion and mandate the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development to establish mechanisms to monitor progress on the effectiveness of the VAPP Act (2015).