News

91 Chibok girls’ parents write Tinubu’s wife, seek intervention

Published

11 months ago

April 11, 2024

Parents of the 91 remaining girls of the 2014 Chibok school abduction in Chibok, Borno State, that are still under captivity, have written to the wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu seeking her intervention.

The affected parents made the request in an open letter titled ‘ A Plea for Justice and Remembering the Chibok Girls – A Letter to Her Excellency, Mrs. Remi Tinubu’, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday, lamented that the horrific circumstances had weighed heavily on them in the last one decade.

The parents, in the letter signed by Yana Galang and Mallam Zanna respectively for and on behalf of the Chibok Parents Association and those whose children are yet to return noted that, while the world might have moved on, the pain for them remained raw and the wounds refused to heal, adding: “We are haunted by the memories of that night when our girls were taken from us, and every day we pray for their safe return.”

“We have not lost hope, Your Excellency. We have not given up on our daughters, and we will continue to fight for their freedom until they are brought back to us.

“As we light candles and say prayers for our missing daughters in Chibok on April 14th 2024, we hold on to the hope that one day they will be reunited with us. We hold on to the belief that justice will prevail and that those responsible for their abduction will face the consequences of their actions. We hold on to the love that binds us as families and as a community, determined to see our girls come home,” the parents demanded.

“Your Excellency, we humbly ask for an opportunity to meet with you, to seek your assistance in advocating for the safe return of our daughters. We ask for your empathy and your understanding as we navigate through this unimaginable pain. We ask for your commitment to standing by us and never forgetting the 276 girls who were taken from their school that night.

‘In closing, we want to thank you for taking the time to read our letter and for considering our plea. We hope that it touches your heart and inspires you to take action on behalf of the Chibok girls and their families. May our voices be heard, may our daughters be found, and may justice be served,” they prayed.

News

EFCC nabs Akwa Ibom ex-gov, Udom over alleged N700bn scam

Published

21 minutes ago

March 4, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have nabbed a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

Emmanuel, who served as governor between 2015 and 2023, reportedly arrived at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday following an invitation from the anti-graft agency.

Emmanuel was reportedly detained after honouring the EFCC’s invitation to answer allegations of money laundering, diversion of funds, and stealing.

“We have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

“A civil society organisation called the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking petitioned the EFCC, prompting our investigation,” the source was quoted to have said in a report by THE PUNCH.

He added, “The petitioner alleged that Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account over eight years but left behind a debt profile of N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth N300 billion. He was also alleged to be unable to account for N700 billion.

“Emmanuel arrived at our office around 12:30 p.m. and was arrested shortly after.”

The source further said that investigations uncovered the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from a single account named “Office of the Governor.”

He added, “Our investigations have uncovered the withdrawal of N31bn in cash in one single account. The name of the account is Office of the Governor. The money was withdrawn in cash progressively between 2019 and 2023.”

Efforts to reach the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful, as calls to his number indicated that it was switched off at the time of filing this report.

News

First Lady Support Historic Bill to Reserve Seats for Women in Parliament

Published

1 hour ago

March 4, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as Office Of Deputy Speaker, ElectHer hold art exhibition in Abuja

By Gloria Ikibah

In a significant step towards promoting gender inclusion in governance, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has thrown her weight behind the seat reservation bill for women in the parliament, urging members of the national assembly to expeditiously pass the bill into law.

The bill sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu is currently before the House of Representatives for consideration and passage.

Speaking at the Art for Governance Exhibition organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women empowerment in Abuja, Monday night,

Senator Tinubu represented by Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, wife of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, emphasised the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the country’s future.

She said: “In the context of governance and inclusion, it offers a unique and compelling way to spotlight the urgent need for greater female representation in leadership and decision making processes. The artworks being displayed today serve not only for a Nigeria where political leadership is truly inclusive and reflective of its people. The emphasis on affirmative action bill is essential to amplifying the message of inclusion contained in this exhibition.

“Women constitute a vital part of our nation’s progress yet their representation in governance remains limited. Ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping policies, making decisions and driving national development is not just a matter of justice, it is a necessity for stable growth.

“Therefore, I support the affirmative action bill that mandates at least 35 percent of seats in the legislative and executive arms being occupied by women. I urge the national assembly to expedite the passage of the bill. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender inclusion, women and nation building. This has been my mission during my mission as first lady of Lagos, as a senator and now as the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe in the importance of women voices in governance. I urge my former colleagues, the civil society organization and the public to embrace the message of exhibition and collaborate to ensure that women’s voices are heard”.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker decried the underrepresention of women in governance.

“Today, we wield the transformative power to address one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democracy: the systemic underrepresentation of women in governance. We see the struggles, the resilience, and the undeniable strength of women who have fought to lead, only to be met with barriers. But barriers can be broken. That is why this exhibition is not just a cultural moment—it is an advocacy tool, a visual argument, a movement in motion.

“The Art for Governance exhibition is anchored on a pivotal legislative effort:

The Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024—popularly known as the Additional

Seats Bill. This bill is not merely about numbers or political arithmetic; it is

about justice. And as we push for its passage in the 10th Assembly, we

recognize that legislative success is not achieved through legal arguments

alone, but through the mobilization of hearts and minds, and this exhibition

does precisely that. Because this is not just about passing a bill; it is about shaping a legacy”, Kalu said.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ElectHER and Lead Curator, Art For Governance Exhibition, Ibijoke Faborode, highlighted the importance of gender-inclusive governance in fostering stronger democratic institutions, improved policy outcomes, and broader socio-economic growth.

“Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, has one of the lowest rates of female political representation on the continent. With women comprising nearly 50% of the population but less than 4% of the National Assembly, the underrepresentation of women in governance remains a critical challenge to achieving inclusive democracy and sustainable development. As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, bold legislative reforms like the Reserved Seats Bill can be a game changer for socioeconomic transformation. We are building the momentum needed to mainstream the Reserved Seats Bill, shift public discourse, and drive its passage. This is not just about a policy change. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape to reflect the full strength of its people”, she said.

The Minister of Women Affairs and other notable personalities who spoke at the Exhibition also expressed their commitment to ensuring the passage of the Special Seats Bill, which aims to increase women’s representation in governance.

The Exhibition produced top 3 artists from over 150 other competitors who won special prizes for their extraordinary artworks.

The artists included Segun Owolabi who won the first position for N2 million; Chidinma Mordi, second position for N1. 5 million and Precious Samuel, third Position for N1 million but the prizes were later doubled by the Deputy Speaker.

The prize winners will also exhibit their work at the Echoes of Equity; Art For Governance event and display their works at the National Assembly Library for about 3 weeks.

News

Benin City boils as CSOs protest killing of physically challenged man

Published

2 hours ago

March 4, 2025

Naijablitznews

Angry members of Civil Society Organisations on Tuesday protested and decried the gruesome murder of a physically challenged man in Obazagbon community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

The victim, identified as Efe Ogbeide and a deaf, was said to have been murdered at a project site by invading gunmen.

The community is said to be embroiled in violent leadership crisis, leading to the destruction of property and loss of lives.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved protesters, the Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability, Omasah Melody said the victim was deaf and could not hear when the alarm of the invaders was raised.

He added, “While others ran away, but because he could not hear, he fell in the hands of his murderers.”

Melody continued, “we are pained. We are touched because Mrs. Betty has lost a very dear husband. His children have been made fatherless.

Ogbeide’s crime was that he went around to fend for himself and his family in spite of his disability so that he will not to be a liability to society.

It was in the quest of struggling to put food on the table of his family that death met him absolutely.

“The frequency of communal clashes over land and its related issues is becoming one too many. It has to stop. Security agents must rise to the occasion.

When there are crisis in community, the physically challenged suffer more. People with disabilities are worse hit.”

Reacting to the development, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu said three suspects have been arrested over the mayhem in Obazagbon community, adding that investigation is still ongoing.