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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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Just in: Plateau Govt Approves N70k Minimum Wage for Civil Servants

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

In line with discussions reached after consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Plateau State Government has approved immediate implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage for the workforce in Plateau State.

The cheering news is contained in a Press Statement signed by the Head of Civil Service in the State, Stephen Pam Gadong.

Full text of the statement reads in part:

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Following the Agreement of the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries on 13th, November, 2024, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has approved the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.

The Implementation is a demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of the workforce in acknowledgement of their invaluableble role in driving the State’s developmental goals.

As the new wage policy is administered, Civil Servants are encouraged to embrace this gesture by recommitting to their duties with renewed dedication and zeal in order to foster a culture of productivity and excellence in service in the State.

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Before final liquidation, NDIC set to auction Heritage bank properties

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In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of auctioning the landed properties and chattels of the defunct bank.

According to the Corporation, this exercise is in line with its statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023, noting that; “This is another follow-up action sequel to the disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide”.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir A.

Therefore, the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids scheduled to take place at the six (6) selected locations of the Corporation across the country, for the affected 36 branches of the failed bank beginning from Wednesday 4th December 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines purposely aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity, and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise. This is critical for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants.

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The Corporation shall give preference to financial institutions who are willing to buy at the highest auctioned value to allow for the continuation of provision of banking services to the Nigerian public at the designated locations”, adding; “This is desirable towards bolstering financial inclusion as envisaged by the financial system regulatory authorities.

“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders.

Furthermore, bidders will be allowed to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations one week before the date of disposal.”

Importantly too, the statement said; “All interested parties are to make available 10% bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the specific centre out of the six locations of the Corporation as contained in the published advertisements.

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“All interested bidders are advised to submit their bids only at the designated NDIC offices covering their choices amongst Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.”

Meanwhile, the Corporation has vowed that there would be no hiding place for debtors of the defunct Heritage Bank whose financial obligation portfolio is in the region of over N700 billion.

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Naira slumps in parallel market

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The Naira experienced a slight depreciation yesterday, slipping to N1,740 per dollar in the parallel market compared to its previous rate of N1,735 per dollar on Tuesday.

According to data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) strengthened, rising to N1,645.4 per dollar from Tuesday’s rate of N1,689.88 per dollar. This marks an appreciation of N44.48 for the Naira.

The market also saw a significant increase in dollar trading activity, with turnover climbing by 122.5 percent to reach $236.84 million, up from $106.44 million the previous day.

As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NAFEM exchange rate widened, now standing at N94.6 per dollar, up from N45.12 per dollar recorded on Tuesday.

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