By Francesca Hangeior

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a notice accusing the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of alleged misconduct.

The lawmakers justified their actions based on the Nigerian Constitution, according to the notice obtained by Channels Television.

The notice read, “In compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant laws, we the undersigned members of the Rivers State House of Assembly hereby forward to you a Notice of Gross Misconduct by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State in the performance of the functions of her office.”

By Francesca Hangeior

Human rights activist and presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has thrown his support behind Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, the National Youth Service Corps member facing backlash over her viral video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Sowore, in a video shared on X on Monday, revealed that he had met with Uguamaye in Lagos and would be accompanying her to the NYSC Local Government Inspector’s office alongside a team of attorneys.

“The journey with youth Corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, has commenced in Lagos.

“She is scheduled to appear before the LGI (Local Government Inspector) today and we will escort her to their offices. We are all en route with attorneys,” Sowore captioned the video.

The corps member had recently gone viral after posting a video on TikTok where she lamented the country’s worsening economic conditions and openly criticised Tinubu’s leadership.

She later alleged that she had received threats over her comments, sparking widespread debate on free speech and political dissent in Nigeria.

She also shared a screenshot of an invitation from the NYSC, summoning her to appear before the LGI office at Eti Osa 3 on Monday at 10:00 a.m

Sowore’s involvement has further amplified the situation, drawing more attention to Uguamaye’s case and the potential repercussions she may face from the NYSC or other authorities.

As of now, there has been no official statement from the NYSC regarding the matter.

By Francesca Hangeior

21-year-old Sebastien Beauzile from Laurelton, Long Island, has become the first person in New York State to be cured of sickle cell anemia using the innovative Lyfgenia gene therapy.

This pioneering treatment, administered at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, offers a beacon of hope for countless individuals battling this debilitating disease, Forbes reports on Sunday.

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder characterized by misshapen red blood cells that can obstruct blood flow, leading to severe pain and potential organ damage.

Beauzile’s battle with this condition began at just four months old, with frequent hospitalizations due to intense pain crises.

According to New York Post, he described the agony as “10 out of 10,” with his back feeling “like somebody was either pulling on it or hanging on it,” and his chest feeling “like somebody is sitting on it.”

Lyfgenia, developed by Bluebird Bio, represents a significant advancement in gene therapy.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2023, Lyfgenia works by extracting the patient’s own blood stem cells, genetically modifying them using a virus to insert functional copies of the hemoglobin gene, and then reintroducing these modified cells into the patient’s bloodstream