Headlines

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that about 340 husbands reported incidents of their wives beating them in the last ten months.

The domestic violence incidents report was collated between September 2022 and July 2023.

Executive Secretary, of Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, disclosed this while giving quarterly reports of the agency.

Vivour-Adeniyi also added that the agency has seen an increase in the reporting of domestic violence from males last year.

She expressed worries over the trend, saying the agency “is currently handling the cases to find an amicable resolution.”

The Agency in June stated that 1,108 men have reported being domestically abused in six years.

The agency had unveiled ”The Hidden Crime, Violence Against Men” initiative aimed at encouraging husbands to speak up when they experienced different kinds of violence

Supporters of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ites, have staged a protest against the military invasion in Gaza.

The protest took place on Thursday, November 16, in Kaduna State.

The male members of the group were seen carrying placards and other protest materials.

The women were seen carrying white clothes wrapped like dead babies with blood stains, symbolizing the children killed in the Israel/Hamas war.

Leading reporters gathered that 11,000 persons, including children, have been killed in Israel’s attacks against attack on the Hamas terrorist group.

Some military officials discover containers in wooden boats for smuggling of fuel

Men of the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday evening destroyed over 6,000 empty jerrycans and three wooden boats used in siphoning Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol from Badagry to neighbouring countries.

Speaking with the newsmen before the destruction, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC) Operation, said the community, Iyafin, Badagry, is a notorious place for smuggling.

Hassan said, “Today is [the] seventh day of Operation Water Guard and by the second day of the operation, we have made a massive catch. I promised to bring you to the warehouse of the perpetrators.

“We are here in Iyafin, a community in Badagry and a notorious place for smuggling.

“You can see right behind me that we have thousands of jerrycans. Our mission, here, is to stop the smuggling and we believe destruction of these jerrycans is one of the way to stop this crime.

“We are here to stop smuggling act by these perpetrators and this is our landward and inland incursion towards stopping the crime.

“We are going to do more by extending our reach beyond Badagry because we know it happens all the way towards Ogun State and all.

“I’m running on government resources and I have the energy. We are making all efforts to cut short the activities of these criminals; I will keep working until they get tired.

“After this community here, we will still focus more on Ashipa Community in Seme,” he said.

Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command Operation addressing community leaders in Iyafin, Badagry.

Hassan, also the Commander, South West Joint Task Force Operation AWATSE, said he would work with his land forces to reduce the smuggling of petroleum products.

“I think they have had a free ride for a long time. So, now that they have seen our seriousness of deploying helicopters, camera and air sets, with time we will defeat them as long as I don’t stop.

“This is a continuous operation, I have the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral E.I. Ogalla,” he said.

The Flag Officer warned community leaders in Iyafin to stop hoarding jerrycans in their houses.

Leading Reporters learnt that some vehicles loaded with jerrycans were also impounded by the naval personnel on the way back from the destruction.

Leading Reporters gathered that Operation Water Guard was flagged off on November 9 by the Nigerian Navy, to make the Nigerian waters and borders unattainable for maritime criminals and smugglers alike.

Leading Reporters learnt that the naval officers with the FOC were the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga and Navy Capt. Adams-Aliu, the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Badagry

The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Aminu Maida’s appointment as the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).

The confirmation came following the presentation and adoption of a report by the Committee on Communication, chaired by Bilbis Ikra (APC- Zamfara), during the committee of the whole session.

Mr. Ikra presented the report, urging the Senate to consider President Bola Tinubu’s request to confirm Maida as the NCC Chairperson, per Section 8 (1) of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Establishment Act, 2003.

During the presentation, Mr. Ikra highlighted that the committee had thoroughly screened Mr. Maida.

He assured that Maida had successfully passed all security clearances and possessed the necessary qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity vital for the continued success of the NCC.

Consequently, based on the committee’s recommendation, the Senate approved the nomination, confirming Aminu Maida as the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has apologised to the organised labour over the attack on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State capital, on November 1.

Ribadu added that Ajaero’s attackers have been arrested.

In a statement signed by the Head of Strategic Communications in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U Mijinyawa, on Wednesday, Ribadu urged the labour movement to rescind its decision on the ongoing strike, adding that the attackers of Ajaero had been arrested and investigations had commenced.

The statement read, “The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is concerned by the declaration of a nationwide strike by the leadership of the Organized Labour led by the NLC and TUC.

“The NSA is particularly worried about the implications of the strike action on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians and its potential impact on economic security and other strategic national interests.

“As attested by the NLC leadership, the NSA immediately intervened on learning about the travails of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joseph Ajero who was assaulted in Owerri, Imo State.

“The NSA regrets the incident and condemns it in its entirety as it was against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

“The Federal Government will never condone such an act.

“As a fallout of the incident relevant authorities were directed to conduct thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault and bring to book the culprits. Available update indicates that some arrests have already been made in this regard. The outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.

“The Federal Government, through the Office of the NSA, therefore, appeals to the labour leadership to call off the current strike action and allow the dialogue process underway to be exhausted.”

Ajaero, who had travelled to Owerri to lead a protest, was severely beaten and detained for several hours. In response, the organised labour gave the government an ultimatum to meet certain demands, including the arrest of those responsible for the attack on Ajaero. It threatened to launch a nationwide strike if the demands were not met. The labour unions jointly commenced a nationwide strike on Tuesday.

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, on Tuesday, supported families of the nation’s fallen heroes with N427.75m.

Each of the 1,709 widows and orphans of the Nigerian Armed Forces will receive N250,000.

“This will enable you to recapitalise an existing business or start a business of your choice to enable you to care for your families,” said Mrs Tinubu as she presented the relief package to the beneficiaries drawn from across the country.

The Special Adviser to the First Lady on Media and Publicity, Busola Kukoyi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday titled ‘First Lady Oluremi Tinubu commends strength, resilience, and the sacrifices of widows and orphans of armed forces.’

During the presentation of the relief package, the First Lady acknowledged the challenging journey of the families, highlighting the sacrifices made by their loved ones in defending the country.

Emphasising the need to reward their sacrifices with adequate welfare and support, she remarked, “We recognise that widows are not victims; they are survivors. You have shown extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, and we are here to offer a helping hand as you chart a new path forward.

“Some of you have been widows for some time while some of you have just been widowed and we hope that the older widows will give emotional support to the younger ones.”

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, expressed his gratitude for the First Lady’s efforts.

Represented by Major-General Danladi Salisu, he noted that such support significantly boosts the morale of both the families of fallen heroes and those currently serving.

Meanwhile, President of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association and the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Oghogho Musa, received the donation on behalf of the beneficiaries.

She described the gesture as a crucial relief for these families.

The beneficiaries were drawn from various associations, including the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, the Nigerian Navy Officers Wives Association, the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association, the Police Officers Wives Association, and the Defence Officers Wives Association.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named Setonji Koshoedo as its acting National Secretary following a decision by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Koshoedo, who previously served as the Deputy National Secretary, will assume the role pending the outcome of a legal case currently before the Enugu High Court.

The announcement was made by PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, following an NWC meeting held on Tuesday.

Damagum explained that Koshoedo’s appointment was necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the party in the midst of the ongoing legal proceedings.

“We decided that the Deputy National Secretary should take over in an acting capacity pending the resolution of the Court case,” Damagum stated. “We also direct parties involved in the Court case to stand down action for the party’s due process.”

Damagum further disclosed that the appointment was made in light of conflicting court orders regarding the position of National Secretary. The PDP is currently embroiled in a legal dispute over the legitimacy of Samuel Anyanwu, who was allegedly removed from the position by a court order.

An aircraft belonging to ValueJet skidded off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State on Tuesday afternoon.

Details of the incident are still sketchy, but it is gathered that the aircraft landed in an emergency way around 3:30 pm. There are reports of injuries, but no deaths have been reported.

This is the third plane accident in Nigeria in as many weeks. On Sunday, an Aero Contractors Airlines Boeing 737 jet crash-landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Last week, a private HS25B aircraft operated by Flint Aero narrowly avoided tragedy when it crash-landed on the runway at Ibadan Airport in Oyo State.

More to follow…