Court to hear Bianca Ojukwu’s ejection suit April 26

An Igbosere High Court in Lagos will on April 26 hear a fresh application by Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of late Ikemba of Nnewi, Odumegwu Ojukwu, over alleged move by the family to eject her sons from the company’s properties located in Lagos.

Abducted girl Ese released, in police custody

Ese Oruru, the 14-year-old girl abducted by one Yinusa, aka Yellow from Bayelsa to Kano has been reportedly released and is now in custody of the Inspector General of Police.

Court dissolves 10 year old marriage over pastor's threat to life of husband

An Ile-Ife Customary Court on Monday dissolved a 10-year-old marriage between Olusola Onifade and his wife Simbiatu, for alleged threat to life by the wife’s pastor

The President of the court, Chief Bunmi Adegoke, in his judgment dissolved the marriage for the safety of the husband,Adegoke awarded the custody of the two children to the petitioner for proper care.

Imam triggers controversy over support for stoning adulterers

Leading politicians in Denmark, on Monday, reacted with anger over remarks by an Imam who argued that adulterers should be stoned, citing sharia law.

The Imam, Abu Ismail said that a virgin who committed adultery should be whipped.

Onion Makes Us Cry', play against women violence sets for stage

Mr Jerry Adesewo, the producer of the play 'Onion makes us cry' says the play is aimed at sensitising and curbing violence against women in the society.

FIDA urges state governments to adopt VAPP Act

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Friday in Abuja has urged state governments to adopt the Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

The National Secretary, FIDA, Ms Rhoda Tyoden-Moore, made the call when she led a team of officials on a courtesy visit to the Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Jones Afolabi.

Cultural factor, low participation cause of women’s under-representation in sports

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Al-Hassan, on Friday said cultural factor and low participation of women in sports were denying them leadership positions in sports administration.

House of Reps orders Kogi assembly to maintain status quo

The 10-member House of Representatives fact-finding committee on the Kogi State House of Assembly crisis has commenced work with a charge to all parties in the dispute to maintain the status quo.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. Pally Iriase who said this to newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday after a meeting of the members with the state governor, noted that the mission of the committee was to look into the alleged crisis and find a way forward.

Ambode’s wife frowns at violence against children

The wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode said the state government would continue to maintain zero tolerance against any form of abuse, neglect or exploitation of children.

Women group lauds Gov. Bello over appointment of SSG

Women Development and Change Imitative (WDCI) an NGO, has commended Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi for appointing Dr (Mrs) Folashade Ayoade as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Court grants N5m bail to accused charged with raping minor

Magistrate W. B. Balogun sitting at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday granted a N5 million bail to 32- year-old Abeng Oji charged with defiling a six-year-old minor.

Balogun also ordered the accused horticulturist to produce two sureties who must own properties supported with genuine Certificates of occupancy (C of O).

Sanusi suspends village head over alleged rape of girl, 14

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, has suspended Usman Musa Muhammad, the village head of Goron-Maje in Dambatta LGA of the state over   alleged rape of a 14-year old girl.

Announcing the suspension yesterday, the Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, said the village head was suspended to ensure proper investigation into the matter.

Mild female genital mutilation should be legalised – Gynecologists

Two United States gynecologists, writing in the Journal of Medical Ethics have said that mild female genital mutilation should be made legal.

They argued that permitting more minimal procedures would allow families to uphold cultural and religious traditions while protecting girls from more dangerous forms of cutting.

Letter from Africa: Nigeria's budget fiasco

Novelist and writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani looks at the trouble Nigeria is having balancing the books.
Whatever criticism you may have of President Muhammadu Buhari, his administration cannot be accused of being dull.

FUT Minna produces 34 First Class graduates

The Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, would graduate 34 first class students at its 25th convocation ceremony on Saturday.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Musbau Akanji, made the disclosure on Tuesday at a pre-convocation press briefing in Minna.

Film producer decries violence against women

Mr Ishaya Bako, a film producer, on Tuesday called for a stop of violence against women and children in the country.

Bako urged in a statement issued in Abuja that women, especially commercial sex workers, should be treated with dignity rather than being abducted, molested and abused by law enforcement officials.

Sultan, UNICEF Urge Northern Governors To Promote Girl-child Education

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) have urged Governors of the 19 northern Nigerian states and parents to encourage girl-child education and eradicate the Almajiri syndrome.



They are of the opinion that the move will eradicate illiteracy and poverty in the region.

The Sultan and UNICEF Country Representatives made the call on Sunday in Kaduna at a one-day advocacy meeting with the Commissioners of Education and traditional rulers from the 19 northern states.

Women laud Adamawa govt empowerment programme, caution against politicisation

Women in Adamawa have lauded the state government for proposing to allocate 60 per cent of it's micro-credit scheme to women.

The women, however, cautioned the administration against politicising the allocation.

A cross section of women who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola and Mubi said that the gesture would go a long way in empowering women in the state.

"This administration has shown its concern for women,'' said Hajara Yakubu, a graduate of government skills acquisition training programme.

``We hope this declaration by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) that 60 per cent of the interest free loan will be given to women will be implemented fully,'' she added.

Rachel Abraham, another trainee urged government not to politicise the programme, adding that the beneficiaries must be ``those committed to utilizing the loan for the purpose intended.''

"It should not be a programme for settling politicians; it should be for empowering the real rural women involved in petty businesses to boost their trade,'' She stressed.

Niger election: woman leader expresses concern over low turnout by women

Hajiya Zainab Tari, woman leader of Nigerien women in Nigeria has expressed concern over the low turnout of women at the ongoing election in Kano centre.

Tari made the observation in an interview in Kano on Sunday.She said that despite the public enlightenment campaign carried out by the women leaders, the turnout of women at the election centre was discouraging.

David Mark wins Benue South senatorial rerun

Former Senate President, David Mark, has won the rescheduled Benue South Senatorial polls held on Saturday across nine local government councils with a margin of 12,571 votes against rival Daniel Onjeh of the APC.

Group calls on Ali Modu-Sheriff to resign

 A group of concerned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders and elders has called on the new National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu-Sheriff, to resign.

The group, under the aegis of PDP Rescue Group led by Amb. Wilberforce Juta, who also contested for PDP chairmanship, made the call during a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

Oil price stability high on agenda as Buhari visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar

President Muhammadu Buhari will begin a week-long official visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar on
Feb. 22, a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said on Sunday in Abuja.

The statement also said that the President would first fly to Riyadyh for talks on Tuesday with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud and senior officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Buhari appoints Ogunlesi, as Special Assistant Digital and New Media.

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr Tolu Ogunlesi, as his Special Assistant on Digital and New Media.

Mr Ogunlesi’s appointment was announced on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

Sultanate Council to establish all-Women Medical University in Sokoto, says Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, on Tuesday announced plans by the Sultanate Council to establish an all-Women Medical University in Sokoto.

The  Sultan made the disclosure in Sokoto at the launch of Northern Education Initiative Plus Project, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID).

President Buhari Meets With Pastor Adeboye

President Muhammadu Buhari has held a meeting with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.



Also present at the meeting was Vice President Yemi Osibajo who is also a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church.

Pastor Adeboye arrived the President’s office with Vice President Osinbajo at about 12.30pm and was led straight into the President’s office by the Vice President.

Their meeting lasted for about 30 minutes.

Abike Dabiri Appointed Senior Special Assistant To Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a former member of the House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora.


 The new Senior Special Assistant to the President chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Publicity between 2003 and 2007.

Grammys: Benin's Angelique Kidjo wins world music album

Benin's Angelique Kidjo has won the best world music album of the year at this year's Grammys in Los Angeles.

The New York-based singer won the award for her Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg collaboration, Sings.

Association urges support for girl guides activities in Nigerian varsities

 The Nigerian Girl Guides Association (NGGA) says it will intensify efforts at popularising its activities among girls in universities across the country.

The association’s Chief Commissioner, Mrs Maria Goretti Sule, said the plan on the sidelines of the closing of a three-day workshop for members on Monday in Lagos.

UNICEF Signs 1.3 Billion Naira MoU With Niger State

The United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), Kaduna Field Office has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Niger State government on the provision of basic necessities of life for children and women in the state.

The Chief Field Officer of UNICEF in Kaduna,  Utpal Moitra, made the disclosure in Minna after the signing of the MoU.

85 per cent of VVF patients in Kebbi are rural dwellers – Expert

The Director, Vesico Viginal Fistula (VVF) Center in Kebbi, Dr Abubakar Dakingari, on Sunday said 85 per cent of the patients in the centre were rural dwellers.

Dakingari said most of the clients of the centre were of poor background and lacked access to healthcare facilities.

Infant mortality: FG partners pharmaceutical industries to produce stopper drugs

The Federal Government is partnering with some pharmaceutical companies to produce three life saving commodities (drugs) for new born babies, an official has said.

Dr Sylvanus Welle, Senior Medical Officer, Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting on life-saving neonatal commodities in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Foundation advocates training of medical experts on sickle cell

The Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF) has advocated for the training of medical personnel in managing sickle cell patients, saying certain standard procedures not followed could cause adverse effects.
Mr Adeshina Adetunbosun, a member of SCAF, and also the Founder of Babajide Olowodola Foundation.

IPC calls for nominations for International Women's Day award

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has invited nominations from its membership for its annual International Women’s Day Recognition award.

An online portal Theinsidegames said that this year’s edition would be the fourth that the IPC had given out the award.

Gov Yahaya Bello’s Choice of Deputy Meets Legal, Political and Social Criteria – SA Media

The choice of Hon. Simon Achuba as Kogi State Deputy Governor is in line with the Governor’s tradition of ensuring the advancement of the rule of law and ethnic balancing without prejudice to merit.

2 men in court for alleged possession of firearms

Two men, Terzungwe Shiaondo and Terver Apuu of Ugbema Village in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue, on Friday appeared in a Makurdi Magistrates' Court for alleged illegal possession of firearms.

Shiaondo and Apuu were arraigned on a three-count charge of possession of firearms, attempted culpable homicide and disturbance of public peace.

NACA advise Nigerians to play safe on Valentine’s Day

Prof. John Idoko, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has advised Nigerians to love carefully and play safe as they celebrate the Valentine’s Day.

Idoko gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

Court remands cobbler, teenager in custody for alleged rape

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded a 26-year-old cobbler, Sheriff Akintola and a teenage tailor, in prison custody for alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.

Women will be priority in Adamawa micro-credit programme - SSG

Adamawa Government said it would give priority to women in the implementation of Grassroots Change Initiative, its empowerment programme.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Umar Bindir, made this known on Friday in Yola.

Deployment of women in peacekeeping has positive impact - UN

The UN says women deployed in Police, Military and Civilian peacekeeping have made positive impact on peacekeeping environments, both in supporting the role of women in building peace and protecting women's rights.

This is contained in a statement by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) on Thursday in New York.

Sen. Oduah urges women to aspire to leadership positions

Sen. Stella Oduah (Anambra North) has urged Nigerian women to aspire to leadership positions to enable them to actively participate in the country’s decision making process.

Oduah, who is the Vice Chairman, Committee on Women Affairs, made the call during budget presentation by the Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja on Thursday.

Former UN climate panel chief faces second sexual harassment case

A second woman has accused former UN climate panel chief Rajendra Pachauri of sexual harassment, even as the scientist proceeds on annual vacation from his Delhi-based think-tank, officials and news reports said on Thursday.

Pachauri, 75, resigned from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last February after a researcher accused him of sexual harassment, an allegation he denied.

FAO warns on threat to food security from overuse of antibiotics

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned on Thursday on the overuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents.

It said in Amsterdam that the overuse of such agents are impacting rural livelihoods and food security, and requires globally coordinated efforts.

WHO advises women on Zika protection, no travel advisories

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised women on how to protect themselves from the Zika virus especially if they were pregnant.

The WHO however reassured that most women in areas affected by the Aedes mosquito-borne virus would give birth to ``normal infants’’.

UNDP raises $60m for food aid in drought hit Zimbabwe

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has on Thursday in Harare raised 60 million dollars for food aid in Zimbabwe, with a promise to feed 1 million people as the country faces its worst drought in a quarter century.

Why South African mayor offers virgin scholarships

A scheme which offers female students scholarships to girls in rural South Africa if they can prove they are virgins has been condemned by human rights groups.

Thubelihle Dlodlo is nervous about leaving home in Emcitsheni village in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

Ban to UN member states: urgently ratify UN conventions against trafficking in women

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has urged member states to urgently ratify and fully implement the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its protocols and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

UNFPA partners FG to end FGM/C in 40 communities

The United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) says it is partnering the Federal Government through a special response programme to end Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Nigeria.

Mrs Nkiru Igbokwe, the UNFPA Gender Specialist, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

Aisha Buhari calls for campaign against female genital mutilation

The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has called on relevant stakeholders to create awareness on the health implications of female genital mutilation in the country.

Mrs Buhari was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, at the launch of joint UNFPA/UNICEF to support programme to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country.

Aisha said that FGM was a harmful practice that had negative, social and economic consequences in the lives of the effected women and girls.

68-year-old woman completes Lagos marathon

A sexagenarian, Abiola Oshodi-Adeniyibada, who not only participated in, but completed the 42km Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday has commended the sponsors and organisers of the event.

Oshodi-Adeniyibada, 68, told the News Agency of Nigeria at the Teslim Balogun Stadium starting point of the race that her aim was to reach the finishing point.

Ajimobi’s wife calls for strict enforcement of VAPP Act

The Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, has advocated strict enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP), Act, 2015.

Mrs Ajimobi stated this on Saturday in Ibadan at an event to commemorate the international day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation.‎

Mrs Buhari launches anti-genital mutilation campaign next week

Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, is to launch a report next week detailing the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Nigeria as part of a zero-tolerance campaign against the practice.

Preliminary findings by the report show female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM) are most prevalent in the six states of Imo, Ebonyi, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Lagos.

Women have roles to play in sustainable energy development - Perm Sec

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Binta Bello said experience overtime in energy and diverse sectors suggested that women had important roles to play in sustainable energy development.

UNICEF says not fewer than 200m girls, women have undergone FGM

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says no fewer than 200 million girls and women have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries.

Governor’s wife to sponsor education of 7 children of blind couple

The wife of the Kebbi state governor, Hajiya Aishatu Atiku has pledged to sponsor the education of seven children of a blind couple, who earn their living from begging.

UN partners NGOs to widen SDGs dissemination, understanding

The UN Information Centre, Lagos says it has introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to NGO-Partners to enhance their understanding of the SDGs framework and its place in programming.

A statement issued on Friday by the UN National Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun, said the aim was to widely disseminate the 17 SDGs and its associated 169 targets in Nigeria.

Ai'sha Buhari launches maternal, child healthcare week in Kebbi

The wife of the President Hajiya Aisha Buhari has flagged-off the Maternal and New- Born Child Health (MNCH) week in Jega Local Government Area in Kebbi state.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC PEACEKEEPERS TO BE SENT HOME OVER 'SEX ABUSE'

More than 100 UN peacekeepers will be sent home from the Central African Republic after an investigation into sex abuse allegations.

The UN says it is investigating eight new reports of sex abuse, following more than 20 previous allegations.