Home Blog Page 93

Air Chief Tasks Newly Decorated AVMs, Air Commodores On Integrity, Quality Leadership

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
Air Chief Tasks Newly Decorated AVMs, Air Commodores On Integrity, Quality Leadership

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, on Thursday charged newly decorated senior officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline and strategic leadership.

Aneke gave the charge at the decoration of the newly promoted Air Vice Marshals and Air Commodores of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in Abuja.

He described the promotion of the officers to the ranks of AVM and Air Commodore as a strong vote of confidence in their professionalism and capacity to shoulder higher responsibilities.

According to him, military promotions are earned through dedication, competence and character, noting that each new rank demands higher trust, deeper responsibility and the courage to take tough decisions.

“Your new rank places you at the strategic level where policy direction meets operational reality.

“You are now directly responsible for shaping strategy, guiding operations, making critical decisions and ensuring optimal performance across commands, units and personnel under your authority.

“As you take on these heightened responsibilities, always remember that victory in modern conflict does not rest solely on platforms or weapon systems, but on the quality of leadership at every level—most especially at the senior command tier,” he said.

The CAS said the officers were stepping into leadership at a time when Nigeria faces complex and evolving security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and information warfare.

He emphasised that the service now relies heavily on senior commanders who can think strategically, act decisively and lead with moral authority.

The CAS tasked the officers to set the tone for discipline, prudent management of resources and operational excellence across their formations.

He encouraged them to lead with humility, fairness and consistency, and to actively mentor the next generation of commanders.

“Your actions, decisions and personal example will cascade throughout the Service.

“You must set the tone by enforcing discipline, upholding professional standards and ensuring that resources entrusted to you are managed prudently, transparently and with the highest sense of accountability.

“Leadership at this level must go beyond titles or insignia—it must be rooted in service, integrity and moral authority.

“As the saying goes, rank is not only worn on the shoulders, it is also carried in the mind and in the character,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief of Administration, NAF, AVM Anthony Martins, commended the officers for the discipline and professionalism that earned them their elevation.

Martins said the promotions reflect the rising standards and leadership development initiatives driving the Air Force under the current administration.

He urged the officers to view their new ranks as a call to higher service, while also acknowledging the families, mentors and colleagues who supported their journey.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence, Minister of State, Permanent Secretary and representatives of the services chiefs as well as other senior military officials, families and well-wishers.

Okonjo-Iweala, Challenges youths To Drive Reforms, Strengthen Civic Action

The Atlantic Bell
-
0

National leaders have challenged youths to lead Nigeria’s renewal, warning that meaningful change now depends on young citizens organising, demanding accountability and driving sustained civic action.

They made the call on Wednesday night at the 15th anniversary of Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), held in Lagos, with the theme “Footprints and Frontlines”.

The EiE is a civil society organisation advocating for accountable governance and citizen participation.

In a virtual keynote address, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, urged young Nigerians to lead change with courage and conviction.

She recalled her 2010 message to youths, saying it remained relevant.

“Do not wait and watch. Do not ask for permission. Get up, organise and make a difference,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala noted that with 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population under 30, young people hold huge influence in shaping the country’s direction.

She urged them to use their numbers constructively while confronting persistent challenges such as unemployment and poor access to capital.

She praised EiE’s “Office of the Citizen” initiative for empowering communities to demand transparency and improved public services, adding that civic pressure was crucial for reform.

“Real change depends on organised, determined and courageous young citizens,” she said.

In his remarks, Emir of Kano and former Central Bank Governor, Mohammad Sanusi, said rebuilding Nigeria required honesty and collective responsibility.

“As citizens, we must remember this nation belongs to us. We have done enough damage. Enough is enough, we need to stop,”he said.

Sanusi said Nigeria had repeatedly missed development opportunities because public office was often treated as personal property.

He called for a shared national vision that transcends ethnicity, religion and political interest.

Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto commended EiE for its resilience in advancing social justice and called on Nigerians, especially the youth, to persist in the struggle for a fair society.

“The journey to justice and fairness has no finish line.
Let us remain relentless in building a Nigeria that is just, equitable and bigger than all of us,” Kukah added.

Former Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, emphasised collaborative effort in nation-building, saying development required hard work, sacrifice and citizens’ willingness to contribute their “time, talents and treasures.”

Executive Director of EiE, Yemi Adamolekun, said Nigeria continued to underperform because citizens were not demanding enough from leaders.

She urged Nigerians not to detach their personal progress from the fate of the country.

She said, “Whatever industry we work in, if Nigeria becomes a failed state, we will all suffer. Silence is not an option. Evil is amplified when good people stay silent.”

After highlighting EiE’s milestones over the past 15 years, Adamolekun announced 36-year-old Mrs Ufuoma Nnamdi-Udeh as the organisation’s new Executive Director.

The anniversary also featured the relaunch of Footprints: Past, Present, Future (2nd Edition), compiled by EiE and forwarded by the late diplomat Dr Christopher Kolade, in whose honour the event was partly dedicated.

Attendees also watched the premiere of One Voice, Many Echoes, a short film featuring archival footage from the 1993 election annulment protests, the 2010 Enough is Enough marches and the 2020 EndSARS demonstrations.

Ex-Head of Service Wants Review of Nigeria’s EIA Law

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
Ex-Head of Service Wants Review of Nigeria’s EIA Law

Former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, has called for the urgent review of Nigeria’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) law to strengthen sustainable development across the country.

Afolabi spoke on the sidelines of the 2025 Annual National Conference of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Afolabi who described EIA as a critical tool for guiding environmentally sound development, noted that the law had remained unchanged since it was enacted in 1992.

He said the age of the legislation — now 33 years — makes it necessary to revisit both its content and its practical application to reflect current realities and emerging environmental challenges.

Afolabi, also a former Director of Pollution Control at the Federal Ministry of Environment, said the EIA was essential for any development to be sustainable.

“The tool of Environmental Impact Assessment is essential for any development to be sustainable.

“But the law was made in 1992. We need to review it, both in terms of content and in terms of practice. It is still a work in progress,” he said.

He also described the EIA as a vital decision-making instrument that helps determine whether a project could proceed based on its potential environmental and social impacts.

He added that the scope of the EIA is robust enough to be expanded beyond project-level assessment to support wider societal well-being, including governance processes.

“When we assess the impact of any activity, we weigh it and make a pronouncement — go or don’t go.

“It’s such a robust tool that we can extend it even beyond projects to the overall well-being of society,” he said.

He urged policymakers and stakeholders in the environmental sector to prioritise institutional strengthening and modernization of the EIA framework.

He added that this would improve compliance, enhance transparency, and align Nigeria with current global best practices.

NPC, NCC Partner To Tackle Online Piracy

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
NPC, NCC Partner To Tackle Online Piracy

The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has reiterated its commitment to partner with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in the fight against online piracy.

The Executive Secretary of NPC, Dr Dili Ezughah, disclosed this during a seminar organised by NCC for journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

The theme of the seminar is “Beyond Reporting: The Media, Copyright and the Nigerian Creative Economy”.

Ezughah, who was represented by Mr Jacob Atang, Director of Marketing, said the partnership with NCC would reduce online piracy to the minimum.

He said that the council has the responsibility to regulate the activities in the print media and to ensure that ethical activities are carried out by journalists in the print media.

According to him, in Nigeria today, we face a lot of incidences of fake news, misinformation, disinformation, particularly in the online media.

He said online media has made those not trained as journalists, because they have an Android phone, decide to publish information that could cause a lot of problems in the country.

The NPC boss said they were presently working on a pre-fact checker app that would monitor people’s activities.

“The pre-fact checker will be able to identify that this thing an individual is doing is not correct. It is misinformation, disinformation, and then stops the disinformation from going public.

“We want to stem the tide of this misinformation, fake news, disinformation and other things,” he said.

He added that NPC was working on expanding its scope of operations.

“We have prepared a bill, an amendment to the existing bill, to ensure that the Press Council covers the electronic media.

“Electronic media, where we hope that the pre-fact checker app that we are presently working on will be of great use and importance to the country.

” I want to assure NCC DG that NPC will partner with the commission to fight against online piracy,” he assured.

Mr Jahman Anikulapo, Art and Culture Advocate, who spoke on the topic ‘The Journalist’s Guide to Effective Reportage of the Copyright Sector’, said that the role of the media was to give information and educate.

Anikulapo, who is also a seasoned journalist, said such information must be information that journalists should use to enlighten and empower the public.

According to him, when a journalist is empowered, such a reporter will manifest his or her potential.

He urged journalists to see themselves beyond reporting, but see themselves as advocate.

“As a cultural reporter, you must be an advocate who will engage the public and the creative sector you are covering, as you belong to the ecosystem.

“We should be observant to see copyright abusers and advocate for it.

“Copyright is somebody`s work, infringement is stealing. We have to advocate on it and partner with NCC to ensure that people’s work is not infringed,” he said

According to him, when you defend the rights of others as a journalist from the creative community, you are equally defending your rights as well.

“Build relationships with NCC to enable them to reinforce their work for the betterment of society, “he said.

He appreciated NCC DG for standing firm in ensuring that the creative sector moved forward.

Mr Mike Akpan, Principal Partner Alpha-Edge, who spoke on ‘Copyright Basics for Journalists’, said that it is an exclusive right conferred by law on an author or creator of a work, to authourise the doing of certain acts related to the work.

According to him, what journalists produce fits into different classes of protected work because articles are literary work.

Akpan said that a person not employed as a journalist, but creating a work for publication, might retain copyright in their piece.

“A photo journalist is protected as an artistic work under the copyright act, ownership of copyright in a photograph is photographer.

“There are several forms of content creation which may include blogging, photography, website, uploading, updating and maintenance, article writing, videography, among others.

“This content may be copyright-protected depending on its nature, but note that not all text materials may qualify as a literary work.

” But to qualify as a work it must be something that afforded information, instructions or pleasure in the form of literary enjoyment,” he added.

He further said that journalists must find an ethical balance between reporting issues of concern to the public and respecting the intellectual Property (IP) rights of individual organisations.

“A work of an author is protected automatically upon its creation, and registration is not a requirement of protection, although there is provision for voluntary registration with NCC,” he said.

According to him, copyright and neighbouring rights play a crucial role in protecting the IP of creators and incentivising the production of new creative work.

“There is need to understand the legal framework by understanding the scope, duration and enforcing these rights so that journalists and media can respect the legal framework and contribute to a thriving creative ecosystem,” he said.

Traditional Rulers, Gov’t Officials, Students, Rally Against GBV In Sokoto

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
Traditional Rulers, Gov’t Officials, Students, Rally Against GBV In Sokoto

Traditional rulers and government officials have led a landmark march to commemorate 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Sokoto State.

GBV refers to any act of violence directed against an individual based on his or her gender.

It is a widespread menace that affects people of all ages and backgrounds, manifesting in various forms such as physical, sexual and psychological violence, including intimate partner abuse, trafficking and forced prostitution, considered as serious violation of human right.

The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is a United Nations’ international campaign that runs from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, through Dec. 10, which is the International Human Rights Day.

This period highlights that violence against women is one of the most pervasive violations of human rights worldwide.

The campaign was started in 1991 as a strategic effort to unite and amplify calls for the elimination of violence against women and girls.

Each year, the 16 Days of Activism galvanise organisations around the world and draws the attention of governments to the urgent and critical issues around GBV.

The theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism is ‘Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls’.

In Bodinga LGA, the District Head, Alhaji Bello Abdurrauf, enjoined parents and teachers to promote awareness programme against all forms violence and need for youth especially girls to report incidents.

 

Abdurrauf described the strategic awareness initiative towards rising consciousness to eradicate GBV the society and underscored the importance of collective efforts against the menace.

He stressed the need for people to be united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.

“Through collective action and reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice and equality prevail,” he said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, commended the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners on their support to tackle violence against women and girls

Alhaji said the march and the associated activities were not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on.

He called for more action on digital violence which had become a growing threat against women and girls, noting that the programme would continue to support partners working to eliminate all forms of discrimination and abuse.

In Sokoto South LGA, District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, urged the stakeholders to take decisive action to safeguard the vulnerable population and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.

Umar-Jabbi highlighted all forms of GBV and solicited for more collaborative measures on sanitizing the society from all forms of abuses, cultural beliefs and misconceptions as well as harmful practices.

UNFPA Programme Officer, Mrs Rabi Sagir, Director, Women in the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Hajia Hauwa’u Jabo, counselled tje students on the dangers of GBV.

Agency Targets 17,600 Functional Primary Health Centres, 2.1m Zero-dose Children In Nigeria

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
Agency Targets 17,600 Functional Primary Health Centres, 2.1m Zero-dose Children In Nigeria

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has outlined key reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, expand immunisation coverage, and reach zero-dose children nationwide.

Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and CEO of the NPHCDA, announced the reforms on Tuesday during the agency’s quarterly media briefing in Abuja.

Aina highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths, improve PHC functionality, and expand digital health systems.

He said the goal was to ensure at least 17,600 fully functional primary health centres (PHCs) out of more than 30,000 across the country.

“These centres must be equipped, staffed, and capable of delivering essential services, especially for women and children,” he said.

To reduce operational bottlenecks, he noted that the Federal Government had expanded the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), allowing PHCs to receive quarterly funding directly.

“Low-volume facilities now receive N600,000 per quarter, while high-volume centres receive N800,000.

“A full list of beneficiary PHCs will be published by Jan. 2026 to promote transparency.”

Aina said Nigeria had an estimated 2.1 million zero-dose children, those who had not received any vaccine by their first birthday.

To address this, the agency introduced the Identify, Enumerate, Vaccinate (IEV) strategy.

He said between July 2024 and Oct. 2025, more than 500,000 zero-dose children were reached through house-to-house mobilisation and targeted campaigns.

He added that integrated campaigns now delivered multiple interventions, polio, measles, HPV, and malaria prevention, to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

“The agency is also rolling out digital health records, real-time PHC dashboards, and multilingual e-learning platforms in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.

“An electronic financial management system is being deployed to strengthen accountability.

“So far, more than 70,000 frontline health workers have been trained, and 27,000 community-based workers recruited, with states signing MOUs to absorb them permanently.”

During the briefing, Aina addressed issues related to maternal mortality, immunisation gaps, diphtheria outbreaks, hard-to-reach populations, financial transparency, and HPV vaccination.

Responding to claims of 20,000 maternal and newborn deaths in 2025, he said he was unsure of the data source but acknowledged the scale of preventable deaths.

“What I can agree with is that we’ve had too many unjustified deaths.

“That is why the President prioritised reducing maternal and newborn mortality under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” he said.

He explained that direct PHC funding, community health worker recruitment, home visits, and the MAMI intervention all targeted the main drivers of maternal and child deaths, including vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to him, PHC services are also being expanded to cover mental health and non-communicable diseases.

Addressing Nigeria’s ongoing diphtheria outbreaks, 8,000 cases and 800 deaths, Aina cited the 2023 NDHS survey showing Penta-3 coverage at 53 per cent.

“If 53 per cent received the vaccine, 47 per cent did not. They are susceptible, which explains ongoing outbreaks,” he said.

While the Federal Government procured vaccines, he stressed that states and local governments were responsible for delivering them, urging the media to hold subnational governments accountable.

He described hard-to-reach areas as riverine, mountainous, remote, poorly connected, or insecurity-prone locations.

“These areas often overlap with zero-dose communities and maternal mortality hotspots.”

Under the IEV framework, he said the agency had identified 7.4 million residents across priority states.

Aina also discussed the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which he said ensured unified planning and coordinated budgeting among federal, state, and partner agencies, minimising overlap and waste.

Providing clarification on the BHCPF, he said 8,309 PHCs currently benefited from the fund, and 13,512 facilities would be included by year-end after verification.

He added that another 5,212 facilities were being cleared for qualification.

Revitalisation, he said, considered building integrity, staffing, equipment, power supply, and medicine availability.

“If you equip a centre without health workers, it will be abandoned. If you put equipment in a building without a door, it will be looted.

“Performance and financial management officers now visit PHCs monthly, and a digital financial management app has been launched.

“An MOU with security and anti-corruption agencies also supports accountability. Facilities must account for previous funds before receiving new disbursements,” he said.

Aina said that the HPV vaccination programme had reached more than 15 million girls aged 9–14, surpassing the initial target of 13 million.

He said the campaign continued as new cohorts became eligible.

Citing NDHS data, he said 172 LGAs across 33 states accounted for more than half of maternal deaths.

He also said that the MAMI intervention had expanded to nearly all states.

On zero-dose children, he stressed: “These are not ghosts. They are children. We know where they are, we know their mothers, and we are removing barriers one by one.”

He reaffirmed the NPHCDA’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare, improving immunisation uptake, expanding digital systems, and ensuring accountability at all levels.

Transparency, community trust, and media collaboration, he said, remained central to Nigeria’s health transformation agenda.

Osun 2026: Accord Party Clears Adeleke For Primary

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
Osun 2026: Accord Party Clears Adeleke For Primary

The screening committee of the Accord Party has screened and cleared Gov. Ademola Adeleke for the party’s governorship primary, which is being held today in Osogbo.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Ibe Thankgodd, the chairman of the committee, who is also National Organising Secretary of the party, on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Thankgod said that the governor had fulfilled all the requirements for nomination and participation at the primary.

He said the committee subsequently cleared Adeleke as the sole aspirant for the party’s governorship ticket and concluded all required documentation with the relevant bodies.

Thankgod described the governor as a worthy gubernatorial aspirant of the party.

According to the statement, the certificate of clearance was presented to the governor by the committee chairman.

In response, Adeleke expressed appreciation to the screening committee and the entire party leadership.

The governor said that he was prepared to lead the party to victory in 2026.

“I am ready for the primary, and I am ready for the general elections.

‘We are winning by God’s grace”, he said.

Adeleke, on Tuesday night, announced his defection to the Accord Party.

Adeleke said that he had joined the Accord Party more than a month ago to seek re‑election.

The governor resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on December  2.

Withdrawal Of Police Escorts: Senators Seek Exemption

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
Withdrawal Of Police Escorts: Senators Seek Exemption

The Senate on Wednesday sought for an exemption from the order by President Bola Tinubu for the withdrawal of police personnel attached to ‘Very Important Persons’ (VIPs) nationwide.

The upper chamber’s request was sequel to a Point of Order on Privilege raised by Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) during plenary.

The president had, on November 23, ordered the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs nationwide.

He also directed that the officers be redeployed to strengthen core policing duties across communities.
‎
In his point of order, Ningi complained about the withdrawal of his only police orderly, while many political office holders in the country were still enjoying police cover.

He demanded that it should be done across board in the spirit of fairness and equity.

Ningi said: “Mr President, I’ve been around this National Assembly since 1999. Right from 1999, I was having one police orderly.

“I have never questioned any additional security personnel. I woke up today and I was told my police orderly and other police orderlies had been withdrawn.

“Mr President, I don’t have any problem with that. My problem is that this thing should go across the board.

“Let’s see what happens from the Office of the President, to the Vice-President, to the Senate President, to the Speaker of the House, to the Ministers.

“After they had withdrawn my orderly, I saw two convoys of ministers and they were carrying lots of security personnel.

“I have also seen daughters and sons of political office holders having orderlies and having security covers. Mr President, I have seen singers having orderlies.

“I cannot ever imagine that a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has been here for a very long time having only one orderly and he was withdrawn.”

“This is unheard of in any democracy. And that’s why I said this is a matter that insults me; it concerns me; it is not right and it should be taken with all the seriousness it deserves,” he said.

The senator urged the Senate President to ask the Chairman of the Committee on Police to please investigate why other people were having security covers in spite of the presidential order.

“You cannot just put the national assembly as scape goats while others enjoy the privileges of security control,” he said.

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary, said that the leadership of the senate had a meeting on the issue.

“Yesterday, I’m sure you saw us, we had a leadership meeting. This was discussed and we took an action and we expect the outcome of that action to be available to us today.

“It is of concern to us and I will raise the issue. And we’re dealing with that. We will be at the top of the situation,” Barau said.

He assured that the issue raised would be taken seriously, stressing: “I’m sure we have a president who listens to us and, by the grace of God, he will exempt us from that order.

“We all stand by Mr President in his effort to deal with the security problem in our country.

“The president is doing very well and we always commend him because we know what he’s doing,” he said.

I’ll Only Meet With Assembly Members When Leaders Convene Us -Fubara …Says He Has No Issues With Legislators

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
I’ll Only Meet With Assembly Members When Leaders Convene Us -Fubara …Says He Has No Issues With Legislators

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his readiness to engage with members of the State House of Assembly, stressing that he holds no grievances against them and remains committed to peace and collective development. The Governor made this known on Tuesday during the commissioning of the newly dualised 28.4km Ahoada–Omoku Road.

Addressing ongoing political speculations, Governor Fubara dismissed claims of tension between him and lawmakers, saying such insinuations were unfounded.
“I personally do not have any disagreements or anger against my Members of the National Assembly or the Rivers State House of Assembly,” he said.

Fubara explained that while he has consistently shown willingness to meet with the Assembly members, the responsibility to convene such a meeting lies with political leaders.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly Members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process,” he stated, pointing to the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, as the figure expected to bring all parties together.

The Governor added that he had already assured the lawmakers of his readiness to address their concerns in the interest of peace.
“Personally, I have told the Assembly Members that whatever their needs, I am ready to meet them so that peace can reign in the state,” he affirmed.

Speaking on his recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fubara said the meeting informed a “bold decision” taken by his administration to promote unity and stability across the state.
“So, whoever is saying that I refused to meet you, or that there was an arrangement presented to me which I declined — it is not true,” he clarified.

The Governor urged political actors and citizens to embrace unity, noting that development cannot thrive under tension. He reaffirmed his commitment to delivering democratic dividends and maintaining harmony across all communities.

The Ahoada–Omoku dualisation project—one of Fubara’s campaign promises—is expected to boost economic activity across the Ahoada and Omoku axis, enhance mobility, and improve security along the corridor.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel Hart, described the project as a transformation of a previously narrow single-lane road into a 14.6-metre-wide dual carriageway equipped with solar-powered streetlights. He noted that travel time between Ahoada and Omoku has now been significantly reduced.

Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu welcomed the project as a “symbol of unity, oneness and development,” thanking Governor Fubara for fulfilling his promise to the people.

Governor Fubara concluded by appreciating Rivers people for their support and urging them to continue to prioritise peace as the anchor of sustainable development.

Alarming: “One in Every 24 Migrants Die on Libya Route” …Nigeria Moves to Repatriate 10,500 Stranded Children

The Atlantic Bell
-
0
Alarming: “One in Every 24 Migrants Die on Libya Route” …Nigeria Moves to Repatriate 10,500 Stranded Children

Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has issued a grave warning to Nigerians over the deadly risks of irregular migration, revealing that one out of every 24 migrants attempting the Libya route dies in the process.

Speaking at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Human Rights Institute event marking the 2025 International Human Rights Day, Dabiri-Erewa said the statistics reflect the harsh reality many Nigerians ignore when embarking on illegal journeys in search of greener pastures.

She noted that thousands continue to put their lives at risk despite overwhelming evidence of danger.
“In Iraq alone, we have over 7,000 stranded Nigerians,” she said. “Many of them walked into hopelessness, underestimating the brutality of illegal migration routes.”

Dabiri-Erewa also disclosed a massive national effort underway to rescue vulnerable minors trapped abroad.
“NIDCOM and our partners are currently working to repatriate 10,500 Nigerian children stranded across various countries,” she said, calling it one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges facing the nation.

Citing a recent case of a young woman who used N2.5 million meant for medical care to fund an illegal trip to Libya—only to return with nothing—she lamented the growing trend of desperation-driven decisions.

“The grass is not greener on the other side; it is greener where you water it,” she stressed, urging citizens to seek opportunities legally and safely.

She called for a comprehensive whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to stem the tide, warning that advocacy, awareness, and strengthening opportunities at home are crucial to saving lives.

NBA First Vice President, Sabastine Anyia, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to recommit to justice, human rights, and national security. He called on citizens and institutions alike to build a country where movement is safe, dignity is protected, and no Nigerian feels compelled to risk death for survival.

1...929394...192Page 93 of 192