Producers of Ife, a movie based on a lesbian love story have decided to release the controversial movie online in order to avoid the hammer of censorship.
1st News reports that the move is a reaction to the heavily homophpbic and anti-gay/LGBT+ stance in Nigeria. Indeed, same sex relationships or unions are criminalized in Nigeria. Although no one has yet been jailed under the laws; a group of young men is currently standing trial under the legislation. If convicted, they would be the first in Nigeria’s history. The law prescribes up to 18 years’ imprisonment for convicted persons.
Meanwhile, Ife, which means “love” in the Yoruba language; tells the story of two young women who fall in love and face homophobia in their home country. The trailer was uploaded to YouTube in July 2020.
Instantly, it caught attention, sparking interest and excitement in the under-the-radar gay community in Nigeria. Also, it has generated outrage among some Nigerians.
censorship the producers of Ife have disclosed the movie may be released through an on-demand streaming platform. The release is scheduled for late 2020 and it has been identified as a move to beat censorship.
Pamela Adie told Reuters that it is highly unlikely the movie will be allowed for release in Nigeria; noting that releasing it online will make it available to a wider audience.
Adie is the producer of Ife. She is also an LGBT+ activist.
“Anyone who wants to watch will be able to do so from anywhere in the world. In Nigeria, there has never been a film like Ife. No film has had the impact it will have, or already has in Nigeria… The reception to the poster and the trailer has been mad.
“We expect that it will be madder when the full film is released.”
Meanwhile, she told Reuters that Ife can help change people’s views towards LGBT+ people.
“Every time there is a film made that centres LGBTQ people, it would always be about gay men. This is one for us… it will bring immense joy to the hearts of many of us who would be seeing people like us centred in a Nigerian film for the first time.”
Following the impeachment of the suspended Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Hon. Isaac Kwallu by the Legislative Arm of the LGA, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has sworn in the Deputy Chairman Hon. Abdulmalik Yusuf Haruna as substantive Executive Chairman.
At a brief ceremony at the New Government House Little Rayfield-Jos, Governor Lalong said the event was coming in rather unusual circumstances because of the impeachment of the former Chairman by members of the Legislative Arm who had accused him on various acts of misconduct.
He also recalled that the former Chairman was earlier suspended by the Plateau State House of Assembly. Given this development and in line with extant laws, he said it became necessary to swear in the former Deputy Chairman, Hon. Abdulmalik Yusuf Haruna so as to ensure that there is no vacuum in the administration of the Local Government.
He charged the new Chairman to live up to the responsibility of running the Local Government and meeting the aspirations of the people. He said “Remember that you are to serve the people honestly and diligently as the people are yearning for development at the grassroots. You are to hold this office in trust and to deliver good governance to the people of your Local Government with the fear of God”.
Governor Lalong charged the new Chairman to ensure that resources are utilised in line with the realities of Covid 19 where government funds have become scarce. He urged him to ensure prudence and give priority to programmes and projects that have direct impact on the lives of the people. In a response, the new Chairman Hon. Yusuf Abdulmalik Usman said he considered his swearing in as an act of God, saying he was ready to work with all stakeholders particularly the Management Team and Members of the Legislative Arm as well as the traditional and security institutions. He said “I will deploy my experience within the Local Government System to mobilise and reconcile all parties that may have been aggrieved because of the developments in the Local Government in recent times. I will also do my best to uplift the standard on living of the people in order to make them feel the impact of Government”.
He appealed to the people of Quan’pan to give him the support needed to work for the peace and prosperity of the Local Government Area. The new Chairman who was born in 1969 is from Kurgwi in Quan’pan Local Government and has a Bachelors Degree in History from the Nasarawa State University Keffi. He was a Counselor representing Kurgwi West from 2004-2007.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Executive Governor, Plateau State. 5th August 2020
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The Imo State police command has arrested a traditional ruler and 7 others for allegedly kidnapping a police inspector and others in Imo State.
The traditional ruler, Eze Andrew Okwuegbunwa of Uba -Agwa autonomous community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, was yesterday, August 3, paraded alongside his cousin, a pastor and others for allegedly kidnapping one police inspector, Oscar Mbaeri and Louis Obodo all from the same community.
Other victims of the gang, according to the State Police Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede who briefed newsmen on the development yesterday, are: Chigozirim Festus, from Egwelu Atta, Njaba, Anyanwu Amarachi and Desmond Okonkwo.
According to the CP, the gang at different locations in Owerri, successfully kidnapped their victims but they were not lucky enough to escape from the hot chase of the Anti – kidnapping Unit of the command who got a hint of their operation.
During the chase, the suspects were forced to abandon three of their victims and their operational vehicle, a Lexus RX330 SUV with the registration number (Edo) URM -40 EL but escaped with two victims.
However, a few months later, according to the commissioner, SARS operatives arrived at the scene and recovered the abandoned vehicle.
A painstaking investigation by a combined team of the SARS and the Anti- Kidnapping Unit on July 28 later led to the arrest of the 59-year-old King, who has since confessed to being the owner of the car.
According to the CP, investigation has revealed that the monarch has constantly made available his vehicle for the gang operation.
Akinmoyede further disclosed that from the investigation, it was learned that the monarch was given N3 million from the N7. 5 million ransom collected from their victims to replace his damaged car.
When newsmen accosted the monarch to hear his own side of the report, he confessed hiring his vehicle to the gang and receipt of the money.
He said: “I don’t know that is what they use it for , but they give me money each time they return it, I have collected money from them three or four times like this.”
The police also arrested the spiritual father of the gang, pastor Caleb Agu, a 42-year-old cleric from Umuoni – Agwa. They also arrested a cousin to the monarch, Ebenezer Obioha, 38 and his pregnant wife, Ogechi Obioha a graduate of accountancy from Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri believed to be their cook and banker.
Ebenezer in a recent operation was said to have killed three National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) officials and made away with their guns.
Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has given assurance that the recently surrendered Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists would be given humane treatment.
Specifically, Yusuf made the promise in a statement by Col. Timothy Antigha; MNJTF Chief of Military Public Information on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Chad.
Further, Yusuf was quoted to have given the assurance during an interaction with the surrendered terrorists in Mora; Extreme North Region, Cameroun. He said that the Boko Haram and ISWAP idea was misplaced and orchestrated by few misguided individuals; who desired to inflict suffering on millions of people in the Lake Chad Basin; mainly for their own selfish and personal interests.
He added that countries affected by the Boko Haram insurgency had developed their respective Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Resettlement (DD/RR) programmes to address the peculiar challenges introduced by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Meanwhile, the Commander urged them to encourage their former colleagues and friends; many of who are still in the bush to come out and surrender.
In his reaction, the spokesperson of the group (name withheld) commended MNJTF authorities for accommodating and catering for them; as well as their families. The spokesperson noted that contrary to a widely held opinion that fighters who surrendered are being killed; members of his group are safe. According to the representative, their commanders told them that they will be killed if they surrender.
‘‘But here we are being treated like human beings,” the spokesperson said.
Further, the representative expressed regret over the atrocities that they were misled to commit and prayed for forgiveness.
The statement noted that the Force Commander also used the opportunity to operationalise the EU-funded direct supply of Petroleum; Oil and Lubricants to Sector 1 of the MNJTF.
‘‘It will be recalled that fortnight ago, the MNJTF launched the programme in Sector 4 Diffa (Niger Republic). All sectors of the MNJTF are benefiting from the EU intervention,” it added.
A group of 30 Nigerians, who were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon has been rescued.
Equally important, the 30 Nigerians are among a total of 150 victims awaiting evacuation to Nigeria.
Specifically, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) made this known in a statement on Tuesday. The statement was signed by Gabriel Odu of its Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.
The commission said the rescue of the 30 Nigerians came after a video footage of them went viral. In the video, the stranded Nigerians appealed to the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid. Specifically, the appeal led to their rescue by officials of the Nigerian mission in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the 30 Nigerians have already been relocated to a more conducive apartment.
“They will be part of 150 others to be evacuated… after they were trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon. The Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Houssam Diab disclosed the evacuation plans when the Management of NIDCOM; led by the Secretary, Dr Sule Bassi, visited that country’s mission in Abuja,” Odu said in the statement.
Further, he quoted Diab as saying that the 150 girls would be returned home in batches with the first group of 110 people leaving Beirut for Lagos on Aug. 12.
T second batch is expected to arrive Abuja on Aug. 16.
“The diplomat commended efforts of the Lebanese Community and the Oyo State Government who is sponsoring the return of 55 of the girls,” he said.
Also, responding on behalf of the NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Secretary of the commission; who acknowledged the excellent ties between Nigeria and Lebanon, urged both countries to sustain the cordial relationship. In addition, Bassi lauded the Nigerian Ambassador to Lebanon, Amb. Goni Madu Zanna Bura for his dedication and commitment.
Furthermore, he commended the staff of the Nigerian mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Oyo and Ogun state governments and other strategic partners for their efforts.
“As part of the Nigerian Embassy’s Consular responsibility, the ladies in the said video that went viral and many other distressed Nigerian domestic workers were located and relocated to a safer place. But suffice it to say that 150 of these stranded victims are expected to be evacuated next week and handed over to NAPTIP; the agency responsible for (dealing with human) trafficking.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, August 4, reiterated that there was nothing wrong with Nigeria ceding her sovereignty to China.
Amaechi made this declaration during a TV programme over the controversies surrounding the $500 million loan from China.
He insisted that Chinese loans are the cheapest form of loans the country can get anywhere.
“What is wrong with Nigeria ceding its sovereignty to China?” Amaechi asked.
“I said this because the sovereignty you are ceding is not the sovereignty that makes you a nation.
“If you watch my interview with the AIT, you’ll see that I was very proud to have been trained at the University of Port Harcourt.
“This is because that training at the University of Port Harcourt makes me understand that there’s a difference between what the honourable Minister of Justice was explaining today – what is diplomatic immunity, jurisdictional immunity and commercial immunity.
“Just like the commercial banks will ask you for collateral before giving you a loan; this country is saying we’re not Nigerians; we’re not you father; if we want to give you $500m, we want you to wave the immunity that will stop us from taken you arbitration if you default.”
Amaechi also lampooned the National Assembly’s position on the country’s loan agreements with China.
He wondered why the NASS went ahead to approve the loans knowing it was signing off the country’s sovereignty.
It was quoted as saying, “we have signed out the sovereignty of our country, so why did they approve? Didn’t they see it before approving?”
“A sovereign nation is a sovereign nation, nobody can recolonise us. We must learn to pay our debts and we are paying, and once you are paying, nobody will come and take any of your assets,”Amaechi insisted.
The Minister said it was even wrong to blame the previous administration for the loan or clause in the agreement, adding that it is a standard clause.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, August 3, secured the final forfeiture of N827, 679,098.32 from Flank Power Resources Limited, and GMFD Ventures Limited; both linked to contractors with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
This was contained in a statement issued by the EFCC Head, Media, and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in Abuja; who said Matthew Edevbie is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flank Power Resources Limited.
“The forfeiture followed the order of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, sequel to an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC investigator, in which the commission prayed the court for the forfeiture of the sum to the federal government of Nigeria, being proceeds of unlawful activity, traced to some contractors’ accounts with Zenith Bank,”Oyewale said.
Giving a breakdown of the recovery the spokesperson said, “A breakdown of the recovery shows that N616, 679, 098.32 was recovered from Flank Power Resources Limited, while N211 million was recovered from GMFD Ventures Limited.”
According to the spokesperson, “It was discovered that between 2018 and 2019, Flank Power Resources Limited received the funds from the NDDC through its account number:1015642852, while GMFD received through account number: 1014657819 both of which are domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc for desilting contracts which aside from being inflated were not executed.
“The sum of N616, 679, 098.32 recovered from Flank Power Resources Limited was facilitated through 62 Zenith Bank drafts in favour of the EFCC Recovered Funds Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, while the N211 million from GMFD came through 22 Zenith Bank drafts in favour of the same account.”
Oyewale further stated that “the EFCC secured the interim forfeiture of the money on June 8, 2020, and its final forfeiture was granted by the court on June 29, 2020.”
A Kwara native has reportedly refused to take responsibility for the wellbeing of his daughters due to the colour of their eyes.
According to the Facebook user, Alabi Rukayat Oyindamola, she met the young ladies who both possess an unusual blue eye in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Specifically, the possession of blue eyes is prevalent amongst Europeans, Asians and North Africans. In fact, blue eyes are heralded by some to be the most desirable and attractive of eye colours, and those who have them possess a calm and peaceful personality.
It is a rare attribute of dark-skinned Africans or black people.
Speaking via Facebook, Rukayat stated that the possession of blue eyes by the girls baffled the Kwara native, hence, he made the decision to reject his children.
She explained that she met the girl’s family when she travelled to Ilorin for the Eid break. She further claimed that the father rejected the girl and her late sister because of their blue eyes.
Sharing photos of the girls, she wrote:
“Hello!
I travelled to Ilorin this Eid period and I saw this small girl she lives around my house(Ilorin).
Her name is Kaosara she is 8years of age, she is an indigen, she also has a junior sister Hassanat (Kehinde).
Unfortunately, her Taiwo is late due to lack of proper care and rejection from the father because she has special qualities(her blue eyes). Her mother’s name is Risiqot.”
Insight into the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic has shown that men are more at risk of dying from the virus than women, 1st News can authoritatively report.
Indeed, available statistics globally reveals that more men have died from COVID-19.
Furthermore, research shows that where an older man and woman get infected; there are higher likelihoods of the man dying. The foregoing trend has been observed by medical researchers worldwide.
Here in Nigeria, there is a glaring paucity of data on the gender distribution of COVID-19 related deaths. Nevertheless, a pattern of more males dying from the virus can still be ascertained. This can be seen from the more publicised cases of prominent Nigerians who have succumbed to the virus.
Among these are Abba Kyari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari; former Oyo State governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi; erstwhile Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Wahab Adegbenro; Senator representing Lagos East, Bayo Osinowo and former Managing Director, Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Suleiman Achimugu.
Across Africa, the case remains the same. COVID-19 kills more men than women.
Among the prominent casualties are former Chairperson of Guinea’s election body, Amadou Salif Kebe; South African anti-apartheid hero, Benedict Somi Vilakazi; former Justice Minister of Somalia’s Hirshabella state, Khalif Mumin Tohon; renowned Ghanaian physician, Jacob Plange-Rhule; Egyptian rebel leader, Mahmud Jubril; Somali’s former Prime Minister, Nur Hussein; football executive and former President of Olympique Marseille, Pape Diouf; Congolese music star, Aurlus Mabele; former President of the Republic of Congo, Yhombi Opango and Cameroonian jazz legend, Manu Dibango, to mention a few.
Globally, the foregoing trend has also been proven to be the case.
An analysis of 5,700 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in New York City; showed that just over 60% were men, according to an April 22 study published in the journal JAMA. What’s more, “mortality rates were higher for male compared with female patients at every 10-year age interval older than 20 years,” the researchers wrote in the study.
Furthermore, of the 373 patients who ended up in intensive care units, 66.5% were men, the JAMA study reported. Also, when the WJEM editorial was published in early April; the authors noted that between 51% and 66.7% of hospitalized patients in Wuhan, China, were male; 58% in Italy were male; and 70% of all COVID-related deaths worldwide were male. In one large study of more than 44,600 people with COVID-19 in China, 2.8% of men died versus just 1.7% of women.
So, what is responsible for COVID-19 killing more men than women?
Researchers are still at a loss.
But some say it is possible that the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone play a role. This is according to previous research on respiratory illnesses. Other ongoing studies are looking at the X chromosome; (which women have two of, but men have only one) which has a larger number of immune-related genes; giving women a more robust immune system to fight off the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
“Some of the underlying reasons why COVID-19 may be more deadly for men than women may include the fact that heart disease is more common in elderly men than in elderly women,” Dr. Stephen Berger, an infectious disease expert and co-founder of the Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network (GIDEON), told Healthline. “Studies also find that high blood pressure and liver disease are more prevalent in men and these all contribute to more negative outcomes with COVID-19.”
Also, a study published on May 10 reported that men men have higher concentrations of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in their blood than women. Since ACE2 enables the coronavirus to infect healthy cells; this may help to explain why men are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than women, the researchers reported.
The immune system may also be a factor, some researchers say.
“Genetics may also play a big role,” Berger said. “Women, because of their extra X chromosome, have a stronger immune system and response to infections than men.”
4WARDWEGO reports that the jury is still out on this.
However, researchers are hard at work, trying to get to the root of this phenomenon. An editorial published on April 10 in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine (WJEM); says uncovering the real reason is imperative because it could help improve patient outcomes during an active public health crisis.
