November 2020 | Page 9 of 12

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COR9JA to Host International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Jos.

In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Community of Readers is collaborating with Girls Child Potentials Initiative and other organizations to organise a panel discussion on how to eliminate violence against women as we all as film viewing of Oloture.

Olutore is a Nigerian crime drama directed by Kenneth Gyang; In Lagos, a journalist goes undercover as a prostitute to expose human trafficking and finds a world of exploited women and ruthless violence.

Violence against the women and girls is on of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and is a threat to millions of girls and women online and offline.

The panel discussion will feature, Revd Fr Dr Pwakim Gideon of the Saint John Vienney Minor Seminary, Barkin Ladi, Toyin Phyllis Wiggins and Ujin Jossy-Bliss Mallai.

You can participate at the event by registering via http://bit.ly/COR9JA

For more info and/or sponsorship, call:
+234 703 626 0973
+234 703 572 9985

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V&V PROJECT 2020

The families of Da Silas Vwamnyang Gutul and Da Amos Ibrahim Daguleng JOYFULLY invites the general public to the wedding solemnization of their children;

Victor Gutul and Valentina Amos

Which by the grace of God comes up as follows:
Date : 5th december, 2020.
Time : 10:00 am. prompt.
Venue : COCIN central Mangun, Mangu.

Note that Reception continuous thereafter at Central primary school Mangun.

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Senate commences inquest into conviction of six Nigerians for financing Boko Haram in UAE

The Senate on Monday, November 9, revealed it would open an investigation into the conviction of six Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for funding the Boko Haram sect.

1st News had reported that an Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal last week upheld the conviction of the six men – Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, Saleh Yusuf Adamu, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, AbdurRahman Ado Musa, Bashir Ali Yusuf, and Muhammad Ibrahim Isa for funding the terror group to the tune of $782,000.

The men were first convicted in 2019 in the first clear-cut linkage of funding of Boko Haram to certain individuals.

Two of the convicts, Muhammad and Adamu were sentenced to life imprisonment while Alhassan, Musa, Yusuf, and Isa were handed 10-year imprisonment respectively.

In his statement, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed his committee was ready to find out the true position of things on the matter.

He, however, noted that the Senate was unaware of the recent arrest and imprisonment of the Nigerians.

According to Bamidele, the upper legislative chamber was working with the relevant committees of the House of Representatives on the amount earmarked for the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects.

He said: “These are some of the issues before us as a committee.

“It’s not just the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, the House Committee on Justice is also working with us on this matter.”

Meanwhile, the Senate on Monday, November 9, stated that it had no knowledge of the freezing of the accounts of some #EndSARS campaigners by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to the Senate, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele never wrote to it before taking the action as they only read about it on the pages of newspapers just like other Nigerians.

Senator Bamidele, made this revelation when the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), appeared before the committee, to defend the ministry’s 2021 budget estimates.

Bamidele further confirmed the Senate was awaiting further information on the issue of freezing the accounts of the EndSARS campaigners; from the apex bank as they were not aware of it and the circumstances that led to the freezing.

“We are not aware of the CBN freezing the accounts of #EndSARS campaigners. We read it in the news like everyone else.

“Our committee is interested in knowing what is going on in this regard. Our committee is neither in a position to either explain or defend the CBN’s action,” Bamidele said.

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Dangote Cement granted exemption from land border closure policy, political analysts criticize favoritism by FG

The Federal Government, on Monday, November 9, gave its approval for Dangote Cement to resume exports across its land borders, raising hopes that Africa’s most populous nation may be opening up trade with neighbors after a year-long blockade.

1st News reports that President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration gave its authorization for Africa’s biggest producer to export cement to Niger and Togo in the third quarter for the first time in ten months.

This development was confirmed by Michel Puchercos, chief executive officer, said on an investor call in Lagos.

The export was made possible “through authorization given by this administration,” he revealed to Bloomberg News.

The exemption to Dangote Cement is seen as a softening of the government’s position on a border closure that started in August last year and could open the way for other businesses to fully resume exports across the country’s land barriers.

Nigerian authorities closed borders with neighboring countries including Benin and Niger to curb smuggling and boost local production.

Although the blockade encouraged the consumption of locally grown produce such as rice, it hurt factories across West Africa, which rely on Nigeria’s market of 200 million people.

Dangote resumed land export with “restricted volumes,” and plans to grow the trade using the sea channels, according to Puchercos.

A total of 69 tons was exported through land borders in the period, less than one percent of the 11,741 tons of cement exports while shipping by sea is also being explored, the company said.

The Lagos-based company’s plan to buy back some of its shares has been delayed by market volatility and low liquidity, which have affected valuation, Guillaume Moyen, acting chief financial officer said at the same conference call.

Meanwhile, two members of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) have explained the delay in the distribution of palliatives by state governments.

CACOVID is a private sector-led organization; established to assist the government in combating the COVID-19 disease in Nigeria.

CACOVID members, Mr Osita Nwasinobi and Dr Sola Adeduntan, in two separate documents made available to the media on Monday, November 9, in Abuja, called for calm among members of the public.

Nwasinobi, in a document he authored for CACOVID members, said that the coalition had been working with the minister of the FCT and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), to procure and distribute food items to Nigerians.

He said that they were working to distribute the food items for about two million; most vulnerable families across the 774 local government areas in the country; explaining that CACOVID members decided to procure the food directly from the manufacturers; to avoid a distortion of prices in the market.

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INEC Chair. Prof. Mahmood Handed Over to AVM Ahmed Muazu(rtd)

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday, November 9, handed over his duties to an INEC National Commissioner, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu (rtd).

This was at an event held at the headquarters of the Electoral umpire in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

4wardwego gathered that Ahmed will act in that capacity; pending when the Senate confirms the reappointment of Professor Yakubu as INEC chairman by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In his remarks, Professor Yakubu informed those present at the event that the current INEC was inaugurated in three batches; in which he was sworn-in along with five national commissioners on November 9, 2015.

He noted that six more national commissioners were inaugurated on December 7, 2016; and another one on July 21, 2018.

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Rape victim claims to be satisfied by abuser, refuses to testify against him

A Botswanian rape victim stunned everyone when she failed to testify against her abuser in court because he sexually satisfied her.

New Zimbabwe reported that prosecutors in Botswana were left stunned; when one of the rape victims (name not supplied) who was raped by Oscar Chabaya (34) in Botswana refused to testify against him.

The rape victim is alleged to have instead asked police officers handling the case to give her Chabaya’s contact details as he had sexually satisfied her.

It was gathered that the suspect’s rape attacks began in March 2017; where he would gain entry into his victims’ houses through windows left open. Once inside, he would search the house for cell phones; before raping the victims without protection.

Chabaya was accused of targeting tertiary students under the age of 24; before breaking into their homes at night to rape them. He would tell his victims he was good in bed; and they would call him begging for more.

Before raping his victims, the suspect who was always armed with a knife is said to have toyed with the women. He was arrested in April 2017 after police matched his DNA to an earlier robbery case; in which he suffered a cut on his hand while escaping.

However, in spite of the lady’s refusal to testify against her abuser; the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the sexual intercourse occurred without the victims’ consent.

Ruling on the case, Magistrate Willie said rape cases were on the increase in Botswana; and perpetrators like Chabaya deserved stiffer sentences.

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SERAP cautions FG against intimidation, harassment of Amnesty International

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Monday, November 9, called on the Federal Government to put an end to the harassment and intimidation against Amnesty International Office in Nigeria and its staff.

This was contained in a statement issued by the SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oludare.

Oludare said, “We condemn purported ‘ultimatum’ and threats of violence against Amnesty International in Nigeria; by apparently pro-government groups and also call on Nigerian authorities to act swiftly to end the harassment and intimidation against the group; and also ensure the safety and security of its staff.”

Furthermore, SERAP called on President Muhammadu Buhari to “speak out strongly against intimidation and harassment of Amnesty International Office in Nigeria and its staff.

“We will hold authorities to account including through international legal action; if they fail to rein in these groups and stop increasing and apparently sponsored attacks; intimidation; harassment; and threats against Amnesty International Office in Nigeria and its staff.

“Any failure to hold to account those who may be responsible for the threats will invariably increase the vulnerability of civil society in the country; and also strengthen the perception that threats against NGOs and human rights workers can happen with impunity.”

SERAP likewise called for an investigation to uncover those behind the harassment of AI and its staff.

It said, “Naming and shaming the sponsors; and bringing them to justice will send a powerful message of protection and support to civil society groups who stand up to speak truth to power.”