By Admin

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is seeking an agreement between Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries to end the practice of Nigerian girls being used as sex slaves in Mali.

At a presentation to the ECOWAS Parliament during its First Ordinary Session on Saturday, NAPTIP Director-General Julie Okah-Donli told members of parliament that Nigerian girls were being sold for between N210,000 and N240,000 to work as prostitutes.

Presenting the report of the fact-finding mission to Mali, Okah-Donli said that after being sold, the girls were made to pay back between N1.08 million and N1.2 million, usually within eight months, to their madams.

She said that after gaining their freedom from their madams, the girls would then go into business, making money for themselves through prostitution before graduating to madams of their own.

“There are more than one million Nigerians residing in Mali. About 20,000 of these Nigerians are girls believed to be victims of trafficking and the number increases by 50 per day.

“Many victims are deceived to leave their livelihoods in Nigeria for greener pastures in Mali.

“Some of the victims are abducted from Nigeria, including those that arrive in school uniforms.

“On arrival at the border town between Burkina Faso and Mali, many of the girls are sold off for CFA 350,000 to 400,000; their new owners then make them pay back about CFA 1.6 million to CFA 2 million with one CFA being 0.6 Naira,” she said.

Okah-Donli said that as part of efforts to curb the trend, the mission recommended among other things, that Nigeria should develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Guinea and Senegal.

The mission further recommended that all motor-parks through which the girls were trafficked should be sanitised and efforts made to stop extortion of Nigerians travelling to or through the aforementioned countries, she said.

“There is need for comprehensive sensitisation of rescued victims before repatriation and a comprehensive blueprint worked out for tracing, empowerment and rehabilitation of victims,” Okah-Donli said.

She said NAPTIP was ready to give technical support to Mali if it sought to establish an anti-human trafficking agency.

For the ECOWAS Parliament, the mission recommended that the protocol on Free Movement of persons and goods be properly implemented such that other nationals are not harassed in other ECOWAS countries, the Director-General said.

Throwing more light on the findings of the mission, Okah-Donli said that efforts to repatriate girls were usually foiled through the complicity of Malian security forces, coupled with the willingness of many girls to return to the ‘sex-for-gold’ trade.

She said that there were some of the girls who were trafficked to the northern parts of Mali where they not only offered sex but were radicalized.

She said that many of the victims who were rescued in 2011 and some others in 2017, came back to Nigeria only to return with more girls.

The Director-General further said some of the sex slaves were made to sleep with numerous men without protection while also being made to pay huge taxes by the complicit Malian authorities.

She raised the alarm that there was now a growing possibility of xenophobic attacks as Malian women were already grumbling that Nigerians were taking their men.

“The Malian authorities collect taxes from the victims on a weekly basis and sell condoms and other medications compulsorily to their victims every month.

“Malian women are already grumbling that Nigerian girls are taking their men, and there are fears of imminent xenophobic attacks.

“Three Nigerian girls were killed between November and December 2018,’’ Okah-Donli said.

She said that efforts to stop the trade at the borders had not been successful.

The Nigerian Army has denied media reports that 25 soldiers were killed in an attack coordinated by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.

According to Punch News Today Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, made the denial in a Short Message (SMS) sent to the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri on Sunday.

Some reports claimed 25 soldiers were killed on Saturday when the insurgents attacked a military convoy evacuating civilians on Damboa-Biu Road.

“Contrary to rumour and fake news circulating, there was no attack on any of our troops’ locations at Sabon Gari or any other locations in Borno State.

“I have spoken with the Special Force Commander in Damboa and he confirmed to me that there was nothing of such in Damboa or any of his locations as at Friday) and Saturday,” he said.

By Admin

LAGOS – THE police in Lagos State have arrested two suspected cultists, Balogun Oluwadamilare, 24 and Badmus Idris, 23, at the matriculation ceremony at Yaba College of Technology.

The Command’ Spokesperson, DSP Bala Elkana, said in a statement that the suspects were arrested with one Berretta pistol, four live ammunition and three expended cartridges.

“On May 21, at 4.00 p.m., Sabo Police Station received a distress call that a group of armed hoodlums suspected to be cultists were sighted at Yaba College of Technology during the College Matriculation ceremony.

“Teams of Policemen from the station and Tactical Units of the command were promptly drafted to the scene to reinforce the campus patrol team.

“Two suspects were arrested. One Beretta Pistol with four live ammunition and three expended cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

“Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court,” he said.

The weekend also witnessed a massive onslaught on traffic robbery suspects in Lagos State during which the surveillance patrol strategy introduced by CP Zubairu Muazu, targeted towards tackling the menace of traffic robbery in the state, arrested over 10 robbery suspects with various firearms and ammunition.

“On May 24, at about 5:30 p.m., surveillance patrol team from Ketu Police Station foiled a robbery attempt at Kosofe Bus Stop.

The leader of the gang, popularly known as Gabazine and two other members of the gang, were arrested. One Samsung phone, snatched from a victim, was recovered and handed over to the owner.

“On May 25, the same surveillance team on undercover operation at the same spot, arrested two traffic robbery suspects attempting to rob some unsuspecting road users.

Two Knives and a toy pistol were recovered.

“On the same date at 12 a.m., surveillance patrol team deployed to Ketu Bus Stop, arrested two traffic robbery suspects: Ayomide Ayobami and Taye Onofowokan, both living at Agboyi Ketu.

“One pistol with three live ammunition and a jack knife were recovered from them.

“On the same date at 1 p.m., surveillance patrol team attached to FESTAC Police Station arrested one Bamidele Ogunbanjo, 30, of Prayer Estate, Amuwo Odofin.

“One locally- made pistol with one live ammunition were recovered.

“Investigation is ongoing and all the suspects will be charged to court,” the PPRO added.

By Joe Odje

YENAGOA – SUSPECTED Gunmen on Sunday at Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa, abducted the wife of a lecturer with the Niger Delta University (NDU).

Sources in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria that the incident occurred early on Sunday and that the gunmen fired sporadic shots to announce their arrival.

The gunmen reportedly entered the community through River Nun in a speedboat boat and headed to the residence of the lecturer, identified simply as Dr Charles.

By Admin

LAGOS – A 42-year-old man, Enifeh Omomo, according to police has allegedly committed suicide, after killing his wife and their six-year-old son at their Ikorodu residence in Lagos.

Lagos Police Spokesman DSP Bala Elkana, said in a statement that the Ikorodu Divisional Police Station had received a distress call on May 24, at 8 a.m about the incident.

“On May 24, at 8.00a.m. Ikorodu Police Station received a distress call that one Enifeh Akupa Omomo; 42, of No. 12, Eruga St., Aga-Ikorodu, allegedly killed his wife, Mrs Faith Omomo; 38 and his six-years-old son, Glorious Omomo and thereafter committed suicide in his one room apartment.

“When homicide detectives visited the scene, the corpse of the suspect was found hanging on a rope, tied to the ceiling fan, while corpses of his wife and son were found on the floor.

1. “Bodies of the deceased persons were evacuated to General Hospital for autopsy. Investigation is ongoing.” he said.

• By Our Reporter
• ABUJA – THE Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Atiku Abubakar has celebrated the Nigerian children for their exceptional achievements making international headlines recently.
• “These shining lights are just an example of the potential in you, our children,” Atiku said.

  Atiku made the above declaration in a message to Nigerian children on the occasion of the Children’s Day 2019.

  The message came in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, and it reads:

   “Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, encourages Nigerian children to never lose hope in their country, whether or not they live here or in the Diaspora.

  “As they celebrate Children’s Day in different parts of the country and around the world, Atiku Abubakar reminds them that they are the future of Nigeria. No matter how tough and trying the situation in the country may appear today, Nigerian children must believe that things can and will get better.

  “This conviction will help them see in themselves the solutions to the multiple challenges our country faces. It will strengthen them to not turn their backs on their country at a time when she needs them most, no matter how rosy life may appear in other shores.

  From chess champions to acclaimed artists, Nigerian children have been in the international headlines recently for exceptional achievements despite all odds. These shining lights are just an example of the potential in you, our children.

  Happy Children’s Day!”

By Joe Odje

IDUMUJE-UGBOKO – REGINA Daniels, Ned Nwoko’s actress wife and mother, Rita Daniels were on Sunday at Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State conferred with the prestigious Enyi titles.

Regina got the title of “ENYI ADA EJI EJE MBA,” signifies “A Young Woman of Inestimable Value” while her mother bagged the “ENYI UGO ANIOMA” meaning “The Eagle of Anioma.”

The leader of OTU ODU ENYI of Asaba, Chief Theodora Giwa-Amu, while conferring the titles, said the group was exclusively for Asaba women of substance either by birth or marriage.

Giwa-Amu described Ned Nwoko as an epitome of cultural influence, adding that his new wife and his mother-in-law were deserving of the honour considering their huge profiles.

She noted that the duo had earned their reputation, stressing that their induction would further consolidate their status in the society.

Speaking after taking the title, Regina Daniels said she was highly elated for the honour and recognition and promised to use the privilege to impact more on the society.

Nollywood actor and producer, Ejike Asiegbu, who led other actors and actresses to the event as a mark of solidarity with one of their own, described as awesome the rich cultural heritage exemplified by the ENYI title taking.

Asiegbu said it was exciting to have inducted Regina Daniels into womanhood by virtue of her new status as ENYI ADA EJI EJE MBA and congratulated her on the honour done her.

He used the occasion to thank Honourable Ned Nwoko for identifying fully with the Nollywood family.

The occasion was attended by persons from all walks of life, including politicians and traditional rulers.

By Joe Odje

OTOR-UDU – SUSPECTED kidnappers abducted the Vice Principal of Otor-Udu Secondary School, at Imode town in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Mrs. Owhorode, the victim according to the Dune Newspapers sources, was abducted at her residence in Imode town at about 2am.

The source alleged further that the abductors of the Principal have made contact with the family for a ransom of N15 million.

The incident has caused fears amongst resident, our source said that people are no longer safe even in their rural community.

This is a development story, more details later ……

Akwa Ibom and outlandish reports

Charles Udoh

Elections, to a large extent, have been won and lost but the drumbeats of political manipulations and propaganda are still echoing in the background.

The recent barrage of questionable statistics released by some otherwise reputable national agencies, including the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), raise a lot of concerns about the professionalism and intentions of such agencies. It is more of grave concern that the Federal Ministry of Education is also quoted to have joined the fray by asserting, incorrectly, that Akwa Ibom is one of the states with the highest number of out-of-school children. Before then, the report listing Akwa Ibom as the state with the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS was not just hilarious but clearly depicted the skewed and malicious intent of the proponents of the orchestrated reports. From all indications, there are more of such scripted reports and phony statistics being brewed.

We are inclined to believe that the latest deluge of negative reports about Akwa Ibom State is an orchestrated smear campaign aimed at putting clogs in the wheels of the state government’s glorious march towards transforming the state into a destination of choice. In one of such reports, Akwa Ibom was listed as one of the states with the highest unemployment rate of 37.7 per cent (1,357,754) in the third quarter of 2018. The same report contradicted itself by stating that between third quarter, 2017 and third quarter of 2018, Akwa Ibom was one of only nine states to record a reduction in their unemployment rates despite an increase in the national unemployment rate.

It is instructive to note that, between 2015 and 2019, the National Bureau of Statistics has, at various times, listed Akwa Ibom as the state with the highest volume of Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria only behind the commercial capital of Nigeria. During the same period, Akwa Ibom has been one of a handful of states in Nigeria to offer its citizens and residents within school age free and compulsory education at primary and secondary levels, including an annual average of N600 million expenditure on payment of WAEC fees for indigenes.

In just four years, the state has attracted 16 industries across various sectors, with an impressive value chain that provides direct and indirect employment. These industries have elevated the socio-economic life of their host communities by alleviating poverty, creating wealth and jobs. Since the advent of the Udom Emmanuel-led government, Akwa Ibom has variously been adjudged by security agencies to be one of the safest states in Nigeria. This level of security was exemplified by the peaceful manner the 2019 elections were conducted in the state. The agricultural initiatives of the state government have seen a proliferation of farms and plantations in every nook and cranny of the state.  If the basic laws of demand and supply are to be applied religiously, the quantum reduction in the prices of foodstuff in the state bears testament to the monumental successes the state government has recorded in agriculture and food sufficiency. In 2015, a cup of gari sold for a whopping N200. Today, for the same amount, you take home between 12 and 14 cups of gari depending on where you are buying from.

The spurious reports on unemployment that indicated more than 1.3 million people were unemployed in the state clearly did not take into account the over 350 workers in the 11,000 hectares coconut plantation spanning the three local government areas of Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo, the hundreds of workers in 2,100 hectares of cassava plantation in 15 LGAs and over 1,200 hectares of rice farmlands in Ini and environs. The 48,000 rice farmers registered for CBN anchor borrowers scheme, 450 youths trained and engaged in cocoa maintenance were obviously not considered by the NBS as being in employment. The bureau, clearly, did not take into account the indirect jobs accruing to host communities from the 16 factories across the state and the numerous entrepreneurial endeavours that have sprung up in the last three and a half years.

Currently, there are more than 189 road construction sites in the state with an average of 100 workers at each location. Additionally, there are over 300 rural development projects across the 31 LGAs and over 400 inter-ministerial rural intervention projects with an average of 10 workers at each project site. There is also the “small matter” of the recruitment of over 5,000 teachers into the education sector.

Also worthy of mention is the fact that the job creation agenda of the Akwa Ibom State government encapsulates youth empowerment and capacity building. So far, more than 30,000 youths have been trained in various vocational and entrepreneurial skills while over 317,000 people have benefited from the state government-funded, interest-free loan scheme for small scale entrepreneurs and traders.

Given the scenario painted above, one wonders why the Akwa Ibom State APC had to import hundreds of youths as thugs from a mid-western state if the youths in Akwa Ibom were so jobless, unemployed and out-of-school as ridiculously alleged in the phony reports and statistics. Going by the outlandish reports being bandied around, there should have been a massive supply chain of jobless and out-of-school youths readily available in the state for that nefarious role.

With reference to the alleged high number of out-of-school children (OOSC), it is pertinent to note that the OOSC data on Akwa Ibom State as purported by the Federal Ministry of Education is at variance with 2018 National Personnel Audit (NPA) on the state for children aged 6 to 11. The NPA, which was a physical headcount and not a cursory extrapolation, revealed that, between 2016 and 2018, the state recorded a 40 per cent increase in pupil enrolment. The over 400,000 increase was evidently due to the intensive and dedicated attention the state government has given to basic education in the last four years. The same audit report also indicated that the total number of children in Akwa Ibom State’s public primary schools is the third highest in the country and the highest in southern Nigeria. Despite these glaring and verifiable facts, the Federal Ministry of Education curiously listed Akwa Ibom as one of the states with the highest number of OOSC.

As part of its avowed commitment to the development needs of its people, the government of Akwa Ibom State, in the last four years, has upped the ante in the healthcare sector. From the general hospitals in Etinan, Ikono, Ituk Mbang, Ikot Okoro to Iquita, Awa and Immanuel Hospitals, it has been stories of total transformation in the secondary healthcare sector. The state government has not only renovated these hospitals but has equipped them with state-of-the-art medical equipment. To date, over 25 containers of equipment have been delivered. The ongoing medical records digitisation of these hospitals has raised the bar in the secondary healthcare sector in Nigeria. A combination of these initiatives have increased life expectancy in the state with an attendant impact on all facets of the socio-economic life of citizens and residents.

From all indications, these remarkable landmark strides by the Akwa Ibom State government have been swept under the carpet by political antagonists whose only preoccupation is to mudsling and cast aspersions on efforts of the state government.

It is dumbfounding that, at a time when our nation is in dire need of a reference point in people-oriented and sustainable development, the strides of the Akwa Ibom government, which supersede all expectations, are still taking a bashing on the altar of political mind games.

Despite the recent shambolic statistics, outlandish reports and stone-throwing antics aimed at distracting the government of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Emmanuel remains undaunted, undeterred and firmly focused on delivering maximum dividends of democracy to citizens, residents and visitors, in fulfilment of his social contract with the electorate. The next four years promises an even brighter prospect for the state.

• Udoh is the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Information and Strategy