News Archives - Page 13 of 281 - SocietyGazette.com

JTF dismisses clergyman’s video on ‘Fulani mobilisation’ in Plateau

The Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace has dismissed as “propaganda” a viral video in which a clergyman, identified as Rev. Dachomo, alleged a mass mobilisation of Fulani fighters through Nyerwai village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, and accused security forces of collusion.

PUNCH Online reports that in the video making rounds, a clergyman claimed a herder was killed and 36 cows were rustled, while another 49 animals were allegedly stolen in the area.

He also accused the Nigerian Armed Forces of complicity and accused Christians in positions of authority in the LG of betrayal.

But in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media Information Officer, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, JTF OPEP said the video was designed to inflame public sentiment and erode confidence in security agencies.

The statement read, “A viral online video has surfaced in which one Reverend (Rev) Dachomo makes alarming claims about potential Fulani terrorist attacks in the Dorowa area of Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State.

“He alleges an insider source revealed a mass mobilisation through Nyerwai and asserts that recent deaths in the community were linked. Furthermore, he claims that a visit to the headquarters yielded no confirmation of these reports and that troops had been withdrawn, leaving the community vulnerable.

“The Reverend’s accusations extend to claims of a Fulani leader influencing security forces to shield Fulani suspects from arrest. He also criticises Christian authorities for alleged inaction, suggesting a link to ISWAP. Dachomo’s statements culminate in a call to arms for local youths to defend themselves and a plea for prayer, painting a dire picture of the security situation in the region.”

In the video, the task force said the reverend’s “alleging mobilisation of Fulani terrorists through Nyerwai in Barkin Ladi LGA and accusing security agencies of collusion is a clear case of propaganda intended to inflame public sentiment and erode confidence in security agencies.

“The video emerged in the wake of heightened tension following the killing of a herder and 36 cows as well as the rustling of 49 others in the area, creating a volatile environment easily exploited by misinformation and invoking the name of the Fulani leader, referring to a court judgment in Adamawa State and accusing Christians in positions of authority of betrayal, the speaker deliberately employed emotionally charged and divisive narratives to whip up ethno-religious sentiments and curry favour from the local populace.”

The statement described the claims as baseless and warned the propagator to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

“Rev Dachomo’s accusation is baseless and aimed at causing unnecessary tension. The JTF OPEP condemns the misleading narratives and hereby warns the propagator to desist from causing panic and discord among the peace-loving people of the state, to abstain from such acts or face the full wrath of the law,” JTF OPEP noted.

Major Zhakom reiterated the task force’s commitment to protecting civilians and prosecuting those who spread misinformation that could jeopardise public safety.

“Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE deployed within Sector 4 Areas of Responsibility (AOR) will continue to upscale their operational activities around Nyerwai and Dorowa to reassure residents of their safety.

“Also, the command of JTF OPEP condemns the incitement and remains fully committed to its mandate to restore peace and order in the Joint Operations Area (JOA).

“We call on all stakeholders – traditional leaders, religious leaders and civil society to avoid inflammatory rhetoric statements, instead rally around our common goal of a peaceful, united, and secure Plateau,” the statement concluded

117 northern students depart for Algeria on medicine, engineering scholarship

No fewer than 117 beneficiaries from northern Nigeria have departed for Algeria to pursue various academic programmes under a fully funded study scholarship facilitated by the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation.

Speaking during a send-forth and orientation ceremony organised for the beneficiaries in Bauchi, the Chairman of the Foundation, Sayyadi Aliyu, explained that the scholarship was secured through the Darika Tijjaniyya Islamic Sect in collaboration with the Algerian Government.

According to him, “We were able to secure 140 slots, but only 117 met the complete requirements. The remaining ones will join them later.”

Aliyu noted that Bauchi State, being the host of the foundation, produced the highest number of beneficiaries, while others were drawn from Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, and other northern states.

He disclosed that 50 of the slots were allocated for Medicine, while the remaining were distributed among other disciplines such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Islamic Studies.

The chairman added that the scholarship covers feeding, accommodation, healthcare, and other essential needs, urging the students to remain law-abiding and disciplined throughout their studies.

“You must be good ambassadors of Nigeria and of those who facilitated this opportunity.”

“You have already been introduced to Arabic and French to help you settle in quickly. Islam is a religion of knowledge, and whoever neglects to seek it is going against its teachings, ”Aliyu charged.

He cautioned the students against distractions, urging them to remain united and focused on their purpose of acquiring knowledge for the benefit of Islam and humanity.

In his remarks, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu, advised the beneficiaries to uphold Nigeria’s image abroad and avoid any act capable of tarnishing the country’s reputation.

Expressing concern over negative reports involving Nigerians abroad, the Emir said:

“The Nigerian flag has in many instances been blackened abroad, contrary to its true green-white-green identity. Green, as we know, is the colour associated with the house of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

“You must uphold this symbol with dignity and commit yourselves to the pursuit of knowledge.”

Air France to extend suspension of Madagascar flights

Air France said Tuesday it would extend the suspension of its flights to Madagascar at least until Friday because of unrest in the African country.

“The resumption of operations will remain subject to a daily assessment of the situation on the ground,” the French national airline told AFP, as Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina ruled out resigning in the face of protests that have shaken the country.

Air France initially suspended flights over the weekend for two days.

Air Austral, another French airline that serves Madagascar from its base in the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, told AFP that it was maintaining services while watching the situation.

Rajoelina on Tuesday dissolved the national assembly, pre-empting a planned opposition-led vote to force him out of office over the island nation’s spiralling political crisis.

Trump arrives in Israel as hostages freed from Gaza

US President Donald Trump landed in Israel aboard Air Force One on Monday as a first group of Israeli hostages returned home from Gaza after two years’ captivity.

The US leader was greeted on a red carpet at Ben Gurion airport by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Hisbah arrests couple, three others over illegal marriage in Kano

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested five youths for allegedly conducting an illegal marriage ceremony without parental consent.

The Deputy Commander General of the board, Dr Mujahideen Aminuddeen, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Kano on Monday.

He said those arrested included the groom, bride, and three others who acted as representatives and a witness.

The marriage was allegedly contracted with a dowry of ₦10,000, below the minimum threshold recognised in Islamic legal standards.

Aminuddeen said that the union violated Islamic and legal marital procedures, and the board had launched an investigation.

He appealed to parents to monitor their children’s social engagements and guide them in marriage matters.

PUNCH Online reports that the development comes after Kano State government directed the state Hisbah Board to begin preparations for the wedding of no fewer than 2,000 couples under its mass wedding programme.

Aminudeen disclosed on Thursday that all intending couples are required to register and undergo compulsory medical screening to determine their health status.

( NAN)

Spread of drug-resistant bacterial infections rising, WHO warns

The World Health Organisation sounded the alarm on Monday over soaring numbers of drug-resistant bacterial infections, compromising the effectiveness of life-saving treatments and rendering minor injuries and common infections potentially deadly.

The United Nations’ health agency warned that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 showed resistance to antibiotic treatments.

“These findings are deeply concerning,” Yvan J-F. Hutin, head of the WHO’s antimicrobial resistance department, told reporters.

“As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, we’re running out of treatment options and we’re putting lives at risk.”

Bacteria have long developed resistance against medicines designed to fight them, rendering many drugs useless.

This has been accelerated by the massive use of antibiotics to treat humans, animals and food.

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) superbugs directly cause over a million deaths and contribute to nearly five million deaths every year, according to the WHO.

In a report on AMR surveillance, the WHO examined resistance prevalence estimates across 22 antibiotics used to treat infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, the bloodstream, and those used to treat gonorrhoea.

‘Flying blind’ –

In the five years leading up to 2023, antibiotic resistance increased in over 40 per cent of the monitored antibiotics, with an average annual rise of between five and 15 per cent, the report found.

For urinary tract infections, resistance to commonly used antibiotics was typically higher than 30 per cent globally, it showed.

The report looked at eight common bacterial pathogens, including E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which can lead to severe bloodstream infections that frequently result in sepsis, organ failure and death.

The WHO warned that more than 40 per cent of E. coli infections and 55 per cent of K. pneumoniae infections globally are now resistant to third-generation cephalosporins — the first-choice treatment for these infections.

“Antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine, threatening the health of families worldwide,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned in a statement.

The WHO hailed improvements in surveillance but warned that 48 per cent of countries were still not reporting any AMR data.

“We are definitely flying blind in a number of countries and regions that have insufficient surveillance systems for antimicrobial resistance,” Hutin acknowledged.

‘Future threat’ –

Judging from the available data, most resistance was found in places with weaker health systems and less surveillance, the WHO said.

The highest resistance was found in the Southeast Asian and Eastern Mediterranean regions, where one in three reported infections were resistant.

In the African region, one in five infections was meanwhile resistant.

Silvia Bertagnolio, who heads the WHO unit for antimicrobial resistance surveillance, told reporters it was unsurprising that resistance would be higher in places with weaker health systems, since they may lack the capacity to diagnose or treat pathogens effectively.

The differences could also be linked to the fact that countries with less surveillance may test and provide data on fewer patients and only those with the most serious infections, she said.

The WHO has warned that there are not enough new tests and treatments in the pipeline to tackle the growing spread of drug-resistant bacteria.

This is creating a significant “future threat”, Hutin cautioned.

“The increasing antibiotic use, the increasing resistance and the reduction of the pipeline is a very dangerous combination.”

Hamas begins handing over Israeli hostages

Hamas handed over the first seven of 20 surviving Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Gaza on Monday, sparking cheers of joy in Tel Aviv, where a huge crowd was gathered to support hostage families.

Under a ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump after two years of war, Hamas is due to release all surviving hostages on Monday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The releases came as Trump headed to the region for a peace summit, having declared the war “over”.

“According to information provided by the Red Cross, seven hostages have been transferred into their custody, and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli military and security service said.

“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on.”

In Tel Aviv, hundreds of people gathered on Hostages Square and erupted in joy as news broke of the first releases.

Among them, Noga shared her pain and joy with AFP.

“I’m torn between emotion and sadness for those who won’t be coming back,” she said.

On October 7, 2023, militants seized 251 hostages during Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel, which led to the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians.

All but 47 of the hostages were freed in earlier truces, with the families of those that have remained in captivity leading lives of constant pain and worry for their loved ones.

In Gaza, too, the ceasefire has brought relief, but with much of the territory flattened by war, the road to recovery remains long.

“I returned to Sheikh Radwan with my heart trembling,” 38-year-old Fatima Salem told AFP after she returned to her neighbourhood in Gaza City.

“My eyes kept searching for landmarks I had lost — nothing looked the same, even the neighbours’ houses were gone.

“Despite the exhaustion and fear, I felt like I was coming back to my safe place. I missed the smell of my home, even if it’s now just rubble. We will pitch a tent next to it and wait for reconstruction.”

– ‘War is over. Okay?’ –

Trump’s lightning visit to Israel and Egypt aims to celebrate his role in brokering last week’s ceasefire and hostage release deal — but comes at a precarious time as Israel and Hamas negotiate what comes next.

Under the US president’s proposed roadmap, once the Palestinian militants have handed over the surviving hostages, Israel will begin releasing around 2,000 detainees in exchange.

Israel expects all 20 living hostages to be released to the Red Cross “early Monday morning”, according to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One at the start of the “very special” visit, Trump brushed off concerns about whether the ceasefire would endure.

“I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries,” he said of the fighting.

“The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” the US president added.

In Israel, Trump is due to meet the families of hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem.

– Final details –

His trip is partly a victory lap over the Gaza deal he helped broker with a 20-point peace plan announced in late September.

“Everybody’s very excited about this moment in time,” Trump said earlier as he prepared to board the plane at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.

Negotiators were still wrangling late Sunday over the final arrangements for the exchanges, with two Hamas sources telling AFP the group was insisting that Israel include seven senior Palestinian leaders on the list of those to be released.

Israel has previously rejected at least one of those names.

The sources said the group and its allies had nevertheless “completed all preparations” for handing over to Israel all the living hostages.

Israel does not expect all of the dead hostages to be returned on Monday.

Under the plan, Hamas is to hand over the remaining 47 hostages, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in 2014 during a previous Gaza war.

Among the prisoners to be released, 250 are security detainees, including many convicted of killing Israelis, while about 1,700 were detained by the Israeli army in Gaza during the war.

– Peace summit –

After visiting Israel, Trump will head to Egypt where he and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-host a summit of more than 20 world leaders to back his plan to end the Gaza war and promote Middle East peace.

Trump will be looking to resolve some of the huge uncertainty around the next phases of the peace plan — including Hamas’s refusal to disarm and Israel’s failure to pledge a full withdrawal from the devastated territory.

Trump insisted he had “guarantees” from both sides and other key regional players about the initial phase of the deal, and the future stages.

Trump also said he would be “proud” to visit Gaza itself, but did not say when such a difficult security challenge would be possible.

A new governing body for devastated Gaza — which Trump himself would head under his own plan — would be established “very quickly,” he added.

Under the plan, as Israel conducts a partial withdrawal from Gaza, it will be replaced by a multi-national force coordinated by a US-led command centre in Israel.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed at least 67,806 people, according to figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers credible.

The data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but indicates that more than half of the dead are women and children.

AFP

Waves of Innovation: How First Bank turned Lagos into Africa’s Electric Playground By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos Lagoon glistened in shades of blue and gold as electric powerboats sliced through the water, cheered on by an ecstatic crowd that lined Victoria Island’s waterfront from Saturday, 3 October to Sunday, 5 October. For two unforgettable days, Lagos became Africa’s capital of clean energy, glamour, and innovation, all powered by First Bank of Nigeria, the sponsor of the continent’s first-ever E1 Lagos Grand Prix.

From the rhythmic sounds of Afrobeats echoing across the Marina to the sight of sleek, futuristic boats gliding silently on water, the E1 Lagos GP was more than a race, it was a celebration of Lagos’ vibrant spirit and Nigeria’s march towards sustainability.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a goodwill message, hailed the event as a bold statement of intent by Nigeria and Lagos, praising Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, First Bank, and other partners for delivering a world-class spectacle.

“The E1 Powerboat series combines world-class entertainment with clean energy innovation. This championship is not just a thrilling spectacle on water but a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future,” the president had said at the opening ceremony of the great event on Friday, 3 October.

He described Lagos as “a gateway to innovation, technology, and global sporting excellence,” affirming the nation’s readiness to lead Africa’s transition to clean energy.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who led the regatta that opened the event, described the championship as a proud moment for Lagos and a reflection of its global potential.

“E1 Lagos GP is more than a race; it is a celebration of Lagos’ dynamism, the Spirit of Lagos,” the governor said, adding that “It shows our capacity to host world-class events and underscores our commitment to sustainability.”

Crowds thronged the Lagos Lagoon and fan zones, having fun, snapping selfies, and soaking in the festive atmosphere. International sports icons, investors, and fans came from across the world, including former Chelsea and Ivory Coast football legend Didier Drogba, co-owner of Team Drogba Global Africa, who added a touch of celebrity magic to the weekend.

For First Bank of Nigeria, the event was not just about sports, it was about making history. Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said sponsoring the E1 Lagos GP reflected the bank’s heritage of innovation and renewal.

“Innovation, sustainability, excitement, speed, we are a heritage bank that has been around for 131 years, and for every one of those years, we have constantly renewed ourselves,” Ijabiyi said, saying that “When this opportunity came, who else could bring the first E1 GP to Nigeria but First Bank? We are proud to have presented Lagos and Nigeria to the world.”

At the First Bank Pavilion, visitors enjoyed interactive experiences, lifestyle engagements, and product showcases, while music, fashion, and food added a distinctly Lagos flavour. Families and young professionals mingled with entrepreneurs, all celebrating a fusion of technology, culture, and sustainability, hallmarks of the bank’s brand identity.

“This race is a net-zero emitter,” Ijabiyi added. “We are strong on sustaining the environment and supporting a cleaner, greener future. It’s innovation meeting responsibility.”

The E1 partnership also connects with the bank’s #FirstBankDecemberIssaVybe series, an annual celebration of entertainment and lifestyle that lights up Nigeria’s festive season. “December is the Vybe,” Ijabiyi teased. “This is just a taste of what’s to come-fun, fashion, food, and amazing experiences.”

The finale on Sunday was nothing short of electrifying as Team Brazil claimed victory, with pilots Timmy Hansen and Leva Millere-Hagin steering their electric boat to glory, beating Team Blue Rising and Team Drogba to the podium.

As the sun set over the Lagoon, the waterfront transformed into a sea of lights and cheers, a moment that captured the heart of Lagos: energetic, ambitious, and always ready to lead.

With its sponsorship of the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, First Bank once again proved that it is more than a financial institution, it is a lifestyle brand championing innovation, sustainability, and national pride.

In the words of Latoya Johnson, a Lagosian who attended the event: “I grew up knowing First Bank as the reliable one. Seeing them behind something this big makes me proud. They’re not just banking our money, they’re banking our future.”

From clean energy to cultural celebration, from racing boats to smiling faces, the E1 Lagos GP was a powerful reminder that when innovation meets tradition, the result is pure magic.

Atiku slams Tinubu over pardon for ‘grave offenders’

Ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of abusing the presidential power of mercy by granting pardons and clemency to 175 people, saying the move “undermines the sanctity of justice” and risks encouraging lawlessness.

In a statement via his X handle on Sunday, Atiku said the prerogative of mercy is meant to temper justice with compassion but had been “trivialised” by the latest round of pardons.

Tinubu on Thursday granted presidential pardons to 175 persons, including the late nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for murdering her husband.

Presenting the full list of beneficiaries in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, said the decision followed recommendations by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The pardon also includes presidential clemency, which frees people convicted of offences ranging from homicide, illegal mining to fraud.

Atiku criticised the inclusion of people convicted of serious offences, saying the clemency list weakens public faith in the criminal-justice system and “emboldens criminality.”

He argued that clemency must not be allowed to become complicit with crime and diminish justice.

The statement read, “Ordinarily, the power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative, a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy and to underscore the humanity of the state. When properly exercised, it elevates justice and strengthens public faith in governance.

“Regrettably, the latest pardon issued by the Tinubu administration has done the very opposite. The decision to extend clemency to individuals convicted of grave crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption not only diminishes the sanctity of justice but also sends a dangerous signal to the public and the international community about the values this government upholds.

“At a time when Nigeria continues to reel under the weight of insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related offences, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritise clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order.”

Atiku singled out the number of drug-related convictions among those pardoned, saying the decision was particularly troubling given the country’s ongoing fight against narcotics and youth vulnerability.

“Particularly worrisome is the revelation that 29.2% percent of those pardoned were convicted for drug-related crimes at a time when our youth are being destroyed by narcotics, and our nation is still struggling to cleanse its image from the global stain of drug offences,” he stated.

Atiku also referenced “unresolved” questions about President Tinubu’s own past financial and legal entanglements in foreign jurisdictions, saying the timing and composition of the pardons raise “moral and political” concerns.

“Even more disturbing is the moral irony that this act of clemency is coming from a President whose own past remains clouded by unresolved and unexplained issues relating to the forfeiture of thousands of dollars to the United States government over drug-related investigations.

“It is, therefore, no surprise that this administration continues to demonstrate a worrying tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise.”

He added, “A presidential pardon is meant to symbolise restitution and moral reform. Instead, what we have witnessed is a mockery of the criminal justice system, an affront to victims, a demoralisation of law enforcement, and a grave injury to the conscience of the nation.

“Clemency must never be confused with complicity. When a government begins to absolve offenders of the very crimes it claims to be fighting, it erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness.

“Nigeria deserves a leadership that upholds justice, not one that trivialises it.”

Strive for innovations, Eno charges A’Ibom youths

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has charged youths in the state to always strive for innovations, adding that such is the spirit behind the ARISE agenda’s push for empowerment.

Eno gave the charge while speaking at the Visual Conference and Award Night organised by his Chief Photographer, Idara Idiakpan, in Uyo at the weekend.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Ayakenyin, Eno charged the youths to stop nourishing entitlement culture and look inward to fix themselves where services are needed for better rewards.

Eno stated, ” I implore our youths to stop nourishing and internalising the entitlement culture. Look into yourselves; see where certain services are needed, and plug yourselves in, and the rewards will be unquantifiable.

”I urge our youths to strike for innovations; like Idara is going, look for things that bring value to the people, and you will be rewarded immeasurably.

”That’s what our Arise push for empowerment is all about: equipping our youths with skills that will translate into financial success.”

Earlier, the Special Assistant and Chief Photographer to the governor, Idara Idiakpan, described the award night as a celebration of creativity, purpose, and the power of a frame to tell a story, evoke emotion, and capture the beauty of the world.

She disclosed that a total of 587 nominations across 15 categories from photography across the country were received, adding that each entry is a testament to the passion and dedication of artists who saw the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Idiakpan said ” Welcome to this celebration of creativity, purpose, and the power of a frame to tell a story, evoke emotion, and capture the beauty of our world.

”Photography is more than just a craft; it’s a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and time. Tonight, we gather to celebrate the extraordinary talent of photographers who have dared to tell their stories with timeless images.

”This year, we received 587 nomination submissions across the 15 nomination categories from photography communities across Nigeria; each entry is a testament to the passion and dedication of artists who see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

” To every nominee, whether you’re walking away with an award or not, know that your work has inspired us, challenged us, and reminded us of the power of art to connect and transform.”

The event was graced by celebrated photographers, including Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Emmanuel Oyeleke, Bayo Omoboriowo and a host of others.