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United Nations Children’s Fund has again raised the alarm that Nigeria loses 100 children per hour due to malnutrition. This translates to about 2,400 deaths daily.
It, therefore, called for increased funding and other measures that could help in arresting the challenge urgently.
Speaking in Lagos on Thursday during an interaction with media executives, UNICEF’s Chief Nutrition Officer in Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, noted that Nigeria was moving towards a nutrition emergency.
The event was organised by the National Council on Nutrition, chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
Hajeebhoy said one-third of children in Nigeria lived in severe food poverty, adding that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life offered a unique window of opportunity for preventing undernutrition and its consequences.
She stated, “Poor diet is robbing millions of children of their health, development and lifetime prospects, because every hour, almost 100 children under the age of five die in Nigeria. Left untreated, children with severe acute malnutrition are nearly 12 times more likely to die than a healthy child.
“Nigeria is ranked number one in Africa and second in the world in terms of malnourished children.
“This is not the kind of statistics we should be proud of. Without urgent action, UNICEF estimates that approximately 14.7 million children under age five will suffer from moderate and severe acute malnutrition this year.
“Nigeria signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 and access to good nutrition is an important right of every child.
“In 2003, Nigeria signed the Child Rights Act and 29 out of 36 states have strong Child Rights Act.
“If we have all of these in place, what are we doing about the right of these 21 million children to good nutrition?”
She pointed out that the cost of inaction to address the challenge was 15 per cent Gross Domestic Product loss for Nigeria.
She also revealed that energy-only diets cost N707 per household per day while nutritious diets cost N1,687 per household per day, which is unaffordable by 34 per cent of households in the country.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Nutrition, Abimbola Adesanmi, said the event was to expand awareness of malnutrition and educate the citizens on their roles as stakeholders.
National Bureau of Statistics has disclosed that 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor.
In its latest National Multidimensional Poverty Index Report launched on Thursday, the NBS said 63 per cent of Nigerians are poor due to a lack of access to health, education, and living standards, alongside unemployment and shocks.
The MPI offers a multivariate form of poverty assessment, identifying deprivations across health, education, living standards, work and shocks.
According to the Statistician-General at the NBS, Semiu Adeniran, it is the first time they will conduct a standard multidimensional poverty survey in Nigeria.
“The survey was implemented in 2021 to 2022 and it is the largest survey with a sample size of over 56,610 people in 109 senatorial districts in the 36 states of Nigeria,” he said.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, who revealed the findings from the report said 63 percent of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor meaning that they are being derived in more than one dimension of the four measured.
He said, “Multidimensional poverty is more pronounced in rural areas where 72 per cent of people are poor compared to urban areas where we have 42 per cent.
“Gender disparity continues to affect the population with one in seven poor people living in a household in which a man has completed high school but the woman has not.”
The NBS report further showed Sokoto, Bayelsa, Gombe, Jigawa and Plateau are the top poorest states in 2022.
Sokoto leads the poorest with 90.5 per cent of people in the state poor. It is followed by Bayelsa with 88.5 per cent poor people, Gombe with 86.2 per cent, Jigawa with 84.3 per cent, and Plateau with 84 per cent.
The least poor states are Ondo with 27.2 per cent poor people, Lagos with 29.4 per cent, Abia 29.8 per cent, Edo with 31 per cent, and Anambra with 32.1 per cent.
The report said that 65 per cent of poor Nigerians (86 million) were in the North, while 35 per cent (nearly 47 million) were in the South.
The report noted, “Overall, 65 per cent of poor people – 86 million people – live in the North, while 35 per cent – nearly 47 million – live in the South. In general, a disparity between North and South is evident in both incidence and intensity of multidimensional poverty, with the North being poorer.
As part of drive to bridge gender gap in businesses, the United Kingdom says it is committing a $100m fund to support women-owned enterprises in Nigeria.
The UK government said the $100 million fund programme is launched through the First Bank of Nigeria to provide direct funding to women-owned enterprises.
Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, stated this on Wednesday at the gender and inclusion summit organised by the Policy Innovation Center, (PIC), in Abuja on Wednesday.
The summit was themed, ‘connecting the dots for a gender-inclusive society’.
Laing said the investment was part of the implementation of the UK’s three ‘Es’ projects, namely: educating girls, empowering women, and ending violence against women and girls.
“The UK has three areas focusing on gender. The three ‘Es’ included educating girls, empowering women and ending violence against women and girls,” she said.
“The UK has worked on education for decades now, particularly in northeast Nigeria where we have supported 1.4 million additional girls going to school.
“On the empowerment side, we recently launched a $100 million programme through the First bank of Nigeria which will [provide] direct funding specifically to women-owned enterprises.”
Laing further said gender rights are basic human rights and everyone is entitled to them.
She, however, said there are social, religious, and behavioural norms which are used as excuses for not making progress on gender equality.
According to Laing, the UK government is also digitising humanitarian services and cash transfers, so that women can receive money directly into their bank account which gives them more empowerment.
On her part, Mary Beth Leonard, United States ambassador to Nigeria called on the Nigerian government and international partners to prioritise streamlining policies towards closing gender parity gaps.
According to Leonard, the US government prioritises gender activities which is why it invests over $200 billion annually towards programming gender activity and equality globally.
“In Nigeria, the US mission works to promote an environment that supports women’s success and address challenges that hold women back and to empower Nigerian women to do the same,” she said.
“The upcoming 2023 elections present a critical opportunity to include more women in leadership positions in government.
“And we encourage women not only to vote on election day but also to consider running for office at all levels of government in the future elections.
“This campaign season presents an opportunity to demand candidates prioritise policies and legislations for women and girls.”
Also speaking, Osasuyi Dirisu, deputy director, PIC, explained that the organisation works in several policy areas such as financial and digital inclusion, health, human capital, gender and social policy, accountability and transparency.
“We are here at the summit and hope to institutionalise and have an opportunity for stakeholders to come together to have real conversation about gender and advanced cause to improving gender equality in Nigeria,” she said.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has given an update on Adetutu Adedokun, the Department of State Services (DSS) lady who reportedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon.
Adedokun had on Thursday allegedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon from Third Mainland Bridge after a heated exchange of words with her fiancé.
Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement said the lady has not been rescued from the Lagoon as claimed by some reports.
He said emergency responders had given up on a rescue mission and was now battling to recover her body from the lagoon.
Oke-Osanyintolu added that investigations had failed to produce the driver of the car that she was in prior to the unfortunate incident.
In his words: “Update on alleged suicide attempt on Third Mainland Bridge
“The body of adult female , identified as Adetutu Adedokun that was reported by eyewitnesses to have jumped into the lagoon is yet to be recovered.
“The lady is said to be a staff of the Department of State Services. Investigations have failed to produce the driver of the car that she was in prior to the unfortunate incident.
“The response team has changed from rescue to recovery and is now observing the tide and is relying on locals for any useful information. Further updates to follow.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 100 children under the age of five die of malnutrition in Nigeria every hour.
Nemat Hajeebhoy, UNICEF’s chief nutrition officer, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting organised by the National Council on Nutrition (NCN).
Hajeebhoy said if urgent action is not taken, another 15 million children are at risk of “wasting” – a term used to describe children who get emaciated as a result of malnutrition.
“Every hour in Nigeria, almost a hundred children under the age of five die. So by the time we are done with this meeting, 300 children would have died in this country,” the nutrition officer said.
“If a child is malnourished, they are 12 times more likely to die. We know that today without urgent action, there would have been this year and next year close to 15 million children who will suffer from what we call wasting (thin children).
“This is an indicator that there is a crisis in the country and I would like to call it a nutrition emergency. There is a nutrition emergency in the country today. Nigeria is ranked number one in Africa and second in the world in the total of children malnourished.
“We have some good news, we have seen stunting come down over the years but that rate of decline is very slow. Moreover, this slow rate of decline is costing our economy 15 percent GDP loss to Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Abimbola Adesanmi, the senior special assistant to the president on nutrition, office of the vice-president, said the federal government has formulated policies to end hunger in the country.
“The NCN as the highest decision-making body for Nutrition in the country, in line with SDG 2 goal of ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition, have ensured that national indicators are aligned with global targets through national policies, strategies, and guidelines,” Adesanmi said.
“On the policy front, the National multi-sectoral plan of action for food and nutrition in Nigeria (2019-2023), National Policy on Food and Nutrition in Nigeria 2016-2025, and Agricultural Promotion Policy 2016-2020 among others have been developed by the government with technical and financial support from development partners and stakeholders in line with national development plans and the attainment of the SDGs.”
On his part, Rasaq Oyeleke, head of nutrition in the ministry of agriculture, said Nigeria would only be able to have a healthy population if the country is able to provide good nutrients.
"What is my offence? He now started beating me, to the extent that he naked me. It's Ajayi Mathew, because he asked me out and I said No"
Those were the words of a police woman, Olorunsogo Bamidele, attached to the Osun State Police Command, Ode Omu Divisional headquarters, who accused her senior Colleague, DCO ASP Ajayi Matthew, of assault, sexual harassment and other gross misconducts.
Narrating her ordeal, in a video making the rounds, Olorunsogo accused ASP Ajayi of being a sexual predator who is in the habit of using his position to sleep with junior colleagues.
The female officer also claimed he threatened to sack and blackmail her, if she fails to give in to his demands.
Olorunsogo who appeared all bruised in the video, cried for help after her senior colleague allegedly beat her at the station in the presence of her junior Colleagues and some civilians.
According to her, she managed to escape with the help of the civilians, who took her out of the station.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi over his alleged involvement in cyber fraud, the Cable News has reported.
Atumeyi is the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the Ankpa II constituency seat of Kogi house of assembly.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement on Tuesday, said Atumeyi was arrested on Sunday alongside one Joshua Dominic, an alleged serial fraudster, in a sting operation at Queens Estate, Karsana, Gwarinpa, Abuja.
EFCC said the NNPP candidate was arrested with N326 million and $140,500 cash.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the politician and his syndicate were involved in the hacking of one of the commercial banks in which N1.4 billion was stolen.
EFCC also arrested one Abdumalik Salau Femi, a former bank employee, for allegedly supplying the inside information that facilitated the attack on the bank by the syndicate.
After his arrest, a search was conducted on his home in Morgan Estate, Ojodu where a total of $470,000 was recovered.
“The syndicate allegedly moved N887 million into the account of Fav Oil and Gas limited, from where the monies were paid to several bureau de change operators and some auto dealers for exchange into United States dollars and purchase of high-end cars,” EFCC said.
“Dominic, who has been arrested for fraud on several occasions, allegedly helped Atumeyi perfect the hacking plan through Abdumalik.
“Dominic, a self-styled investment expert and managing director of Brisk Capital Limited was arrested in May 2021 by the special fraud unit of the Nigeria Police for alleged N2 billion investment scam. He allegedly defrauded over 500 persons in a phony investment scheme.
“Two Range Rover Luxury SUVs were also recovered from the two suspects arrested in Abuja. They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”
One of the released victims of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway abduction, Aminat Taiwo, has narrated how her father paid N3.2m to her kidnappers before she was released alongside her friend, Tobi Orekoya, in a Punch report.
Aminat, on Monday, said her father took the ransom to the kidnappers deep in the forest, where they were held.
The victim, her friend and some other road users were kidnapped last Friday near the Sat Guru Maharaji Garden at the Ibadan end of the expressway.
The abductors contacted the families of the victims and demanded ransom ranging from N50m to N10m.
It was, however, reported that Aminat, her friend, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Adigun Agbaje, and a student of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olayemi Adejare, were released on Sunday after two days in captivity.
While speaking, Aminat lamented that they were not provided with food or drinks during the period.
She also claimed that some of the victims, who could not meet up with the deadline given to pay ransom, were shot dead.
The 22-year-old graduate, who described her ordeal as horrible, said they fell into an ambush of the kidnappers on their way to attend a friend’s wedding in Ibadan.
She said, “Those kidnappers were more than 30; they covered their faces. They were putting on army and police uniforms.
“They were armed to the teeth; they had guns, swords, knives and other weapons.
“They asked us to lie down and collected all our money and phones. They collected gold chains, wristwatches, and other jewellery.
“At first, we thought they just wanted to rob us, but to our greatest surprise, after stripping us of everything we had, they asked us to start moving inside a deep forest. We walked for more than two hours inside the forest. When we got to a place, they asked us to lie down.
“We were moving in the forest for several hours; they did not give us water or food. We licked water on leaves in the forest.
“For the two days I spent with them, we did not stay too long in a place before they moved us to another place.”
Her father, Kayode Taiwo, said the family raised N800,000 from donations across the world.
He, however, said family members and friends supported him before he raised the money demanded by the kidnappers.
He said, “Some people donated N1,000, N500, N200, N400. By the time we calculated everything, it was around N800,000.
“I paid N2m as ransom for my daughter, while her friend’s parents paid N1.2m. But I was the one that handed over everything to them at the hideout.
“When I was at Toll Gate, they asked me to wait there and collect the money the mother of my daughter’s friend was bringing. They told me I should come alone that the woman could not come to where they were.”
Meanwhile, the university don said he was lucky to be alive, as a bullet fired at him by his abductors grazed his forehead.
Adigun, in a statement made on his behalf by his son, Adewale, said, “It is a new day today, and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening (Sunday) after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states.
“I was shot in the head during the abduction process. I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin-deep wound on my head, even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing.
“As stated earlier, my heart goes to those young female undergraduates, the young men and the middle aged person I left behind with the kidnappers. I may not be reachable now but as soon as I get medical clearance from my doctors, I will be thanking all of you personally.”
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed that the professor had been released and was undergoing “medical intervention.”
National Industrial Court has been told how the Budget Office, a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, unlawfully withheld the salaries and entitlements of her staff, Mrs Bilikisu Okenne Sannusi, for daring to expose corrupt practices in the establishment as reported by the Sun.
In a suit marked NIC/ABJ/96/2022, the claimant, Sannusi, alleged that in the course of her service in the organisation, she discovered monumental corrupt practices perpetrated by some staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning, in the office of the Budget Office.
The claimant, who is demanding N50 million as damages, further revealed that the corrupt acts bordered on manipulation of budget proposals by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Meanwhile, Oyebiola Oyewumi has, upon agreement of counsel to parties to the suit, adjourned to December 7 and 8, 2022, for definite hearing of the case.
Also listed as defendants in the suit are the Head of Service of the Federation (1st); Director-General Budget office of the Federation (2nd); Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National planning (3rd); AGF (4th) and Accountant General of the Federation (5th).
In her statements of fact before the court, she claimed that she reported some of the corrupt acts to the second defendant (Director–General Budget Office), being her immediate boss, but, upon discovering that the second defendant was complicit in the alleged acts, and following the aggression by him against her person, she reported same to the first and third defendants who, also, decided to thread the same path with the second defendant, leading to her name been expunged from payments vouchers and other efforts to frustrate her.
She further alleged that the second defendant, also without any justification, caused her Secret and Open Files domiciled with the Budget Office of the Federation Registry to be removed and kept in an unknown place, to frustrate her from proceeding on her retirement.
The claimant also alleged that the second defendant, in a bid to frustrate her, also instructed his allies in the Finance department to withhold and deny her due financial and maternal benefits and rights incidental to her employment and office in the Budget Office of the Federation.
She is praying the court to declare that the termination of her salaries and entitlements, prior and from November 26, 2021 till date, by the first, second, third and fifth defendants is illegal, unlawful and a gross abuse of governmental powers, and as such null and void and of no effect.
“That withholding of the Claimant’s Secret and Open Files and fringe benefits, bonuses and Christmas, Easter and Sallah gifts and all other benefits, howsoever, called incidental to her position as a staff of the Budget Office of the Federation by the second defendant is illegal, unlawful and a gross abuse of governmental powers, and as such null and void and of no effect.
“That the first defendant lacks the power to impose punishment or suspension of salary on the claimant, safe as stipulated by the public service rule, which must be adhered to as expressly stipulated, as doing otherwise amounts to a nullity.
Her counsel, Uzoma Nnona, also sought an order of court “compelling the defendants to pay the claimant all her salaries, entitlements, fringe benefits, bonuses and all benefits, however, called incidental to her position as a staff of the Budget Office of the Federation withheld by the defendants illegally and unlawfully, amounting to N2, 214, 250.00 only.
“In addition, the claimant is seeking an order of court compelling the second defendant to, forthwith, release the claimant’s secret and open file to enable her to proceed with the processing of her retirement.”
At yesterday’s proceedings, M.D. Agada announced his appearance for the second and third defendants, while Aliyu Abdulkadir appeared for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
Oyewumi of the Abuja division of the court has equally directed that all processes relating to the case must be filed and served before the adjourned date.
...no administration had done the kind of damage the APC govt under Buhari had done to Nigeria
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has warned that Nigeria will collapse completely if the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, is elected to govern the country.
Obaseki, who stated this in Benin on Monday, at the inauguration of Edo State Campaign Management Council of the Peoples Democratic Party, said that no administration had done the kind of damage the APC government had done to Nigeria, noting that the debt profile of the country under the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd)-led government has hit N60trn.
He said that the PDP must win the 2023 elections in order to rescue the country from the ruling APC.
Obaseki asserted: “God forbid APC comes into power, this country will break; this country will fail, it has already failed, because no government has ever done the kind of damage the APC has done to this country.
“As I speak today, the debt of this country is going to N60 trillion. When are we going to come out of it? Every day, every month, they are printing and printing money to pay salaries. When I cried out years ago, I never knew it was as bad as this. What will happen to the Naira? Only God will help us. They (APC) has destroyed the basis of this country. Electing Tinubu will lead to a total collapse of the country.
“APC is threatening the coexistence of this country, but by the grace of God, when we come into power, we will revive this country. We will make this country what it ought to be.
Obaseki, who is the Edo State Chairman of PDP Presidential Campaign Council, urged the 10-man team to ensure Atiku emerges victorious at the 2023 elections and rescue the country from APC, adding that the party must also win majority of the National Assembly seats.
“Whatever sacrifice we must make, we must make it to change the fortune of this country. This election is an essential one for us. This election is very important to us as a government because we cannot be in the opposition. Opposition is very useless,” he added.
He further urged the team to start working at the ward level to make sure everything is intact, adding that election has become scientific to an extent that it is very difficult to manipulate.
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Polaris Bank says it has constituted a new board and management team.
The bank made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
This comes a day after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced the acquisition of 100 percent equity stakes in the bank by Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL).
CBN said SCIL paid an upfront consideration of N50 billion to acquire 100 percent of the equity of Polaris Bank and has accepted the terms of the agreement, which include the full repayment of the sum of N1.305 trillion, being the consideration bonds injected.
Polaris Bank, in the statement, said the new board will be led by Muhammad Ahmed, the existing chairman.
It added that the board will have six non-executive directors and three executive directors.
The new board and management include: Ahmad, chairman; Abubakar Suleiman, non-executive director; Salma Mohammed, non-executive director; Adeleke Adedipe, non-executive director; Ahmed Almustapha, non-executive director; Francesco Cuzzocrea, non-executive director; Olabisi Odunowo, non-executive director.
Others are Abdullahi Mohammed (executive director), and Segun Opeke (executive director).
Polaris Bank also said Adekunle Sonola, a former executive director at Union Bank, is the new executive managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the financial institution.
Commenting on the acquisition and board transition, Ahmad said the bank is willing to work with its core investors to improve and stabilise the firm.
“I would like to thank the outgoing board members profusely for their hard work and dedication over the last four years as we have established a strong governance structure and stabilised the bank,” he said.
“I am very pleased with the progress we have been able to make, and that we have delivered on our mandate to prepare the bank for a return to private ownership. I am personally proud to have been asked to lead the bank into an exciting new future and I look forward to working with the new board and our core investors to build on the platform we have created.”
On his part, Sonola who spoke on behalf of SCIL, said the new board would ensure that it sustains the growth of the bank.
“We are excited to participate in the next phase of growth for Polaris Bank and to have been able to recruit such an experienced and diverse board of directors we are confident can lead Polaris Bank into a new era of sustainable growth,” Sonola said.
“This is an exciting time for the Nigerian financial services industry and we are committed to building on the strong foundations that have been established by the departing board. We would like to express our thanks for their service and wish them well.
“We have mandated the incoming management to develop an innovative, but sustainable growth strategy that prioritises the needs and aspirations of our current customers.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) on 44 prominent Nigerians.
NEAPS was set up to recognise excellence in leadership, service, or humanitarianism.
To be eligible, the recipient must be a public official or a private citizen excelling consistently in a given sphere of influence, in good character standing and must also be at the forefront of service and innovation.
The 2022 recipients include former President Goodluck Jonathan; Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor; and Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Others are Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, and the service chiefs.
Sixteen state governors were also honoured with the award. They include Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Babagana Zulum (Borno)and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
At least six people, including three policemen, were killed when gunmen opened fire on the convoy of Johnson Suleman, General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Auchi, Edo State, on Friday.
The cleric, according to reports, was heading for the headquarters of his church when he was attacked at Water Tanker Junction, Warrake road in Auchi.
A source said the incident took place around 5pm. In a video of the incident, a bullet-ridden SUV was sighted. A male voice said, “Direct shooting”, and a woman responded, “Jesus, thank you.”
Commenting on the incident, one Hilary Ekiegini said, “Lord we are pained for the loss of lives but we still say thank you for preserving our father, your servant Johnson Suleman.”
Spokesperson of the Edo State Command, Chidi Nwanbuzor, confirmed the attack, saying, “He was returning from Benin City when hoodlums attacked him at Auchi, during the attack three police men, two drivers, a female domestic staff were killed while another domestic staff who is still missing.”
A witness of the attack on the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman, General Overseer, Omega Fire Ministry, has narrated how the preacher escaped the attack.
The gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had shot directly at vehicles in the convoy. A source said the attackers, who had been trailing Suleman from Benin City, opened fire around river Ole.
A source said Suleman opted not to go through Benin-Auchi road because of the bad situation of the road.
“He was returning from Benin to Auchi after a programme. He took Ifor road in Ondo State due to the bad condition of the Benin-Auchi road. The gunmen who had been trailing him opened fire on his convoy when they got to river Ole; Suleman drove the ‘front vehicle himself while two vehicles followed behind; they slowed when they got to a place that had speed breaker.
“The gunmen who thought he was in one of the back vehicles opened fire on them, and in the process killed police officers, two drivers and a lady. On hearing the gunshots, Suleiman accelerated and escaped from the scene.”
The source said when the attackers realised that they missed their target, they made U-turn and headed towards Benin but the vigilante and security team comprising police and soldiers went after them.
“When the gunmen discovered that security were after them, they hijacked a bus, killed one of the female passengers and used others as cover for escape. But one of them has been arrested.”
In a Twitter post, Shehu Sani, a former Senator, corroborated some of the things that the witness said.
“I have just spoken with Suleiman. He confirmed to me that it was an assassination attempt on his life and that some of his aides lost their lives. He also confirmed there was arrest.”
...say relief materials are diverted while they now sleep on roadside, bridges
More than five thousand victims of the flood disaster that ravaged over ten out of the 21 local government areas of Anambra state have raised alarm over dearth of drugs, food and bedding materials, according to a Daily Trust report.
The victims, who are across various internally displaced persons ((IDP) camps set up by the state government, expressed concern for their safety.
At the Rev. Fr. Joseph Memorial High School, Umueri, Umuoba Anam and Umueze Anam camps, all in Anambra’ East and those of Anambra’ West local government areas of the state it was observed that there were no officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Governor Charles Soludo visited the camp two weeks and since then officials have stayed away.
The victims sleep in the open place, on top of bridges and middle of the roads.
In Anambra’ East and West, majority of the victims who converged on Umueze Anam Bridge and Otuocha Daily Market bridge road have been sleeping in open space for over two weeks due to absence of shelter.
At Umueze Anam bridge, residents built cubicles and makeshift beds where nursing mothers and old people pass the night.
The flood has forced traders of Otuocha Daily market to do their business along the Otuocha-Awkuzu road.
In an interview, a market woman, Mrs Nkiruka Kwalo, said, “We are not happy at all because those relief materials are being diverted and our people are dying of hunger; we also need money to go back to farm when the flood receedes.”
“Most of us sleep on the top of this bridge and so much mosquitoes and our children are exposed to all types of illness and nobody is coming to our aid,” she said.
Also, at Unity Hall Umuoba Anam, community leaders were seen battling to control little children struggling for sachets of noodles along with nursing mothers even as they complained bitterly about hunger and shelter.
President General of Umuoba Anam, Mr Omenwa Victor, told newsmen that out of 1,200 displaced persons in the camp, only 37 mattresses were provided for them.
They decried the situation where the rest sleep on the floor.
According to him, “We are managing the much we could do but the number is to much and we only have thirty seven mattress for 1,200 persons so the rest sleep on the floor. The governor visited us about a week ago and they promised to bring more as well as food and we are still waiting for them. We need food for the children and we thank those who have been coming to help us,” he added.
Buildings worth several billions of naira were submerged in the flood disaster, while about 25 persons died from the flood which wreaked many homes, businesses, churches and schools.
Several schools have been shut down by the state government.
The federal government says it is still understudying the extent of effect of the flood disaster across states.
But Soludo has challenged the federal government and lawmakers to treat the situation with expediency.
When he featured on a Channels Television programme, the governor said the country must hold a national conversation about flooding to prevent a recurrence.
“We can no longer deal with perennial flooding as an emergency. We knew it would happen. We know the next one will come. A year or two from now another massive one will come and the country must begin to prepare and ask what if it happens again, what would be our response. And that conversation must become a national conversation in the run-up to next year’s election. I think the National Assembly, the presidency must give a more forceful response, especially in the next two to three weeks when the flooding recedes,” he stated.