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On July 17, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) officially confirmed the first anthrax case on a mixed livestock farm in Suleja, Niger state, since news of the outbreak in Ghana in June 2023.
Suspicions first arose when the animals, a total of eight in number, started showing several symptoms of the disease, for instance, blood discharge from their eyes, anus, ears, and nose. A Rapid Response Team was sent to the farm to collect blood samples from the sick animals, and after several tests were run, it was concluded to be a case of anthrax. However, unfortunately, all the infected animals died.
Currently, investigations are ongoing to trace the source and spread of the infection, but in the meantime, we will tell you everything you need to know about this disease.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis that can infect both humans and animals. This disease can be found worldwide except in Antarctica; however, unlike diphtheria, it isn’t contagious but spreads through spores. These spores are highly resistant and can survive in the soil or environment for decades making the control and eradication of the disease difficult.
Skin: This typically happens through direct contact with infected animals or animal products like wool, bone, or hair. The infection occurs when the spores get into a cut or scratch on the person’s skin.
Inhalation (lung): This is the deadliest form of the disease, and it’s usually a result of breathing in the bacterial spores.
Gastrointestinal: This type of infection results from eating infected, undercooked meat.
What are the symptoms to look out for?
Anthrax symptoms generally appear after 1-7 days, but in some rare cases, it can take up to 42 days for skin infections and 60 days for lung (inhalation) infections. Some common symptoms of anthrax in humans include:
For skin infections:
Blisters or bumps that cause Itching
Sores on the face, hands, arm or neck that become covered by a black scab
For lung (inhalation) infections:
Chest discomfort
Fever
Fatigue
Breathing difficulties
Nausea
Coughs and headaches
For gastrointestinal infections:
Sore throat
Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
Fever
Abdominal swelling and pain
Fainting
However, the people more at risk of contracting this disease are veterinarians, people who eat dead animals, healthcare workers, farmers, abattoir workers, cattle rearers, hunters, and importers of skin and hides.
Antibiotics can be used to treat this illness. Nonetheless, it’s always best to take preventive measures; as such, animals should be vaccinated against anthrax from the get-go. Other preventive steps that should be taken are:
Ensuring clean water supply for livestock
Do not kill sick animals if there’s a chance they might have been infected
Wear protective gear like hand gloves and facemasks when dealing with sick animals
Report cases of your animals bleeding from their eyes, ears, or other openings to the veterinary authorities.
What has the government done so far?
In response, the government has quarantined the infected farm in Suleja, Niger state and deployed 50,000 doses of anthrax vaccine for the other animals. There are also plans for the state-wide vaccination of animals and the sensitization of farm owners on detecting anthrax symptoms and preventive measures.
If you suspect cases of anthrax infection in animals or the people around you, you should immediately call the FMARD hotline at +234 811 097 2378 or the NCDC hotline at 6232.
It’s no longer news that fuel is the latest luxury item, with a new announcement on July 18 of yet another price hike. While President Tinubu and his team have to figure out how to deal with growing discontent, we decided to create this quiz to test your knowledge of the fuel price hike. Feeling confident? Give it a shot.
The Nigerian Senate, also known as the Red Chamber, on July 19, resolved to remove age limits for jobseekers. If the executive agrees to this, job adverts in Nigeria will be mandated by law to no longer include age requirements. Employers will also not be allowed to screen job seekers based on age.
Online, there have been mixed reactions to this news. Some have hailed the move for removing barriers to employment, while others say it’s a smokescreen that shies away from addressing the root causes of unemployment.
Background
At the plenary on Wednesday, the Senate adopted a motion. It had the title “Age Requirement Pre-condition for Employment in Nigeria, Urgent Need for Intervention.” Abba Moro, a PDP senator from Benue South, sponsored this motion.
Moro argued that age limits were discriminatory and violated Chapter 4, Section 42(2) of the Nigerian Constitution. The section touches on the right to freedom from discrimination.
Moro also cited the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a UN agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice. He argued that economic discrimination fell short of the ILO’s standards.
In Moro’s words, it was pathetic “that a graduate in Nigeria who could not get a job upon graduation and decided to back to school with the hope that a higher qualification, vis-a-vis a second or Masters Degree, could give him a better employment opportunity is thrown into a career paradox when upon completion of his Master’s Degree he comes out to find that he is now above the age of employment and therefore not employable by the sole reason of his age.”
He added, “It is ironical that a graduate in this country can serve in the National Youth Service Corps programme at age 30 but cannot be gainfully employed after that on the fact that he/ she is now above 30 years, a situation that is a flagrant breach of his fundamental rights.”
Moro noted that this discrimination created a breeding ground for age fraud within the Nigerian Civil Service and beyond.
What else should you know?
The Senate is asking the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Productivity, and other related agencies to dissuade private employers from turning away people based on age. It also wants the ministry to develop policies that grant equal access and treatment in the workplace.
All of this remains tentative. But if it passes into law, older Nigerians of employable age might heave a sigh—even if temporary—of relief.
Names not only give us an identity, but they also reflect deep personal, cultural, and familial ties.
While most names are given to children by parents at birth, some are created due to the individual’s choice to change their name. And with errors in some documentation, the need to change names might arise to help clarify name order. It can even correct alphabetical inconsistencies in the letters that make up some names.
Even with religious indoctrination, adopting names that reflect our religious values requires some legality in validating identities and representation.
For example, if you are a Christian and get baptised as Mary, you might want to adopt it as a legal name. If you are a new Muslim convert, you might want to adopt a name that fits your religious identity. And if you practise traditional or other spiritual practises, you might want to reflect these beliefs in your legal name.
But how do you go about changing your name? What’s the process like? In this article, you’ll learn about all the requirements.
These are all popular reasons people change their names
If you need to change your name, it can’t be done on a whim. There are certain requirements:
Age
Only 18-year-olds can change their name under the law, as that is considered the age of adulthood. Children and teenagers under 18 need a parent or trusted guardian to change their names.
Citizenship
Only Nigerian citizens can change their names in the country. Foreigners in Nigeria must first gain Nigerian citizenship before being eligible for a name change.
A compelling reason
One must have a legal and compelling reason for changing their name. If you apply for a name change because you committed a crime, your application will be rejected.
Also, name choices that are profane or tribalistic in nature are turned down as well.
Financial stability
If you owe any financial institution money, bury this idea of a name change. Anyone who wishes to change their name would have to be clear in all financial institutions, not bankrupt, and not have any financial liabilities against them.
The process of changing your name
Now that you know the requirements, here are the procedures:
Swear an affidavit
The first step is to swear an Affidavit of Change of Name, often called a “Deed Pool”. This can be done by walking to a nearby High Court and going to the Registry department to complete the task.
Your affidavit should be written in your own words and state that you have changed your name. The affidavit should include the reason for your name change, as it will be used to document your old name.
Publicise your new name
After the affidavit is signed, it is a must that everyone (i.e., the public) know that you now bear a new name. This is done by publishing your new name in any legacy newspaper like The Nation, Guardian, or Punch. You should double-check that your important documents match your new name.
Get your name listed on The Gazette
After publication, one should apply to the Civil Registry’s Paperwork Department of Publication, requesting that your new name be printed in Nigeria’s official gazette. A fee of ₦5000 or more is usually charged for this. Print a copy of the page indicating your altered name once it appears in the Gazette.
Apply for new official documents that bear your new name
When your new name has been published in the Official Nigerian Gazette, you must apply for new official documents that reflect your new name. A copy of the Official Gazette showing the name should be attached to your application.
What documents do I need?
A signed court affidavit confirming the name change. It should not be older than one year.
A newspaper clipping that reflects your announcement of your name change. This should also be less than a year from the date of the advertisement.
You must submit the declaration/advertisement you typed (in the form above).
Two passport-sized pictures of your most recent appearance.
A demand draft for the publishing fees, as well as extra copies if needed.
A letter of attestation from a credible source.
An official announcement of the adjustment.
A statutory declaration (Affidavit) is a document that shows your new name on official records. You can complete the process by waiting for the new name to be published in the Nigerian Gazette.
A copy of the Official Gazette, which includes your name. This is attached to the new document application paperwork.
The chief registrar should be addressed in your application letter.
Personal information such as your date and place of birth, marital status, and address.
Where can I change my name?
You can simply visit the registry department of any High Court near you. To make the process faster, you can go to the National Civil Registration Office. It is located at Sokode Crescent and Michael Okpara Street in Zone 5, Wuse, Abuja. Applications for a name change usually range from 5-21 days.
How much does it cost?
The only expense of the process is the newspaper publication, which costs an estimated N5,000. There are no additional fees for the publication.
In Nigeria, changing names is not a one-day process, and there is no specified time period for completing all the required steps. You will need to be patient and determined. Also, before making this decision, carefully consider the other changes you will need to make, such as your international passport, national identification, financial or banking names, and certifications.
Today’s story, however, takes us back to the late 1940s, when a women-led resistance movement fought against the British colonial system of multiple taxation on women and led to the dethronement of a king.
This is the story of the Egba Women’s Tax Revolt.
Egba women were indelible forces of anti-colonial resistance [UNESCO/The Republic]
In Colonial Nigeria, government revenue (in the Southern Provinces) came from two sources—import duties (a tax collected on imports and some exports by a country’s customs authorities) and railway freights.
Under import duties, the real “moneymaker” for the British was trading German liquor and spirits, and Germany was the epicentre of World War I (1914-1918). Before 1901, liquor duties were three shillings, but by 1901, it increased to as much as six shillings! This resulted in liquor being a scarce commodity during the war.
The high liquor import duties and shipping difficulties caused revenue from that sector to drop drastically. Which ultimately affected the government’s pockets.
Undated photograph of German soldiers posing for a picture while drinking beer [Beer and World War 1]
At this point, Lord Lugard was extremely desperate to get the nation’s finances in order. He had to plead with the British colonial office formally to impose direct taxation on the Yorubas, but the British government took its time to give any kind of approval.
Even though there was no word from the British, the native rulers felt pressure from the colonial government to generate revenue no matter what. This led to indirect taxation known as the ‘sanitation fines’ in April 1917.
The “Sanitation Fines” and How This Affected Egba Women
As the name implies, sanitation fines were monetary penalties one had to pay for not keeping their environment neat and tidy. To make up for the government’s lack of revenue, they needed to catch offenders, summon them to court, and make them pay fines—and market women or rural women were always the easy targets.
These women had to pay fines of up to five shillings, with an additional eight shillings for court summons, making it thirteen shillings. Sometimes the courts could even decide to inflate prices by close to thirty shillings.
The “offences committed” were usually very mundane, like not sweeping the front of their compounds or setting up water pots outside the house with no covers (which could cause mosquito breeding).
The sanitation fines turned out to be a successful revenue scheme for the British. In the Native Courts alone, they made up to £1.6 million from 1.9 million sanitary case offences. It encouraged British colonial officials to further impose stricter taxes on women.
The “Independent Woman” Mode of Taxation
After much deliberation, the British Colonial Office introduced the official method of taxation for Abeokuta on January 1, 1918. This was with the approval of the Secretary of the Native Authority, Adegboyega Edun. But right from the start, there was something not quite right with this new tax.
Adegboyega Edun [Nairaland]
The model was for every adult to pay an average of 5 shillings per head. Based on the number of adults in a household, the head of the compound was given an amount that the family must pay. This happened to exclude women, as they had to pay a totally different amount of tax altogether.
This was entirely different from the model of taxation in other parts of the country, which didn’t recognise women as different from men. In that model, “tax for every household will be £1, including the wife, and £10 per annum for additional wives.”
Despite several complaints, the British Resident bluntly refused to change the system. Women were more prevalent than men in the population, which made the taxation spread wider, and he knew that if he increased the men’s taxes, they may cause ‘wahala’ and riots.
Ironically, despite his efforts to reduce mayhem, the people were not at all pleased with the taxation system. The income of the people was not considered. They still had to pay customs dues and shop licences, and forced labour was still in practice. This led to the Adubi War of 1918.
How the Adubi War Solved Tax Problems for Men But Not Women
On June 13, 1918, 30,000 Abeokuta residents protested their displeasure by destroying railway and telegraph lines south of Abeokuta. Neighbouring Yorubas from the French colony of Dahomey also joined the fight, as they also protested against forced army recruitment for World War I.
Three thousand British soldiers were used to suppress the revolt, after which 1,000 Egba civilians and 100 soldiers were killed.
Despite the bloodshed, the tax scheme was modified. Men who earned less than £40 per year were now required to pay five shillings a year, with women paying two shillings and six pence. Those above £40 paid 1% of their income in taxes, while landlords were taxed 5% of their rental income.
However, this modification did not favour women. Women expected the government to make the market favourable for them as traders so that they could also profit, but there were no gains whatsoever.
Market women were charged as much as £3 for sheds. Those who couldn’t afford it and made use of ‘illegal’ spaces had to pay fines. The industries they could profit from were also limited, as they included only trading foodstuffs, imported goods, and local textiles. And these problems continued until World War II (1939–1945).
Egba women are unhappy over the multiple taxes [Getty Images]
In the words of the women’s representative to the Oba, Madam Jojolola, “The women all complained that they derive no benefit from the government. We make no profit on the goods we sell, and yet we have been called upon to pay taxes…”
The Rise of Women Through the Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU)
The AWU – a combination of market women and the Christian Abeokuta Ladies Club (ALC) – emerged in 1945. Although initially a social club for middle-class women, it morphed to respond to the unending taxes on women and ultimately the brutality of colonial rule. They felt they could do this by uniting both working class market women and middle class women as one.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was its first president, and the Alake (King) of Egba land in Abeokuta, Ademola, was its first patron. Grace Eniola Soyinka also joined Funmilayo’s leadership.
Portrait of 70 year-old Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti[Obioma Ofoego/UNESCO]
The Soyinka Family in 1938. Wole Soyinka’s mother and father, Grace Eniola Soyinka and Samuel Ayodele Soyinka, with Wole, Tinu, and Femi. [Wole Soyinka]
To end the taxation regime, they wrote proposals to the Alake of Egba for the following:
Replacement of the flat rate tax on women with taxation on foreign companies;
Investment in local initiatives and infrastructure, including transportation, sanitation and education;
The abolition of the Sole Native Authority and its replacement with a representative form of government that would include women.
Alongside these proposals, they heavily fought the colonial government with different kinds of resistance tactics. Many women stopped paying their taxes altogether, and they either got fined or jailed. The AWU also wrote several petitions to the Alake between August 1946 and May 1947, but to no avail.
This eventually provoked the Egba Women’s Protests or Revolt.
The Egba Women’s Revolt
Egba women were indelible forces of anti-colonial resistance [UNESCO/The Republic]
From Mid-October 1946, Ransome-Kuti and women from the AWU started to hold mass protests outside the king’s palace to demand the removal of direct taxation. The response was brutal, with police deploying tear gas and beating up the women.
But despite the obstacles, these women didn’t relent. They released a document in 1947 called “AWU’s Grievances”, which contained all their accusations against Alake and the Secretary of Native Authority. Ten thousand women then held another demonstration outside Alake’s palace, which lasted two days, while insulting Alake with different songs.
Alake’s response was an empty promise on tax suspension. More women got arrested and assaulted, including Funmilayo.
On December 8, 1947, over ten thousand women camped outside Alake’s palace and refused to leave until every woman arrested was released. They stood resiliently and remained until December 10, when they released the women.
Thousands of women come to show support for Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and the detained women. [Ransome-Kuti Family Archives]
However, the women didn’t get their demands met until three years later, in January 1949.
The British removed the Alake from the throne, the tax was removed, and four women were established in seats of power.
It is worthy to note that both the tax and the Alake later returned, but for a while, the women won.
The Impact
It is sad to see that market women are still being taxed without inclusive consideration in 2023.
A Nigerian marketplace. [Google]
In an article by TechCabal, market women are revealed to make little profit on their income as a result of various taxes for the local government, Lagos State agency officials, Kick Against Indiscipline officers (KAI), etc.
In July, the Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced the Value Added Tax (VAT) Direct Initiative, a way for the federal government to collect Value Added Taxes (VAT) from market women and reduce multiple taxation.
Will the VAT be effective? Will it lead to another women’s revolt? We’ll see what becomes of this.
Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of violence and abuse against women, including murder. If you are sensitive to these themes or have experienced trauma related to these topics, please be aware that this story may be triggering. For more information or support, please visit here.
A quote by the women’s rights activist Zainab Salbi goes, “It seems that violence against women has been tolerated for so long that the world has become numb to it”. Unfortunately, this rings true particularly in Nigeria, as every year we see countless cases of violence and abuse that claim the lives of women, yet mere hours later, society carries on as if nothing has happened.
On July 17, 2023, popular Nigerian punter Benjamin Best, also known as Killaboi, confessed to the murder of his girlfriend, Augusta Osedion. According to him, he “mistakenly” stabbed her to death during an argument and fled the scene out of fear.
But what makes this case even more disturbing is that, in Killaboi’s Instagram confession, possibly seeking public sympathy, he described the relationship as toxic and disclosed his ongoing battle with suicidal thoughts since the incident.
Unfortunately, we are all well aware that if we were in a society that worked, Killaboi should already be facing the full force of the law.
Now, women are again being reminded that the world isn’t safe for them. Let’s take a look at a few women who had partners who brutally murdered them in the previous year.
Ogochukwu Anene, January 2023
On January 11, 2023, news broke of how Ogochukwu Anene, a mother of five, was allegedly beaten to death by her husband over a loaf of bread. According to their first child, an argument broke out when Ogochukwu asked her husband, Ndubisi, why he finished the bread without leaving some for the children.
In a fit of rage, the man responded by beating her with a mirror, which resulted in her bleeding internally, and she died a few days later in the hospital. Unfortunately, there have been no tangible updates on whether or not Ndubisi paid for his crimes.
Nana was a 38-year-old woman allegedly murdered by her 56-year-old husband, Aminu Abubakar. A statement from the Police Headquarters in Yola revealed that Aminu had heard that Nana had plans to get married to another man the next day, and in a jealous fit, he hit her on the head with a pestle, causing her to fall unconscious. She was later proclaimed dead.
Aminu was arrested by the Police of the Shagari Divisional Headquarters, and investigations are ongoing.
Esther Aya, January 2022
On January 8, 2022, Ovye Yakubu allegedly beat his wife, Esther, to death during an argument over fixing a window net. According to a family member, Ovye attempted to stop the carpenter that his wife had hired from fixing the net, but she persisted on the carpenter finishing his job. This enraged the man, who resorted to assaulting his wife, leading to her death.
Evelyn Alifiya, February 2022
Evelyn’s husband, Joseph Wisdom, strangled her before the police discovered her body on the apartment floor on February 23, 2022. Reportedly, the couple had been having issues for a while, and Joseph had constantly threatened to kill his wife.
However, arrangements were being made by Evelyn’s family for her to leave the house, but things came to a head when she found a gun in Joseph’s bag. She had plans to report this to the police, but he found out and killed her before she could.
According to the FCT Police Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the husband has been apprehended, and hopefully justice will be served.
Itunu Chigozie, March 2022
Itunu, pregnant with a child, died after a series of assaults from her husband, Bonus Emmanuel Chigozie, who works as a Master of Ceremonies (MC). Reportedly, Itunu was abused repeatedly during the four-year marriage. On March 10, 2022, after being allegedly assaulted again, she was rushed to the hospital, but neither she nor the baby survived. And Emmanuel has neither been arrested nor prosecuted for his crime yet.
Mercy Samuel, April 2022
Mercy was a 23-year-old mother of two who lived with her husband, Matthew, in Jos. However, she died brutally at his hands when he allegedly ripped open her stomach and disembowelled her during an argument. He also took her phone so she couldn’t call for help, and although she was found and rushed to the hospital, she eventually died. Matthew is still on the run and has yet to be found.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, October 2022
Osinachi was the voice behind the hit gospel song “Ekwueme”, which captured the hearts of many churchgoers. However, she tragically passed away at 42, and it was revealed that she had been a victim of domestic violence for many years.
Despite what her husband and manager, Peter, initially led the media to believe that she died from lung cancer, the late Osinachi’s first son disclosed that his mother died from the injuries she had sustained from the abuse. Peter had allegedly kicked her in the chest, which resulted in a blood clot that eventually led to her death. Currently, Peter is being remanded at Kuje Prison and is awaiting judgement.
According to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), 2,543 cases of abuse were reported between January and September 2022; about 2,340 were women. Also, according to a 2020 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), about 81,000 women and girls died worldwide, with an intimate partner or family member being responsible for 58% (47,000) of these deaths.
Clearly, if there has ever been a time to be angry, it’s now. Nigeria and Nigerians need to change at the core of our being; we must be empathetic towards women and their struggles.
One sad trend that can be noticed when issues like these arise is how the victims are blamed and excuses are given for the man’s actions.
Women don’t deserve to die because you think they’re “rude”, “loud”, “immoral”, or “materialistic”. When cases like this happen, it’s not the time to tell or advise women on how to be “better” daughters, friends, wives, or girlfriends.
From birth, much energy is put into educating girls on how to survive in “a man’s world”. But, it’s high time that society channel some of that energy into teaching boys to be better humans.
There’s no fun way to announce this, so let’s just rip out the band-aid. In breaking news, the Daily Trust reports that fuel price has increased in Abuja to ₦617 per litre.
It’s all anyone is talking about. Fuel is currently the number one trending keyword on Twitter.
This isn’t pretty news for many Nigerians who looked forward to renewed hope when President Tinubu was sworn into office.
A tale of two eras
At his inauguration, Tinubu went off-script and announced the removal of the fuel subsidy. This announcement, in more ways than one, signalled the start of a new era. For context, the average retail price of fuel in April was ₦254 per litre.
At the time of the announcement, Tinubu was greeted with applause by some Nigerians. Exactly 50 days later, not many people are applauding him, as painful realities have set in.
Granted, the removal of the subsidy was a foregone conclusion. All the leading presidential candidates promised that it would be gone. A decades-long experiment that amounted to trillions of naira finally led Nigerians to see that it was no longer sustainable. However, there have been continued debates on whether Tinubu’s approach was the best.
Tinubu’s early moves in office suggested he was undertaking neoliberal economic reforms, which he was implementing all at once. These include the unification of the exchange rate and the widening of the tax base. While he was lauded in several quarters for the boldness and swiftness with which he undertook them, there were fears that all these measures implemented in one go could exert pressure on the economy.
KPMG, in its economic snapshot for June, noted: “We are of the opinion that while these reforms and adjustments are bold and indeed necessary to maintain long-term macroeconomic stability, the timing could be adjusted to allow households and businesses to adjust.
“However, the government appears to have decided on a strategy to push through all its difficult and needed reforms all at once and as fast as possible while it is still easier to do… This approach has, however, had mixed success across countries.”
Reduction in fuel consumption, increase in fuel price
On Monday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced that fuel consumption has declined since the removal of the subsidy. Not surprising since people are now rationing fuel due to the increase in cost. But by just how much has consumption dropped?
“In January, consumption was 62 million litres per day. In February, 62 million litres per day. March was 71.4 million litres per day. In April, it was 67.7 million litres per day. May had 66.6 million litres per day. By June, it was 49.5 million litres per day. In July, it’s 46.3 million litres per day.”
Farouk noted that the new figure of 46.3 million litres per day represented a 35% reduction compared to the 65 million litres per day before the subsidy removal.
A drastic reduction in the demand for fuel should ordinarily result in a fall in the price of fuel. On the contrary, fuel price is going up.
One possible explanation for this is the exchange rate. Nigeria imports its refined crude using dollars, and with the naira falling relative to the dollar, it will reflect in the prices. We can only hope the price will reduce when Dangote’s refinery begins operations, which is still projected for year’s end.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) raising petrol prices in Abuja from ₦537 to ₦617 per litre will signal other independent marketers nationwide to follow suit. The price of petrol varies across states. Prices are expected to be higher up north than down south due to transport and logistics costs.
Renewed hope vs renewed worries
In an earlier report about Tinubu’s economic growth plan, we noted that the euphoria Tinubu earned in his early days in office would eventually run out. This was echoed by political commentator Feyi Fawehinmi when he said, “Tinubu’s early moves have all been plucking low-hanging fruits. But you still have to credit him for bothering to pluck them… [He] will eventually run out of easy wins; the test starts then.”
Between the labour unions clamouring for an upward review of the minimum wage, a running court case disputing his right to be president, and millions of Nigerians feeling the economic crunch, Tinubu is in a race against time to deliver the renewed hope that he promised. Whatever ace he may have up his sleeves, now’s the time to play it.
On July 15, 2023, a Twitter user (@daveshewrote) publicly called out Caleb University, a private tertiary institution situated in Ikorodu, Lagos, for attempting to suppress students from discussing an incident involving robbery, saying the school is “wanting to die it”.
so armed robbers entered caleb university just last night, robbed the female hostel, injured some students and now the school wants to die it? wetin we no go see for nigeria
A Caleb University student, who wishes to remain anonymous, informed Citizen that a robbery took place in one of the wings of Susannah Hall Girls’ Hostel in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 15, 2023.
The source who shared his account based on anonymity for fear of backlash by the university’s management, says the event unfolded as a girl sighted one of the robbers when she went to the bathroom at midnight. “She panicked and tried to run back to her room, but her roommates locked her outside, probably to protect themselves from the robbers. Because of the girl, people were alerted to the robbery situation,” the source shared.
The incident didn’t end there. The girl was reportedly attacked and quickly taken to the clinic, while some security personnel were allegedly assaulted.
Caleb University’s Media and Publication Specialist, Olawale Adekoya, also revealed to the media that three phones and one laptop were stolen (with the laptop retrieved) at the Hall. “The statement was circulated through a WhatsApp broadcast message,” our anonymous source corroborated.
Was there a second robbery?
From the anonymous source and social media user, we learnt that the robbers allegedly returned a second time on the same night to Elisha Hall, another female hostel in the school. The source also claimed that a riot started in the boys’ hostel because they wanted to “chase the robbers away and help the girls out.”
they are getting robbed in elisha hall right now please tag goverment authorities!!! pic.twitter.com/AlKZbthODQ
A Caleb history of robberies and culture of silence
July 15 is not the first and only day of robberies and student suppression at Caleb University.
A 300-level student shared with @Daveshewrote that there had been fires and riots in the school in the last two semesters due to multiple phone and laptop thefts that had been “successfully died down” or covered up by the school.
Even while Citizen tried to investigate deeper into the issue, we experienced a lot of roadblocks from students (and their siblings) who refused to talk for fear of backlash from school authorities.
But why all the need for secrecy? Students aren’t allowed to speak on certain issues about the school. This creates a culture of fear, with students fearing suspension or expulsion.
Our anonymous source states, “People caught not obeying the ‘school’s code of confidentiality’ are usually suspended or expelled.” He goes further to share with us that talking to us is to his detriment. “I just want to finish my degree and get out of here,” the source added.
Any word from school authorities?
Through the school’s security statement, students are informed that security personnel are working closely with police authorities to investigate the incident and apprehend the culprits.
He also circulated on WhatsApp a series of “truths” about what “really went on” in Sussanah Hall, most of which our source has claimed to be “lies.”
Citizen also contacted the university’s spokesperson for comments and to answer some of our specific questions. We, however, haven’t gotten any response at this time.
On July 13, 2023, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security in the country. This was announced by Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, during a stakeholder meeting on agriculture and food production value-chain held at the State House in Abuja.
Why was a state of emergency declared in the first place?
The primary reason behind this national emergency is the recent inflation caused by the fuel subsidy removal. This fuel price-driven inflation has increased the price of food items, making it even more unaffordable for many Nigerians.
However, with the declaration of an emergency, an intervention plan with initiatives to ensure food security, affordability and sustainability was also launched. Some key points from this intervention plan are:
Release of fertilisers and grains to households
Dele Alake revealed that this would cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on farming households.
Increased security for farms and farmers
A security tracking website revealed that more than 350 farmers in Northern Nigeria were killed or kidnapped in 2022, contributing to the country’s looming food insecurity. The intervention plan promises to implement new security measures allowing farmers to work without fear.
There will be a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources
This collaboration will ensure irrigation for farmlands which will facilitate food production all year round. Moving away from seasonal farming will guarantee that there will be no more farming downtimes and will regulate the fluctuations in food prices.
The main goal of this board will be to continuously assess and regulate food prices and strategic food reserves, which will help stabilise certain food items like grains. Stakeholders such as the National Commodity Exchange (NCX), National Seed Council and Research Institutes, NIRSAL Microfinance bank, smallholder farms and crop associations, and others will be involved to ensure the successful implementation.
Activation of land banks and river basins
About 500,000 hectares of land suitable for farming will be provided to increase the country’s food output. Additionally, there will be 11 river basins to ensure the continuous planting of crops even in the dry season.
Improvement of transport and storage facilities
The removal of fuel subsidies led to increased fuel prices, which is one of the major reasons behind the high costs of food items. To help with this issue, the government is exploring other means of transportation, such as rail and water transport.
But to get professionals’ views on Tinubu’s intervention plan, ZikokoCitizen reached out to some experts, who shared their thoughts.
Here’s what they had to say:
Dr Emeka Ejikonye, a specialist in Public Budgeting, thinks very little of the proposed intervention plan so far. With Ejikonye’s “humble take”, “The policy initiative is a continuation of the utter mockery of the art of governance, which his predecessor’s administration dragged to the lowest ebb in the annals of the history of governance in this country.”
He believes the priority right now should be a complete reform to guarantee the wise use of public funds, which can be achieved by plugging the leakages. Ejikonye says, “Otherwise, the large chunk of the money he’ll push into the administrative system will continue to be diverted into the private pockets of our top-level civil servants and elected officials.”
On the other hand, Gbolahan Olojede, an economist, believes that the intervention plan is a good policy direction. According to him, “As far as policy is concerned, it’s a fantastic one.”
Olojede also highlights that “We’ve not been producing enough food, and our farm produce is centred around seasonality, hence the price fluctuations. And the policy addresses this, as it’s mentioned that additional land will be put into cultivation and we’ll be getting rid of seasonality in farming through irrigated farmlands. Additionally, mechanised farming will be encouraged, and the government also speaks of storage facilities as part of its intervention.” Nonetheless, Gbolahan points out that the role of electricity in extending the shelf life of crop products should have been addressed in the intervention plan.
Although Olojede doesn’t have much criticism, he emphasises the need for adequate implementation. “The right stakeholders should be engaged, and the Chief Executive Officers in the agricultural spaces should also be used to champion the initiative. The involvement of the President and Special Advisers alone isn’t sufficient.”
This intervention plan, Olojede believes, will help the country become food secure and generate more revenue from exports.
President Bola Tinubu has found himself in hot water over statements made by his legal team at the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Tinubu has been fighting on multiple fronts since he assumed office. Following his declaration as president by the Independent and National Electoral Commission (INEC), his opponents have dragged him and INEC to court over controversies and irregularities surrounding the February 25 presidential election.
His adversaries in the boxing ring are the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s (LP) Peter Obi. Tinubu had 8,794,726 votes, with Abubakar and Obi getting 6,984,520 votes and 6,101,533 votes, respectively.
They’re contesting that Tinubu shouldn’t have been declared the winner, having failed to meet electoral requirements. In an earlier article, we did an explainer highlighting the suits brought against Tinubu’s presidency. The one which has stirred reaction the most is the 25% criterion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Only the LP met this threshold.
Tinubu’s legal team is led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN). The team filed a final written address dated July 14. This was in response to the petitions brought against them by the LP and the PDP.
What was in Tinubu’s lawyers’ final address?
According to ThisDay, Tinubu’s lawyers argued that nullifying the election results because Tinubu failed to meet 25% in the FCT could “lead to absurdity, chaos, anarchy and alteration of the very intention of the legislature.”
The address noted: “May we draw the attention of the court to the fact that there is no punctuation (comma) in the entire section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution, particularly immediately after the ‘States’ and the succeeding ‘and’ connecting the Federal Capital Territory with the States. In essence, the reading of the subsection has to be conjunctive and not disjunctive, as the Constitution clearly makes it so.
Pressed further by this constitutional imperative, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is taken ‘as if’ it is the 37th State, under and by virtue of section 299 of the Constitution.
With much respect, any other interpretation different from this will lead to absurdity, chaos, anarchy and alteration of the very intention of the legislature.”
Tinubu’s team also wants the court to bar Obi from contesting should the election be nullified. According to The Cable, Olanipekun argued that Obi’s claim lacked merit. They say he wasn’t on the LP’s membership register when he contested the presidency. He added:
“Obi is constitutionally barred from participating in any election, in the very unlikely event that the election of 25th February 2023 is voided, as the only candidates constitutionally prescribed to contest any subsequent election shall be Tinubu and the candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar who came second, by scoring the next majority of votes in the highest number of States (19 States), to the 1st petitioner’s 16 States, and also coming second by plurality of votes, having scored 6,984,520, far and above 1st petitioner’s 6,101,533 votes.”
The Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, described the statement as “threatening the whole country”.
Demola Rewaju, a Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy to Atiku Abubakar, tweeted: “As long as the Constitution swore in Bola Tinubu, he can be removed by the Constitution. It’s as simple as that. The resort to blackmail and threats of anarchy will amount to nothing once a judgement is delivered.”
However, Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, has described the reports as “fake”. He tweeted, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s counsel didn’t argue nullifying the election would lead to anarchy. They argued that Abuja is the 37th state for electoral purposes, and any other interpretation would lead to anarchy. But as usual, the fake news machines are desperate to twist it.”
IPC Justice, which investigates corruption in politics and the judiciary, issued a statement to security agencies. It urged them to “resist any directive that undermines the fundamental rights guaranteed under our shared social contract.”
What else should you know?
It’s not clear when a ruling will be made on this matter by the PEPT. Regardless, it’s expected that whatever judgement the tribunal passes will be contested all the way to the Supreme Court. This could be several months away. We will keep you up to date with any updates as the case progresses.
Once bitten is twice shy, but not so for today’s subject of Navigating Nigeria. In two separate instances, she lost money to investments that promised quick returns. As she shares her experience about losing her hard-earned money, she’s also learned a few lessons from it all, the most important of which is the need to be financially literate.
Editorial Note: Navigating Nigeria is a platform for Nigerians to passionately discuss the Nigerian experience with little interference from individual opinions. While our editorial standards emphasise the truth and endeavour to fact-check claims and allegations, we are not responsible for allegations made about other people based on half-truths.
Walk us through your experience
My experience goes back to 2020. I’ve never been one to fall for Ponzi schemes, so when MMM came out and all those other platforms promising to double your money, I never engaged.
The first investment I lost money to happened via one of my mum’s ex-students who contacted me. He told me his friend ran a business related to forex trading. He told me I’d get my return on investment (ROI), which was 25%, after 25 working days. It didn’t sound too bad, so I said OK.
I put some money into it without telling anyone. After 25 days, I got my investment with interest. I told a friend about it, and he told me he wasn’t convinced and warned me to be careful. I then informed my partner at the time, and he was very upset with me. That didn’t deter me anyway, and I continued putting in money and collecting interest.
You wouldn’t believe this, but this guy kept sending me a memorandum of understanding (MoU), making the whole thing appear legally binding. That made it look legit in my eyes. That was enough to convince my partner, who later came on board. His was even worse because he wasn’t collecting his ROI. He had this weird plan of gathering everything till it became bulky enough and then cashing out large.
Chai
What hurt me, however, was that I’d taken a massive chunk of money I’d been saving for my son for some time and put it into the forex investment. Looking back, these guys changed their names at some point. They also claimed they were into not just forex but real estate and other stuff.
Everything appeared legit, and I told some friends to invest. Gawd. I convinced people to pool their money into this thing. I’m so glad that none of them got mad at me when everything disappeared. They knew that I didn’t intentionally set them up to lose money.
December 2020 was the last time I cashed out. I wanted to travel to Jos and needed funds to get around, so I took some money out.
About a week after, my friends who had also invested and wanted to cash out started getting messages that there would be some delay and were panicking. I told them that couldn’t be as I’d cashed out money only a week before.
One of my friends I’d introduced to the investment kept calling, and I was initially reassuring her that she’d get her money as it was a minor glitch. I contacted my mum’s ex-student, who reassured me that things would be resolved. I’d later find out that he wasn’t even the owner of the business but a third-party trader. The real owner was one popular guy, and I learned they dragged him on Instagram after the whole thing crashed.
I still had over ₦500k in there, and I began to wish I’d taken every dime out. When January came, I had hopes that they’d resolve the issue. Then February followed. Then March. And then it dawned on me that my money was gone. It became very real to me there and then that my money wasn’t coming back.
With this experience, you’d think I’d be wiser and not make such investments again, right? Wrong.
Ah
This time around, it was my best friend that wooed me into this agritech scheme, Titan Farms. She told me her mum, her sister, and even herself had invested so much money and reaped good returns. This one guaranteed returns after three months; it sounded reasonable. I don’t know what makes me put so much money into these things, but I did.
I withdrew my money from Piggyvest and funded the app. The reason I did this one was because I’d previously invested in Thrive Agric, which had an 18-month maturity period with 19% ROI. I didn’t like it because my money waited so long with little interest.
Anyway, I invested in them. Three months passed, and then I started receiving apologies that payment was coming late.
Wahala
They had a website. I tried to log in, but a prompt appeared saying that the website didn’t exist. They basically shut down, and I didn’t get my money back. Despite following up with them and sending multiple emails, nothing came out of it. They claimed to have paid investors, but it was all a lie—fraudulent people.
I’m sorry this had to happen to you twice. What is your takeaway from it all?
I’ve been twice bitten. If anybody comes to talk to me about investment, I’ll beat them up. However, I’ll admit that I wasn’t educated about how to invest money. Recently, I attended a finance seminar, and the person who spoke to us hammered on the point that before investing in anything, make sure you’re literate about finance.
When investing, I didn’t have complete information and wasn’t aware of the risk attached to the things I was putting my money in. So my biggest takeaway was being financially sound about investing. Even with legitimate businesses, there are risks involved. One has to know how much is too much so it doesn’t backfire horribly. I’ve not dabbled in any investments since then. For now, I’m focused on gaining more financial literacy. Maybe I can have another go when that is in place.
On July 13, 2023, over 5,000 people witnessed a debt recovery process on Twitter. Microfinance banks might need to learn one or two things here.
It’s common knowledge that debt collection can be a very tedious situation. But to help with this, we’ve put together a guide on how to get your money back using legal means and other alternate methods.
But first, here’s something you should know
According to Section 18 of the Limitation of Statute Law, an action for debt recovery cannot be brought after six years. Section 20 (1) a of the same Law states, “An action on a simple contract for recovery of debt must be brought to court within six years from the date the cause of action accrued”.
This means that after six years, if you’ve still been unable to recover the money owed you, you no longer have the right to take action against the debtor under the Law, especially if no part of the money was paid within that time.
So to avoid being in this situation, here’s the lawful process for debt recovery in Nigeria:
Mediation:
In Nigeria, it’s expected that before filing a lawsuit for debt recovery, both parties have tried to settle amicably or through arbitration.
Consultation:
If the process of mediation fails, then a lawyer should be consulted. During the consultation process, necessary documents such as invoices, emails, written notes, memos, letters, or written agreements should be presented for evaluation.
A Letter of Demand:
If there’s no written agreement between you and the debtor, then a Letter of Demand must be presented that clearly states:
The name and address of the debtor
The amount owed and the interest accumulated (if any)
A timeline for expected payment (which should be at least seven days)
The steps that will be taken if payment isn’t received
This letter generally shows your commitment to getting your money back and hints at the possibility of a court case.
Lawsuit:
If the debt still isn’t paid by the end of the timeline indicated in the Letter of Demand, then a suit can be filed through your lawyer. Courts in Abuja, Lagos, and some other states allow for fast-tracking debt recovery cases. Also, under the new Lagos rule, as seen in Order 56 High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules 2012, debt recovery cases must be concluded in a short time, i.e., nine months.
Surprisingly, debt collection under Nigerian Law seems relatively straightforward, but if you’re open to using more unconventional methods, you can try these out:
One lesson we’ve learned from the Bird app is that public shaming works.
And not surprisingly, this method is quite popular and effective, as people, by default, tend to protect their social image. So, going this route may actually get you your money as soon as possible.
Involve area boys
Sometimes debtors need a little encouragement, and the best way to achieve this might be with your local thugs. Don’t let area boys harm the debtor o; just lirru threat here and there. Fear might help them vomit the money.
Take the matter to your village people
If all methods fail, maybe it’s time to use spiritual means, and who better to help than them?
The point is that you should go above and beyond in holding them accountable; don’t be shy or feel embarrassed about being cheated. Speak up and ask for help.
The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
Today, we are doing things a little bit differently. Instead of discussing the Japa experience for Nigerians in other countries, we will touch more deeply on why some Nigerians moved back home from abroad and why anyone in the diaspora might consider returning to Nigeria.
Just think of it like the usual “Japa” move,
The inspiration for this article came from a viral tweet that one of my editors spotted and tagged me on.
A marriage therapist, Shamseddin Giwa, shared the story of his previous life abroad and how he and his wife could barely make a sustainable income. This forced the couple to return to Nigeria.
The relocation story you don’t get told.
This was us several years back as a young couple looking for better life abroad. The dream was good, the intentions were good and we had enough to start. We just didn’t have enough information of how challenging it would get.
Many Nigerians received the story with lots of scepticism and speculation that they left due to “illegal migration.” It was unbelievable for many people. How could anyone make such a decision with Nigeria’s economy crumbling day and night?
Interesting! The moral of this story is- do not engage in illegal relocation, and if you do, have 2-3 backup plans.
Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well and carefully planned! I'm glad things are working well for you now!
On this table, amidst the ongoing debates on social media, illegal migration isn’t always the sole reason for anyone to return to their homeland, Nigeria. There are myriad reasons behind such decisions. To gain a better sense of this decision, six Nigerians who previously lived abroad but have now chosen to reside in Nigeria share their motivations for relocating.
“I had issues with European culture and racism”
Bayo*, an entrepreneur, didn’t experience the stress of European culture and racism while seeking a Master’s degree as a student in Italy. His once cordial relationship with white people changed after graduation due to his lifestyle upgrade through internships.
“After I started to make money from my internships and look nice, I started experiencing racism. My neighbours harassed me and, at one point, even involved the police in minor incidents. For the average Nigerian, every day as an immigrant is stressful,” he shares.
Bayo moved back to Nigeria in 2020, and he has never regretted his choice. He has made “five times the income” he made in Italy, has gained more job opportunities, and describes his lifestyle as “feeling like a king in my own country.”
“My mother’s ill health drove me back to Nigeria”
Even though Dele and Dante relocated to Nigeria from the UK in 2011 and 2018, respectively, they have one thing in common about their relocation stories—their mothers. Dante’s mom fell ill, and Dele’s mom passed on.
But the one difference they have, however, is their feelings about relocation. Dante, a software engineer, hates that he moved, while Dele, a business development expert, has never regretted it because he is doing “way better financially” than the friends he left behind.
“I would still have been in the UK if not for my mother’s health. Life there was cool, and there were no worries. I miss the job opportunities and friends I’ve left behind,” Dante shares.
Dele is also of the opinion that Japa is only for “economic survival” and that most Nigerians only travel to “gain exposure and enhance their skillset”, not to reside there permanently.
“I came back to Nigeria because of the conflict in Sudan”
In April 2023, John* was among the many Nigerian students in Sudan who had to be immediately evacuated due to the conflict in the nation’s capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur region.
But even though he is grateful for life, John hates that his education has come to an unprecedented halt since he arrived. “I’m doing nothing at home and haven’t finished my studies yet. And I’m currently finding it difficult to get admission as a transfer student,” he complains.
“My dreams of becoming a diplomat can be fulfilled here in Nigeria”
For many Nigerians, they see the Abroad Life as a means of fulfilling their dreams. But not for a recent graduate, Osione. Moving to Nigeria after living in the UK, Switzerland, and Australia is one step towards her long-term goal of becoming a UN Ambassador or diplomat.
She sees this move as important because of “the connection one needs to have with his or her home country” before becoming a diplomat.
Does she regret relocating? Not in any way. She is determined to stay.
According to Osione, “Nigeria can be a hard country to live in and find job opportunities in, but nothing will deter me from my long-term goal of an international diplomacy career. If I want to achieve this, I have to stay.”
“I left Ireland because of COVID”
Peter* was halfway through the final year of his undergraduate degree in Ireland when the pandemic struck. As a result, he had to leave Ireland in March 2020 and only go back to school a few months later to finish his degree.
After graduating in 2021, he never returned to Ireland, and he doesn’t see the need to.
“I didn’t plan to work or live there,” Peter shares. “I have more family in Nigeria, and I am more comfortable here with my enterprises and accounting career. In Nigeria, if you find the opportunity to be who you want, it’s not as difficult to live here, unlike living an immigrant life abroad.”
Every year, LEAP Africa organises a week-long Pan-African youth social impact campaign in August called the Youth Day of Service (YDOS). The YDOS, which coincides with the United Nations International Youth Day, emphasises the importance of youths contributing towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, mainly through volunteerism.
What has the YDOS achieved so far?
The YDOS started in 2020 and has impacted over 24 countries and 6 million people, engaged 7,000 volunteers with a 4% participation rate of persons with disabilities, and commissioned 600 SDG projects.
In the 2022 edition of YDOS, due to the hard work of many youth volunteers, projects cutting across the 17 SDG goals were implemented in 24 countries. Some of these projects include:
SDG 1: No poverty:
Acquisition sessions were conducted to empower people to earn incomes, and about 200 individuals benefited.
SD2 2: No hunger:
290 households and 650 individuals received food aid through food distribution services conducted in Lagos and Johannesburg, South Africa.
SDG 3: Good health and well-being:
Volunteers organised over 20 sensitisation programmes and donated healthcare products to patients and hospitals.
SDG 4: Quality education:
A record 300 students were reached through school outreach, and learning materials were distributed to the schools.
SDG 5: Gender equality :
The projects set up to achieve this goal involved skill acquisition sessions for girls and women and activities targeted at gender-based violence.
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation:
Many youths volunteered towards this sustainable goal as there were more than 30 community clean-ups across Africa, and a water tank was constructed in Cameroon.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
This sustainable goal ensures everyone can access affordable and modern energy sources. Therefore, to this effect, training on producing cheap and affordable energy was held in Nigeria and Zambia with more than 10 community sensitisation programmes.
You can find more information on the SDG projects for YDOS 2022 here.
When does YDOS 2023 start?
This year, YDOS will be held across Africa from August 12 to 31, and it’s open to all African youths between the ages of 15-35.
How can I help with YDOS this year?
The YDOS theme for this year is “Youth and Useful”, and the official hashtag: #YDOS2023. Participation in this campaign is free, and if you’re interested in volunteering or donating to this cause, you can do so here.
On July 7, multiplereports claimed that Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, nominated two of his family members to commissioner positions. The reposts claimed that Adeleke nominated his daughter, Adenike Adeleke, and his uncle, Moruf Adeleke.
On Wait First, we sort claims into three categories. If it’s true, it gets a fresh banana rating from us. A false claim is burnt dodo, and a misleading claim is cold zobo.
So, is this claim valid? Did Adeleke nominate his daughter and uncle as commissioners?
[Ademola Adeleke / Daily Post]
Background
On July 7, the Osun State House of Assembly confirmed the list of 25 commissioner-nominees forwarded to the House for screening and confirmation by Governor Adeleke.
Among the names that made the list were Adenike Adeleke and Moruf Adeleke. The two share the same surname as the governor. Following the announcement, there were reactions on social media criticising the governor for presumably appointing his relatives into government. Some online news platforms also ran with this news.
Our partners, FactCheckElections, noted that “social media users reacting to the claim viewed the purported appointment as a ‘double standard/nepotism’ and inappropriate in government.”
Verification
FactCheckElections looked into the claim. Here’s what they found:
“The spokesperson to the state governor, Olawale Rasheed, has debunked the viral claim that his principal nominated his daughter and uncle for commissioner.
Contrary to the narratives making the rounds that two of the commissioner-nominees are Adeleke’s daughter and uncle, Rasheed told the media that the nominees are not the governor’s family.
They are ‘bonafide indigenes of Osogbo Land’, he said.
He added: Prof Adeleke was born in Ilesa and hails from Osogbo, the state capital. Mrs Adeleke is the daughter of Chief Omidiran of Osogbo Land and wife of the late Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.”
FactCheckElections reports that the governor is from the Adeleke family of Ede in Osun State.
Verdict
The claim that Governor Ademola Adeleke nominated his relatives to commissioner positions is misleading and, therefore, cold zobo.
The confusion stems from the fact that they share the same surname. However, it has now been confirmed that they are not from the same bloodline as the governor.
Have you ever received a bad product or service that was NOT what you ordered? Or sustained a physical injury/illness due to company negligence? Or worse, you signed a contract deal with a company as a freelancer or entrepreneur, and they didn’t keep their end of the bargain?
If you have, I’m pleased to announce that there is GOOD NEWS! You have the option to pursue legal action against the company by filing a lawsuit and seeking justice!
Now, how can we sue the company?
Before you get started on this path of justice, it’s important to note that an enterprise that has been fully incorporated under the law has the capacity to sue and be sued. If the company isn’t registered, you can still sue the owner, but just as a person, not a company.
This means the company can also enforce a lawsuit against someone and defend their rights when it receives a lawsuit.
Whatever complaint you bring to court can’t be based on your emotions. It has to fall within the range of company negligence, breach of contract, employee discrimination, etc. A good lawyer should be able to determine or evaluate the weight of the complaint before filing a lawsuit in court.
Before a lawsuit goes to court, you need to get a lawyer skilled in civil litigation who will send a written demand notice to the company. This notice explains the nature of the complaint and the type or amount of compensation the plaintiff (i.e., you) is willing to collect as a settlement.
The notice is also used as a warning or a threat to the company that the plaintiff will take the matter to court if his/her demands are not met.
Basically, the plaintiff is saying to the company:
If a demand notice doesn’t work, start filing processes
These processes include a statement of claim (a plea document containing the allegations made against the company and the type of relief or settlement needed), a list of witnesses, witness statements on oath, and necessary documents.
When these processes are completed, you can serve them to the company. One can do this by delivering them to their office address or serving the directors or key executives in the company.
After an action is filed in court, a suit number and court will be assigned to the matter. It will then be listed on the court’s cause list.
When can I NOT sue a company?
As much as you can sue a company, you may also be ineligible to sue them. This is when the limitation period or maximum time period for initiating a lawsuit has elapsed, according to the statute of limitations. Limitation periods differ depending on the nature of the complaint and the time the lawsuit was filed.
For instance, actions for damages resulting from negligence must commence within three years of their occurrence; actions for breach of contract must commence within six years of their occurrence. Learn more about the respective limitation periods here.
What if the company agrees to avoid being sued?
As much as the plaintiff wants justice, the reality is that the matter can be resolved outside of court. Most companies would rather avoid the spotlight and use the alternative dispute resolution process (ADR).
ADR is simply the different ways people can resolve disputes without a trial.
These can include negotiation, mediation, reconciliation, and arbitration—using a third party that both parties agree upon to resolve the conflict.
The one thing we might need to get used to quickly with this new administration is the endless billing.
Last week, we discussed the newly introduced annual vehicle ownership verification fee, set at ₦1,000. For today, we’ll be looking into the recent partnership between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) from traders.
On July 3, 2023, the FIRS announced the VAT Direct Initiative to facilitate collecting and remittance taxes from this informal sector using unified systems technology, and traders will also be given identity cards to track their turnover. Nigeria currently has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at 10.8%; according to MATAN, there are about 40 million traders across the country, and this tax collection would help improve our tax base. Traders will also benefit from this, as the FIRS plans to work with security agencies to stop the illegal collection of taxes in the markets by thugs and self-appointed tax collectors.
Lagos thugs when they hear this
This is all part of President Bola “T-Baby” Tinubu’s plan to improve our revenue generation and fund more infrastructural and social projects. However, we all know that Nigeria is cursed with a corruption problem. So, once again, it looks like citizens struggling to make ends meet are being asked to make sacrifices with little to no assurance of tangible rewards.
What else happened this week?
Diphtheria Outbreak in Abuja
On July 3, 2023, Sadiq Abdulrahman, the director of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Public Health Department, confirmed in a press briefing that the outbreak of diphtheria has already claimed the life of a four-year-old boy.
Diphtheria is a deadly bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. It can lead to breathing difficulties, health rhythm problems, heart, kidney, and nervous system damage, and death, especially in children.
The recent outbreak in Abuja is said to have spread from Niger state, and so far, there have been eight reported cases. To combat the spread of this bacterial infection, residents are advised to take personal hygiene very seriously and to get vaccinated at any of the 400 vaccine outlets around the FCT. Also, the Public Health Department has started collaborating with states to prevent the further spread of this disease.
Video of the week
In 60 seconds, learn about how JAMB banned Mmesoma Ejikeme from taking JAMB for the next three years.
JAMB is saying that her proclaimed result is a "fake". She is saying it isn’t. Here’s the update and why DSS is now involved.
With Elon Musk channelling his inner Lex Luthor, our days on Twitter might be numbered. Is it time for Nigeria’s tech space to create an alternative social media platform?
Ehen one more thing…
The initial six months of 2023 are done and dusted. What should we expect as we step into the second half? Find out here
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My yearly reminder that if you’re about to have a baby for a man you aren’t married to, please give your child YOUR last name. If you’re having a baby for a deadbeat thats ghosted or isn’t involved, pls leave his name off the birth certificate. Your life will be SO much easier.
A few days ago, a conversation started on Twitter about mothers giving children their maiden names, particularly if they’ve been estranged from the child’s father.
This, of course, is to primarily make life easier for said mothers, particularly in situations where the approval of both parents would be needed for certain processes like specialised medical procedures and visa or passport applications for a minor.
This discourse led to debates on gender equality and women’s rights. Some people also claim it’s not unusual for women to retain their maiden names in certain Nigerian cultures, like the Igbo culture.
But where does the Nigerian Law stand on this?
According to the Marriage Act and other legal frameworks in Nigeria, no Law requires or demands a woman to take up her husband’s last name. The issue of name-changing is solely based on traditional and customary practices in Nigeria.
Also, the Nigerian Law makes provisions for the rights to personal dignity and freedom of thought and expression; as such, every woman has the freedom to decide whether or not she wants to keep her maiden name.
Zikoko Citizen reached out to some women, and they shared their thoughts.
Here’s what they said:
Precious believes keeping your maiden name is the best option for any woman. According to her, having your husband’s last name is a “colonial influence,” which creates lots of stress with documentation updates and is “extremely stressful and unnecessary”.
On the other hand, Zainab has no issues with taking up her husband’s last name. For her, even though she’s fine with keeping her maiden name, her spouse’s feelings are a priority in making such a decision. “If he’s cool with it, I’d replace my middle name with my present last name; if he’s not, I’d gladly replace my last name with his,” she says.
Bisola also shares this sentiment, saying that although she hasn’t given it much thought, she doesn’t mind giving up her maiden name.
But Bisola understands it might be difficult for women who have already established themselves using their maiden names, she says, “Couples should compromise to have a hyphenated last name to pass on to their children.”
A hyphenated last name is the combined name of two spouses, for instance, “Ojo-Hassan”. She also adds that this would give women a chance to carry on their father’s legacy, “Some families only have female children; imagine if they all went on to take on their husband’s last name? That would mean that if their father dies, the family name dies with him.”
Also in support of hyphenation is Lisa; she thinks this would make the lives of women already successful in various fields easier, particularly in academia, where research papers have been published using their maiden names.
Chioma, who’s a queer woman, also encourages hyphenated last names. She says, “Although my partner and I have agreed to keep our maiden names, we’ll be giving our children a hyphenated last name as we want them to have both our names”. For them, it allows and empowers them to build a “new” family unit.
Clearly, many Nigerian women think it’s time for everyone to let go of their beliefs about taking up or compulsorily giving children their partner’s last name. A significant amount of support is also needed from the government to make life easier for women who choose to do so. Women-centred NGOs like the Wevvo Foundation and Fatima Balaraba Foundation have started a petition to the Nigerian Immigration Service to implement its policy on accepting consent letters from mothers to process passports for minors. With this, we are optimistic about the level of choice everyone gets to enjoy with names, naming, and being named.
Each year, the United Nations celebrates July 11 as World Population Day. On November 15, 2022, the world crossed the eight billion mark. Global population trends have been fascinating to observe. It took hundreds of thousands of years to reach a billion and just 200 to hit seven billion in 2011. We’ve taken 12 years to reach this milestone between then and now. Some projections say that in just under 15 years—by 2037—the world population will hit nine billion, signifying a slowing growth rate in the global population due to factors like low and falling fertility levels.
However, while population growth rates are declining in more developed countries, Africa is picking up the baton.
[Source: Washington Post]
Studies show that Africa will be the only continent experiencing growth by the end of the century. Thirteen of the world’s twenty biggest urban centres will be in Africa. With Nigeria as the self-styled “giant of Africa” and the most populated black nation on earth, we’re set to take centre stage in the coming decades.
So it’s a bit of a shock—or a Nigerian thing, if you like—that till now, no one’s quite sure how many Nigerians there are. At some point, we’d need to reach a consensus on our census numbers.
Census data is vital for getting details about demographic and housing statistics. As previously reported, it also helps the government know how best to allocate resources. Like how much each state should be getting from the FG. With Nigeria projected to experience a population surge, the government needs accurate numbers to plan for this.
What’s the delay?
The UN puts Nigeria’s official population figure at 223.8 million. However, this figure is an estimate. In this case, the real culprit is the Nigerian government, which has failed to hold a long overdue census. Globally accepted standards say that a census should be held once every ten years. Nigeria is seven years past that deadline, having last held one in 2006.
The body in charge of conducting a census in Nigeria is the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC). Under the Buhari administration, at least ₦200 billion was spent on training census officials, mapping, and enumeration. The budget for the census has fluctuated over time, rising to ₦800 billion. The census, once set to happen in May, was kicked down the road to a date yet to be fixed by the current administration.
On July 6, the NPC chair, Nasir Kwarra, said President Tinubu would “eventually” fix a new census date—a roundabout way of saying that no one knows when it will hold. He also expressed concerns that expenses will mount and money running into billions of naira will go to waste if the census exercise isn’t held as soon as possible.
What else should you know?
This year’s World Population Day theme is “Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities.” As the theme suggests, gender upliftment should be an integral goal for any forward-thinking nation. Nigeria still practices some repressive practices against women. These include child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and breast ironing.
[Data in percentage on gender and harmful practices in Nigeria / UNFPA]
As we mark World Population Day, the government needs to act decisively on two key issues. One is conducting a census. And two, taking on more responsibility in tackling these issues affecting Nigerian women.
To get more insight into how this event is observed around the world, visit this link.
In Nigeria, the youth have persistently worked to get into power and make their voices heard despite being accused of being inexperienced.
At Zikoko Citizen, we celebrate the contributions of the Nigerian youth in shaping the country’s fourth republic and look ahead to the potential they hold for the future.
With the 2023 elections, we saw how social media became a primary news source and a platform for young Nigerians to participate in political conversations. This transformation has significantly impacted their news consumption and engagement, providing them with a wider perspective and influencing their political perceptions. In our WhatsApp community during and after the election, they remained actively involved and well-informed about current events. While many of them supported Peter Obi, who did not win the election, with Tinubu declared the winner amidst contested circumstances, they remain undeterred. They believe that despite the lessons learned, there are still many victories to be achieved.
One defining moment showcasing Nigerian youth’s power was the #ENDSARS protests in October 2020. Young Nigerians took to the streets to demand an end to police brutality and systemic injustice. While concrete police reforms may not have been immediately achieved, the protests ignited a spark of political awakening among the youth. The energy and passion displayed during this movement spilled over into the 2023 elections.
Many new voters were young people, with students comprising 40% of this group. It demonstrated that the youth have recognised their voting power and are actively participating in shaping the country’s political landscape.
How can you seize the future? Beyond the electoral process, young Nigerians must recognise that they have the potential to take charge of the country’s affairs. As older generations of politicians and ex-military figures prepare to depart from the political arena, a generational gap emerges, creating an opportunity for young people to step forward and lead.
Historical examples like Anthony Enahoro (37), Kaduna Nzeogwu (29), Yakubu Gowon (32), and Ojukwu (33), who made significant impacts at a young age, should serve as inspiration. You have to come to the realisation and believe that age is not a barrier to effecting change.
This comprehensive report delves into Nigeria’s political history, providing insights into the fourth republic and the influential role played by youth. It offers analysis, historical context, and practical guidance for active participation in shaping Nigeria’s future.
By downloading the Citizen Election Report, young Nigerians gain access to a wealth of knowledge and understanding. It equips them to make informed decisions, engage in meaningful political discourse, and contribute to the transformation of their country.
As we celebrate every young Nigerian, we are confident that this resource will prepare you for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The news is out. Industrial product designer and ambassador of the Global Talent Visa platform (TechNation), Funfere Koroye, has a history of violence and abuse against women. This raises an important question: “How can victims of abuse and sexual violence obtain justice?”
When Ozzy Etomi, a gender and culture writer, asked her Twitter followers on July 1, 2023, about organisations that could help victims of stalking, harassment, and battering, not many people had an idea of what was going on. And the responses she got were filled with curiosity about who the stalker was, without many positive responses about which organisations the victim could go to.
A week later, Etomi revealed the alleged actions of stalking, sexual harassment, and violence by Koroye against his Ex.
I was approached 2 weeks ago by a concerned third party, about a woman who was terrified of her ex who had been stalking, harrassing and threatening her for 2+ years, following a physically abusive relationship. If you recall I came on twitter asking if any orgs could help.
The news so far has sparked public outrage. It has also gotten the attention of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (Lagos DSVA), which has promised to work with the Ex to receive support, protection, and justice.
Sexual harassment, stalking, and physical assault by men are problems that women face. But to understand what to do in these contexts, let’s explain what the Law says.
Under Section 46 of the Violence Against Persons Act, stalking is listed as a type of ‘harrassment.’
Under Section 17 of the same act, a person who stalks another commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, a fine not exceeding N500,000, or both.
Sexual harassment is listed as a form of sexual violence under Section 264 of the 2004 Criminal Code Act. It says that “anyone who sexually harasses another commits a felony that is liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years.”
For Rape
According to Section 359 of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, any attempt to commit rape is liable to 14 years imprisonment.
Under Section 1 (2) of the 2015 Violence Against Persons Act, the offender will get a life imprisonment sentence if convicted and 14 years imprisonment if the offender is under 14.
You are a victim or know someone who needs help; what can you do?
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos DSVA, Tiwalola Rhodes-Adeniyi, told Citizen that victims of these crimes should first be able to “build their case by having evidence.”
If you wonder what building your case with evidence looks like, it involves getting hold of and presenting text messages, voice recordings, pictures, or videos. It can also include physical evidence like bruises, wounds, or damaged clothing.
This all helps your case and helps you achieve justice. According to Rhodes-Adeniyi, “If a victim has these, one can successfully get an emergency restraining order.”
Usually, police officers give an emergency restraining order in domestic and sexual violence cases where there is immediate danger or an inability to go to court immediately. These usually last for 5-7 days.
Olivia Ovuodo-Peters, a sexual and gender-based violence expert, shares that one can always follow up with police personnel if they don’t respond quickly.
According to Ovuodo-Peters, “If you report to the police on duty at the Sexual Base Desk and don’t hear from them, you can write a letter explaining your case to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO),” and if that doesn’t work, you can write to the State’s Commissioner of Police and copy the appropriate DPO.
However, not everyone sees going to the police as their first line of action. The Communications Officer at Stand to End Rape (STER), Elfrida Adeleye, recommends that victims should always contact a non-governmental organisation (NGO) when filing these cases.
According to Ayodele, these NGOs already have contacts in important governmental ministries such as the Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Women Affairs. Thus, they can help “push the right buttons to get these cases heard faster. You don’t need to go in alone.”
How can social media best help you?
Rhodes-Adeniyi passionately advocates for the use of social media as a platform to shed light on sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. In her view, it is a powerful tool to “raise public awareness on cases” and support victims who have experienced such atrocities. She firmly believes that victims should have the freedom to speak the truth to power in their own way without being dictated how to do so.
With genuine concern, Rhodes-Adeniyi asserts, “We shouldn’t tell a victim how to speak truth to power.” She recognises that social media can be instrumental in calling for justice and creating a collective voice against these injustices. However, she cautions that social media alone is “not to make a formal report.”
Rhodes-Adeniyi insightfully reveals the potential risks faced by victims who do not formally report their cases. She highlights the possibility of the offender filing a lawsuit, accusing the victim of defamation through libel or slander.
To reduce this risk, she strongly recommends victims “formally file their case with evidence with the police, an NGO, or a court of law” before resorting to social media. Rhodes-Adeniyi suggests additional steps, such as visiting a hospital to obtain medical documentation if there are visible injuries. She also emphasised that having an “official statement of the case somewhere” is crucial.
Rhodes-Adeniyi advises victims to safeguard themselves legally by formally reporting these cases. This will ensure their claims are supported by substantial evidence and provide a solid foundation in the event of a legal backlash.
By taking these steps, victims can effectively navigate Nigeria’s complex justice system while leveraging social media to shed light on their experiences and rally support for their cause.
Which organisations can you reach out to for help?
STER (Stand to End Rape Initiative)
The Stand to End Rape (STER) initiative is an enterprise advocating against sexual violence, and supporting survivors with psychosocial services. They handle all forms of sexual violence.
You can reach out to them by filling out this form or sending an email to the team here.
The Mirabel Centre
The Mirabel Centre is Nigeria’s first sexual assault referral centre where survivors can get medical and psychological aid.
You can call them at 08187243468, 08155770000, or 0701 349 1769. You can also visit them at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja General Hospital Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
Alternatively, you can send an email to sarc@pjnigeria.org
The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF)
WARIF is a non-profit organisation. WARIF helps to address high incidence of sexual violence, and rape amongst young women across Nigeria.
You can contact them at 0809 210 0008 or you can send an email to info@warifng.org
The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA)
DSVA is an organisation under the Lagos State government. They help eradicate domestic and sexual violence in the state.
You can contact them at 08000333333 or email them at info@lagosdsva.org
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation comprised of women lawyers, formed in 1964. They take pro-bono cases across Nigeria, usually on domestic, sexual, and other related violence against women.
You can visit their website to find the branch closest to you or call +234 708 849 6115
The universe must be answering only Bola Tinubu’s prayers right now because, barely three months after his inauguration as the 16th president of Nigeria, he has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
On July 9, 2023, during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, Tinubu emerged as the new ECOWAS Chairman to succeed the current Guinea-Bissau’s president, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo.
During Tinubu’s inaugural speech, he emphasised the importance of democracy, stating that coups would no longer be accepted in West-African countries. Also, he raised the alarm about the insecurity and terrorism hindering our progress and promised to improve the region’s economy through partnerships and investments.
This isn’t the first time ECOWAS will be chaired by a Nigerian
As is commonly known, ECOWAS, established on May 28, 1975, after the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, consists of 15 member countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Togo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Guinea-Bissau.
And so far, ECOWAS has been headed by eight former Nigerian presidents and Heads of State. They include:
So clearly, Tinubu’s following in the footsteps of his predecessors, but what exactly will his responsibilities be as the chairman of ECOWAS?
Head ECOWAS summits:
By virtue of the position, the Chairperson will offer political leadership and guidance and preside over subsequent ECOWAS meetings. He will oversee resolutions and decision-making processes while ensuring cooperation between member countries.
Conflict resolution:
The ECOWAS treaty, which all of the organization’s members have signed, states that Tinubu will be crucial to preserving peace and stability in the region. This might involve mediation, diplomatic peace talks, and conflict prevention initiatives.
Implementation of policies:
The ECOWAS Chairman is responsible for creating and executing critical programmes, policies, and projects that will foster the region’s economic, scientific, and industrial progress.
Represent ECOWAS:
Another responsibility of the ECOWAS chairperson is to represent the interests of West Africa in regional and international meetings and forums such as the African Union (AU) summits, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, and the European Union (EU) summits, amongst others.
Now, Bola Tinubu carries the hopes and dreams of not only Nigeria but the whole sub-region. There is hope in the air that, for our sake, he will not only hit the ground running but also positively surpass all expectations.
Last week, former Ogun state governor, Gbenga Daniels, made the news when he disclosed that he had written to his state government demanding that his allowances and pension as a former governor be suspended now that he’s a senator representing Ogun East district.
We’re always happy to call out Nigerian politicians when they misbehave. We are equally happy to commend them when they do the right thing. In a letter Daniels shared on his Twitter page on July 6, he revealed that his monthly payment was ₦676,376.95k.
What did the letter say?
The letter, addressed to the Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, read in part:
“I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of 676,376.95 (gross) (Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy-Six Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being paid as a former Executive Governor of Ogun State.
The request is in compliance with my conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former State Governor shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such state.”
That said, there have been reports in the news that President Tinubu’s ministerial cabinet would have at least 42 ministers and 20 special advisers. This points to a bloated cabinet, which is sure to put a drain on the government’s finances.
Naturally, the current administration would argue that it is within the president’s right to appoint many ministers from across the federation, keeping with the federal character principle. Not many Nigerians agree.
It may be a long shot to ask the president to trim down his cabinet. However, he can consider cutting his wages and asking his appointees to make that sacrifice. According to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), ministers and cabinet members, such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, earn at least ₦650,136.65k every month. Ministers of state get ₦628,056.91k. However, this may not account for all of their allowances.
As a matter of urgency, the government should look to downsize. If others like Daniels are on double remuneration, it is unconscionable. Those politicians should toe the honourable path and have the extra emoluments terminated. The RMFAC should also be up and about plugging these leakages.
Kudos to Daniels, who has done an arguably decent thing. Other Nigerian politicians should take a cue from him. As citizens, you can tweet at your elected leaders asking them to move a motion to cut out double remuneration for former governors now in the National Assembly or reduce total pensions for ex-Governors.
The last time the esteemed Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, made the news was in April when he almost came to blows with the Obidients, whom he accused of fascism. That didn’t sit well with them, and they fired heavy salvos in Prof’s direction. It would take a visit to Soyinka from their principal, the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, to diffuse the tension. But that hasn’t stopped them from giving Soyinka the bombastic side-eye.
Almost three months later, Soyinka is in another fight. This time, not on social media, but in faraway Kwara and its emirate capital, Ilorin.
So what’s the gist?
Punch reported that a Muslim group, Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society, based in Ilorin, went to the home of an Osun priestess, Yeye Ajesikemi Olokun Omolara Olatunji. They warned her not to host a festival known as Isese in the state. It was reported that she released posters announcing a three-day event in celebration of Yoruba deities.
Ilorin is an emirate. It’s ruler is Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari. In reaction to the group’s activities, a spokesperson for the Emir said the Emir supported their actions. Although the spokesperson stated that Gambari did not send them, he added that the Emir made it public that no idolatry activities should be held in the Ilorin Emirate.
His words: “The Emir has made it public that he’s not in support. He’s warned them to stay away from Kwara or Ilorin Emirate. So, any group that shares the same view and opinion with His Royal Highness can also come out and then do such, which the group you just mentioned now has done.”
Essentially, the Emir thinks Yeye’s actions constitute idolatry. According to Gambari, that has never happened in Ilorin and would be heavily resisted should it be attempted.
Somehow, the news got to Soyinka, which made him angry enough to write a strongly-worded op-ed directed at Gambari.
How did Soyinka respond?
[Prof Wole Soyinka / The Cable]
Soyinka described Gambari’s actions as a “grievous insult to our race.” He said he teaches courses in another Emirate, Abu Dhabi, in the UAE. Soyinka said it allows festivals from different religions to occur without hindrance. He wondered why the opposite was the case back in Nigeria. He criticised Gambari’s stance for impeding the right to embrace our humanity, reflected in how we celebrate different worldviews. Soyinka called on the Emir to rein in the “agents of division” before closing with the following:
“There is a thin line between Power and Piety. Call Yeye Ajasikemi OIokun Omolara to your side. Make peace with her and make restitution in whichever way you can for this grievous insult to our race. We know the history of Ilorin and the trajectory of your dynasty — but these are not the issues. The issue is peaceful cohabitation, respect for other worldviews, their celebrations, their values and humanity. The issue is the acceptance of the multiple facets of human enlightenment.
The greatest avatars that the world has known were not without human frailties, flaws, and errors of understanding. You are NOT Omniscient. And you are not Omnipotent.”
How has Emir Gambari reacted?
[Emir Sulu Gambari / PM News]
The Emir hasn’t taken things lightly. In a statement signed by his spokesman on July 7, he said Soyinka was being “economical with the facts”. The statement said Soyinka’s claim that Gambari disallowed festivals was “nauseating” and “uncharitable” to the Ilorin people.
“To set records straight, Professor Wole Soyinka tends to be economical with facts, forgetting that nobody wants war. He decided to settle with a factor capable of causing societal chaos if not quickly averted.
[The Emir’s action] is to prevent crisis and not wait until it erupts. The cost of managing crises cannot be equated to the wisdom or courage required to prevent them. Such proactiveness is necessary to sustain peaceful co-existence in society. It’s, therefore, surprising to hear that the position of Professor Soyinka is identical to someone who does not consider what might transpire if the programme was hosted.
It may result in issues which could also lead to reprisal attacks by sympathisers or promoters of such belief (Isese festival) in other parts of the country.”
The ball is back in Soyinka’s court. While he makes a case for freedom of expression and religion, the Emir’s claim that the people of Ilorin would uniformly resist any such traditional proceedings cannot be ignored either. We’ll see how this plays out in the coming days.
There is a new social media platform that might be giving Elon Musk a run for his money and having him choke on whatever irks his throat. Ever since Twitter had Mr. Musk as its new landlord, things haven’t quite been the same. And on Wednesday, July 5, Meta launched a messaging app called “Threads” that looks like the start of a new era for many social media users.
What exactly is Threads, and how is it different?
Threads is a text-based social messaging app launched in over 100 countries that allows you to follow the same accounts you do on Instagram. You can post pictures or texts and like, comment, repost, and quote them. While it’s yet to have a trend table or options for sending private messages, unlike the Bird app, Threads is free, and you can put the worries of exceeding a daily limit behind you.
For many people, especially Nigerians who have a larger following on Instagram than Twitter, this new app is an opportunity to create a new social media personality. After all, it’s never too late to achieve your dreams of becoming an influencer. And it also looks like Nigerian lawmakers have the same idea as many of them have become “Tailors”, as many Nigerians call themselves on Threads. Hours after its launch, they’ve begun sewing content for many Nigerians.
Since the days of his campaign, no love has been lost between Tinubu and the Bird app, so Threads might finally give him a chance to breathe.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
If there’s one thing the Lagos state governor does well, it’s preaching the gospel of his good news and putting his legs in strategic corners, and a new app isn’t going to stop him.
Abba Kabir Yusuf
Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, also didn’t carry last here. He’s already spreading his message of good tidings.
So far, eight other governors have joined the Threads app; they include Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun state governor; Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom state governor; Bala Mohammed, Bauch state governor; Peter Mbah, Enugu state governor; Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti state governor; Uba Sani, Kaduna state governor; Yahaya Bello, Kogi state governor; and Seyi Makinde, Oyo state governor.
Other key lawmakers and political figures on the app are Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Atiku Abubakar, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.
Also joining the Threads are some key government agencies, such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to remind you that you can’t escape tax in this administration, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with their message of catching drug abusers and traffickers.
As expected, you’ll also find many media houses like the National Television Authority (NTA), Silverbird TV, Arise News, Channels Television, and the TVC on the new tailoring app.
And, of course, ZikokoCitizen is on Threads to ensure you’re always up to date with everything and anything Nigerian in politics, policies, and governance.
The ‘Japa’ season is upon us. Nigerians who intend to study abroad, especially in the UK, are getting their bags ready with lots of delight to relocate. In recent years, the UK has become popular as the preferred destination for higher education for many Nigerians and Africans.
If you’re getting ready to travel, then you definitely need to know what it takes to acquire a key document, the UK student visa. As you continue to read this article, you will learn about the following
Who can apply?
When can one apply?
What are the fees?
When can you arrive?
How long can you stay?
Who can apply?
Being an accepted student isn’t the only thing that matters. You must also:
Have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – the amount will vary depending on your circumstances. You must have enough money to pay for your course for one academic year (up to nine months). You’ll also need to show you have enough money to support yourself—unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application.
How much money you need depends on where you will be studying. You’ll need either:
£1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London.
For courses outside London, £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months).
Have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17—you’ll need evidence of this when you apply
When can you apply?
This depends on whether you are living in or outside the UK. For Nigerians in the UK, the earliest application is 3 months before your course starts. It must also be applied for 28 days before your current visa expires. You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
For Nigerians outside the UK, you need to start your application process earlier, as you’d need 6 months. You’d also get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
What are the fees?
UK student visas cost £363 (N356,000) for students outside the UK and £490 (N480,000) for students who wish to extend their studies or switch to a student visa inside the UK.
There is also a healthcare surcharge, which you can find out more about here.
When can you arrive?
You can arrive a month before your course starts (if your course is longer than 6 months) or a week before (if your course is shorter than 6 months).
But no matter when your course starts, you MUST NOT travel to the UK before the start date given on the visa. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
How long can you stay?
A pertinent question for students who just finished their studies is, “How long can we stay here?”
Do not worry; you won’t be kicked out (or at least not right away). Everything depends on the length of your course and what studies you’ve already completed in the UK.
If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.If you want to stay longer than five years, read more about the requirements here.
In May 2023, Tinubu’s Policy Advisory Council developed an economic report detailing his growth plan for Nigeria. We wrote about it here. If you feel up for it, take this quiz to test your knowledge of Nigeria’s economy.
On July 3, 2023, Dr Sadiq Abdulrahman, the director of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Public Health Department, announced the diphtheria outbreak in some parts of Abuja. And there have been 8 suspected cases and the unfortunate death of a four-year-old child.
This diphtheria outbreak started earlier this year in January, with multiple cases being confirmed in Lagos, Yobe, Katsina, Osun, Cross River, and Kaduna. So far, at least 80 deaths have also been recorded.
To prevent the further spread of this disease across neighbouring states, the FCT Public Health Department is set to implement state border surveillance while advising residents to take their personal hygiene very seriously.
What exactly is Diphtheria?
The bacterial strainCorynebacterium diphtheriae, which releases toxins into the bloodstream, is what causes diphtheria, an infectious disease. This illness typically affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat in infected people, resulting in difficulties swallowing and breathing.
Diphtheria’s fatality rate is up to 20%. As you progress through reading this article, you’ll learn more about its spread, preventive measures, and treatment.
Unfortunately, this disease is contagious and spreads by:
Respiratory droplets, i.e. if you’re sneezed or coughed on by an infected person
Secretions: being directly exposed to the saliva or mucus of an infected person
Contaminated personal items: people in the same household as an infected person are also at risk as personal items like towels or tissues may be contaminated.
A thick grey or white patch at the back of the throat.
Source: Vanguard News
It’s advised to see a doctor immediately after exposure to diphtheria, as it can lead to complications such as kidney failure, paralysis, nerve damage, heart damage (myocarditis), and death.
Is there any treatment for this disease?
Being a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics to eradicate and stop the spread of the disease. However, vaccines are one of the most effective ways of combating and preventing this illness.
The diphtheria vaccine is one of the childhood vaccinations, and it’s given at different stages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years of age. Booster shots are also given at around 11 to 12 years old to maintain immunity to this disease.
Also, an important prevention method is maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene.
What has the government done so far?
In response to this situation, the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat has initiated the Diphtheria Incident Management System (IMS), which involves case finding by sample collection and community awareness programmes. Residents are also encouraged to visit any of the 400 vaccine outlets within the state. Rivers State is also calling for the statewide vaccination of children, and the State Emergency Response Team has been placed on red alert.
Also, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has deployed Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and the Diphtheria IMS to affected states. Physicians and scientists are also being trained, along with the supply of laboratory and sample collection tools nationwide.
Hopefully, this bacterial infection will be contained as soon as possible before it escalates into a nationwide epidemic.
A viral video shared on different platforms, including Twitter and WhatsApp, claims that gunmen were shooting in a market in Ebonyi on July 4, 2023. In the clip’s background, a male voice says, “Destroy them, destroy them, sit at home. Nnamdi Kanu must be released.”
On Wait First, we sort claims into three categories. If it’s true, it gets a fresh banana rating from us. A false claim is burnt dodo, and a misleading claim is cold zobo.
So is this video true, or is it doctored?
Background
Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He has, however, been in the custody of the Department of State Services since his re-arrest in June 2021. He was initially captured in October 2015 but escaped. His current incarceration is happening despite a court order mandating his release.
According to fact-checkers at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), the IPOB first issued a sit-at-home order in August 2021. The order grinds all economic activity to a halt in the southeastern part of Nigeria. According to the IPOB, it will be held every Monday until Nnamdi Kanu is released. The order was revised to only occur on days when Kanu was due in court.
CDD reports, “On June 14 2023, Finland-based Simon Ekpa, leader of Autopilot (a faction of IPOB), issued a statement which declared a five-day sit-at-home order in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Ekpa stated that the order would hold from 3 to 5 July and continue from 7 to 10 July.”
The CDD fact-checked the video. Here’s what they found:
“The CDD War Room can confirm that the video emanated from Abakaliki, Ebonyi state. The video was not doctored, and investigations proved that it first surfaced online on July 4, 2023.
Credible media agencies like Premium Times and Vanguard News have reported that the incident did occur at the Ishieke market in Ebonyi state.
However, it’s not certain whether the gunmen are members of IPOB or otherwise.
IPOB is yet to claim responsibility or deny the activities of the gunmen.”
Verdict
The claim that gunmen attacked and shot at a marketplace in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, on July 4, 2023, is true and, therefore, fresh banana. However, IPOB is yet to claim responsibility for it.
Despite several conversations on more women’s participation in Nigerian politics—before and after the 2023 elections—the debate is still on for more women to be included in Nigeria’s political leadership. Let’s show you how bad things are.
Only 17 women were voted into power in the 2023 parliamentary elections, with three and 14 women entering the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. And only seven were elected as deputy governors of their states. No woman became governor. And as we all know, a woman is not our current president.
Now that we understand how bad things were in the 2023 elections, how can we ensure that the same events don’t repeat themselves in 2027? Well, ladies, the ElectHER Policy and Research Centre (EPRC) has the answer for you.
The movement to get women involved in politics by ElectHER is called the Roadmap to Proactively Advance Gender Equity in Political Leadership in Nigeria.
What will this do?
This roadmap was designed to help push establishing a gender quota into law. Gender quotas imply that women must have a certain number or percentage in their nation’s parliament. For ElectHer, the percentage average they aim for is 22.5% representation by 2027.
But how will this happen?
This will be done through five main objectives:
Facilitate women’s inclusion in political hierarchy and adoption as party candidates by at least 35% in the 2027 elections.
Improve, control, and reduce the narrative of negative media stereotyping for women in Nigerian politics by at least 60% before 2027.
Control and minimise the impact of cultural and religious norms on politically exposed women in Nigeria.
Building institutions to encourage female candidacy for posts and make political participation attractive for women.
Strengthen the woman’s capacity to generate enough income and resources for campaigns.
These objectives are further broken down into short-term, medium-term and long-term actions.
Facilitate women’s inclusion in political hierarchy and adoption as party candidates by 35%
ElectHER plans to do this through the following actions:
Aggressively sensitise women to participate in local/grassroots politics.
Lobby for women to be part of transition committees for both the president and state governor-elect. This is to ensure the presence of more women in appointment/ministerial positions.
Introduction of gender bills for reservation of seats for women in political parties.
Increase advocacy for affirmative action to become law.
Reservation of at least 20-35% seats for female political appointees at the state and federal levels.
The long-term goal is to develop and implement long-term capacity for identified female candidates. This will include mentorship programmes and tutorship in managing campaigns and fundraising.
Reduce the negative media stereotyping of women in Nigerian politics by at least 60%
Work with key stakeholders to review media content, language, and representation that reinforce discrimination against women.
Create more media content that promotes equity in governance through spotlights, profiling, and storytelling.
Develop strategic partnerships with media in the design and dissemination of media information.
Utilise entertainment and lifestyle media tools to reorient the public on the importance of women’s participation.
Objective 3: Minimise the impact of cultural and religious norms on politically exposed women in Nigeria
Visit key traditional and religious leaders to encourage inclusive participation of women at all levels of governance.
Facilitate national dialogue to address cultural and religious practices.
Advocate for full implementation of the National Gender Policy in Nigeria, which seeks to establish full gender equality for women.
Incorporate gender equity when drafting bills and making policies.
Co-create, design, and implement interventions that address socio-cultural norms that harm or subjugate women, especially in cases of gender-based electoral violence.
Leverage technology to build strong communities that include Nigerians in the diaspora.
Building institutions to encourage female candidacy for posts and make political participation attractive for women.
Reintroduce the “Reserved Seat Bill”, a temporary measure for reserving a minimum number of seats for historically underrepresented groups. Consult with male senators who rejected the bill to find out why it was rejected and how it can be improved.
Call on influential men, media, private sector, and citizens to support the Reserved Seat Bill.
Review internal rules and procedures of Federal and State legislatures to encourage more inclusive participation.
Collaborate and establish relationships with key national learning and training institutions (e.g., the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)) to ensure that gender equity conversations are included in every aspect of operations.
Strengthen the woman’s capacity to generate enough income and resources for campaigns.
Focus on putting women out there, either with storytelling, visibility, networking, manifesto development, etc., to attract crowdfunding.
Improve involvement of individuals and women-led organisations with top female executives to mobilise resources for women with a proven track record ahead of the 2027 elections.
Have inter-generational knowledge-sharing sessions to ensure that women interested in politics can learn from older women with experience.
Establish a fundraising network for female candidates.
Benefits of the Roadmap
You now know the roadmap’s contents, so what are the benefits? Here are five of them:
Ada is determined to see justice served for the disappearance of her brother, Chijioke Iloanya. Chijioke’s case was part of what fueled the 2020 #EndSARS protest after he went missing in 2012. The notorious Awkuzu SARS in Anambra, where Chijoke lived with his family, is said to be responsible, and there’s a face and name for who to hold accountable. Now, Ada is staging a solo protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding justice for her brother and other victims of police brutality.
The Nigeria Police Force’s vision is “To make Nigeria safer and more secure…to create a safe and secure environment for everyone living in Nigeria.”
However, this vision has been nothing short of a nightmare for Ada and her family, who have been searching for elusive justice for the past 11 years. Ada narrated to Citizen everything that has led her up to this moment.
Walk us through why you’re staging this protest
My brother, Chijioke, was arrested by the Nigerian police on November 29, 2012. Then he was transferred to Awkuzu Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Anambra state before my mum could bail him out.
When my parents tried to bail him out at Awkuzu SARS, they denied having him at first. My parents were about to leave the station when they saw my brother being led in, and my mum raised the alarm that he was the one they came to bail out. My parents were thrown out, and it would take several days before they were allowed into the station.
When they eventually got access, they met James Nwafor, the officer in charge of the SARS unit. When my mum asked for my brother, he told her that if it was those boys (including my brother) she was looking for, he’d already killed them and that there was nothing she could do about it.
My mum slumped when she heard it and was taken to the hospital. This started this journey for us, and we’ve been trying to get justice in different ways. In 2019, I wrote about it on Twitter. In 2020, I called out James Nwafor because I saw his handle on Twitter.
We went to the #EndSARS panel in 2020. The Anambra state government hasn’t made the panel’s recommendations and findings public. No whitepaper has been released either. Nothing has happened. James Nwafor is still a free man while we’re still in the pain of losing our brother and son. Other families have lost someone to James Nwafor, and others have been victims of police brutality.
It’s tough what you and your family have had to go through
I started this protest on July 3. It will go on for ten days, ending on July 13. The reason it’s happening now is because it’s going to three years since we wrote a petition and went to a panel for #EndSARS to demand justice over the death of my brother, Chijioke.
The panel made findings and recommendations, but we’ve not gotten that yet, up till now. I’m also doing this because I’m getting tired. I have a life outside of this. My life revolves around Chijioke, and I would like justice for him. It draws me back whenever someone sees me and asks if something has been done about my brother’s case. I have no good answer to that, and that has to change.
July is also Chijioke’s birth month, which makes this symbolic. His birthday is July 13, which I’ve chosen as the day to end the protest. Because I’ve fought for justice for my brother, other people who have been victims of police brutality have reached out to me as a point of contact. They tell me about family members they’ve lost, and I feel so bad I can do nothing for them. The least I can do is use my voice to speak on their behalf. So while I’m advocating for Chijioke, I’m also trying to get justice for them because we deserve it.
How’s it been so far?
I’ve been pushing, although it’s been getting harder and harder. Yesterday’s protest was harder than Monday’s because the sun was scorching hot, and I had to stand for long hours without a place to sit. When I get tired, I sit at the barricades, which still places me under the sun’s searing heat.
It rained in the morning today so I couldn’t start early. But I’m here now, protesting. I’ve noticed that people have been asking me to go to Ahmed Isah (Ordinary Ahmed of Brekete Family). But when I first tweeted about it, some people like Segalink tried to help, but nothing happened. So I’m conflicted. Do I reach out to him? Would it change anything or not? Also, it’s not just about me. What about other families? It’s a little convenient for me because I’m based in Abuja but what about them? Do they spend their money to come to Abuja to meet Ahmed when it’s easier to arrest James Nwafor immediately?
What would you like to see happen?
Start the investigation and prosecution of James Nwafor immediately. Let each state release its #EndSARS panel reports, whitepapers and recommendations to the public. It makes no sense for ordinary citizens to seek justice through one man who is probably overwhelmed with so much. Why should I rely on a regular Nigerian to help me when we have institutions that aren’t doing their jobs? It’s unfair. I’ve been here since having people look at me with pity, and I don’t want that. I just want justice.
Guess what? Nigeria has passed its Data Protection Act after almost 20 years of waiting! This new law is a big deal because it’ll bring some order to Nigeria’s messy data protection rules, and there are hopes that it’ll generate over 16 billion naira for Nigeria in the data business.
It’s an upgrade from the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) from four years ago, but this time, it’s got all the cool stuff that was missing before, like fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Big English. But what does this mean for you?
The Act protects your privacy and your child’s (if you have one). It says that companies have to check your age and let you know when they’re collecting your data, especially if they do it in sneaky ways. Plus, it gives you a bunch of rights over your data, like the power to say “no” to companies using it for things you don’t want.
This could mean you are not getting random SMS or emails from people you didn’t permit to reach you.
Oh, and remember the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau? If you don’t, they’re like the Police of data protection, ensuring everyone follows the law.
Well, there was some drama about whether it was legit or not. But no worries; the Act has now made it all official and legal, so no more questioning its authority.
Now, for this law to actually work, Citizen reached out to Data Protection experts Victoria Oloni and Ridwan Oloyede on what the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) must do to step up and take meaningful action. These are their top 10 recommendations:
Clear things up: The NDPC should explain how the old NDPR fits into the new Act. They need to guide businesses on what they’re supposed to do during the transition. Like, what audits do they need? And which countries are okay with data transfers? Just spell it out so nobody gets confused.
Make it simple: The Commission should release a regulation explaining all the Act’s complicated parts. People need clear instructions on how to follow the law, especially when sending data outside of Nigeria. And they better not take forever to do it because we need those rules ASAP!
Give us tips: The NDPC should write guidelines on different topics covered by the Act. Like, how do you do a data protection impact assessment? What about privacy at work or using “fancy” technology like AI? They must cover all the important stuff so everybody knows how to play by the rules.
Help us help ourselves: The Commission should create self-assessment tools that allow companies and stakeholders to check if they are following the Act’s specifications. It’s like a checklist to see if they’re doing things right. It’s a win-win because companies can fix their mistakes, and the Commission can focus on the real troublemakers.
FAQs for the win: Since there will be many questions during this transition, the NDPC should make an FAQ document. Just a simple list of answers to common questions so we can all get the basics without having to call them every five minutes.
Get the dream team: The Commission should hire and train many smart people with various skills. They need tech-savvy folks who understand things like cybersecurity and AI. It can’t just be a bunch of lawyers in suits. We need a diverse team that knows what’s up in the digital world.
Be open and honest: The NDPC should be transparent about investigating and making decisions. We want to know what’s happening and how they handle complaints. They could even set up a system where we can track our complaints and see what’s happening. That would be awesome!
Let’s all talk: The Commission should involve everybody in the process, even those who disagree with them. They should listen to different perspectives and not just do their own thing. Civil society, academics, and experts should all have a say because we’re all in this together.
Global Gang: The NDPC should team up with other countries and international organisations to boost Nigeria’s data protection game. They should join cool groups like the Global Privacy Assembly and learn from other African data protection authorities. We want Nigeria to be a global player in this stuff!
Research is key: The Commission should support research on data protection. They should work with universities and private organisations to stay ahead of the game. They need to understand new technologies and their impact on us to make smart decisions and not be clueless.
So, there you have it! The NDPC has a lot on their plate, but Nigeria’s data protection game will be on fire if they get these things right. Let’s hope they make it happen and protect our privacy like champs!
Welcome to the first week of July and the second half of the year! My mid-year resolution is to look at the bright side of all things moving forward; therefore, I won’t be a harbinger of bad news in this edition of Game Votes. Instead, we’ll look at some positive events across Nigeria this week.
We had two days of public holidays:
Last Wednesday and Thursday were the Eid-al-Adha celebrations that gave many of us a much-needed break from capitalism. And one thing that makes this last Salah break special is that it’s the last one we’ll have in a while, as the next national break is in October. So hopefully, you were able to make the most of the Salah break.
Seven victims of kidnapping were rescued:
Sadly, many Nigerians have become desensitised to news like this, but for the families of the victims, this brings an end to their nightmare. On June 27, 2023, the Enugu State Police Command paraded 3 kidnappers notorious for terrorising the area. The police commissioner, represented by DSP Daniel Ndukwe, also revealed that 12 additional suspects responsible for the kidnapping, rape, and murder had also been apprehended. The police command acted on a series of distress calls and tip-offs and rescued seven kidnapped victims. They also recovered 7 firearms, two motor vehicles, one motorcycle, one dagger, and a cash sum of ₦701,000.
The electricity tariff hike might not be happening:
The recent news of a 40% hike in the price of electricity tariffs effective July 1 threw many Nigerians into panic mode, and rightly so. However, on Wednesday, June 28, Mike Faloseyi, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), confirmed that they have yet to make such a statement. The Abuja and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies also recently announced to their customers that the news should be regarded as fake as no approval for an increment was given.
17 women were rescued from a baby-making factory:
On June 25, 2023, some Nigerian Army troops raided a baby-making factory along Adamawa state’s Nigerian/Cameroon border. The soldiers were able to arrest seven operators of this factory, two babies, and 17 women between the ages of 19-21. These women were recruited as minors without the knowledge of their families and used for prostitution and the delivery of babies for sale for the past 3 years. Hopefully, these women will be able to get the help they need, and the perpetrators will be duly punished.
What Else Happened This Week?
Implementation of Proof of Vehicle Ownership to Kick Off in July
I’m going to say what everyone’s thinking—as a country, we might have jumped from frying pan to fire, but I’m sure there’s a bright side to this new development if we look hard enough.
On June 27, 2023, the Federal Government Joint Tax Board introduced a Proof of Ownership Certificate (PoC) verification fee of ₦1000 to be paid annually by all motorists. According to Abdulhafiz Toriola, the Permanent Secretary for the Lagos state Ministry of Transportation, the PoC will contain information such as the licence plate number, model and year of manufacture, and the owner’s details. It’ll also show that a vehicle legally belongs to a person or an entity.
Toriola further explained that the PoC will help track the real-time status of vehicles on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database and work towards the country’s national security and economic development; implementation is expected to begin in Lagos by July. However, this news hasn’t gone well with many Nigerians, who are still struggling to adjust to our new economic reality. Sadly, it’s starting to look like, once again, we’ve elected a government insensitive to the struggles of the everyday Nigerian.
Video of the week
2023 CHECK-IN ✅
Guess who's still here? Bringing some awareness to how the year has been so far politically? Yes, Citizen!!!🫢🤝
We’ve recently seen a resurgence of the National Television Authority (NTA) as the government’s mouthpiece. Do you think President Tinubu is responsible for this?
Ehen one more thing…
Whisper it quietly, but the FG has secured a new $500m loan from the World Bank. Who will be the beneficiaries of this loan? Find out here.
Today’s story takes us back to 1906, when Lord Lugard, the High Commissioner of the Northern Nigeria provinces, considered locals instead of British soldiers for leadership of the newly colonised lands.
Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron [Wikipedia]
Why did a British representative trust the locals to rule over other locals, and how did he execute that?
This era in Nigeria’s colonial history is known as Indirect Rule.
In June 1934, this picture was taken of the governor of northern Nigeria, Lord Lugard, and other country rulers at a zoo in London. [Getty Images]
Indirect rule is a system of administration in the colonies where local leaders—although front-facing with the people and ruling with native politics—dance to the British tune and follow all orders the administration gave.
But why was there an indirect rule?
There were several reasons:
Britain didn’t have enough personnel for Nigeria’s enormous land mass. By 1925, there was approximately only one administrator for every 100,000 Nigerians. Even Lugard admitted it once by saying, “Nor do we have the means at present to administer so vast a country.”
Even if they could, there was an issue with Nigeria’s high mortality rate. Between 1895–1900, up to 7.9-10% of British officers died yearly. British officers were reluctant to move to Nigeria, and those that did wanted a higher salary, which Britain couldn’t give.
According to some reports, the colonial masters also wanted to limit uprisings from the Nigerians, who would rather be ruled by one of their own than a foreigner.
Now that you understand why indirect rule happened, let’s walk you through what life looked like in both Northern and Southern Nigeria under this rule:
Indirect Rule in Northern Nigeria: The Day in the Life of An Emir
Emir of Kano in 1911 [Wikipedia]
In northern Nigeria, the Emir was the traditional and spiritual leader of the emirate. Using Islamic dictates, he had a judicial system with alkalis, a revenue generation system, and several titled officials. The British did not see the need to overhaul their systems but took control of them instead.
The Emir in colonial Northern Nigeria was not elected by the people but rather selected by the colonial government, which informed the kingmakers of their preferred candidate. So, even though he is ruling the Northern people, his allegiance goes to the British Crown, and this is backed up with letters of appointment and oaths.
During his tenure, an Emir knows that his most important duty is tax collection, not for himself but on behalf of the British. Delayed tax payments could lead to their removal.
The budget for running the British colonial administration also came from these taxes, which were 25% of total taxes collected. The Emir never ruled alone but always had a “resident” with him as Britain’s colonial administrator for “advice”.
The Emirs’ lives of indirect rule started properly in 1900 and ran till the 1940s.
Indirect Rule in Southern Nigeria
South Eastern Nigeria
Implementing indirect rule in the North was a piece of cake for the British due to their existing political systems. But in the East, applying this method was hell.
This was because the ethnic groups (Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Ekoi, Ogoni, and others) did not believe in the existence of one ruler but rather lived in autonomous communities. To solve this problem, the British devised a solution in the form of “warrant chiefs”.
A warrant chief knows he is being called one due to the certificate the British give him. He is not a ruler but a representative of the colonial government.
Despite his power, he is more notorious than popular in the community, as the indigenes see him as disrupting the status quo and betraying them. Due to this resentment, his interactions with the villagers would always be laced with curses and abuse.
The colonial administration made warrant chiefs tax collectors, used them to conscript youths as unwilling labourers for the colony, and oversee judicial matters.
The warrant chief knows he was not selected through any process, so he doesn’t need to be credible or reliable to the people to get the job done. He would be fraudulent with taxes being paid and would invent new ways of extorting the people of their funds.
The actions of the warrant chiefs met such great resistance that he would experience revolts, including the Aba Women’s Revolt of 1929.
South Western Nigeria
The first meeting of the Yoruba Obas in Oyo, 1937 [Asiri Magazine]
Indirect rule was neither perfect nor unfit for the South West. The region had traditional rulers, often known as the Oba, who were held accountable under a democratic system with several checks and balances. The Oba, who already received taxes and tributaries, worked well for the colonial administration for tax collection.
But this did not go without revolts and protests across different towns. One of them is the Abeokuta Women’s Revolt, which led to the removal of a King.
The Impact of Indirect Rule in Nigeria
Here are some of the effects of indirect rule on modern-day Nigeria:
It led to the rise of nationalism across Nigeria
The title of “warrant chief” has gradually turned into a hereditary title today in the South East, with the descendants claiming to be from “royalty”. Key figures in Nigerian politics today are descendants of warrant chiefs, e.g. Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the descendant of warrant chief Udo Okuku Akpabio in Ikot Ekpene, former minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, is the grandson of warrant chief Onyeama of Eke, etc.
The story elements of this episode of Citizen History were sourced from “What Britain Did to Nigeria”by Max Silloun.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is once again making headlines, but this time for contentious reasons. The recent release of the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results has sparked a wave of controversy in the past week, leading to widespread doubts about the effectiveness and reliability of the examination board.
This is what happened
On June 24, 2023, during the 2023 policy meeting held in Abuja, JAMB registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced Umeh Nkechinyere as the top scorer in the 2023 UTME with an aggregate of 360. However, soon after, Mmesoma Ejikeme, an Anglican Girls Secondary School (AGSS) student, claimed she got the highest score with a cumulative mark of 362.
Many people celebrated this news, and congratulatory messages poured in from around the country for Ejikeme. The founder of Innoson Motors promised her a scholarship worth ₦3 million, and the Anambra state government, where she resides, was set to reward this academic feat before things started taking a different turn.
The examination body claimed that Ejikeme faked her results on Sunday, July 2, and actually received a score of 249 rather than a 362. By scanning the QR code of the result, Fabian Benjamin, a JAMB spokesperson, says they were able to identify the fake result, and that it belonged to a candidate who took the UTME in 2021 and scored 138. Also, to further confirm the result’s authenticity, her registration number was put through JAMB’s system, which revealed that she allegedly got 249 and not 362, as she claims.
JAMB maintains its stance that the proclaimed result has been manipulated and attributes the entire situation to syndicates engaged in producing counterfeit UTME results.
Ejikeme stands her ground
In the thick of this, she has dismissed the allegations. In a video online, she says, “I’m the owner of this result.” She went on to provide details about how she had her result printed from JAMB’s portal, “This is what they gave me. This aggregate of 362 is exactly how I printed. But they are now saying that I forged the result, of which I don’t know.”
This is Ejikeme Mmesoma, the Young Lady that was Accused for jamb result forgery,
Listen to what she has to say. Maybe she needs a Lawyer.
Her parents, staunch supporters of their daughter, affirm her consistent academic excellence and attribute the current situation to a conspiracy aimed at thwarting her success.
What are the reactions so far?
Unfortunately, this has once again divided many Nigerians along ethnic lines, as some people believe that JAMB has handled the case with undertones of targeted harassment.
A South-East group called South East Fact Check has expressed concerns over JAMB’s approach to this situation, calling it an “ambush” and believing Mmesoma should be given a fair hearing. Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, also weighed in on this issue and demanded an independent forensic investigation to confirm the result’s authenticity.
On the other hand, however, some Nigerians believe that this mayhem is due to a technical glitch in JAMB’s system.
What’s the latest update now?
The Anambra state government has set up a panel, and the Department of State Services (DSS) has also been invited to launch a full investigation into this issue.
The management of Innoson Motors, which had promised Ejikeme a scholarship, also laid claims in the hope of independent investigations that’d determine if she manipulated her results. The outcome of the report will decide if the scholarship offer will be withdrawn or not. If she’s innocent of the allegations laid against her by JAMB, the company says she still gets to hold on to the opportunity regardless of whether or not she had the highest score.
But for now, JAMB has declared that Ejikeme will be prohibited from taking JAMB examinations for the next three years.
Despite the intense pressure to address this issue, there are inconsistencies in the media regarding Ejikeme’s age, with some references suggesting she’s a minor. This is why many Nigerians advocate for her to be treated fairly and with respect while criticising the examination body for their hasty declaration, influenced by a media trial.
In the not-so-distant past, Nigerians relied heavily on radio, TV, and newspapers to stay informed about politics.
Debates happened primarily at newspaper stands. These debates, specifically during elections, are always intense, with voters rooting for their candidates.
However, with the advent of the internet and the surge in social media usage, the media landscape in Nigeria has undergone a transformative shift.
Today, we can all agree, to some extent, that Nigerian voters are more connected and informed than ever before. But along with this increased connectivity comes the challenge of combating fake news and propaganda that threatens the integrity of the electoral process.
Social media has transformed how Nigerians consume news, granting instant access to information and real-time updates. It has become the primary news source, allowing citizens to engage in political conversations and access diverse perspectives, including those of political influencers. However, this influence raises concerns about biased information and misinformation.
But as young people, we must learn to use social media for our own good. For example, The Occupy Nigeria and #EndSARS protests showed us the power of social media to mobilise citizens and have since been instrumental in raising awareness about politics and government policies. This is also the core of our work here at Citizen, to help you easily understand politics, policy, and governance—and take action!
Admittedly, social media’s impact is not without challenges, as the spread of misinformation witnessed during the 2023 general elections weakened the integrity of the electoral process. With technological innovations and advancements in the use of artificial intelligence, the fight to stop “fake news” peddling is up for a new level of challenge—and we can see it already. On social media, the battle is not over.
We can also see how social media remains a vital tool for candidates and voters, enabling connections, mobilisation, and informed decision-making. It also empowers stakeholders like us to educate voters, address concerns, and ensure election transparency in every way possible.
The Citizen Election Reportisyour go-to guide for navigating the complex landscape of Nigerian politics, with cool insights into our country’s political history, the intricacies of its democratic process, and the challenges posed by fake news. The report offers a nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and the influential figures who shaped its political scene.
By downloading the Citizen Election Report, you can access in-depth analysis to stay informed and make informed decisions. The report highlights the importance of media literacy and critical thinking in the digital age, equipping readers with the tools to identify fake news and propaganda.
As Nigeria moves forward from the 2023 election, combating misinformation, promoting media literacy, and utilising resources like the Citizen Election Report will be crucial for safeguarding the integrity of elections and ensuring an informed electorate.
By harnessing the power of social media responsibly, Nigerians, specifically young people, can shape their political future and build a stronger democracy for all.
