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USAID Announces $10.6 Million In COVID-19 Assistance To Nigeria

By
The Source
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Mary Beth Leonard - US Ambassador to Nigeria

On March 1, 2022, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the notification of an additional $10.6 million in development assistance to continue support for the goals outlined in a 2021 bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Nigerian governments.

Most of the new funding will finance boosting COVID-19 vaccination efforts to reach targets of 600,000 people a day.  The funds will also support integrating COVID-19 vaccinations into routine immunization and primary health care systems, state level data collection and analytics, health worker training, and expansion of vaccination access points at the community level.

“Given the significant progress Nigeria has made, we are pleased to provide more funds to improve COVID-19 vaccine delivery services,” said USAID Mission Director, Anne Patterson.  “These new funds will deepen our support for all levels of government to meet their vaccination targets.”

This funding increases the total U.S. assistance to the Nigerian people to $179 million under the five-year $2.1 billion Development Objectives Assistance Agreement signed between USAID and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning as affirmed by the  U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken during his visit to Nigeria in November 2021.

Jonathan Addresses ECOWAS Parliament, Charges Lawmakers To Protect Democratic Values

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The Source
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Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has charged members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament to champion national processes that would strengthen democracy and improve governance in West Africa, as a means of reversing the trend of military coup d’état and growing social tension in the region.

The former President stated this while addressing the First Extraordinary Session of the Fifth ECOWAS Parliament which has just ended in Monrovia, Liberia. Describing the Parliament as the soul and heart of democracy, Dr Jonathan  urged the parliamentarians to seek to protect democracy in West Africa by making laws that would guarantee the independence of the electoral management bodies, ensure electronic voting, safeguard rule of law and protect constitutional term limits.

Speaking on the place of credible elections in a democracy, Dr. Jonathan stated: “The parliament should seriously consider the imperative of protecting the independence of electoral management bodies to ensure that electoral processes are transparent, free, fair and acceptable to stakeholders. We have to grow our democracy to a level where people will believe that their votes will count. That will only be possible if they have confidence in the impartiality and neutrality of electoral management bodies.”

The former president who is ECOWAS mediator in Mali, also, reiterated his call for the adoption of electronic voting in ECOWAS nations, adding that the deployment of technology and automation would sanitise electoral processes by reducing the high incidence of electoral malpractices such ballot box stuffing, results falsification, thuggery and violence during elections.

Dr. Jonathan who shared his mediation experience in Mali while featuring on a Panel that focused on the ‘Impact of the Mediation of Special Envoys on the Operationalisation of the ECOWAS Mediation Mechanisms’ further advised the lawmakers to pass laws that would strengthen their national constitutions in order to protect democratic values and practices.

Along this line,  Dr. Jonathan pointed out the danger posed by the lack of provisions for the impeachment of elected leaders in the constitution of some West African countries, adding that such a situation ties the hands of citizens in legally expressing their democratic rights.

According to him: “Having a provision for impeachment in the constitution can help defuse social tension. This is because it gives people the hope that they can legally remove erring leaders, rather than always resorting to public demonstrations which often lead to violence, to protest lack of confidence in an elected leader.”

The former President also charged the leaders to deepen the engagement on the processes that would improve economic growth and promote development. He also made a case for the consolidation of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to fund small businesses and agriculture, especially adding value to farm and forest produce.

For democracy to serve the people well, Dr. Jonathan further noted that development, economic growth and welfare of citizens have to be prioritised by leaders. “When the economies of various nations are doing well, more jobs will be created and it will be difficult for young people to be recruited for causes that promote crime and violence.”

APC: Fresh Crisis As INEC Rejects Bello, Insists On Buni

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Abubakar Sani Bello - Governor of Niger State

By Tosin Olatokunbo

A Fresh leadership crisis is brewing in the All Progressives Congress, APC following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to accept the leadership change in the party.

On Monday, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state disclosed that he has taken over as the interim caretaker chairman of the ruling party from Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, with the backing of 19 state governors and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also, on Wednesday, Governor Nasir Elrufai of Kaduna state said the decision to remove Buni was backed by President Buhari.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state also stated on Thursday that those opposing  Governor Bello’s leadership are Yahoo, Yahoo boys, a popular anecdote used widely to describe fraudsters in the country, noting that the new leadership has full the backing of majority of APC governors.

But the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has rejected the move on the basis that it contradicts the law. According to the electoral umpire, the APC did not follow the law which mandated political parties to give INECC 21-day notice before any leadership change could be effected.

INEC position came on the crest of plans by some leaders of party to meet with President Buhari in London on the controversy surrounding Governor Buni’s removal as the caretaker chairman.

The magazine learnt on Sunday that Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice; CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele were to meet with the president who is on a medical trip to the UK, this week end to sort out the problem.

Governor Bello had after taking over as chairman placed INEC on a notice of the party’s readiness to hold its National Executive Council, NEC meeting on March 17.

But in a letter dated March 9 and addressed to the party INEC said it does not recognize Governor Bello as the chairman.

The electoral body said the letter addressed to it by APC should have been signed by Governor Buni who is currently in Dubai for medical treatment and John Akpanudoedehe, the CECPC chairman and national secretary, respectively.

The commission “draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018.

“Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires “at least 21 days” notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective offices”, INEC said in a letter signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, its secretary

Fidelity Bank Celebrates 2022 IWD With Financial Support To Women

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

As a major push for breaking the gender bias in Nigeria, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with media entrepreneur-Linda Ikeji- celebrated the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD) with an impressive networking event specifically for women to inspire one another, discuss pertinent challenges they face as well as proffer solutions on breaking the gender biases prevalent in the country.

The high-profile event, held at the Civic Centre, Lagos on Tuesday, 8 March 2022, featured several notable personalities including former World Bank Vice President and keynote speaker at the event, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist, Apostle Folorunso Alakija; MD/CEO, Practoil Ltd, Hajia Bola Shagaya and award-winning author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Others are Iya Oge of Lagos, Opral Benson; Country Director, Empretec Nigeria Foundation, Onari Duke; Executive Vice Chairman, H. Pierson, Eileen Shaiyen; oil magnate and lawyer, Mrs. Uju Ifejika; seasoned actress and journalist, Dame Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett; Former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; Fashion and Style Connoisseur, Nkiru Anumudu; amongst a host of eminent ladies from across the country.

Aside from celebrating Nigerian women’s achievements in various industries and drawing attention to the issue of gender inequality, the event also served as a platform for the Bank to officially launch HerFidelity, its niche proposition for female customers.

The proposition boasts of exciting features such as capacity development initiatives, access to finance, recognition and networking events, health and wellness programmes, etc, all designed to speak to the yearnings of women.

Welcoming guests to the event, the chief host and Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said, “Despite the challenges women face, we continue to play a significant role in driving the economic, social and cultural development of our communities. Indeed, a recent PwC Nigeria report indicated that 41 percent of micro-businesses in Nigeria are run by women, with over 23 million female entrepreneurs operating in this segment.

“This exemplifies not only our drive as women but the immense value we bring to the table. Just imagine what we could achieve if the girl child is given the opportunity she deserves, encouraged to go to school and is judged by her competence and not by her complements! The possibilities are endless.”

Onyeali-Ikpe also made several Corporate Social Responsibility ,CSR donations to women-led businesses on behalf of the bank, further demonstrating the bank’s unwavering commitment towards improving the well-being of women across the country. Speaking on the donations, she said, “One of the pillars of HerFidelity is Capacity Building. Therefore, we are sponsoring five female-led enterprises today with a total sum of 5 million naira for training female apprentices.

“In addition, we are supporting Dream Catchers Academy for Girls—a free educational and performing arts academy for orphaned and underserved girls— with the sum of 10 million naira for an IT centre at the academy as well as one year of coding training for the girls. We believe this will go a long way to assist the young ladies who need a helping hand while enhancing their knowledge in the areas of technology.”

In her keynote speech, Dr. Ezekwesili, highlighted the importance of joining forces to fight gender discrimination and inequality ravaging the country, emphasising that, “The power of collaboration and cooperation is key as implicit bias is not something you can fight alone. It requires a coalition effort. You must build your own coalition. At every point in life, a woman must understand that she will face a major challenge because of the conditioning that society has given to itself. Therefore, build coalitions. We have the numbers and we must let the numbers work for us.”

She also encouraged forward-thinking organisations to be deliberate about gathering relevant baseline data and eliminating barriers to the career growth of women.

Wives Of Soldiers Attack Commanding Officer’s House Over Fate Of Husbands

By
The Source
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Solideirs wives on protest

By Gideon Njoku

A disturbing video of wives of soldiers, attacking a Commanding Officer’s house has surfaced.

The women, said to be wives of soldiers who, allegedly, died in the battle against insurgents, trooped, in their numbers, to the house of the Commanding Officer, 223 Battalion, Zuru, Kebbi State, most of them, wearing black, and bemoaning their fate.

Very angry and frustrated, they were carrying sticks and green leaves, screaming on top of their voices, talking at the same time. At a point, they made a bonfire with baskets and a tyre.

They refused to be consoled, or persuaded to leave. All efforts made by soldiers on guard at the Commanding Officer’s house to pacify them failed.

It is not known why the women resorted to attacking the Commanding Officer’s house, but the war against insurgents, has claimed quite a number of the gallant soldiers fighting to defend their fatherland.

It is, also, not known if the women had been officially told about the fate of their husband’s, or if they acted on speculations.

Recall, however, that on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 18 soldiers on the convoy of the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Samaila Yombe were killed in an ambush. Eight others were injured, and two are missing. The soldiers were from the 223 Battalion, Zuru, Kebbi State.

They were, allegedly, members of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji.

The Deputy Governor, barely survived the fatal attack.

LASG Suspends NURTW Activities In Lagos, Backs MC Oluomo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Musiliu Akinsany- MC Oluomo

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, following the indefinite suspension slammed on Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo by the Tajudeen Baruwa-led NURTW National Body.

The crisis which engulfed the NURTW in Lagos State  escalated, prompting the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to suspend the activities of the Union from all parks and garages in Lagos with immediate effect.

A Statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known late Thursday.

Titled;  ‘Lagos Suspends NURTW From Parks’, it reads:  “The Lagos State Government has been watching closely events in the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union. There have been claims and counter-claims over the control of the Union.

“The Government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.

“After considering the provisions of the law, the Government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State.

“The Government will set up a Committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector.

“The Government’s position is premised on its responsibility to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in all parks and garages in Lagos State.”

It would be recalled that the NURTW National Body had, allegedly, accused MC Oluomo, of insurbodination, high handedness, abuse of fundamental human rights which led to weeks of protracted conflict and leadership tussle.

The National body further accused MC Oluomo of resorting to intimidation, harassment, and assault on the newly-appointed Chairman, Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, Azeez Abiola, aka Istijabah. But Akinsanya refuted the claim that he instigated members of the Union to assault Abiola.

He, however, noted that the legality of the TOOAN operations in the state is a subject of a suit pending before the National Industrial Court.

Subsequently, the NURTW National body in Abuja on Thursday announced the indefinite suspension of Akinsanya for gross misconduct and directed him to hand over to his  Deputy.

Hours later, Akinsanya, at a press conference at the NURTW Secretariat in the Agege area of Lagos State, announced his withdrawal and that of lieutenants from the Union.

He also asked Sanwo-Olu to take over the running of all parks and garages in the state till peace returned to the Union.

“In view of this and the crisis at hand, Lagos State Government is, hereby, invited to consider its White Paper on Transport Union activities, 2004 section 5C, which states that the Government should take over the management of any garage or motor park where there is a crisis until such is resolved by the Consultative Committee.

We, hereby, call on Lagos State Government to take over the running of the affairs of the Union with the Constitution of a Park Management Committee for Motor Garages and Parks in the State, thereby ensuring peace and tranquility, pending the determination of the matter in the interest of the good people of Lagos State,” Akinsanya said earlier on Thursday.

The operations of NURTW have been despised for years by Lagosians and social commentators.

Clad in grimy white tops and green trousers, NURTW operatives locally called Agberos are notorious for harassing, intimidating and forcibly collecting levies from commercial bus drivers at parks, garages and bus stops, leading to occasional fights, indecent of the ‘megacity’ aspiration of Lagos.

According to a 2021 report by the International Centre for Investigative Report, the Lagos chapter of NURTW generates about N123.08bn annually, which could service the annual budget of Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe states put together.

Aside from other extortioners on Lagos roads including corrupt security agents, NURTW operatives are the bane of commercial drivers, with many transporters lamenting that they milk them dry by collecting tolls at every bus stop.

Revealed: How Buhari Aborted Medical Trip To Sack Buni As APC National Chairman

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Muhammadu Buhari - Londo Trip

By Adesina Soyooye

Those who had wondered why President Mohammed Buhari suddenly aborted, and rescheduled, his two-week medical trip to the United Kingdom, last week, should wonder no more.

The President had been scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom from Nairobi, Kenya, where he had gone for a Summit, for a routine medical check-up. But, to the surprise of Nigerians, he headed back to Abuja after the meeting, and travelled out two days later to the UK.

What many who wondered did not know was that Buhari came to put out the fire in his backyard. He came to play politics. His Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, was on fire, and on the verge of literally collapsing.

The Party’s National Convention, which had been aborted before, was on the verge of being aborted again. The Party found out it had saboteurs within. Saboteurs who did not, out of alleged selfish interest, want the Convention to hold.

The Party was beginning to be a joke before Nigerians. The main opposition Party, People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which had held a successful National Convention was beginning to yab the APC. A ruling party which could not hold a National Convention, the PDP yabbed, cannot rule the Country.

To the shock of some APC chieftains, they discovered that a couple of people within its leadership cadre was responsible for their problem. It was even more of a shock to them when they found out that it was, allegedly, the Chairman of its Interim National Committee, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, the Secretary, Dr John Akpanudoedehe, and about four State Governors who were behind it. Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, called the four Governors, “yahoo – yahoo Governors.”

They were to discover that Buni and Co already were in possession of a Court injunction to abort the National Convention scheduled for March 26, 2022, without, even, to  the knowledge of the President. They wanted to surprise the Party at the last minute. They wanted to continue in office.

When their plan was discovered, the President was briefed. That necessitated the President flying back from Nairobi to Abuja to give an order for the sacking of Buni.

As Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State put it during an interview on Wednesday with Channels Television, the President came back, held a meeting with the Governors, set in motion the sacking of Buni, hopped on a chopper to the Airport, and travelled to the UK

El-Rufai: “The President held a meeting with us (APC Governors), and gave us a clear directive and responsibilities and went into his waiting chopper at the airport. The President in his wisdom knew that we have the capacity.

“It is just that some of us decided to take the back seat and allow things to even get to this point because we believe that once we were elected, we should focus on governance, and leave the party administration to those who are better at it.

“But clearly, it got to a point that something was going to go wrong. the party was being placed at great risk, and we had to do something.

“I’m happy that the Caretaker Committee headed by Abubakar Sani Bello has issued a notice for an Emergency National Executive Committee Meeting.

“The President will join us virtually. Of course, His Excellency, the Vice President, all the Governors and all the State Chairmen of the party will converge on the Party Headquarters, and we will take certain decisions that will lay a very solid foundation for the Convention taking place March 26.

“We got to know of a Court Order last year. it was obtained in November. A member of the party went to Court to say there must not be a Convention until his case against the Party is disposed of which can take months or years and the lawyers of Buni went to Court and agreed with the person and nobody knew about this order.

“It was a hidden nuclear weapon to destroy the Convention which further made us believe that there are fifth columnists in the party that want to bring this party down because if we don’t have (Convention) and we go ahead with the Primaries, we might likely have our candidates lose all their seats as the case in Zamfara.

“We reported to the President that no action had been taken on the order. He said the Niger State Governor must take over on Monday and we should use whatever legal means necessary to make sure that the Convention is delivered.

“Bello has the President’s full backing and the backing of at least 19 of the 23 progressive Governors and Deputy Governors. There are  some Governors not fully on board, and are the ones planting fake stories. Since Monday he took over, we have substantial progress.”

El-Rufai also disclosed that the President has signed  some recommendations and endorsed the issue of zoning. However, he said that the Secretary to the Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, “refused to take instructions from Governor Bello who is Acting Chairman”.

El-Rufai: “I can assure you that even when he (Buni) returns to the country, he will handle no position. The National Secretary, I believe, the CECPC has taken action against him already. The CECPC has taken a decision on him. The CECPC will explain this decision in due time.”

Buni is on a medical trip in Dubai. On Thursday, a letter was in circulation, a hand-over letter, purportedly, from him to Bello to oversee  the affairs of the Party in his absence. But Bello denied getting any such letter from Buni. The Yobe State Governor has, definitely, lost out.

He is the second National Chairman of the APC to be sacked, unceremoniously, by Buhari. The first was former Edo State Governor, Adam Oshiomhole who the President replaced with Buni.

2023: APC Southern Caucus To Decide Where The Presidential Ticket Will Go – El-Rufai

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has, under pressure and protest from the South, and many others from the North, officially zoned the office of the President, in 2023, to the Southern part of Nigeria.

This, automatically, disqualifies anybody from the North from contesting for the office of the President.

This was revealed by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, when he spoke, Wednesday, on a Channels Television programme.

The Governor said it is now left for the APC Southern Caucus to decide which region in the South the ticket would go to.

El- Rufai: “Our expectation is that our Presidential candidate will come from somewhere in the south.

“It is up to the Southern caucus of the APC to now propose to us an acceptable candidate.”

The South is made up of three Zones – South-west, South-east and South-south.

Out of the three, only the South-east has not produced  a President since 1999 when the Military handed over power back to the civilians.

The South-west had eight years with President Olusegun Obasanjo. The South-south had six years with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Against 2023, the South-west, under the APC,  is, again, making a strong bid for it, flaunting both Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who has already started serious campaign, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is yet to declare his interest. It is also believed that other aspirants are likely to show interest from the South-west.

From the South-east, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, and Senator Rochas Okorocha have declared their interest.

From the South-south, nobody has declared yet, even though it is being seriously rumoured that the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, could be a favoured aspirant.

The South-east is arguing that for equity and justice, the office should be zoned to the South-east.

The expectation is that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, will also zone the office to the South. If it does, it will not be setting any precedent.

In 1999, the three major political parties zoned the President’s office to the South-west to compensate the Zone for the cancellation of the presumed victory, in 1993, of Chief MKO Abiola.

Abiola later died in the custody of the Military after the regime of late General Sani Abacha clamped him in detention for daring to insist on his electoral victory.

Ekiti Gov Election : We Never Asked Teachers To Submit Their Voters Cards – Govt Clarifies

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti State Government has clarified that teachers in the service of the State Government were not asked to submit their Permanent Voters Card(PVC) in respect of anything.

Government’s clarification is premised on a widely circulated social media information to the effect that teachers in the state have been directed to submit their PVCs through the State’s Teaching Service Commission.

According to the report, the PVCs are to be used during the June Governorship election to rig in favour of the ruling party in the state.

But a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Akin Omole, on Thursday  “condemned syndicated media reports alleging that the Kayode Fayemi-administration is requesting the submission of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from teachers through the state chapter of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) for ‘election rigging’ purposes.

“There is no iota of truth in the purported statement and law abiding citizens should disregard the claim.”

Mr Omole confirmed that the reckless rumours, which originated from statements made during an interview by Mr. Jackson Adebayo, a political operative and former Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is false and malicious, and has been rightly debunked by both the TESCOM and the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

“We are mindful of our role as a Government in the electioneering process and are duly guided by the electoral act and the guidelines as provided by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We are committed to contributing to the process of a free, credible, and fair election in the State, in keeping with extant laws and guidelines.

“We want to seize this opportunity to advise the general public to be watchful of inaccurate reports and information being circulated by politicians with negative intents as regards the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

“Amongst other priorities, the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi is fully focused on its duty to the people of the state and to our resourceful teachers by providing an enabling environment for their growth and development.

“It is interesting that this is coming at a time teachers are celebrating the fact that one of them, Mr. Asubiojo Henry Olaoluwa, through the unprecedented facilitation of the Governor was recently appointed to the board of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC).

“This administration enjoys the goodwill of our esteemed teachers, and they know Mr. Governor is a decent public servant who would never be party to anything that would impugn on the integrity of the electoral process.”

Reaction Trails Participation Of Murder Suspect, Chidinma, In Prison Beauty Pageant

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Chidinma Adaora Ojukwu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Prison Service has received knocks and flaks over the participation and emergence of Chidinma Ojukwu, the murder suspect of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, as Miss Cell 2022.

At the Beauty Pageant held on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 at Kirikiri Female Prison to mark the International Women’s Day 2022, Chidinma emerged as the Most Beautiful Girl. This has however generated controversy from different quarters.

Some have queried why the murder Suspect who is still standing trial should be allowed to participate in such competition following the alleged crime committed by the 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG.

Others have also queried that Chidinma was yet to be convicted of the crime, as she is till a suspect, making her participation in the Prison Beauty Pageant  condemnable

Chidinma had defeated other inmates at its facilities to the beauty pageant in grand style.

Pictures from the pageant flooded social media  Wednesday and sent tongues wagging on the propriety or otherwise of allowing non-convicts such as Miss Ojukwu to participate in the event.

Reacting to the deluge of flaks and criticism, the Centre’s Public Relations Officer, Rotimi Oladokun, said that the pageant and all the other events were open to all female inmates, whether convicted or awaiting trial.

Oladokun, a Superintendent, said: “I haven’t seen the pictures you are talking about. But in line with International Women’s Day, the female custodial facilities commemorated International Women’s Day with inmates, various inmates without distinction or discrimination against anybody – an inmate is an inmate.

“All the inmates in different cell blocks presented various programmes. Some did theatre presentations, others drama, some poetry, some beauty pageant, some drawings, paintings, comedy. So, various blocks won. It was just like an inter-cell block event.

“There were lots of presentations. It was not an individual thing. It was just the facility’s way of trying to reform the inmates, those still in custody.

“So, that’s why they commemorated International Women’s Day, that’s why it was done in the female facility, not the male’s”.

Stressing further on Chidinma’s participation, the spokesman said: “The particular inmate, I don’t know her name, There were various winners.

“The costumes were made by the inmates in the facility and some of the winners got sponsorship to pay for their UME forms, NECO, WASSCE and higher education.

“Some donated libraries to us, apart from some other stationery, and welfare resources. It was not an individual event, so the prizes were collective.”

He further explained that Chidinma could have been a representative of a block.

“There were representatives for each block, so maybe the inmate you are referring to was one of such representatives, but it was not an individual event, it was a collective one commemorating International Women’s Day,” Oladokun stated.

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