National News
UN calls for domestication of HIV/AIDS Anti Discrimination Act 2014 in Nigerian States
UN calls for domestication of HIV/AIDS Anti Discrimination Act 2014 in Nigerian States
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) has called on remaining State Governments in Nigeria that are yet to domesticate and implement the HIV/AIDS Anti Discrimination Act 2014 to immediate do so in order to break down the wall of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
UNAIDS Country Director, Dr. Leopold Zekeng made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the commemoration of Zero Discrimination Day 2024, with the theme, “To protect Everyone’s Health, Protect Everyone’s Rights.”
He revealed that no fewer than 18 States in Nigeria are yet to domesticate and implement Anti Discrimination Act, hence the call on them to urgently domesticate the legal instrument.
The HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act 2014 makes it illegal to discriminate against people based on their HIV status, and also prohibits any employer, individual or organisation from requiring a person to take an HIV test as a precondition for employment or access to services, amongst several other provisions.
Zekeng, also stressed the need for increased advocacy, and protection of the rights of those living with HIV.
Zekeng, while noting that Nigeria has made remarkable progress in the area of treatment and HIV related death, however lamented that appreciable progress has not been replicated in the area of discrimination against those living with the disease.
He decried that despite this progress, a lot more work still need to be done to get to the desired destination, stressing that discrimination in the context of HIV management will prevent patient from seeking treatment.
He said the Zero Discrimination Day was instituted 10 years ago, to provide a platform to raise awareness and proffer solutions to discrimination and rights issues.
In his goodwill message, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas while noting that the occasion should not be limited to a mere observance; said it should be used for advocacy where a poignant call is made for action, and a resolute stand against the pervasive scourge of discrimination that continues to afflict individuals and communities around the globe is taken.
The Speaker who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Civil Society and Development Matters, Hon. Victor Obuzor, said: “As we all are aware, discrimination, in all its insidious forms, strikes at the very heart of our humanity. It continues to fracture societies, stifle progress, and undermine the fundamental principles of equality and justice upon which our collective aspirations for a better world are built. Regardless of the form that discrimination takes, whether it be racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, albinism, or any other form of prejudice, discrimination erects barriers that deny individuals their inherent dignity and rights”.
He reaffirmed the unwavering resolve of the 10th House to forge a future where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is the norm, but discrimination is relegated to the darkest corners of history.
The Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, said that the country cannot end the scourge of HIV without ending discrimination against people living with it.
He noted that people will be more confident to come out to access treatment if they are sure that they are not going to be discriminated against.
He however, promised to continue to engage critical stakeholders in the pandemic ecosystem to ensure that discrimination is permanently dismantled.
UN calls for domestication of HIV/AIDS Anti Discrimination Act 2014 in Nigerian States
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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