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Dowen College Bullying: Stories Not Adding Up

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Dowen College Bullying: Stories Not Adding Up

Dowen College Bullying: Stories Not Adding Up

By: Kunle Duro, Lagos

As the narratives surrounding the alleged bullying of Sylvester Oromoni jr, a situation that allegedly led to his death continues to confound the nation, the police in Lagos may have called for a second look at the story as narrated by his father.

The police are said to be interested in what happened from the moment the 12-year-old was taken from the school by his parents to Warri and how he died later. 

The police are now questioning what drugs were prescribed on the sick child by the Doctor in Warri and what tests were carried out from Tuesday when the boy was handed over to his guardian till he died seven days later.

According to a police source, the police are currently looking at the story of the five boys who are now at juvenile remand in Lagos since last week.

According to him, the stories of the five boys seems to tally with that of the school’s position, a situation which is making the police take a second look at the validity of the narratives of Sylvester Oromoni’s father. 

“The young man was said to have left the school’s premises on Wednesday on his own without support but with a slight limp and taken to Warri by his father on Friday. We are awaiting the report of the doctor that treated Warri and the hospital he was taken to before he died on Tuesday, nine days after he sustained injuries.”

He said that the police may have detained the five children who allegedly bullied young Sylvester due to public pressure and interest in the story. “But the detained children in custody, the oldest of whom is 16 years, will surely have an everlasting implication on the lives of the boys if eventually they are found not guilty.”

It would be recalled that Dowen issued a statement stating the position of the school.

According to the statement issued by the Principal, “on 21st day of November 2021, one of the Hostel Parents reported to management that Sylvester was injured while playing football. The resident registered nurse immediately administered first aid on him and after he expressed relief, was released to return to his hostel room.

Sylvester was in class on Monday 22nd day of November 2021, but during school hours one of his friends accompanied him to the Sick Bay where he complained of some pain in his hip. The doctor examined him and prescribed Ibrofen for the pain, while the nurse massaged his leg, after which Sylvester said he felt a bit better.

“In accordance with school policy, the resident doctor called Mrs Oromoni reporting the incident and requesting that she come for him so that he could get further medical attention. The mother however said she was not in Lagos, spoke with Sylvester and prayed with him on the phone and promised to send the guardian to pick him up immediately for further medical attention.

“When the guardian failed to show up, the next day on the 23rd of November 2021, the doctor called the mother again and this time, she assured that his guardian would pick him from school. Sylvester’s guardian showed up and took him for an X-ray after which the guardian informed the school management that the results of the investigation revealed that no part of his body was broken or injured. 

Also Read: NDLEA Arrest Nigeriens, Ghanaian with drugs

“The resident doctor also called the mother later in the week to check up on Sylvester’s progress but she informed the doctor that Sylvester was sleeping at the time.  

The Principal also spoke with Mrs Oromoni on the phone to enquire about his progress and she reported that he was having a massage and gave the phone to Sylvester to speak with the Principal.

“As a result, it came as no small shock to us to read wild social media tales that Sylvester was beaten by some students and that he specifically mentioned some names. We immediately commenced investigations and invited the students mentioned for an interview. Sylvester’s guardian was also present during some of the investigations. It was revealed that nothing of such happened.  

The whole incident was strange and unbelievable because the school has effective anti-bullying policies and consequences are well spelt out to all the students. The preliminary investigation showed that there was no fighting, bullying or any form of attack on the boy. 

“There were no reports by Sylvester himself, his sister who is also a student or any other students, prefects, house parents, medical staff or any of the management staff about any fighting or bullying incident. 

“The school has two regular nurses and a qualified medical doctor that promptly attends to students’ medical needs.

“The resident doctor followed the laid down procedure by inviting Mrs Oromoni to take Sylvester home for further treatment after initial treatment by the school’s medical staff.”

The school has a very cordial relationship with the Oromoni family as Sylvester is the fifth child of the family Dowen College has the privilege to train, including his elder sister who is currently a student at the school.

Furthermore, we state categorically Dowen College is built on core values of godliness and excellence and will not tolerate any acts of cultism, which is why there is nothing like that and there have never been such deviant activities going on, as this is a faith-based school and effective policies are in place to prevent such occurrence. 

We are deeply saddened by the death of Sylvester who was a dearly beloved student of the school. We wish to extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Oromoni family, relatives, friends, and classmates at this very difficult time. 

Dowen College Bullying: Stories Not Adding Up

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SGBV Centre to be Established in All Wards in Kuje LGA

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SGBV Centre to be Established in All Wards in Kuje LGA

By: Michael Mike

Kuje local council of the Federal Capital Territory is set to establish Sexual and Gender Based Violence Centre in all its ten political wards to clampdown on the growing menace.

Delivering a speech at a one-day community advocacy/dialogue on issues of SGBV organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for stakeholders in Kuje, the Council Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sabo who noted that: “Violence against women and girls in any form is the manifestation of profound lack of respect and a failure by men to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women,” said that the council would set up response centres across the 10 political wards in Kuje Area Council to support the fight against SGBV.

The Chairman who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Abdullahi Sabo (Snr), said: “The time for complacency has long gone, it is time for action, we can no longer watch over 70 per cent of women in our communities face physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

” Therefore, for an effective response to this menace, the need for different sectors in the society to collaborate and work together cannot be overemphasised.

“We indeed pledge to do better for survivors of SGBV. As an institution, we need to do more to support victims and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“We have to do more to respond to the cry for justice for women and children who have suffered violence.”

On her part, the NAPTIP Director-General, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, said that the aim of the dialogue was to discuss the unique roles of all community stakeholders towards reducing SGBV in the FCT.

She said that it was also aim at empowering community members to recognize early signs of abuse, intervene effectively create a culture that does not tolerate violence.

“We must collectively continue to create a supportive environment where victims feel empowered to report cases of SGBV, this lies in the hands of the communities.

She said that parents are been complacent by failing to protect their children in abusive and exploitative situations.

The DG encouraged Nigerians to report cases of SGBV to NAPTIP, while also stressing the need to preserve evidence especially in cases of rape.

SGBV Centre to be Established in All Wards in Kuje LGA

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President Tinubu flags off inaugural airlift of 2024 Hajj in Kebbi

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President Tinubu flags off inaugural airlift of 2024 Hajj in Kebbi

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (CFR) has flagged-off the inaugural airlift of 2024 Hajji exercise from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The grand ceremony took place at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday with distinguished personalities in attendance.

The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and progress of the country.

He charged the intending pilgrims to abide by all rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and urged them to avoid any illicit act capable of affecting the integrity of their Hajj.

“Mr president has been committed to this year’s Hajji due to the economic situation, he has also contributed the sum of N90 billion Naira to subsidise this year’s Hajj exercise in order to have a smooth and successful exercise.
”You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.

”President Bola Tinubu also work round the clock to control the downwards spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.

”A moved that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the released of N90 billion to subsidized the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj.”

He said that the government of Renewed Hope led by Tinubu attaches immense importance to religious pilgrimage due to the role its plays in transforming behavioral and social vices of the believers beyond performing the pilgrimage.

Delivering his speech, the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris said this year’s Hajji signifies a sacred journey for thousands of devoted pilgrims who embarked on a spiritual voyage to the Holy land.

He explained further that Hajj is a time to honoured tradition that holds great significance for Muslims around the world.

“It is a journey of faith, devotion and unity where believers come together to fufill one of the five pillars of Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca is a profound experience that fosters a sense of community, humility and spiritual renewal,” he said

The Governor urged the people that they should remember the significance of this sacred ritual, adding that Hajji remained a testament to the unity of Muslim Ummah, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences.

“It is a time for reflection, prayer and seeking forgiveness, as well as an opportunity for personal growth and self discovery,” he added.

He commended the Federal Government, National Hajji Commission and those that were involved for there commitments toward the successful exercise.

Gov. Idris noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was the first state to remit 2024 Hajj fare in Nigeria, adding the intending pilgrims from Kebbi were given special treatment by the present administration to confort them toward a successful Hajj exercise.

The governor said his administration had spent N900 for infrastrutural development of the Hajj Camp in Birnin Kebbi to make it more conducive for the intending pilgrims

In his remarks, the National Chairman, National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Jalai Ahmad Arabi thanked the President and Kebbi State Governor for their support and cooperation towards the success of this year’s Hajji exercise.

He described this year’s Hajji as the most innovative and special one, saying, “honestly, I am well over warm the way and manner the Kebbi State Goqqvernor committed all the resources for them to achieve.

President Tinubu flags off inaugural airlift of 2024 Hajj in Kebbi

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Nigeria Calls for Collaboration Among ECOWAS States to Develop Tourism Sector in West Africa

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Nigeria Calls for Collaboration Among ECOWAS States to Develop Tourism Sector in West Africa

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria government has called for the collaboration among the counties of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to develop the tourism potential of the subregion and place West Africa in prime position to compete with other regions.

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Folorunsho Coker, also called for the streamlining of policies on tourism in countries in the subregion while delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the meeting of experts and stakeholders of the private tourism industry on the monitoring and evaluation mechanism of ECOTOUR 19-29 and the ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation regulator in Abuja on Tuesday.

Coker said: “It’s the season to collaborate not to compete,” adding that: “It’s in the spirit of collaboration that we will grow pan-African tourism.”

He said: “I want to encourage the localisation of policies”, insisting that policies would only be successful when localised.

Coker said all the regulations in the region be streamlined into one that will guide activities in the tourism sector across the 15 ECOWAS member states, urging for the training of tourism operators in the region as well as the introduction of technology in tourism.

He said: “We must embrace technology or it will leave us behind.”

The Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, Massandjé Toure-Liste said the meeting drew aspiration from the ECOTOUR 19-29 action plan, adopted by the Authority of Heads of State and Government which was designed to serve as a roadmap for promoting responsible tourism.

She said: “To this end, our technical meeting today centres around drafting the operational modalities for two critical tools: the ECOTOUR 19-29 monitoring and evaluation mechanism and the ETAR – ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation Regulator.

“The ECOTOUR 19-29 Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism will involve developing operational guidelines and appointing dedicated members or focal points to oversee its implementation.

“Simultaneously, for the ECOWAS Tourist Accommodation Regulator (ETAR) we will define the composition and operational modalities in alignment with Regulation C.REG.2/07/23.

“Our focus on Private Sector Collaboration includes; facilitating dialogue among representatives from the private tourism sector and encouraging strategic alignment and collaboration at the regional level.

Massandjé, who was represented by the ECOWAS Commission’s Director of Private sector, Dr Anthony Elumelu, said: “Additionally, we aim to support private sector players in finalising the process of creating a regional confederation.”

The meeting is expected to end on Friday 17th May, 2024.

Nigeria Calls for Collaboration Among ECOWAS States to Develop Tourism Sector in West Africa

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