NEWS
2023: Women should be given more opportunities in governance – senator Nnamani
***condemns human trafficking
By John Danjuma
Former Governor of Enugu state Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has again canvassed for more women inclusion in elective and appointive positions in government ahead of 2023 general election.
Nnamani who is also the Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, frown at the unabating cases of human trafficking especially against women and the girl child for labour and prostitution .
In a statement he personally signed to commemorate this year’s “World Day Against Trafficking in persons” in Abuja at the weekend, he urged governments at all levels to provide stringent measures to curb trafficking in persons against women, children and the girl child forthwith .
“The United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2013 declared July 30 every year to mark trafficking in persons as part of sensitisation and global plan of action to combat the menace. This year’s theme focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking.”
Senator Nnamani who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa/NEPAD
lamented , “Women bear an undue burden of poverty, ignorance, disease and sociological abuse in addition to displacement and denial of political spaces which shut them out from nation building”.
To this end, he advocated that “affirmative action is urgently needed to enable our women catch up or equalize in order to complement their male counterparts in the onerous task of developing the beleaguered nation”.
In today’s world , Senator Nnamani stated that Women equalization and empowerment is the order of the day stressing that the task at hand demands joint efforts between the male and female citizens and not the exclusive reserve of the former.
READ ALSO: Police in Enugu seek parents of child found wandering
He acknowledged the existence of the ministry of women affairs, but suggested the establishment of the office of “equal opportunity” for women to specifically address the imbalances and other issues affecting them and the girl child.
Senator Nnamani went down memory lane recalling that it was on account of challenges facing women that Lyndon Baines Johnson of United States of America in August 1964, signed the Equal Opportunity Act as part of the jumbo reforms under the “ Great Society” programme .
He added : “Women rights are human rights. There is need to reserve jobs quota for women and address issues of job discrimination and the likes against women . Women suffer work place discrimination and harassment, stigmatization and poor prosecution for rape and assault”.
The American trained obstetrician and gynecologist also cautioned against early or forced marriages because of the attendant birth injuries and sequelae including Vesico-Vaginal fistula , poor and neglected post delivery/ maternity welfare among others .
He said Nigeria in the 21st century should lead the way in Africa to give women a chance in governments at all levels .
NEWS
Justice at Last: Boko Haram Member Sentenced to Death for 2015 Maiduguri Terror Attack
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his involvement in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, Borno State.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, finding Yarima guilty of participating in acts of terrorism that led to the deadly attacks.
The court also imposed multiple prison terms on the convict for other terrorism-related offences.
SEE ALSO: MNJTF Commander Pledges End to Boko Haram Insurgency in Borno
Aside from the death sentence on count seven, the court sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on count six for receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for carrying out terrorist activities.
Justice Omotosho also handed him 35 years imprisonment on count one for professing membership of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group, and 30 years imprisonment on count five.
In addition, the court sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment each on counts two, three and four.
The Federal Government had arraigned Yarima on a seven-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the prosecution, Yarima, who hails from the Lawanti area of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, belonged to Boko Haram between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest.
He was also accused of accepting the teachings (Da’awah) of the sect’s late founder, Mohammed Yusuf, and remaining a member of the terrorist organisation despite its proscription.
The prosecution further told the court that Yarima travelled to an Arab country where he received training in arms and weapon handling in preparation for terrorist operations, an offence punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
He was also found guilty of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, an offence that attracted the death penalty under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
The trial, which is usually conducted in Kainji, Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Speaking after the judgment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” Fagbemi said.
NEWS
Again, Dangote Reduces PMS Gantry Price to N1,125/Litre
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a further reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N1,175 to N1,125 per litre.
A statement from the company on Thursday has it that this latest adjustment reflects the refinery’s ongoing commitment to ensuring price stability, improving affordability, and supporting Nigeria’s energy security objectives.
ALSO READ: NBS: Kerosene Price Dips as Diesel, Petrol Costs Rise
The price review underscores Dangote Refinery’s responsiveness to prevailing market conditions and its efforts to pass on cost efficiencies to downstream partners and consumers.
“Dangote Refinery remains focused on its broader mission of contributing to economic growth, enhancing fuel availability, and fostering a more competitive and sustainable petroleum sector in Nigeria,” the statement added.
NEWS
Why SEC Ordered Immediate Refunds Over Dangote Refinery IPO Promotions
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has explained why it directed capital market operators to immediately refund funds collected from investors in connection with a purported Initial Public Offering (IPO) by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Commission revealed that it had observed the circulation of advertisements, flyers, digital banners, and electronic messages across social media and investment platforms inviting members of the public to invest in the refinery through an alleged IPO.
ALSO READ: ‘Nigerian Marketers Import Dangote Fuel Via Lome Hub’
According to the SEC, the purported offer has not received regulatory approval, as the Commission has neither received nor approved any application from Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE for a public offering.
The regulator expressed concern that some registered capital market operators were actively promoting the unapproved offer and soliciting subscriptions from prospective investors.
Explaining the reason for its directive, the SEC stated that the campaign was misleading and amounted to market manipulation capable of creating false expectations among investors and undermining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.
The Commission noted that invitations encouraging members of the public to open accounts, pre-fund investments, or reserve guaranteed share allocations for the alleged IPO violate provisions of the Investments and Securities Act as well as existing market regulations.
As a result, the SEC ordered all registered operators, including stockbrokers and promoters of digital investment platforms, to immediately cease all advertising and promotional activities relating to the purported offer.
The Commission further directed operators to remove all related promotional materials from their websites, social media pages, and other communication channels within 24 hours.
In addition, firms were instructed to stop accepting deposits, investment commitments, account registrations, or expressions of interest linked to the alleged public offering.
To protect investors from potential losses, the SEC ordered any operator that had already collected funds in connection with the purported IPO to refund such monies within 24 hours.
The regulator warned that any operator that fails to comply with the directive risks facing sanctions under the Investments and Securities Act 2025 and the SEC Rules and Regulations.
The Commission also advised Nigerians to rely only on information released through approved regulatory channels and to ignore unofficial promotional campaigns or investment solicitations concerning the refinery.
SEC added that if Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE eventually decides to proceed with a public offering and secures regulatory approval, an authorised prospectus will be published in line with the law.
The directive comes amid reports that the Dangote Group is considering listing a 10 per cent stake in its $20 billion refinery through a Pan-African IPO expected in 2026.






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