Other News
IOM Marks International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
GENEVA – As part of its migration health programme to improve the health conditions of migrants and mobile populations in Somalia, IOM and the Somali Women Development Centre (SWDC) marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Aiming to raise awareness on FGM on this day, IOM and SWDC reached approximately 400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Al-cadaala and Walalo Biyole settlements in Mogadishu through community-based social mobilization.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that FGM is widely practiced in Somalia and there is an urgent need to increase awareness of the impact of the harmful practice on the health of women and girls. According to a 2012 joint programme report by UNICEF and UNFPA, an estimated 98 per cent of women have undergone FGM in Somalia.
Reports from IOM partners in 2013 indicate that most FGM survivors are girls between the ages of 9 and 12 who were mutilated with the consent of their mothers. The prevalence of the practice predisposes Somali women of child bearing age to various complications and in some instances puts their lives at risk during child birth.
“FGM is against Islamic religion as well as international law. A huge number of women suffer during childbirth and some of them even die due to complications caused by FGM.” said SWDC Legal Advisor Zahra Mohamed Ahmed, calling for international agencies and NGOs to organize campaigns to combat the practice.
“IOM has been working against gender-based violence (GBV) in Somalia by strengthening referral systems with partners, providing psychosocial first-aid and counselling to survivors of GBV, building capacity of relevant institutions, providing protection for vulnerable women, and improving security in IDP settlements by providing solar lanterns,” said IOM Somalia’s Ruth Mbugua.
In 2013 alone, IOM also provided primary healthcare services to over 12,000 IDPs throughout Somalia, with financial support from various donors such as the Government of Japan and the Government of France.
Other News
LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has alerted motorists to traffic delays along Ogunnusi Road towards Ojodu-Berger due to ongoing rehabilitation work.
LASTMA disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Sunday, stating that the road rehabilitation was being carried out by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC).
According to the agency, “The ongoing work is affecting traffic flow, with vehicles moving at a slower pace in both directions.”
ALSO READ: Chaos On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway As LASTMA Shuts Otedola Bridge
To ease the situation, LASTMA said a contraflow arrangement had been introduced for motorists travelling from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction.
“A contraflow arrangement is in place for vehicles coming from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction to facilitate the movement of traffic,” the agency stated.
LASTMA added that its personnel had been deployed to manage traffic and ensure the continuous movement of vehicles around the affected area.
“Our personnel are on ground managing the traffic situation and ensuring the continuous flow of vehicular movement,” the agency said.
The traffic management authority advised motorists to remain patient and exercise caution while the rehabilitation work continues.
“Motorists are advised to exercise patience and drive with caution while the rehabilitation work continues,” LASTMA stated.
NEWS
Dangote Investments are Catalysts for Africa’s Economic Growth – AFC
Leading economists, financial experts and industry stakeholders have described the Dangote Group’s investments as major drivers of industrialisation and economic transformation across Nigeria and Africa.
The experts cited the Group’s impact on job creation, import substitution, foreign exchange conservation and economic competitiveness.
They voiced their thoughts at the Lagos Economic Summit themed “The Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity,” where they urged governments to implement policies that strengthen local industries and accelerate economic diversification.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu, commended the Dangote Group’s sustained investments across Africa, describing them as critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
He noted that while recent economic reforms have improved foreign exchange stability, strengthened reserves and eased inflationary pressures, the focus must now shift to growth in industry, productivity and employment.
READ ALSO: NMDPRA Shares July Domestic Cooking Gas Supply Details
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, said industrialisation remains the most effective path to sustainable economic development.
He called for better alignment of trade and industrial policies, stressing that local manufacturers require strategic support to compete effectively and drive broader economic benefits.
Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said Africa’s growing population presents a significant industrial opportunity, noting that investments such as the Dangote Refinery are helping to retain capital within the continent while strengthening local production capacity.
In his keynote address, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria is gradually transitioning from a consumption-led economy to one driven by investment and production.
He added that sustained investments in productive sectors will continue to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve living standards.
Participants at the summit also advocated stronger credit infrastructure, improved national identification systems and increased investment in skills development to enhance the productivity and global competitiveness of Africa’s growing youth population.
Photo Caption: From Left – Chief Economist, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Hassan Mahmud; Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Chairman of Occasion/Special Guest of Honour, Samaila Zubairu; Key Note Speaker Session 1, Bismarck Rewane; during the Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity, Sponsored by Dangote Industry Limited in Lagos on Thursday 3, September 2026.
Other News
VDM Fires Back at Police, Releases First ‘Evidence’ Over Kidnap Claims
Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has released what he described as his first piece of evidence after the Nigeria Police Force challenged him to substantiate his allegations that some police officers allegedly collaborate with kidnappers.
VDM released a video on his Instagram handle on Thursday, August 27, 2026, shortly after the police invited him to provide evidence supporting the claims he made at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.
SEE MORE: ‘Provide Evidence’ — Police React to VDM’s Explosive Kidnap Allegation
The activist captioned the video: “My evidence number 1.”
Recalled that VDM, who was a panellist at the NBA conference on Tuesday, had alleged that some police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.
According to him, the officers allegedly relay details about the identities and movements of travellers to criminal groups, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
The allegation triggered a response from the Nigeria Police Force, which denied the claim and challenged VDM to substantiate his allegations.
The police invitation came as the force sought evidence to support the serious claims made by the social media critic.
In response, VDM released the video, describing it as his “evidence number 1”, signalling that he may provide further material to support his allegations.
The development has continued to attract attention, with the controversy placing renewed focus on allegations of possible collaboration between security personnel and criminal groups involved in kidnapping and banditry.






356051 83158This write-up is quite appealing to thinking individuals like me. It is not only thought-provoking, it draws you in from the beginning. This is well-written content material. The views here are also appealing to me. Thank you. 883248
100272 171306Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw excellent style and style . 821579