NEWS
Newly Elected Councillor, 8 Others Abducted In Kogi As Insecurity Worsens
Nine people were abducted by gunmen in the Odo-Ape community of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area late Tuesday night, in yet another wave of violent attacks that have left residents in fear.
Among the victims is Hon. Alaba Ope, the newly elected councillor representing Odo-Ape Ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, firing shots into the air to create panic before seizing their victims.
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Seven of those abducted are residents of the community, including five Gwaris and two Bassas, while another victim, identified as Silas, was taken from Agbadu, a neighboring village.
This latest incident comes just a week after three individuals, including an eight-year-old boy, were kidnapped from the same community.
A resident, who spoke under anonymity, described the growing anxiety in Odo-Ape: “We don’t know who will be next. The situation is becoming unbearable. We urgently need help.”
The source further revealed that Odo-Ape has become a hotbed of insecurity in recent weeks, with multiple kidnappings reported in quick succession.
“Only the councillor is an indigene of this community. The rest are residents just trying to live their lives peacefully,” the source added.
Odo-Ape and surrounding areas have seen a spike in kidnapping cases. Just last week, three individuals, including the eight-year-old boy, were taken and remain in captivity.
In a separate incident, two brothers were abducted on family property in Aluju, Kakun, adding to the community’s growing security concerns.
Community leaders have called on the Kogi State government and security agencies to intervene urgently.
Many residents have expressed frustration at the lack of adequate protection and fear that the abductions could spiral further.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, has yet to issue an official statement.
However, a senior security official confirmed the attack and assured that security agencies are working to secure the release of the abducted individuals.
“The state security apparatus is fully engaged, and we are working diligently to secure the victims’ release. We urge residents to remain calm and continue their daily activities,” the official said.
The recent spate of kidnappings in Kabba/Bunu LGA highlights the broader insecurity challenges facing the region. Residents are now living in fear, uncertain of when the next attack might occur.
In a bid to support low-income workers, Mexico has announced plans to raise its minimum wage by 12% starting January 2025.
The announcement was made Wednesday by Labor Minister Marath Bolaños during President Claudia Sheinbaum’s daily press conference, underscoring the government’s commitment to a “humanist economy” focused on reducing inequality.
The increase will see the daily minimum wage rise from 249 pesos ($12.23) to 278.80 pesos nationwide, while workers in northern border regions will earn approximately 420 pesos per day due to higher regional costs.
This adjustment reflects an agreement between labor and business sectors and builds on significant wage hikes in recent years.
“We continue on the path to rebuild the minimum wage and the purchasing power of Mexican men and women,” Bolaños said, highlighting that the wage has more than doubled—up 135%—since 2018 under successive leftist governments.
President Sheinbaum, who assumed office in October, has committed to maintaining annual wage increases of around 12% throughout her term.
Responding to concerns that the hike could stoke inflation, she dismissed such fears as unfounded.
“They said this would increase inflation. That’s false,” Sheinbaum said, pointing to central bank data indicating the hike will not have significant inflationary effects.
The administration’s long-term goal is to ensure the minimum wage covers 2.5 “basic food baskets,” a measure of essential groceries for a family of 3.7 people, by the end of Sheinbaum’s term.
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to allocate ₦100 million to Nigeria’s Tobacco Control Fund, enhancing its capacity to enforce the National Tobacco Control Act.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Bassey Akiba, representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, emphasised the need for increased funding.
He highlighted that the current allocation of ₦10 million in the 2024 budget falls short of what is required to combat tobacco-related health issues effectively.
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“Tobacco control is crucial due to its impact on preventable deaths, including cancer,” Akiba stated. He warned that inadequate funding could worsen health risks, noting tobacco consumption’s link to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Health to provide a detailed report on the Tobacco Control Fund, including its balance, funding sources, and previous expenditures.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas backed the motion, stressing the importance of sustainable funding to reduce dependence on international donors.
The House resolved to advocate for a ₦100 million allocation in the 2025 budget to bolster the fund’s effectiveness.
At the eighth Nigeria Family Planning Conference held in Abuja, medical experts stressed the urgent need to address high fertility rates and low family planning uptake to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
The event, themed “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” was organised by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Dr Ejike Oji, Chairman of the AAFP Management Committee, underscored the transformative potential of family planning as a tool for sustainable development. He highlighted its multifaceted benefits, including saving lives, promoting gender equity, and fostering economic growth. According to Oji, “$1 invested in contraceptive services saves $3 in maternal and newborn health costs by reducing unintended pregnancies.”
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Despite some progress, Nigeria’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) remains at 15 per cent, with an unmet need of 21 per cent. Dr Oji called for increased collaboration and innovation to meet the FP2030 targets.
Funmilola OlaOlorun, Co-Principal Investigator at Performance Monitoring for Action/Nigeria, emphasised the need for strict adherence to the national family planning blueprint to achieve a two per cent annual CPR increase. “We cannot do business as usual,” she stated, urging for more funding, dedication, and resource mobilisation.
Samuel Oyeniyi, Director at the Reproductive Health Department, acknowledged the slow but steady progress towards FP2030. He emphasised the importance of integrating family planning into broader health initiatives to bridge existing gaps.
The conference highlighted Nigeria’s renewed commitment, including a $4 million government investment in family planning and the integration of family planning services into the healthcare provision fund, ensuring access for marginalised groups.
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