NEWS
SERAP Issues Tinubu 48-Hour Ultimatum Over Detained Minors
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to use his “leadership position and good offices to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN to take urgent steps to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all the #EndBadGovernance protesters including the 32 hungry and malnourished children.”
This was detailed in a statement in Lagos on Sunday under the signature of its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The SERAP said “these children and other protesters are detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
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The SERAP urged him “to direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate law enforcement agencies to promptly investigate the circumstances surrounding the grave violations of the human rights of the children and other protesters in detention, and to identify and bring to justice those responsible, and ensure justice and remedies for the victims.”
The SERAP also urged him “to direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate agencies to ensure the immediate access to medical treatment for all the protesters including the 32 hungry malnourished children for their apparently deteriorating health.”
According to the open letter dated 2 November 2024, “Bringing charges against children and detaining them simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights is clearly not acting in the ‘best interests of the child’.”
The SERAP said, “The detention of the 32 hungry and malnourished children also infringes their right to education. These children ought to be in school, and not languishing in detention.”
According to the SERAP, “The apparent ill-treatment of the protesters including the 32 hungry and malnourished children have shined a light on the appalling conditions in Nigeria’s prisons which continue to put lives at risk.”
The letter, copied to Dr. Matthew Gillett, the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, read in part: “The continuing arbitrary detention of the protesters creates a climate of fear, discouraging other citizens from freely exercising their human rights, leading to a broader chilling effect.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.
“SERAP is concerned that Nigerian authorities are weaponizing the criminal justice system to curtail the rights of the children and other protesters to liberty, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“We are concerned that the rights of the protesters to life, health, and safety are being violated in detention. Bringing charges against the protesters and detaining them is neither necessary nor proportionate.
“The conditions in which these children and other protesters are being detained are utterly inadequate and substantially below international standards.
“Children have the right to express their views freely in matters affecting them. Children’s ability to engage in political and public affairs depends largely on the extent to which their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.
“Your government has the obligations to ensure and uphold the rights of Nigerian children including to life, liberty, education and development, as well as to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth.
“Your government also has the obligation to provide a safe, enabling and empowering environment for young people to promote human rights.
“Your government has the obligations to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently and effectively investigate and appropriately punish those responsible for grave human rights abuses against the protesters in custody and to provide the victims with access to justice and effective remedies.
“Any decision concerning a child must take full account of the child’s best interests including by protecting the children from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and ensuring that the detention of a child is used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
“The Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Nigeria is a state party recognizes that children are entitled to a heightened duty of care because of their special status as children, which requires specific measures that take into account their level of development and evolving capacities.
“The Convention and the Child Rights Act impose binding legal obligations on your government to take specific measures for the development of children taking account of their evolving capacities, best interests and without discrimination.
“Articles 37 (b) and 40 (2) (b) (ii) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child also provide that every child arrested and deprived of his or her liberty should be brought before a competent authority within 24 hours to examine the legality of the deprivation of liberty.
“SERAP notes that rules 1, 24, 27 and 118 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) provide that all persons deprived of their liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, including by receiving appropriate medical care.
“Rule 22 of the Nelson Mandela Rules guarantees the right of all detained persons to receive food of wholesome quantity and drinking water.
“According to reports, 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters including 32 children, were recently arraigned in court for allegedly participating in the nationwide protests in August. The protesters, who have been in detention for three months, were reportedly arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja); as well as Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states.
“Four children/young persons collapsed on the courtroom floor, writhing in pain before being removed to get medical help.
“The protesters were arraigned on 10 counts bordering on ‘treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria and inciting to mutiny’. However, the protest was against economic hardship and poor governance, as protesters called for reduced governance costs, the reinstatement of petrol subsidy, and food security.”
Dangote Industries Limited and CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) have entered into a multi-year global partnership to showcase African businesses, innovation and industrial development to audiences around the world.
A key part of the partnership is Dangote’s sponsorship of Africa Inc., a new half-hour programme on CNN International that will highlight African companies competing and expanding on the global stage.
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Hosted by Adefemi Akinsanya, Africa Inc. will examine businesses across sectors including technology, hospitality, manufacturing and entertainment, while exploring Africa’s growing influence on global commerce, innovation and consumer trends.
The programme is scheduled to premiere on CNN International on August 29, 2026, with four additional episodes planned for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
Bespoke Africa Inc. segments will also air every two months on CNN International, supported by digital and social media content.
The partnership will further feature branded content produced by CNNIC’s in-house studio, Create, under the Africa First series.
The series will focus on Africa’s drive towards energy independence and economic transformation through films, data-driven articles and social media content highlighting the continent’s industrial development.
Dangote Industries will be featured as one example of Africa’s industrial transformation.
The campaign will run across CNN International, CNN.com and CNN Arabic, as well as CNN Business platforms on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. The Africa First content will also feature across CNN’s US television and digital platforms.
Beyond television and digital media, Dangote Industries will sponsor three editions of CNN’s new Global Perspectives events franchise over the next 12 months.
CNN International Commercial Senior Vice President for Advertising Sales, Cathy Ibal, said the partnership would help bring stories of African innovation, resilience and leadership to CNN’s international audience.
“We are pleased to once again be working with Dangote Industries Limited to tell the stories of a self-sufficient Africa,” Ibal said.
Dangote Industries Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the collaboration was part of the conglomerate’s global brand positioning strategy.
He added that the partnership would provide a platform to showcase Dangote Industries’ Vision 2030 economic blueprint and industrialisation drive to a global audience.
The Africa First branded content is expected to launch this week, ahead of the August 29 premiere of Africa Inc. on CNN International.
One distinguishing factor of the recruits of the NNPC Tigers Class of 2026, is the emergence of identical twin brothers, Hussaini and Hassan Malami, among them, as both secured positions at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
The brothers’ recruitment has also challenged a common misconception that the NNPC Ltd does not employ more than one person from the same family.
Hussaini had always desired a career at the NNPC Ltd and applied immediately when the recruitment opened. He then encouraged Hassan, his twin brother to submit an application.
Hassan, however, was initially reluctant because he believed the NNPC Ltd only hired one person per family and did not want to interfere with his brother’s ambition.
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His own career aspiration was to join the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). He already worked in the banking sector and had not considered a corporate career.
His doubts were also influenced by the experience of three older siblings — a lawyer, an engineer and a business administrator — who had previously applied to the NNPC Ltd without success.
Hassan eventually applied close to the deadline following repeated encouragement from his twin.
The brothers sat for the computer-based test on the same day but in different locations, with Hussaini taking his test in Sokoto and Hassan in Kaduna.
After going through the recruitment process, including interviews, both brothers received employment letters on the same day.
“I opened the email after midnight and wanted to wake everybody up to tell them,” Hussaini laughed.
Hassan discovered the news after seeing it on the family WhatsApp group when he woke up.
He said Hussaini’s success made him nervous about his own chances.
“I was now nervous about the possibility of not being successful once Hussaini shared his news.”
Both brothers eventually secured positions at the state oil major.
Hussaini now works with the NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NNPC E&P Limited), while Hassan is with the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC).
For Hassan, his new position has provided an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s gas industry.
“I didn’t know there was a whole business dedicated to transporting gas,” Hassan said. “Now I’ve seen how gas powers plants and manufacturing companies…. Hearing that gas is the future is one thing. Seeing how it is happening is another.”
Although Hassan had initially been uninterested in a corporate career, he now considers his work at the NNPC Ltd another way of serving Nigeria.
He still hopes to explore military service before reaching the age limit in 2030.
Hussaini, meanwhile, said his experience has strengthened his long-standing ambition to contribute to society. He also hopes to return to his university as a guest lecturer and share his professional experience with students.
“When I was in university, I only had one lecturer with field experience,” he said. “I want to share practical experience with students someday.”
Asked which of the NNPC Ltd’s culture transformation pillar best reflects his mindset, Hussaini selected Enterprise First.
He explained his choice by saying that “giving your best to the company is giving your best to the country.”
Hassan identified with Execution Excellence, drawing from his background as a civil engineer.
“I’m a civil engineer…. I like seeing things come to life from concept to completion.”
The twins also urged young Nigerians interested in joining the NNPC Ltd not to be discouraged by rumours about the recruitment process.
“Ignore the rumours. You don’t need to know anybody at NNPC. Apply. Take the test and earn your place.”
Their story demonstrates that being from the same family does not prevent multiple candidates from securing opportunities at the NNPC Ltd, provided they meet the requirements and successfully navigate the recruitment process.
Identical Nigerian twins, Hussaini and Hassan Malami, have secured employment with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as members of the NNPC Tigers Class of 2026, after overcoming a misconception about the company’s recruitment process.
Their inspiring story was contained in a profile by Adaobi Oniwinde, Senior Communications Advisor at NNPC Limited, on Monday.
Hussaini, who had always aspired to work with NNPC, applied when the company opened its recruitment exercise and encouraged his twin brother, Hassan, to do the same.
SEE ALSO: NNPC Ltd Considers Commissioning, as AKK Gas Pipeline Lands Abuja
Hassan initially hesitated because he believed NNPC recruited only one person from a family. Concerned that applying could jeopardise his brother’s chances, he decided against it at first.
He was also more interested in joining the Nigerian Air Force and already had a job in the banking sector.
However, with the application deadline approaching and following persistent encouragement from Hussaini, Hassan eventually applied.
The brothers later took the computer-based recruitment test on the same day but at different locations, with Hussaini sitting for his test in Sokoto and Hassan taking his in Kaduna.
After going through interviews and other stages of the recruitment process, both brothers received employment letters on the same day.
Hussaini said he discovered his employment offer after midnight and was eager to share the news with his family.
“I opened the email after midnight and wanted to wake everybody up to tell them,” he said.
Hassan said he learnt about his successful application through the family WhatsApp group when he woke up.
“That’s when the pressure hit me. I was now nervous about the possibility of not being successful once Hussaini shared his news,” he said.
The twins eventually secured positions in different NNPC subsidiaries. Hussaini joined NNPC Exploration & Production Limited, while Hassan joined NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company.
For Hassan, the new job has exposed him to aspects of Nigeria’s gas industry that were previously unfamiliar to him.
“I didn’t know there was a whole business dedicated to transporting gas,” he said, explaining that his experience had given him a clearer understanding of how gas powers plants and supports manufacturing companies.
Although Hassan had initially hoped to pursue a career in the military, he now considers his role in the energy sector another form of national service.
He also said he still hoped to explore military service before reaching the age limit in 2030.
Hussaini, on his part, said working at NNPC had strengthened his desire to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s energy sector.
He also expressed interest in becoming a guest lecturer at his university in the future, saying he wanted to share practical industry experience with students.
“When I was in university, I only had one lecturer with field experience,” he said. “I want to share practical experience with students someday.”
The brothers also identified different NNPC culture transformation pillars that reflected their individual approaches to work.
Hussaini chose “Enterprise First,” saying, “Giving your best to the company is giving your best to the country.”
Hassan, a civil engineer, selected “Execution Excellence,” explaining, “I’m a civil engineer. I like seeing things come to life from concept to completion.”
The twins urged young Nigerians interested in working with NNPC to ignore rumours about the recruitment process and apply whenever opportunities arise.
“You don’t need to know anybody at NNPC. Apply. Take the test and earn your place,” they said.
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