News

NUJ decries resurgence of harassment, extortion by revenue touts in Anambra

Published

9 months ago

August 23, 2023

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Wednesday, decried the resurgence of touts in different forms, harassing and extorting citizens and visitors for different levies within Anambra.

The Chairman of NUJ Anambra State Chapter, Dr Emeka Odogwu, revealed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on how these illegal revenue collectors dehumanise residents and visitors in the state.

Odogwu noted that there was a need for a digitised revenue collection methodology or refined approach to avoid painting the government bad.

He appreciated security agencies for their efforts in addressing the touting menace and other security challenges in the state, adding there was the need to deploy non-uniformed officers to monitor the activities hoodlums to curb criminal activities associated with them.

According to him, however, “I frown at the resurgence of cult-related killings in some cities in the state and call on the commissioner of police and state director of DSS to rise to the occasion.

“We are commending the state government’s efforts in enhancing the aesthetics of the state by demolishing shanties and similar structures, but we appeal to the government to carry out these demolitions with a human face.

“This can be done by ensuring that the goods and property of the occupants are not destroyed recklessly or punitively in the process as well as providing an alternative for the displaced traders,” he said.

The chairman noted that one of the primary duties of journalists as members of the “4th estate of the realm” was to continue to advocate for the downtrodden in the society for a better society.

“The role of journalists as moral barometers and conscience of the society should never be compromised or traded not minding whose ox is gored. The watchdog roles must go on unhindered.

“On this premise, I am raising an alarm on the dilapidated state of Basden Memorial Special School in Isulo, Orumba North local government area (LGA) and calling on government and public-spirited individuals to assist the school bounce back.

“As a body, we passionately appeal to Anambra Governor’s Wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, and other well-meaning individuals to support special schools in the state, particularly the Basden Memorial Special School, Isulo,” he added.

Headline

Prince Harry visits sick Nigerian soldiers in Kaduna

Published

6 days ago

May 11, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.

News

Senate approves death penalty for drug traffickers

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Senate on Thursday, May 9, approved the death penalty for those convicted on the charge of drug trafficking in the country.

The punishment prescribed in the extant NDLEA Act is a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of a report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Drugs and Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters presented the report during plenary, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North).

The bill, which passed its third reading, aims to update the list of dangerous drugs, strengthen the operations of the NDLEA, review penalties, and empower the establishment of laboratories.

Section 11 of the current act prescribes that “any person who, without lawful authority; imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life” was amended to reflect a stiffer penalty of death.

Although the report did not recommend a death penalty for the offence, during consideration, Senator Ali Ndume moved that the life sentence should be upgraded to the death penalty.

During a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, put the amendment on the death penalty to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had it.

But Senator Adams Oshiomhole objected to the ruling, saying that the “nays” had it.

He argued that matters of life and death should not be treated hurriedly, but Barau said it was too late, as he failed to call for division immediately after his ruling.

The bill was subsequently read for the third time and passed by the Senate.