The Edo state government on Wednesday launched a s.e.x offender register to name and shame r3pists and offenders of other forms of s3xual and gender-based violence(SGBV) in the state.
Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Justice, Yinka Omorogbe, said that there is need for a register in view of the alarming increase in SGBV, especially in Edo.
”The alarming rise of SGBV cases, especially in Edo, calls for the employment of drastic measures to adequately tackle SGBV and to ensure that perpetrators are not only made to answer for their crimes but are made to feel the full brunt of the law.
“The sexual offender register is to serve as a tool to name and shame those convicted or reported to have engaged in sexual abuse or exploitation.
“Would-be employers, especially those working with vulnerable citizens, such as children, young adults, and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to carry out background checks for would-be applicants.”
She said ”the Edo sexual offender database is fully connected with the National sexual offender database which was launched by the UN Deputy Secretary-General and warehouse in NAPTIP, making Edo the first state to link up with the national database.
”The register will basically contain information of reported, arraigned or convicted people involved in cases of sexual violation or abuse as defined by the Violence against Persons Prohibition !aw.”
The United States of America has given reasons it will not reveal the identities of Nigerian politicians issued visa bans for interfering in electoral processes.
On Monday, the US government announced the ban on some Nigerians, who undermined the November 2019 governorship polls in Bayelsa and Kogi States.
On why the identities of those affected were not disclosed, the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, it was because of the confidentiality attached to visa-related matters.
Leonard stated this on Wednesday, while speaking at the end of the inaugural consular meeting with Nigeria officials.
According to her, the names cannot be made public “as US visa processes are in fact confidential and so we do not publish a list, we do not make public who it is that would be subjected to this sanction.
“An individual who intends to travel or apply for visa would be refused and impeded but it is not something that we advertise, who these individuals are.”
Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has signed the Kaduna State Penal Code (Amendment) Law 2020 for surgical castration for male rapists and bilateral salpingectomy for their female counterparts in the State.
The amendment also updates the penalties for the offence of the r.a.p.e of a child.
Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to governor El-Rufai noted that these new provisions include the punishments of surgical castration and bilateral salpingectomy for male and female convicts of child r.a.p.e.
The statement added that the convicts would be listed in the S.e.x Offenders Register to be published by the Attorney-General of the State.
The statement titled, ‘Kaduna Update: Gov El-Rufai signs amended Rape Law of Kaduna State,’ stated that following Malam El-Rufai’s assent to the amended law on 11th September 2020, the new law has come into effect in Kaduna State.
It introduces stricter punishments than the previous law which carried a maximum penalty of 21 years imprisonment for the r.a.p.e of an adult and life imprisonment for the r.a.p.e of a child.
Under the amended law, according to the statement, the punishment for the r.a.p.e of a person older than 14 years will include surgical castration or removal of fallopian tubes, stressing that the death penalty shall not apply.
The statement further explained, “In cases where the rape convict is also a child, the court shall order an appropriate punishment under the Children and Young Persons Law Cap 26, Laws of Kaduna State 1991.”
The statement commended the members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly for passing the amendments.
Governor El-Rufai stated that the drastic penalties are required to help further protect children from a serious crime.
It said the Kaduna State Penal Code (Amendment) Law 2020 amends the Penal Code Law (No.5) of Kaduna State, 2017 by substituting section 258 as follows:
“Whoever commits rape of a child below the age of fourteen (14) years shall on conviction, be punished with Surgical Castration and death.
“Whoever has s.e.xual intercourse with a male child below the age of fourteen years shall be punished with surgical castration and death.
“Where a female adult is convicted for the offence of r.a.p.e of a child, the Court shall punish the accused with Bilateral Salpingectomy and death.
“Where the victim is above fourteen years, the Court shall on conviction sentence the accused with a punishment of surgical castration and life imprisonment.
“Where the convict is a child, the Court shall order as appropriate under the Children and Young Person Law Cap 26 Laws of Kaduna State 1991.
“Where the victim is a child, the Court shall in addition to the conviction, order that the convict be listed in the S.e.x Offenders Register to be published by the Attorney General.
“Where the Court is trying the offence of rape involving a child below the age of fourteen years, corroboration of a medical report shall be necessary.
The police in Lagos on Wednesday stopped members of the Joint Action Front who were protesting against the hike in fuel and electricity prices.
The protest was in alliance with other civil society and pro-labour groups in Nigeria.
The protesters, who defied the morning rain, called on the Federal Government to reverse the increase in fuel and electricity prices and also reject the privatization and deregulation policies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The march took off around 10 a.m. at the Nigeria Labour Congress, Yaba, Lagos.
Achike Chude, the Vice-chairman of JAF, said the government keeps inflicting suffering on the people as a result of their gross failure.
Mr Chude said it is time for the Nigerian people to arise against bad leadership and say enough is enough.
Speaking on the role of the Labour Congress, Mr Chude said the NLC has historical duty to perform.
“They need to stand on behalf of the people and not on behalf of the government that is tormenting them, that is the impression that is being given by the silence of Labour on the monumental hardship of Nigerians.
“That they have taken sides with the government against the Nigerian people. I don’t want to believe that is true but they are the only ones that can prove that it is not true,” he said.
Malachy Ugwummadu, the former National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, said it is time for the people to rise up.
“The strength on those who oppress you lies in your weakness. Today we have decided to shake off those weakness and tell everyone that Nigeria belongs to us,” he said.
Stating their demands, the group asked for an unconditional reversal of hike in petrol price and electricity tariffs.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has ordered the resumption of tertiary institutions owned by the state government.
Mr Makinde gave this order this week, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Olasukanmi Olaleye.
The statement said the governor had approved September 28 as the resumption date for tertiary institutions in the state.
This is despite warnings by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COASU) that the institutions are not yet safe from COVID-19.
Mr Makinde also approved the new academic calendar for primary and secondary schools in the state.
The father of Bill Gates, billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, is dead.
William Henry Gates II died this week aged 94.
The cause of his death was Alzheimer’s disease, his family said on Tuesday.
Gates senior was an Army veteran and a founding partner in a Seattle law firm, according his official biography.
“We will miss him more than we can express right now We are feeling grief but also gratitude”, said the Microsoft billionaire, 64, while announcing the passing of his father in a post published on his blog Tuesday. “His wisdom, generosity, empathy, and humility had a huge influence on people around the world”.
In the tribute, Bill reflected on his father’s influence on his life, sharing that he and his sisters were “very lucky” to have parents who “gave us constant encouragement and were always patient with us.”
He said his father was critical in starting the charitable organisation he co-founded with his wife, Melinda, that has been Bill’s central focus since he stepped away from running Microsoft.
“The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would not be what it is today without my dad,” Bill said.
Ogun State government workers have embarked on a one-week warning strike in Ogun over the refusal of the government to implement the new national minimum wage.
The strike was declared on Tuesday evening by Emmanuel Bankole, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The NLC had given a 14-day ultimatum to the state government on the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Following the expiration of the ultimatum, the workers protested at the governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
While the protest was ongoing, the leaders of the NLC, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council went for a closed-door meeting with the government. The meeting later ended at deadlock.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Mr Bankole said asides minimum wage, they were demanding the abolition of the pension reform bill, the payment of gratuities, payment of outstanding six years leave allowances, three years promotion and 134 months unpaid pension.
“Unfortunately the negotiation ended in a deadlock. And so the one-week warning strike will commence at 12 midnight tomorrow (Wednesday).”
“With the facts before us, Ogun State is not the poorest in the South-West. So, we are saying no, all their excuses are unacceptable to us. The position of the government is unacceptable to us. What they said was that minimum wage will have to be delayed so that they can do certain things and we said no, enough is enough.”
In a swift reaction, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Public Affairs, Remmy Hazzan, said the strike is unnecessary.
He said the state has no financial capacity to implement the minimum wage.
In October 2019, the federal government and the labour unions reached an agreement on consequential adjustments in salaries that must be implemented across all boards in line with the new minimum wage law.
Only 17 of the 36 state governments have begun the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Femi Otedola, Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, an importer of fuel products has gifted his three daughters, Tolani Otedola, Temi Otedola, and Florence Otedola (DJ Cuppy) with new Ferrari vehicles.
This has received some comments from social media users. Some are of the view that in the middle of this pandemic, what must be done it help the poor with the money and not purchasing ‘needless’ expensive gifts.
Otedola is also the founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, and the owner of a number of other businesses across shipping, real estate and finance.
The photos of the new Ferrari vehicles were shared by Otedola’s daughter, DJ Cuppy on her Twitter handle
She wrote, “Papa took us shopping and bought one of each!”
The Ferrari car in the market place is approximately worth $338,000 (N131,820,000) and above currently.
See comments:
@Abu_swag “In a middle of a Pandemic when many people are unemployed and currently struggling to survive? Do you know how many families he can lift out of poverty or how many hospitals, schools would be well equipped with this money? Absolute waste of resources!”
@alexlobaloba “While some have said that Otedola lifted lots of people out of poverty in this pandemic. Go & read about the forerunners of CACOVID, see the amount he donated to the initiative. Come back & compare it to the amount he used to buy these ‘toys’ for his kids. Celebrate with them & pray for God’s blessings.”
@judithg60335778 ” God punish poverty and bless me biko”
@Boboye_Ak “One day, she’ll mistakenly splash water on me, she’ll come down to apologize. Then we’ll fall in love against the wishes of her father. But in the end, love will prevail.”
with them & pray for God’s blessings.”
@judithg60335778 ” God punish poverty and bless me biko”
@Boboye_Ak “One day, she’ll mistakenly splash water on me, she’ll come down to apologize. Then we’ll fall in love against the wishes of her father. But in the end, love will prevail.”
@VictorIsrael_ “The Last time me & my father passed a car shop like this, it wasn’t funny. My body mistakenly hit the car and the car security alarm started making noise, my father started running & was saying “God the child you gave me wants my face to show on Crimefighters. I’m not a thief o”
@dejiimole “Are you looking for a driver or just a wash man? I have a masters degree in washing cars. I’ve washed over 30 cars across 4 owners. Hire me cuppy !!! I can wash underwear too o as bonus Sleepy face”
@Mbahdeyforyou “Poverty, it will not be well with you”
Ex Big Brother Naija housemate, Kiddwaya has cleared the air on his relationship with DJ Cuppy
Kiddwaya during his time in the Big Brother house had talked about his friendship with DJ Cuppy a couple of times.
In one of his latest media rounds, he was asked if he would have an intimate relationship with Cuppy, but Kidd replied that she is like his best friend and would not demand a relationship from her.
He claimed DJ Cuppy is his childhood friend and their fathers are also friends so he liked her just as friends.
Kiddwaya said: “I see Cuppy as a friend, we usually talk about everything I don’t know why people think oh can’t have a best friend as a female without feelings.
“When I like a woman I respect her and don’t cross that boundary and demand for a relationship.
“I wouldn’t make any promiscuous move at Cuppy because I respect her.
We are close because we have the same set of friends and out fathers are close friends too.”
Prince Enwerem who was the latest BBNaija housemate to be evicted has rejected a GoFundMe account that was set up for him by his fans .
This was after the Elites set up a Go Fund Me account for the disqualified housemate, Erica which has generated over $35,000.
The fans proposed the money contributed will help him set up his dream barbing saloon.
However, Prince has said it is not the time for Nigerians to part away with their hard-earned money as the Coronavirus pandemic has had an adverse effect on the finances of a lot of people.
His post reads:
My dear Royal Army, I’m still overwhelmed and trying to soak in all the love you have been showing me. I’m sincerely speechless because I never expected the love I’m receiving.
This GoFundMe account was brought to my attention last night and I almost teared up by the mere thought and intentions behind it.
We are experiencing difficult times now and people still want to do this for me?
Nah, I think it’s time you all rest while I think of what to do to pay you all back for the surreal love.
I sincerely appreciate this gesture, but I want my Royal Army to save their funds on this one.
My dream of starting a salon will surely come to pass ASAP, as I already have some Investors and hopefully some brands interested in this dream.
I want to make you all proud and all I need right now is the continuous love, spiritual and moral support you all have been excessively showing me.
Thank you to my beautiful and wonderful Royal Army @flyest_mz and @_Super_jewel for trying to put the GoFund together. Love you guys so much.
My media rounds is still ongoing but I can’t wait to interact with everyone of you on a personal level soon on my IG live.
The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has demoted a Venerable in charge of one of the Archdeaconry in Aguata Diocese of the church in Anambra State for allegedly allowing a dismissed priest to sit with him during a burial service.
Vanguard recalls that in 2017, nine priests were dismissed by the church over their alleged involvement in homo.s.e.xual activities and were thereafter banned from taking part in any church activity.
This made some of them to travel abroad, while others remained in the country. One of those dismissed, (names withheld), who was a chaplain to a former Bishop and has remained in his community attended a burial in his community.
Recently, however, the Archdeacon in charge of the area while presiding at a burial service in the community, invited the dismissed priest to sit with him at the altar, informing the people who were at the burial ceremony that the dismissed priest did not commit any offence and that his `dismissal was due to envy.
On hearing what transpired at the burial ceremony, the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev Samuel Ezeofor, who was transferred from Ogbaru Diocese to Aguata, decided to set up a panel to investigate the matter.
Following the recommendation of the panel, the Archdeacon was suspended and relieved of his duties and subsequently demoted to an ordinary Reverend.
Celebrity On-Air Personality, Toolz reveals the pandemic period is not the best time to be pregnant.
The OAP on her instagram page described the experience as scary, she thank God for the smooth sailing during the course of her pregnancy and for her sons.
According to her, she had to take 6 COVID-19 tests while in the hospital and thankfully they all came back negative.
She wrote,
“In my feelings today!
So in love with and so grateful for my boys!! My heart is theirs forever! 💕💕
Being pregnant during this crazy covid period was scary, but thankfully everything worked out for the best. Between travelling and being in hospital, I did the covid test 6 times, and I’m grateful it was always negative.
Through all my fears, worries and being sick after the General came, I’m truly thankful to God for seeing me through.
Popular Instagram celebrity Ramoni Abbass, popularly known as Hushpuppi, seems to be in more trouble as new evidence of him committing fraud was submitted.
Hushpuppi was arrested weeks ago for allegedly defrauding over 1.9 million people to the tune of over 168 billion naira.
The latest evidence shows an email registered to him sign up on a website "whizzlog" which is known as a market place for buying US bank logs and money laundering.
Nigerians took to Instagram to felicitate with Nollywood Veteran actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo as he was called to the Nigerian Bar on Tuesday.
Some fans of Kanayo, said they were inspired by his determination in actualising his age long dream of becoming a lawyer inspite of his age.
Reacting, a fan, @1954andcodecor said: ” So proud of my best actor
I am motivated and inspired. I have always loved law since high school…”.
Another fan @ezeboy said: ” This is pure product of determination and diligence, big congratulations sir”.
In her reaction, @ princess_gift 28 said:”Yesssss! Congratulations sir more strength.
@chiggomartins, in a reaction, said: “ Happy for you sir, I believe someday I will achieve more than these in life by the grace of God Almighty who helped you to make this great success” while @angel_ kco said” Congratulations sir.
Similaryly, @hyacinthagomu said” Kanayo O. Kanayo , MFR Barrister band Solicitor a big congratulations my big ‘G’. I admire your courage , congratulations once again”.
NAN reports that the actor announced that he had been called to the Nigerian bar, where he shared a photo of himself after he was called to bar.
“God is good. Finally, my age long dream has come through. Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, Esq. MFR (Barrister And Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria),” he wrote.
The 58-year-old actor said he took everybody by surprise five years age, when he enrolled for a Law degree at the University of Abuja.
He added that after his graduation in 2018, he went to the Nigerian Law School, where he passed the examinations in July.
Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian veteran actor, that hail from Imo State, Nigeria.
He made his debut in Nollywood in 1992 in his role in “living in bondage” and in 2006, he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading Role.
Kanayo has been involved in over hundreds of films in the Nollywood.
He is currently a UN ambassador and bears the title of MFR
Blac Chyna alleges that she receives 'no child support' from baby daddy Rob Kardashian, 33, for their three-year-old daughter Dream.
The 32-year-old model made the bombshell claim during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Hip Hop Nation, where she chose supporting her kids by herself as her 'biggest flex.'
'My biggest flex? I mean, just honestly taking care of my kids by myself as a single parent, but no child support. So that's my biggest flex,' said Chyna, who welcomed Dream in 2016.
Blac Chyna was also indirectly accusing ex Tyga of skipping out on child support, being that she share son King Cairo, seven, with the 30-year-old rapper.
'I don't get no child support. That's my biggest flex,' she reiterated.
Nigerian musician and C.E.O 30BG, Davido has revealed why he took a 3 months break from social media.
In an interview with Beat FM, Davido revealed he went off social media because he involved himself with so many activities and those activities are beginning to take a toll on him, so, he decided to concentrate on himself alone.
In his words; “There was a lot going on. I was on tour. I was on the road for nine years and it took a toll on me for like a month and I thought that I need a break. Even I was telling myself that it was just going to take a week. But I thought that if I don’t slow down now, it may end in me breaking down because I’m a very strong person. If I break down, imagine how many people that I’m taking care of will break down as well.
So I decided to move away and regroup. And it helped. I can’t tell you how happy I have become. I won’t say I’m a different person but I used to wake up at 9 pm because I’d record all night. I can’t sleep because I had things on my mind and then Coronavirus.”
“I have never been at home for that long before. And I thought that if I have to do this, I have to get off social media. So, just stepping back really helped me a lot,” he said, adding that he was never tempted to see his mentions on social media. He also shared the reason why he unfollowed all his friends and family on Instagram before he bade goodbye for a while” he said.
She celebrated her 39th birthday on a luxurious superyacht earlier this month. But on Monday, Beyonce traded that in for a more modest vessel, with the singer and her husband Jay-Z hitting the water around the Hamptons in a boat named the 'Van Dutch'.
The Run the World hitmaker rugged up in a gray hooded sweatshirt for the nautical outing.
The mother-of-three shielded her eyes from the summer glare with a pair of white framed, triangular sunglasses.
She sipped on a drink while chatting with her husband, who sat adjacent to the pop star.
The 99 Problems rapper meanwhile wore a short-sleeved teal colored shirt with dark pants for the getaway.
Jay-Z -whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter- also covered his eyes with dark shades as the couple and their two companions jetted across the New York state waters.
Ex Bbnaija housemate, Gedoni welcomes her fiance, Khafy back into the country in a romantic way.
Khafy had been in the United Kingdom for the past six months due to the Covid-19 restrictions on international flights and Gedoni seems so excited to see her again.
In the video that is already making rounds on social media platforms, Gedoni was seen welcoming the British born with a bouquet of flowers and both of them were seen kissing and hugging endlessly.
