The President of Nigeria , vice-president , governors and their deputies are currently protected by the nation’ s laws from criminal prosecution while in office .
However , the proposed legislation from the Senate seeks to change this , but excludes the President from the proposed legislation .
It is sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution , who is also the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo – Agege .
It reads in part, “ To persons who hold the office of Vice- President , Governor or Deputy Governor.
“ If it is determined either by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , Independent Corrupt Practices Commission , Nigeria Police and Department of State Services through a collaborative investigation that the said person is indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for :
“( i ) Financial misappropriation of funds belonging to the Federal , State or Local Government; or
“( ii ) Sponsoring of thugs to perpetrate violence that cause injury or death of political opponent , a member of his family , agent or personal representative . ”
Love is a beautiful experience when all is rosy but can become a bitter pill to swallow when it’ s not enjoyed by lovers . In recent years , domestic violence has become a societal menace .
Fifty – five- year – old identified only as Agatha said she experienced domestic violence from her husband at the early stage of her marriage .
According to her , she and her husband were both young at the time and often argued over many things resulting in her husband hitting her .
She said , “ At the time , I was 21 and he was 26 . We would argue and he would end up beating me and sometimes inflict injuries on me. He was quick – tempered and hated to be replied during arguments .
Sometimes , he ’ d beat me and I would become unconscious . At a point , I knew I had to find a way out or face something worse . ’’
The retired teacher noted that it was her friend who advised her to involve third parties and seek help, adding that things changed after she did that . She further narrated that she involved the church and her family in the matter .
She stated , “ At first , I was scared of telling anyone because it was seen as a normal event . Then if you went to your parents , they would send you back and tell you to make your marriage work. I endured it until it became unbearable so my friend advised me to talk to our pastor and I did .
The pastor counselled him and my sister’ s husband who was a lawyer warned him never to lay his hands on me again or he would face the law . He became calmer after the interventions and we had better ways of settling our disputes. ”
Another woman identified only as Mrs Beauty said she endured beatings from her husband as society frowned at a woman quitting her marriage over marital disagreements .
The 60 – year – old widow who is also a grandmother said , “ I was beaten many times by my husband when we first got married. Even when I was pregnant, he ’ d beat me not minding the state I was in . My doctor told me that some of the pains I ’ m experiencing in my body now were resultant effects of the beatings I endured from him . ”
Edidem advised people not to endure domestic violence but to leave the marriage to stay alive .
In his contribution , Mr Akinsanmi Oke, noted that one of his friends experienced battery from his ( friend ’ s ) wife whom he said often threw objects at him during arguments .
Oke stated, “ Women can also be violent . It’ s not only men’ s thing . My friend ’ s wife is an example of this ; whenever she suspects him of something or they have an argument , she ’ ll throw objects at him even if it’ s a knife. We advised him to quit the marriage but he doesn ’ t want to and she keeps threatening him that she ’ ll kill him one day . ’’
A mother of four , Mrs Taiwo Akintola , said violence wasn ’ t only when a partner physically assaulted the other , adding that a spouse could have a violent attitude leading to act of physical assault .
Akintola said , “A violent partner is not just one who picks an object and beat the other as we all think. But a violent partner can be one whose attitude and behaviours towards his / her spouse prove to be unhealthy and detrimental to the physical and mental wellbeing of the other . ”
She further said attitudes such as jealousy and insecurity were violent in themselves and trying to help a person with a violent partner should begin by identification of what violence meant.
Besides , Osun State – born Grace Olawale , said no one should endure a violent partner or relationship , adding that no marriage was worth dying for since life wasn ’ t created for marriage but marriage for life .
The mother of four said , “ Once you observe that your spouse is the violent type , there’ s no need to try to cope or manage the situation by staying or even hoping that things would change . The best thing to do is to leave . ”
She added that staying in such a relationship would affect the mental health of such a person which could be a fatal experience .
Olawale stated , “ When you stay in a relationship or marriage where you are constantly abused, you endanger your mental health , you experience intense fear and that ’ s not good . There ’ s no need to hope that things will change because most persons who have done so lost their lives or became disfigured . You have to accept it that not everything will work and leave the marriage and save yourself . ”
Speaking about the issue, 40 – year- old engineer Kunle Adeyemi , advised couples nursing thoughts of leaving or managing violent partner to make the hard choice of quitting such unions .
Adeyemi said , “When your spouse is already threatening to kill you or breaking bottles on your head and you ’ re still contemplating whether to walk away or remain , it’ s like contemplating between living and dying and no normal human being would even contemplate such . Save yourself first before thinking of saving the marriage . ”
He further advised partners not to think of what people would say if they left abusive marriages but to heal themselves first .
Adeyemi said , “In Africa , people will always talk and if you decided to stay because of it you ’ ll be endangering yourself . It’ s better to be alive and hear the words than to die and not even hear anyone again . ’’
For a 26 – year – old mother of two , Annie Loveday , couples should engage in a dialogue to see if they could resolve their differences before separation .
She said , “ Before you consider divorce , you have to ensure you have done your best to save your marriage . If you observe violent behaviour from your spouse , talk to him or her about it.
“ If your partner takes to corrections , there will be changes. But if there’ s no change , try and involve marriage counsellors and see what happens . This is because divorce is a big deal and not something one ventures into when things are a bit shaky . ”
Newly- married James Ndidi advised couples to seek help of counsellors upon experiencing violence in any form from their partners to know when to quit the union .
According to him , from the stage of heated arguments , couples should seek counsellors’ help before things degenerate into physical abuse .
Ndidi said , “Don ’ t leave the marriage because of arguments with your spouse , but instead see a counsellor to know how to settle arguments . If your partner becomes violent , then the best thing to do is to walk away. Walking away is not divorce but taking a break and giving the person time to get help . ”
In her comments on the issue, 40 -year – old medical doctor , Mrs Funmilayo Ojo, said when a spouse became a threat to one ’ s life , there’ s no need to stay within their reach .
“ I understand the difficulties involved especially in our society but I advise anyone involved to leave such environment . You can seek help but don ’ t seek the help while living with the violent person because they need to go through some reflection , ” she said .
The mother of three urged people experiencing domestic violence to speak up and take a bold step .
Ojo added , “ If you ’ re going through abuse in your home, don ’ t bottle it up because of religion or culture. Speak up because it’ s your life that is at stake . Don ’ t try to stay and hope your violent partner will change especially when the action has become habitual . ”
Commenting on the issue, a marriage counsellor , Mrs Olabisi Ola – Soetan , advised that when someone first noticed acts of violence from his or her partner , the person should not discard or interpret them as insignificant.
Ola – Soetan said , “ Speak to a professional to know the cause of such actions because they would eventually escalate if not attended to . ”
She also advised couples to talk extensively about such acts and consult counsellors.
She added , “ Couples must have an agreement not to be violent and whenever it happens , the affected parties should not treat it with levity notwithstanding the excuse. Whether it’ s a push , threat or a slap , the receiving partners should address it.
“ It doesn ’ t matter the degree of violence because a slap is violent in that it would graduate to a kick so you can ’ t tell whether it will stop or increase . This is why it is important to get to the root of the issue. Speak to a professional who will decide whether your marriage is in trouble or your conflict resolution mechanism is not working properly and you need help to prevent further violence. Most importantly , don ’ t cover up violence. ”
The counsellor noted that it was dangerous to live with a violent spouse , adding the abused first needed to detach from their abusers even if they would later seek professional help .
She stated, “You must first save yourself . A separation is required before any resolution. They can later decide when to return home after consulting counsellors. But they should first focus on working on themselves to be healthy emotionally and mentally. ”
As the world grapples with the spread of novel coronavirus , in remote western DR Congo , officials are fighting a deadly outbreak of measles.
More than 6 , 000 people have died from measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a year , the world ’ s worst outbreak and triple the toll of the country’ s Ebola epidemic . It is also nearly double the 3 , 404 people who have died from the coronavirus so far .
Last year , more than 18 million children under the age of five were vaccinated for measles across DR Congo and around 310 , 000 suspected cases were reported .
The DRC recorded more than 335 , 413 suspected cases and 6 , 362 deaths from January 1 , 2019 to February 20 , 2020 , according to WHO statistics .
A statement by the Dean of Students Affairs , Prof . Ademola Adeleke, stated that the management regretted the inconvenience the development might cause the fresh graduates and their families .
Unilag
But the DSA , who spoke to news correspondent on the telephone , said the ceremony would no longer hold .
When news correspondent demanded the reason for the suspension , he said , “ I don ’ t know myself . ”
However , the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities , UNILAG branch , Dr Dele Ashiru , said the suspension was due to the disagreement between the varsity management and the Pro – Chancellor , Dr Wale Babalakin .
Ashiru explained that Babalakin had written to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu , to say he was not carried along in the convocation programme.
The ASUU said , “ Our union condemns in the strongest terms the unilateral postponement of the convocation of the University of Lagos based on the overbloated ego of the pro – chancellor . It is indeed worrisome that the Ministry of Education will accede to an evil demand to postpone the convocation of a first – generation university on the complaints of a man who only wants his ego to be massaged . ”
Babalakin did not take his calls and had yet to respond to a text message as of press time .
I find this article very interesting and quite relevant to our situation at this very challenging period of our national life when a sizeable number of our people may actually be depressed without knowing or making efforts to conceal it .
This article was originally written by Dr John Grohol who is an author , researcher and expert in mental health online and has been writing about mental health and psychology issues since 1992 .
However , the following signs may point to the depression such individuals may have been trying to conceal .
> They have unusual sleep , eating or drinking habits
When a person seems to have changed the way they sleep or eat in significant ways , that ’ s often a sign that something is wrong . When a person can ’ t sleep ( or sleeps for far too long) every day , that may be a sign of hidden depression . Others turn to food or alcohol to try and quash their feelings . Overeating can help someone who is depressed feel full , which in turn helps them feel less emotionally empty inside . Drinking may be used to help cover up the feelings of sadness and loneliness that often accompany depression . Sometimes , a person will go in the other direction too – losing all interest in food or drink .
> They wear a forced happy face and are always making excuses
We ’ ve all seen someone who seems like they are trying to force happiness . It’ s a mask we all wear from time to time . But in most cases, the mask wears thin the longer you spend time with the person who ’ s wearing it . That’ s why lots of people with hidden depression try not to spend any more time with others than they absolutely have to . They seem to always have a quick and ready excuse for not being able to hang out , go to dinner, or see you . It’ s hard to see behind the mask of happiness that people with hidden depression wear . Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of it in a moment of honesty , or when there’ s a conversation lull .
> They may talk more philosophically than normal
When you do finally catch up with a person with masked depression , you may find the conversation turning to philosophical topics they don ’ t normally talk much about . These might include the meaning of life, or what their life has amounted to so far . They may even open up enough to acknowledge occasional thoughts of wanting to hurt themselves or even thoughts of death . They may talk about finding happiness or a better path in the journey of life . These kinds of topics may be a sign that a person is struggling internally with darker thoughts that they dare not share .
> They may put out a cry for help, only to take it back
People with hidden depression struggle fiercely with keeping it hidden . Sometimes , they give up the struggle to conceal their true feelings and so they tell someone about it. They may even take the first step and make an appointment with a doctor or therapist, and a handful will even make it to the first session . But then they wake up the next day and realise they ’ ve gone too far . Seeking out help for their depression would be admitting that they truly are depressed. That is an acknowledgment that many people with concealed depression struggle with and cannot make. Nobody else is allowed to see their weakness .
> They feel things more intensely than normal
A person with masked depression often feels emotions more intensely than others. This might come across as someone who doesn ’ t normally cry while watching a TV show or movie suddenly breaks out in tears during a poignant scene. Or someone who doesn ’ t normally get angry about anything suddenly gets very mad at a driver who cut them off in traffic . Or someone who doesn ’ t usually express terms of endearment suddenly is telling you that they love you . It’ s like by keeping their depressive feelings all boxed up , other feelings leak out around the edges more easily .
> They may look at things with a less optimistic point of view than usual
This is depressive realism when such individuals appear to have a more realistic picture of the world around them. For instance , while normal people are usually more optimistic about life circumstances , those attempting to conceal depression may say things like , “ Well , I ’ m up for that promotion again , but I doubt I ’ ll get it. ” In our own environment , they may be more involved in overt religiously prescribed problem – solving approaches to the detriment of their overall quality of life .
If anyone fits into any of these complaints , it is advisable to visit a psychiatrist or any mental health expert for effective intervention to prevent suicide.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a coalition government, seven months after the inauguration of new President Felix Tshisekedi.
“ The government is finally here . The president has signed the decree and we will begin work soon , ” Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga told reporters before the members of the new government were announced by the president ’ s spokesman .
The power – sharing agreement will see the majority of the 66 members drawn from former president Joseph Kabila ’ s Common Front for Congo .
Tshisekedi’ s coalition Direction For Change was expected to account for most of the remainder of the posts .
Kabila presided over sub – Saharan Africa ’ s biggest country for nearly two decades and still commands widespread support.
Forming the coalition had taken time as both sides had to “ remove everything that could be an obstacle to the functioning of the government ” , said Ilunga .
The executive will have a female vice prime minister , minister for foreign affairs and minister for planning, Ilunga said .
There are a total of five vice prime ministers .
“ Eighty – three per cent of men and 17 per cent of women ” make up the government , ” Ilunga said . “ This percentage is still feeble but it is balanced by the importance of the portfolios attributed to women . ”
Around three- quarters of members were serving in government for the first time, he added , hailing this as an “ important innovation ” .
Tshisekedi emerged victorious in elections that marked the Democratic Republic of Congo ’ s first peaceful transition of power since the mineral -rich nation gained independence from Belgium in 1960 .
Indonesia announces new capital
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has announced the relocation of the new national capital to replace sinking and traffic – clogged Jakarta .
Widodo said the country’ s new administrative centre will be built in a forested area that straddles the border between the districts of Kutai Katanegara and North Penajam Paser in East Kalimantan province near the city of Balikpapan .
“ The location is strategic because it’ s in the centre of Indonesia , ’’ he said .
Risks of disasters such as flooding , earthquakes , tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are minimal , he added .
He said a draft law on the new capital would be submitted to the legislature on Tuesday .
President Muhammadu Buhari says the Nigerian Police Force structure is being overhauled , re – positioned and primed with modern technological gadgets to meet rising security challenges across the nation.
The President stated this when he received traditional rulers from the North led by the Sultan of Sokoto , Alhaji Sa ’ ad Abubakar III at the Presidential Villa , Abuja.
He also disclosed that an intelligence loop among all security outfits had been created .
According to him , the ongoing reform of the police will include recruitment of more hands , cultivation of stronger local intelligence and networking with communities , traditional rulers and adequate training .
President Buhari noted that the return of the Ministry of Police Affairs was purposely to drive the new initiative of ensuring proper provision of security for lives and property , with proactive intelligence gathering to nip crimes in the bud .
“ I have decided to meet with Your Highnesses to assure you that the government is determined to tackle and deal decisively with all security challenges facing us as a nation.
“ This consultation , therefore , is to engage you , our royal fathers , so that , collectively , we can arrive at solutions to any and all security problems in the country.
“ We must all play our part to finally address these security challenges , particularly traditional rulers , in your respective communities , where you feel the pulse of the people, being the closest to the populace at the grassroots level , ’’ he said .
President Buhari urged the traditional rulers to provide more support to security agencies with their versatile knowledge of communities and individuals .
He added that these policies and programmes included a robust revamping of police intelligence gathering capacity and the significant boosting of the numbers of security personnel in rural communities .
“ This in specific terms will include recruiting more police officers and doing so whenever possible from their local government areas , where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing worldwide .
“ Working with the State governments also, we intend to improve the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate their work. To drive this , I recently created a full – fledged Ministry of Police Affairs .
“ As I said during my meeting with the Traditional Rulers from the South -West, directives have been issued to the appropriate federal authorities to speedily approve licensing for states requesting the use of drones to monitor forests and other criminal hideouts . ’’
The President said CCTVs would be installed on highways and other strategic locations so that activities in some hidden places could be exposed , more effectively monitored and open to actionable interventions .
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed , says the Federal Government has resolved to recover N614 bn loan facility from 35 states of the federation.
The minister revealed this when she briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the National Economic Council , presided over by Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House, Abuja.
Ahmed said each of the affected 35 states received N 17 . 5 bn as bailout from the Federal Government.
She said that already , NEC had agreed to constitute a team to finalise modalities for commencement of repayment of the loan facility.
The team, she said , would be constituted from the Nigerian Governors Forum to meet with the Central Bank of Nigeria and Ministry of Finance
“ The Minister of Finance briefed NEC on the progress of the facilitate detailing how the Federal Government has made a total of over N 614 billion available to 35 States being N 17 . 5 bn each .
“ Council agreed to constitute a team from the Nigerian Governors Forum to meet with the CBN and Ministry of Finance to finalise modalities for commencement of payment , ’’ she said .
FG, States, LGAs share N769.52bn for July
The Federal Government, States and Local Government Areas (LGAs) shared N769.52 billion as federal allocation for the month of July.
Mr Ahmed Idris, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), said this in Abuja, while addressing newsmen at the end of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.
Represented by Mr Mohammed Usman, Director, Funds, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Idris said the shared amount comprised revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT), Exchange Gain and Gross Statutory Revenue.
He said that the gross statutory revenue for the month was N674.36 billion, higher than the N652.9 billion received in the previous month by N21.41 billion.
Idris added that revenue from the VAT, which stood at N94.15 billion, was lower than N108.63 billion distributed in June, resulting in a decrease of N14.472 billion.
The Acoountant General of the Federation said that Exchange Gain yielded a total revenue of N0.999 billion.
On the sharing formula, overall, the Federal Government received N299.79 billion representing 52.68 per cent, while states received N190.38 billion, representing 26.72 per cent.
The AGF said that Local Government Areas received N143.56 billion representing 20.60 per cent.
He added that the oil producing states received N42.81 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue, while revenue collecting agencies received N92.85 billion as cost of collection.
Idris also explained that the Excess Crude Account (ECA) balance stood at 274.4 million dollars.
About 30 candidates, who had the best results at the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination , have been offered scholarships valued at N 15 m to pursue their higher education in various tertiary institutions.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board disclosed this in its weekly bulletin, noting that the scholarships were provided by a commercial bank, Stanbic IBTC .
According to JAMB , the bank’ s Corporate Investment Banking and Marketing Manager , Mrs Bridget Oyefeso – Odusami, stated this when she led the bank’ s delegation to the JAMB Headquarters , in Bwari , Abuja .
She said , “ The essence of the scholarship is to enable candidates who desire tertiary education to pursue their dreams under a very comfortable atmosphere . There are some criteria for the selection of the top 30 UTME candidates. The candidates must have scored a minimum of 250 and above in the 2019 UTME , possess five credit passes in their Ordinary Level results as well as meet other specified criteria necessary for admission .
“ The scholarship is going to be inclusive . It will take into cognisance the best male and female candidates as well as the best visually impaired candidate from the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja . ”
UI okays armed police patrol on campus
The University Security Committee of the University of Ibadan, has recommended armed police patrol on campus to stem the tide of rising insecurity and armed robberies in the institution .
The committee in a special bulletin signed by the Vice Chancellor , Prof . Idowu Olayinka, said the decision was arrived at , after reviewing of the security situation in UI .
The bulletin read in part, “ There will be armed policemen from the Oyo State Police Command to compliment the campus security service in patrolling the campus with immediate effect .
“ All business outfits , including restaurants , should close at 9 pm daily .
“ The campus security service will embark on random checks of staff quarters to identify unauthorised occupants of university residences .
“ The above measures have been taken in order to ensure the safety and security of life and property in the community. ”
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