More than 1,450 inmates across Nigeria’s custodial centres were granted amnesty between January and September 2024 as part of the ongoing efforts to decongest the country’s prisons, Sunday PUNCH learnt. This move follows a broader campaign that began in November 2023 when the Federal Government initiated the release of 4,068 inmates, primarily those held due to an inability to pay fines. The initiative was supported by the N585m raised through the Corporate Social Responsibility donations from corporate bodies. In the first nine months of 2024, several state governors and Chief Judges played key roles in securing the release of inmates.…
Author: UZDO Media
The Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, speaks on the disturbing statistics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome among Nigerians, especially children. She also reveals plans to reduce the prevalence in this interview with BIODUN BUSARI The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been a persistent health challenge in Nigeria. As the DG of NACA, what are the most pressing issues currently contributing to the spread, particularly among women and children? As DG, I would say it has been interesting, educating, and enlightening, and I have also learnt a lot. Though, I will not say I’m…
Claim A former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said with 38 million people on the verge of extreme hunger, Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world. Speaking during an interview on News Central TV last Wednesday, he said, “From all records, Nigeria has 38 million people on the verge of extreme hunger; we are the poverty capital of the world. The two most critical areas that are causing us the crisis are human insecurity and food insecurity.” Findings Peter Obi is a prominent politician seen as an…
On the surface fashion runways and show business appear to be every parent’s dream – children strutting in designer outfits on the runway, and young adults gracing exotic photo shoots and blockbuster films. However, behind the scenes, some parents are making shocking allegations against a Lagos-based fashion and talent hunt show promoter, writes VICTOR AYENI Sitting on a blue plastic chair, with her hands folded tightly across her chest, the 30-year-old shook her feet nervously as she briefly pressed her mobile phone. She seemed distant and lost in thoughts; a glint of sadness could be seen in her eyes as…
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, has called on the Federal Government to take sports development seriously following Team Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The world and Olympic champion criticised the “fire brigade approach” to tournaments, which he believes has contributed to the underdevelopment of sports across the country. Igali emphasised the need for Nigeria to refocus on age-grade competitions if the country wants to excel in international events. He stressed that deliberate steps must be taken to eliminate age cheating, as it defeats the purpose of youth tournaments. “To address this challenge, we must…
The Ekiti State government has enlisted more support from stakeholders, including the leadership of the local government areas, traditional leaders, religious bodies, civil society and the general public to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence. The Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, lamented that GBV had continued to wreak havoc in society, shattering ambitions and sending many to their untimely graves. Speaking in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, at the closing of a two-day workshop on gender-based violence, organised by the Office of the Ekiti State First Lady, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Afuye said the trend in…
Kano State athletes, who participated in the 8th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address the issue of their poor camp allowances. The athletes, speaking anonymously, expressed dissatisfaction with the daily allowance they received, claiming it was significantly lower than that of their counterparts from neighbouring Northwestern states. “We were given less than N20,000 for ten days, while athletes from Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara received N50,000. Jigawa athletes were paid the highest, receiving N80,000,” one of the athletes said. Despite the disparity in allowances,…
The Nigeria women’s rugby team, the Green Falcons, are poised to inflict a second defeat on their Kenya counterparts in the second of the two-legged qualifying tie at the Impala Stadium, Nairobi, on Sunday (today) and book a spot in the 2025 World Series, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Nigerians made history on Thursday by charging to a 22-14 win over Kenya in the first leg of the first-ever MEA Women’s Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers at the same venue. Newly appointed Nigeria coach, Bolu Fagborun, exuded much confidence heading into the encounter; his charges left no margin for permutations…
The Sokoto State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party are locked in a heated exchange over the controversial street fencing contracts in the state. The PDP in Sokoto recently called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to urgently investigate what it described as the government’s “outrageous” expenditure on street fencing projects, accusing the administration of squandering N30 billion on the contracts. In a statement on Saturday signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abubakar Bawa, the state government dismissed the PDP’s claims as “malicious, unsubstantiated, and a blatant lie” designed to derail the administration’s efforts. Bawa said, “We…
The Independent National Electoral Commission has revealed that it is yet to receive governorship election results from any of the 18 local government areas in Edo State. Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Saturday, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Anugbum Onuoha, explained that the election results are still being collated at the ward level and have yet to reach the local government level, where they will be compiled before being sent to the state collation centre. “I cannot categorically tell you when we will announce the results in the state. As they come, we will…