What is happy about International Women's Day?
Women, are you actually happy about International Women’s Day? Feels like pancake day — no one really cares but they will sure as hell post about it.
In this edition
Nigeria hates women
Nigeria is paying for its own HIV medicine
Petrol gets a price cut
This edition is 1,300 words (approx. 3 min read)
Nigeria hates women, and they’re not afraid to show it
Nigeria as a nation on International Women’s Day:
Last week we reported on the development around an incident between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan — she accused him of sexually harassing her (I imagine this goes without saying, but just to make it clear: we believe her)
When Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted her petition, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions said the petition was “dead on arrival” — meaning they had no intention to take it seriously
Later, the committee decided, with zero investigation, to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate for six months.
Her suspension includes being barred from legislative activities, returning Senate property, and losing salaries and allowances, though her aides continue to receive payment.
The suspension goes against the decisions from the law
Before they suspended her, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the committee from doing so.
The judge ordered the Senate to show cause within 72 hours why they should not veto the suspension and adjourned the case to March 10, 2025.
What they’re saying in the senate
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition has been divided over the suspension. 18 out of 31 Senators in the committee signed the petition, 13 others refused to sign off on the suspension.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, and its chair Senator Neda Imaseun, faced criticism for presenting the petition when senior senators were not around.
Some Senators questioned the rush and the decision to proceed despite a court injunction.
They insisted that the rule of law must be followed citing an earlier injunction by the federal Court halting an investigation by the Senate.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, one of 2 women in the committee and one of 4 women in the Nigerian Senate, faced criticism for supporting Senator Natasha's suspension. Unsurprisingly, she was one of the senators that signed the suspension order.
The other female senator in the committee, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi-Ajagunla Oluwole, PDP Osun Central, did not sign the petition.
Health
When it comes to Malaria medicine, “stick to the stuff you know”
NAFDAC has discontinued the registration of Multi-Dose Artemether/Lumefantrine dry powder, a malaria medication, because they have found that it loses effectiveness over time.
The suspension applies to both locally manufactured and imported versions, and new applications, renewals, and variations will no longer be accepted.
The agency has ordered the withdrawal of these products from the market and urged importers, distributors, and healthcare professionals to stop their use.
NAFDAC says “see something, say something”--- if you see someone prescribing this medication, contact NAFDAC from any of the contact channels on their website under “for complaints”.
Nigeria is ready to carry its own weight
Following Donald Trump’s decision to pause USAID everywhere, The FG and its agencies have decided to put on its big girl pants and solve our problems 🤞
Federal Executive Council approved N10.3 billion for HIV drugs, diabetes kits, and other medical supplies.
According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, the approval is to make these medical supplies affordable and easily accessible.
A separate N2 billion was approved to locally make diagnostic kits for diabetes.
The Governors' Forum and members from the Ministries of Finance, Health, Defense, and Environment will form a committee to oversee the funds.
National Cake
Jigawa
Jigawa is the third poorest state in Nigeri, yet the state government has spent over N2.2 billion on SUVs, furniture, and renovations, including the Governor’s residence since 2024 (about a year)
The budget report showed N1.7 billion was spent on SUVs alone. Despite high poverty rates, they have allocated N500 million for renovations and N50 million for laundry in their 2025 budget
Note: 89.4% of children in the state are living in monetary poverty, according to UNICEF.
EFCC’s latest catch
Akwa Ibom
The EFCC arrested former Akwa Ibom governor, Emmanuel Udom for allegedly stealing over N700 billion while in office.
According to the petitioner, Network against Corruption and Trafficking, Over eight years, he received N3 trillion from the Federation Account. When he left, he had unpaid debts of N500 billion and unfinished projects worth N300 billion.
Abia
EFCC also charged ex-Abia Governor Theodore Orji and his son with stealing ₦47 billion in a 16-count case.
They were arraigned along with the state's former commissioner for finance, Dr. Philip Nto, a government contractor, Obioma King, and the state's former Director of Finance Romas Madu.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing and the chief judge, Justice Lilian Abai, granted bail to the defendants.
Madam Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye
The former women Affairs minister, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, who spent barely a year in her office, is already on the EFCC’s radar for her alleged involvement in stealing public funds.
She's been questioned for allegedly misusing ₦138.4 million from the Ministry's 2023 budget through procurement violations and fund diversion.
While investigation is still ongoing, EFCC sources claim their findings show that money donated to the "P-Bat Cares for Women Initiative" was diverted for her personal gain.
BVN fraud
Fraudsters stole N329m using static images to register for Bank Verification Numbers.
According to a new report by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, dishonest BVN enrollment agents helped fraudsters by registering photos of people (both Nigerians and foreigners) as if they were live enrollees, which were then used to commit fraud.
The fraudulent BVNs have been deleted, and the responsible agents have been reported to law enforcement for arrest and prosecution.
The CBN has mandated financial institutions to report suspicious BVNs within 24 hours of detection.
A small petrol win?
NNPC has reduced its pump price, from N945 to N860 per liter.
However, many marketers say this change is yet to be implemented.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals on the other hand, has announced that it will refund customers who buy petrol at rates higher than the advertised prices from any of its key partners – AP (Ardova Plc), Heyden, or MRS – across Nigeria.
They had earlier announced a reduction in the price of petrol from N890 naira to N825.
In the course of refunding marketers, the refinery incurred a 16 billion naira loss, they say it is part of their efforts to provide Nigerians cheaper fuel.
Schools news
Too many schools in town?
President Bola Tinubu approved provisional licences for 11 new private universities in the country. According to Sunday Dare, the president’s Special adviser on Media and Public Communication, this approval came an attempt to increase access to education and at the same time improving educational facilities (nothing about quality of education? - Punch
Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the employment of 1,010 teachers for secondary schools in the state. The Governor cited shortage of teachers in rural areas as a reason for the recruitment - Punch
Oppression exercise
Authorities in Kano State have arrested 20 Muslims for eating and drinking in public during Ramadan.
20 were arrested for not fasting and 5 were arrested for selling food while terrorists are granted amnesty.
The Islamic Police, Hisbah say that the arrests would continue throughout the month.
Other news
A young child has died of the Ebola virus in Uganda - AP News
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamsedeen Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation after a rigorous selection process - Punch
National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Eniola Olajuni, has been released after 12 days in the kidnappers’ den - Punch
This edition was written by Victor Unwuchola and Muhammed, and edited by Adetomiwa.
That New News is an independent self-funded project by me (Adetomiwa). Thank you for reading, sharing and donating. I love you like I birthed you 😘