🗞️ Not to alarm anyone...
Hello,
This was written with musical support from SZA’s Ctrl (album), Victoria Monet’s JAGUAR (album), Jhene Aiko’s Sailing Soul(s) (Album). It took a while.
In this edition
Supreme court’s verdict on Tinubu’s presidency
Education is a mess
Healthcare is falling apart
Inflation…
This newsletter is 1,700 words. enjoy?
The Supreme Court on the presidential verdict
The Supreme Court rejected Atiku Abubakar's request to present new evidence in his appeal - Punch
Last week, we reported that Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate, tried to use Chicago State University documents to prove that Tinubu submitted a forged degree. This was during their appeal at the Supreme Court after the Presidential Tribunal ruled in favour of Tinubu in the election dispute with Peter Obi and Atiku.
The court heard arguments for and against the admissibility of these new documents. Atiku's lawyer argued that it was a serious matter that the court should consider, but Tinubu's lawyer opposed it, saying INEC was not involved.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling, stated that the application was filed after the legally allowed time frame 🙄 and could not be granted. The request was therefore refused and dismissed.
How'd the appeal go? Not great.
The Supreme Court upheld the Tribunal’s decision, meaning Tinubu is still president.
The court dismissed the appeals, ruling that they had no merit, and therefore Tinubu's victory stands.
Education
President releases withheld salaries
President Tinubu has approved partial waivers of the 'No Work, No Pay' order for striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) - Guardian ng
This means that some of their withheld salaries will be released. The waivers are granted as a show of recognition for agreements reached during discussions between the unions and the government.
However, they clarified that this was an “exceptional waiver” and the “last of its kind”, so if either entity were to go on strike again, the No Work, No Pay policy still holds.
Nationally, education is in shambles
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly is planning to close down private schools that are operating without qualified teachers.
In 2020, The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board found 1,251 unqualified teachers teaching in schools across the state.
The lawmakers want to ensure that funds allocated for education are used effectively to provide better services.
Side note, in South-Western states, 70% of the schools in the South-West operate with unqualified teachers. Maybe because teachers are treated so poorly 🤔
The European Union wants to help
The EU will invest €5.4 million in training teachers in Nigeria, primarily in the North West region, to improve access to quality education and empower youth.
This is part of the EU's commitment to addressing the high number of out-of-school children in the region.
The funds will support teacher training and youth empowerment, with a focus on girls' education.
The EU emphasises the importance of including young people in decision-making through initiatives like the Youth Sounding Board. Nigeria, being a strategic partner, plays a crucial role in this initiative.
The Minister of Education highlighted the significance of education for the country's welfare and security and encouraged governors to make education a priority.
The Nigerian government plans to allocate 25% of the budget to education.
Insecurity
Terrorist attacks
Troops in Nigeria's Operation HADIN KAI defeated an ambush by terrorists from the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) in Maiduguri, Borno State. During a firefight, they killed six terrorists and injured others while three soldiers were wounded. The troops also recovered weapons and a bus used by the terrorists - Guardian ng
Troops also arrested a terrorist “logistics supplier” in Borno.
Benue bank robbery
For two weeks, an armed group has been attacking banks across Benue with guns, explosives and other intense weaponry. They’ve killed at least 7 people and stolen “millions”, according to reports.
They’ve killed police personnel, vigilante members and a Local Government Councillor
This week, there was a shootout between the police and the group. The police managed to shoot two of the robbers, but the rest of the gang escaped into the nearby forest.
Tragically, the chief Superintendent, CSP, John Adikwu and three other police officers died.
Several other people injured during the bank robberies and are receiving treatment in the hospital. An ongoing investigation is underway to apprehend those behind these crimes.
Health
Diphtheria
In Nigeria, a severe diphtheria outbreak has caused widespread illness and death.
The epidemic has affected nearly half of the country's states, with the majority of cases and fatalities occurring in Kano.
French charity MSF operates a clinic in Kano where medical staff battle to contain the outbreak. As of now, Kano has reported over 10,700 diphtheria cases and more than 500 deaths.
However, a shortage of diphtheria vaccines is hampering efforts to combat the disease.
Routine immunisation in Nigeria has declined, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccine hesitancy remains a problem in the region.
Despite the challenges, efforts to raise awareness and provide vaccinations continue.
Impending crisis
A dangerous gas leak from an oil well in Okpoama Kingdom, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, is causing panic in the state.
The leak, which has been ongoing for 7 days, is from an oil well belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
It has spewed oil and gas into the environment, and a hissing sound from the wellhead is audible from over a kilometre away.
Fear of poisoning and a potential fire outbreak has driven fishermen from their settlement, disrupting their livelihoods.
This is the third time such a leak has occurred, with the latest incident being the most severe. Local leaders and environmentalists have expressed concerns about the situation and called for action from NNPCL.
Accessibility is a problem
The Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) is advocating for the presence of sign language interpreters in all healthcare facilities to improve communication between deaf patients and medical staff. - Tribunal Online
The lack of effective communication can lead to stress for deaf individuals and inadequate healthcare information.
This initiative aims to ensure better interaction between patients and healthcare workers, improving overall health outcomes.
The organisation also called for policies that support underprivileged deaf women in the country and create an inclusive community.
The DWAN held a conference on recognizing deaf women's rights to raise awareness and promote these changes.
Legal…grey areas?
DSS releases Bawa
The Department of State Services on Thursday, confirmed that they have released ex-EFCC chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa. - Punch
Bawa was arrested and detained on June 14, 2023, following an invite over undisclosed reasons.
The DSS held Bawa for 4 months, well over how long you can hold someone without trial according to the Nigerian constitution.
I also must note that many, many people in Nigerian prisons have been held for much longer without trial or hope of release.
Also in DSS custody: Godwin Emefiele.
EFCC has detained the former governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele on Thursday, less than an hour after he was released from the custody of the DSS.
The former CBN governor, Vanguard reports, is being interrogated at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Vanguard gathered that the EFCC is questioning Godwin Emefiele over alleged impropriety during his term at the CBN.
The DSS arrested Emefiele in June, on the same day President Tinubu suspended him from office.
Not to alarm anyone
Inflation worsening
Stears, a data-driven insights provider, unveiled Pan-African inflation forecasts and predicted that Nigeria's annual inflation rate is expected to reach around 30%, a level not seen since the country's modern democratic era.
This forecast is based on econometric tools that consider various factors influencing inflation, both general and country-specific.
The widening exchange rate premium, prolonged rainy seasons affecting harvests, and other factors are contributing to inflationary pressures in Nigeria.
Stears aims to assist corporations, professionals, and policymakers with these inflation forecasts for making pricing, investment, and policy decisions.
Nigeria currently has one of the highest inflation rates globally, impacting millions of people and eroding purchasing power. The removal of fuel subsidies and changes in the exchange rate system are expected to continue driving inflation in the near term, according to the World Bank's Africa Pulse report. Nigeria's inflation rate exceeds the World Bank's projection for 2023.
The House of Reps questions CBN’s fix
The Nigerian House of Representatives has summoned the Central Bank governor, Yemi Cardoso, to explain the removal of forex restrictions on 43 items. - Guardian ng
This move follows the CBN's announcement on October 12, 2023, lifting forex restrictions on these items.
The restrictions were initially imposed to boost local production, and employment, and conserve foreign reserves.
The CBN spokesperson mentioned that liquidity will increase in the foreign exchange market as market conditions improve, and importers of the previously restricted items are now allowed to purchase foreign exchange.
The House of Representatives seeks clarity on this decision, and Cardoso is expected to provide it in the coming session.
The UN votes on Palestinian genocide
The United Nations General Assembly voted on a resolution regarding Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas. The resolution called for a ceasefire to stop the attack on Gaza. 120 countries, including Nigeria, voted in favour, 14 countries voted against, and 45 countries abstained. The United States voted against the resolution.
Note: Palestine, while recognized as a “non-member observer”, could not have a direct say in the vote, Israel voted against the resolution.
The resolution proposed by Jordan, on behalf of Arab countries, included a call for a humanitarian ceasefire due to the UN Security Council's “inability” to take action on the situation.
Palestinian representatives have been urging the UN to stop the violence and provide humanitarian aid.
It's important to note that while the General Assembly can pass resolutions, they are typically considered less legally binding than Security Council resolutions.
The UN General Assembly represents all UN member states, while the Security Council has 15 members: 10 non-permanent members that are elected every two years, with veto power held by China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Crazy arrangement if you ask me, but what the hell do I know?
Other news
NIDCOM says it will investigate the death of a Nigerian student, Ikem, who is believed to have been killed in a racist attack in the - Guardian ng
Tribunal upholds election of Tambuwal as Senator for Sokoto South- Guardian ng
Local manufacturers and farmers in the country have expressed fears that the unbanning of 43 items initially banned from being purchased with fx - Leadership
The Katsina State Government says it will introduce special allowances to Friday Mosques clerics, their deputies and Ward Heads to encourage them in the fight against insecurity. Daily Post
Alaba International Market, along the Lagos Badagry Expressway, has been sealed up due to environmental offences - Guardian
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) handed a 14-day ultimatum to Abia governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Monday to restore the elected officials of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state - Vanguard
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has permitted the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to unveil a new draft policy that would drive operations of the sector - Daily Post
Speaking of legal: The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday finally emerged victorious in its legal case against Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited in a United Kingdom (UK) court. - Vanguard