Nigerian Senate Passes "Child Protection, Compulsory Treatment And Care Of Victims Of Gunshots Bills"!

Relieve seems to be on the way for countless Nigerian children who suffer unimaginable inhuman treatments in the hands of cold-hearted parents or guardians. Reports abound of varied cases of abuse against these vulnerable children, some were reportedly beaten to death, raped, starved or made to live under unfavourable conditions. 

See this story: 
http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2017/05/appeal-to-intensify-campaign-against.html

With the signing into Law of the National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency Bill (HB. 127), it will be become a big offence to subject any child to any form of inhuman treatment.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017, the Nigerian 8 Senate passed 7 concurrent bills which includes:

1. Compulsory Treatment and care of Victims of Gunshots Bill, 2017, (HB. 119).
2. Animal health and technologies 2017, (HB. 320)
3. Corporate Manslaughter Bill, 2017 (HB. 273)
4. National Child Protection and Enforcement Agency Bill (HB. 127)
5. National Intelligence Agency Pension Board Bill, 2017 (HB. 842)
6. Nigerian Academy of Science Bill, 2017 (HB. 917)
7. National Post Graduate College of Medical Laboratory Science Bill (HB. 405).

Listing the benefits of the Compulsory Treatment and care of Victims of Gunshots Bill passage, Senate President Bukola Saraki stated: 

• Every hospital in Nigeria, whether public or private will be mandated to accept or receive for treatment immediate or adequate treatment with or without Police clearance, any person with a gunshot wound;
• Every person including security agents shall render every possible assistance to any person with gunshot wounds and endure that the person is taken to the nearest hospital for treatment; and -
• No person with a bullet wound shall be subject to inhuman and degrading treatment or torture by any person in authority. This includes Police and security agencies. 

The bills will be forwarded to the Presidency for assent.

Lagos Flood: Government Blames "High Tide Of Lagoon", Promises That Cleaner Lagos Initiative Reform Will Help Curtail Flood

"High tide of the lagoon, slowing down the flow of rainfall water from drainage channels", have been identified as the cause of the current flood across Lagos state - Nigeria, as emergency response system was activated to respond efficiently where necessary.

Canal opposite Mibile Estate, off Ilaje Bus-stop, Lekki axis, Lagos

This was made known by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare,  after inspecting areas affected by the flood on Sunday, July 9th, 2017. Dr. Babatunde Adejare  urged residents to remain calm and vigilant in the wake of the torrential rain experienced in the State in the last few days. 

On Indiscriminate dumping of refuge:

Dr Adejare urged residents in the habit of dumping refuse indiscriminately especially in drainage channels to stop forthwith, saying that engaging in such does not only portend health hazards, but could also lead to loss of lives and property. 

“The lagoon is swollen up, there is high tide, so it would lock on our outfalls, the water would not recede or go into the lagoon as fast as it used to be, so that’s one of the main reason why we are having flooding all over the place and coupled with our own man made problems such as people blocking the drainage channels, people even building on drainage channels, that’s what has also been causing all these problems.

“That is a criminal thing to do, it is not good, their actions can lead to loss of lives and definitely to damage of properties, so they should stop it because it would affect some people adversely.

“You do not need to dump refuse in drainages, eventually we would come to pick them up and with our improved services through the reforms that we are carrying out, there would not be anything like that, we would be evacuating solid waste faster than we have done,”.

Lagosians, stay at home if rain persists.

Adejare continued: “Like we have been telling them, if the rain still persist, please don’t go out of your homes, except you are living by the coast or by the low line. If you are one of those, you have to move upland, move away from the coast until the rain recedes. But if you are living upland and it’s raining persistently and it’s not necessary or compulsory for you to go out, please stay indoors.

If you also have contact with flood water, wash your hands always, whatever has been touched by the flood water should not be eaten, it’s important,” 

Ongoing reforms in the environment sector through the Cleaner Lagos Initiative targeted to evolve a viable solid waste management system.

“This is a transition period, most importantly it’s not that the reforms have taken so long, you need to plan very well so that you don’t plan to fail. We are making sure that when we start, we don’t hope to fail, we hope to give our people a world class service in solid waste management, that’s what we are planning for and we need to take our time to do that and give Lagosians good service. It would commence, it would succeed and it would give us a better way of managing our solid waste here”, he said.

He however urged residents to continue to maintain a high level of cleanliness, especially in disposing their refuse, while assuring that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration would not relent in its efforts until it achieves a cleaner Lagos.

“I want to tell our people, no pain, no gain. To embark on any kind of reform is always very tedious, as a government the priority is to see these reforms through and to make our people live better. Our refuse should not be a disgrace to us, it should be a resource and that’s what we intend to pursue,” Adejare said.

Lagos Going Under Water!

Disasters of expected 2017 flood, has begun. Images of flooded houses and roads are on the Social Media. Interesting images of Lagosians swimming, or boating their way through the flood, are all over the Internet.  

Mobil Road, Off Ilaje Bust-stop, Lekki

It is most worrisome, to come to terms with the fact that this was predicted before-time, therefore makes adequate time for preparation, through the clearing of drainage systems across the state. It is apparent that nothing seemed done to that regard. Aside drainage clearance, the unbridled manner of water-logged area approval for the construction, of high brow estates, especially on the Lagos Island area is alarming. Everyone wants to own properties in choice areas, and often willing to pay what ever it takes, without stopping for a moment to think of the consequences of sand-filling Lakes and part of the Lagoon. A trip to Lekki phase 1 area, Lagos state (one of the flood's worse hit areas) will leave a right thinking person in shock. Banana Island seems to be swiftly extending into Lekki Scheme 1, thanks to sand-filling, and constructions. We forget, that what makes these areas beautiful, is the natural Island and Peninsula, therefore these boundaries should be  respected and appreciated. Why choke it up with construction of estates, when land abound in other areas.

Lekki Phase 1 Bridge

More-so, spaces originally mapped out for the construction of major and alternative roads, are being turned into estates, while areas supposed to be designated for "Greening", is metamorphosing into markets, and shopping arcades. Shops are being approved to be constructed on-top closed drainage systems, while the drainage is neglected therefore blocked.

Mobil Road, Lekki

Building a 'Mega City', is a welcomed development in any well-meaning society, however there is need to take into consideration, a holistic plan that includes -respect for natural reserves: e.g streams/ lakes, trees, space, construction of good roads and drainage system.

Follow links to past publications on the advocacy for drainage clearance: 

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/08/blocked-drainage-lekki-lagos-flooded-as.html

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/05/anti-flood-campaign-blocked-drainage.html

http://rovinginformant.blogspot.com.ng/2016/05/blocked-drainage-all-over-lagos-as.html

Asaba Cries In Distress!

Asaba, known as Ahaba Ibokwe, is the beautiful city located at the western edge of the River Niger. According to history, Asaba was once the capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate. This historic city hosted the Royal Niger Company, established by Colonial British authorities to promote trade and exportation of goods to England. 

Nnebisi road, Asaba, by the High Court

Since 1991 when it became the capital city of Delta state, Asaba grew from a small serene beautiful town of hospitable people, to a population of about over half a million and experienced some level of infrastructural development. 

Asaba Mall

Inter-Bau Junction fly-over bridge, Asaba

Entrance into Asaba from the Edo state axis was once a 'sight to behold'. With Solar Energy powered street lights which ran all the way from neibouring Izele- Azagba. The current heartbreaking state of this 'once-upon-a-time' beautiful city, can be told as a tale of perhaps "the old is better". Instead of the state administrations building to beat their predecessor's developmental records, the reverse seems to be the case. From the look of things, truth be told, the James Ibori administration, though highly criticized for corruption, seems to be the best the city of Asaba, if not the whole of Delta State yet had. As at Thursday, 22nd June, 2017, at about 7:25pm, the fascinating that welcomes one on arrival into the city, is greeted instead by total darkness. A couple of lights at the runway of the city Airport, confirmed that the airport is still functional. 

Dark state of Asaba express-way, by Sumit Junction

From the darkness, thanks to the state's electricity supplying company, doing what they know best (ensuring darkness), to bad roads of almost all streets off the major Nnebisi and Sumit roads, accompanied by flood. It was observed that the Sumit road has no drainage system, how on earth is a major road constructed without a drainage, I wonder.

Another noticeably regrettable sight is the deploring state of the township stadium. It is rather shameful that this stadium, which was in a much better state over 20-years-ago, when Asaba was only a Local Government Head-quarters, is allowed to degenerate to this state. 

See Pictures below:

obviously an abandoned project

  

A visit to this "capital-city" will shock first time visitors, or one who has not visited in a long time, and anticipated to see more. It costs absolutely nothing other than determination and devotion to decide to channel the state's funds towards ensuring accessible roads with good drainage system, facilities  in our infrastructures, not only in the state capital, but replicated all over the state. This is do-able, majority of the people in the corridors of power travel to Dubai, the United States of America, Canada, Europe and other "developed" countries at the lightest excuse(s) of- medical concerns, education, childbirths, attending weddings, naming ceremonies, summer vacations, forums, seminars and meetings, etc. We travel, spend billions of 'hard-currencies' to further enrich the treasury of the wealthy nations, while our home-land languish in penury.  Why cant we replicate the things we enjoy in the developed countries here, in our home, where we belong. 

This publication is aimed at shedding some light, into issues that needs to be redressed, so that appropriate authorities can wake up from their slumber and do the work they were voted into power for, with the available funds/ allocations and human resources. 

Like late Smart Williams sang, "i' do-kwa ba village yi, osuso o'bibi" (developing your village, makes it pleasant to live in). People visit or pass through this town...they see this situation. A good name is the best legacy any man, organisation or administration can leave behind. We can do better than this. 

Photos From Around Nigeria: Mmiri Okuta At Asaba!

Pictures of "Mmiri-okuta" (Rock-water), located at Ukwu-Ogbono area, off Anwai road, Asaba, Delta-state, Nigeria.

Locals are seen here fetching from mmiri-Okuta, they believe it is clean enough for drinking, cooking and other domestic use.

Let's Talk About Evans!

News about the recent arrest of kidnap kingpin identified as  Chukwudumeje Onwuamadike, popularly known as 'Evans', at his home, in Fred Shoboyejo street, Magodo Phase 2 GRA, Lagos - Nigeria; and his cohorts, has set the Nigerian Media, as well as International mainstream agog. This owes to how news of his exploits overshadowed other stories.

Since his arrest, Evans reportedly revealed information about his gang's heinous activities- from their kidnap dens, how he selects his victims, trailed and kidnapped them, and what ransoms to demand from each victim. Interestingly, some of these victims have stepped forward to identify the kidnapper, even recounted their ordeal while in his den. Evans Father, Step-mother, mother, sister, wife, mistresses and some other family members, equally gave their statements and granted interviews. No week passed by without a new turn to the 'Evans-kidnap story'. The media, staying true to its responsibility, keeps the public informed as events unfolds. 

A Nigerian based Daily newspaper, Vanguard, reports: "Evans might be flown to Force Headquarters, Abuja, to meet with the Police hierarchy for thorough interrogation over his criminal activities. Already, efforts were been made to prepare him for the meeting, which sources said could include meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. Detectives attached to the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, of the IGP’s special squad, are still taking the kidnap kingpin to places in Lagos, and environs with a view of identifying all the houses he used as cells, during his escapades". 

The arrested 'Kidnap Kingpin's story is highly celebrated. Media organizations make a field-day, trying to beat each other to publications of the latest turn of events. Security operatives seems more interested in being identified with Evans arrest. Everyone wants a piece of the action. Evans, the man in the middle of it all, seems to relish this situation.

That being said, there abound questions that need answers. For instance, at the initial stage, news made rounds about Evans disclosing members of his network, and how the Police planned to make more shocking arrests. The public anxiously awaits these arrests. Also, one of the kidnap victims, narrated that a doctor was called to treat his 'gun-shot' wounds whiles in the kidnap den. Has this doctor being identified, if not what is keeping the Police from revealing his identity and making arrests.

Of more importance would be the big question: when will Evans and his gang be charged to court, convicted and sentenced for their crimes? The chances of this story going cold, while the accused is detained for a very long time, is high; a development that can further risk the lives of victims who already testified, and raised alarm for the security of well meaning citizens.  

The Evans kidnap case will to a large extent determine the level of Nigeria's Criminal Justice System, as it continues to generate interests from stake holders within and outside the country. 

Individual/ Media Responsibility In The Fight Against Terrorism!

Monday, June 19, 2017 early hours terrorist attack on Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, near North London Mosque, left one person dead and about ten others injured. 

Reports said: a van rammed into Muslim worshippers, near the Mosque, as they attended the Ramadan night prayers at about 12:30am. 

According to London Police authorities, a 48-year-old man was arrested and the case is being treated as  "terrorist attack". 

The attacker was reported to have screamed "I am going to kill all Muslims", while others reported him to have said "at least I did my bit". 

The Muslim community in London believes the attack is "Islamophobic"  targeted at the weak and vulnerable in the community. 

Terrorism is a plague that is daily eating deed into the fabrics that binds the Human Race. It is heinous crime against Humanity, and a causeless fight, hence is condemn-able. Terrorism is an act that knows no Religion, Ethnicity and Race. It's single goal is "Havoc" and it single enemy is the Human Race. 

Terrorism comes in different forms and strategies. Aside senseless attacks on the feeble and unguarded, there is also what can be termed subtle ethnic, religious and racial attacks. These attacks are often in forms of "hate comments" by individuals, some of whom occupy significant positions in our societies, at gatherings and on Social Media platforms. 

Government, the Main-stream and Social media (bloggers), and individuals owe it as a responsibility to come together in the fight against terrorism. 

Through unbiased coverage and reportage of incidents, discouraging perceived "hate-comments" against any ethnic group(s), religion, race, on individual platforms, and encouraging Oneness, are some of the ways we can counter terrorism.



What binds us together is greater that what is tearing us apart.