Nigeria End Sars Protests October 2020 - Everything you need to know

Protesters at the End Sars rally

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in Nigeria, rising violence against women reached a crisis point, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency on the issue by the Nigerian governors’ forum, which also promised to set up a sex offenders registry, according to local news agencies. The move came after days of marches in which protesters “defied the lockdown restrictions to voice their anger over the recent wave of rape and murder of women and girls in the country.”

Shocking Photos: How crude oil and 'dirty' petrol is polluting the land, water and air in Nigeria especlly in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Kaduna

 

• More than 114,000 people died from air pollution in Nigeria in 2017, the top in Africa – HEI & IHME updated estimates

• Onitsha, a port city in southern Nigeria, had the world’s worst air (PM10 pollutants) in 2016 - WHO

How dangerous oil petrol sold to Nigeria from Europe is causing serious health problems and damaged vehicles

High-sulphur fuels have long been illegal to burn in western countries but many African countries including Nigeria are welcoming this low quality fuel which is causing pollution, breathing problems and deaths.

Britain halves financial aid to Nigeria

Northern Nigeria, 1.5m have lost their homes and farming has been abandoned. Photo: Infobaze

London, UK - According to the BBC News, Britain is to halve the amount of money it gives in humanitarian aid to Nigeria over the next few years.
In 2016 the UK spent £100m ($129m). But for the next four years they have only pledged £200m. That’s £50m per year on average. 

The money is aimed at victims of Boko Haram terror attacks in north-eastern Nigeria.
During a two-day visit to the country, the British International Development Secretary, Priti Patel, said the Nigerian authorities should do more to defeat the extremists.
She also added that other countries needed to share the aid burden.
Boko Haram attacks have displaced more than 1.5 million people - this has wiped out local farming, leading to acute malnutrition.

Tickets going fast: 3 days to the MGHSOGA UK 'Lit Day' Event. D-Day Saturday 1st July

What?
With only 3 days to go, you need to act fast if you want to be part of this fun event taking place this Saturday. TICKETS ARE GOING PRETTY FAST!!! So what is this all about, I can hear you ask... well, Methodist Girl's High School, Yaba, Old Girls' Association (MGHS OGA, UK/IRELAND) is inviting you to their first 'Lit Day.' The event which will take place on Saturday 1 July in north London is been organised to raise funds to renovate the school buildings. Methodist Girls' High School popularly known as MG is one of the most prominent and top ranking schools in Lagos, Nigeria. So you've got to be there...

About MGHS?
The school was founded in 1879 by the African Members of the Wesleyan Methodist Mission with Rev E.W. Williams, a Nigerian, as her first Principal. Over the years, MGHS, Yaba, Lagos has served thousands of girls who have become successful in various area of life. The UK and IRELAND Old Girls' Association will be jamming with old friends from other Nigerian schools on Saturday 1st July in London!

Did you know?
 MGHSOGA UK/IRELAND is made up of old girls from different graduating year groups from as far back as 1970. A famous old girl that you are sure to meet on Saturday is Moji Bamtefa who plays Auntie - Funke in one of Europe's most popular African TV Comedies, 'Meet the Adebanjos.'

Interesting fact?  
One thing that will stand out during this event is that attendees will come dressed in their school uniforms! I am talking about people as old as 50 dressed in their old school uniforms. Aha! So, you are warmly invited to be part of this exciting event where you can meet up with old friends, have fun and enjoy nice food and music.

Dresscode?  
Just dress up in a uniform or something that looks like one and be ready to have fun. This is a family event so everyone is invited too.


Tickets?
Event date:  Saturday 1st July 2017
Time: 3pm to 10pm
Venue: Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, HA3 5BD
Tickets: Call Olugbo on 07739103935, Slyvia on 07956657278 or Ayoku on 07534393695 or buy at the door.
You can also contact MGHSOGA on Facebook.

Nigeria: Governor Ambode orders destruction of Sabo Market without giving traders notice - Find how to get help

I have been watching a few videos from Nigeria, but this one is sad. It shows women crying because their stores have been demolished and stock destroyed by agents of the Lagos State Government headed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. The demolished area is called Sabo Market in the Ikorodu Local Government area.

From the video, which shows mostly hard working struggling women who have young children to look after, there is chaos and the demolished stores litter the area. Some of the women claim that all their products have been taken away or destroyed. Some say the money they keep overnight in the shops has been taken away or destroyed.

Watch this video showing the shock of traders after arriving at the market to see Sabo Market Demolished.

Why has the Lagos State Government demolished these stores belonging these traders who are mostly women and breadwinners without notice? Why did the government promise not to demolish then do what they promised not to do overnight? The traders arrived at the market and many fell into shock, some have allegedly passed away.

What has the Lagos State Government got to say about this? How will all these women and men be compensated? This appears to be a Human Rights issue but most of these women and men would not have the money nor the support to make representations. My focus however is on the women who have a lot at stack.

The plight of women in Nigeria needs to be highlighted across the world. Nigeria is a country with very little insurance or pension rights and most of the traders have used loans to build up their business, it would be difficult for them to start all over again. This is so sad!

How can this women be helped? How can the government make up for this atrocity?

If you are woman affected by this demolition, please contact the following people who can help you via twitter - just click on the links and send them a message: 

Juliana Nnoko-Mewanu Researcher, Women's Rights Division@NnokoMewanu

Agnes Odhiambo Senior Researcher, Women's Rights Division AgnesOdhiambo

Amanda Klasing Senior Researcher, Women's Rights Division amklasing

You can also contact:

USAID/Nigeria

Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive

Central District Area, Abuja

Abuja

Nigeria

Phone 

+234 803 900 9300

Email 

abujadoc@usaid.gov

USAID Contact

Chad Weinberg

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20523

Phone: 202-712-0511

Email: cweinberg@usaid.gov

On Twitter contact the US AID via https://twitter.com/usaid

Have you been affected by this demolition? Or do you know someone who has been affected? What are you doing to get compensated? Please, leave a comment or get in touch me. Email: ishinemagazine@gmail.com

100 dead as Nigerian Air Force mistakenly bombs refugee camp

Nigeria has owned up to mistakenly bombing a refugee camp and killing 100 people including families and doctors. The bomb was dropped by the Nigerian Air Force on a camp along the border in the north eastern part of the country on Tuesday, whilst trying to attack

5 Important Questions to ask Nigeria's First Lady, Aisha Buhari about her husband

First Lady of Nigeria: Aisha Buhari

I am thinking about Aisha Buhari statements with the BBC Hausa Radio Service. During the interview, she said that she was unhappy with the people who run Nigeria. First, I would like a applaud Mrs Buhari for her quiet support during the elections campaign. The saying is true that behind every successful man there is a strong woman. Also, only a smart man allows a strong woman to lead him onto success. 

According to the BBC, Mrs Aisha Buhari said that her husband, the president of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari appointed several people that he does not know. That's weird. Furthermore, she claims that despite being his wife of 27 years she herself does not know these people. (Stranger than fiction). But, is she meant to know them? Considering the fact that there are over 180 million Nigerians). In total 50 people were appointed and the president only knows 45.

My worry is whether we, the humble pubic needed to know this... Well, to clarify what could be going on in the Buhari household and I am sure you too will like to know, here are 5 important questions for Madam Buhari so that we can all get a better picture of what is really going on.

Question 1: 
Who are these people (people in high places who have been given presidential appointments) that you and the President do not know? 

Question 2:
Are these people a threat to you and the president? Or are they a threat to the nation? Is that why you are concerned?

Question 3:
Did you discuss your concerns with your husband before 'spilling the beans' at BBC interview? Did you realise that BBC Hausa Radio is the same as BBC Global - that it's like a global media monster with tentacles?

Question 4:
Are you trying to 'break away from the mold' - you know, the general African/male idea that a woman and wife's place is in the kitchen and of course in the bedroom...and that women should be seen not heard? Would you be standing up for the Nigerian woman whose husbands, fathers, uncles, brothers etc believe she is inferior?

Question 5:
Does your husband see you first as an intelligent human being who has smart ideas for the development of the country? For example, is there anything you are doing in your own capacity as the President's wife to develop the nation? Nigeria has numerous challenges which ones have you chosen to tackle?

These are my 5 questions for you Madam Aisha. I hope you get them and I look forward to hearing from you madam maybe not directly but through the next bold steps you will take to show us that you are truly a Nigerian woman.

Nigerian Independence Day: Students protest against funding in Lagos

Today marks the 56th year after Nigeria gained her independence. You may think that should be a great milestone for a developed country but it is not. Nigeria still languishes in underdevelopment, poverty, chaotic power supply, bad infrastructure, medieval transport system and bad education.

On a day when the country should be celebrating peaceful, students in the commercial capital of Nigeria are staging a protest. Why?

The students have had enough of the lack of funding across national departments especially in the education sector. Education in Nigeria cannot even be rated internationally. The government places more emphasis on changing peoples attitudes without a solid educational structure. How do you change the minds of 180 million people if not through education?

I was in Nigeria a few weeks ago and I visited some schools in Ajah, Lagos. What I saw was beyond belief. A brand new school building yet to be opened had be used as a toilet!!! Five classes had been vandalised and fouled. You can just image the sight and smell. The pictures are too disgusting to be posted.

According to reports, the leader of the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA Wole Olubanji would lead a protest by Nigerian students against the attacks waged on Nigerian students and parents. 

WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE DEMANDING:

1. Education is underfunded in Nigeria so the federal government should give 26 % of its budget to education as requested by The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO.
2. The government should reduce the salaries of political office holders immediately and slash them to the average wage and allowances of skilled workers.
3. The difference should be diverted to funding education in order to increase the creativity and productivity of the country. 

Students across the country, under the aegis of Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA, will today, stage a mass protest in Lagos in commemoration of the 56th Independence Day in Nigeria.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/independence-day-nigerian-students-set-protest-attacks-lagos/

Students across the country, under the aegis of Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA, will today, stage a mass protest in Lagos in commemoration of the 56th Independence Day in Nigeria. At a press briefing which took place Thursday, at the International Press Centre, Lagos, the students said they are protesting against the myriads of attacks waged on Nigerian students and parents. The convener, Comrade Wole Olubanji said the protest would take off by 8am, at Ikeja Under-bridge where students from various institutions of learning are expected to converge. PROTEST—University of Lagos students protesting the re-naming of the institution after late MKO Abiola yesterday in Lagos. According to him, the attacks on Nigerian students are induced by failed successive governments that obstinately refused to depart from the neo-liberal, pro-rich and elitist policies of previous regimes. The convener who said education was underfunded in Nigeria called on the federal government, to give 26 % of its budget to education as requested by The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO, Also, he said it was time the government reduced the salaries of political office holders and stand against extravagant life styles of politicians. He said, “ the government continues to condone the extravagant lifestyles of political office holders with a bulk of the national budget. Change must start with cutting the jumbo salaries of these politicians. We demand this must be immediately slashed to the average wage and allowances of skilled workers. The difference, we demand, should be diverted to funding education in order to increase the creativity and productivity of this country during this period of government-induced recession.” In attendance was Secretary, Joint Action Front JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu who also called on government to look into the plight of Nigerian students.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/independence-day-nigerian-students-set-protest-attacks-lagos/

UK to return 'stolen' money to Nigeria at Buhari's request

WORLD NEWS: The UK government has agreed to return money amounting to tens of millions of pounds to the Nigeria government. This decision was made after UK's former Prime Minister, David Camron called Nigeria a 'fantastically corrupt' nation. The President of Nigeria immediately made a demand for the money and property which had been seized for decades in England from dubious Nigerian politicians.

Hmmmm....justice at last!

LAGGSOGAUK and CMS OGS UK at the Nigerian Students Sports Day NSSFFD - IN PHOTOS

The executive members and the planning committee of the NSSFF organised a fantastic Sorts Day event for anyone who went to secondary school on Nigeria. In attendance were girls from my old schools - Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School - LAGGS and Methodist Girls High School, Yaba - MGHS. I was there and it was a fantastic event. Here are all the pictures.