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Owo attack: US senators ask Blinken to relabel Nigeria as religious freedom violator

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Five American senators have asked Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, to re-designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC).

In December 2020, the US listed Nigeria among countries blacklisted for “violating religious freedom” under the CPC designation.

However, in November 2021, Nigeria was removed from the list.

In a June 29, 2022 letter, the senators questioned why Nigeria was “inexplicably” removed “despite no demonstrable improvement in the country’s religious freedom conditions”.

They cited the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo state and the lynching of Deborah Samuel, a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, as cases of “religious persecutions” in Nigeria.

The senators who signed the letter are Josh Hawley, Marco Rubio, Mike Braun, James Inhofe and Tom Cotton.

“As you are well aware, horrific acts of deadly violence have been committed against Nigerian Christians in recent weeks, including the massacre of churchgoers on Pentecost Sunday and the stoning of a Christian college student. Sadly, such violence has become all too familiar for Christians in Africa’s most populous country,” the letter reads.

“Last year, however, you inexplicably removed Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) despite no demonstrable improvement in the country’s religious freedom conditions.

“On the contrary, the situation in Nigeria has grown worse. We previously urged you to immediately reverse your misguided decision, and we write today to renew our call.

“Recent high-profile acts of violence underscore the intense religious persecution that is regularly experienced by Nigerian Christians.

“On Pentecost Sunday, gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Nigeria’s Ondo state, reportedly killing at least 50 churchgoers.

“Last month, a violent mob brutally stoned to death Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, a student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in northwest Nigeria.

“According to reports, some Islamist students were enraged by a “blasphemous” message Deborah had posted in a WhatsApp group, in which she said that “Jesus Christ is the greatest. He helped me pass my exams.

“Merely expressing one’s Christian faith has apparently become tantamount to a death sentence in many parts of Nigeria. Religious violence and intolerance directed toward Nigerian Christians has worsened in recent years.

“One report documented more than 4,650 cases of Nigerian Christians who were killed for their faith in 2021. Accordingly, Nigeria earns the dubious honor — for the second consecutive year — of being the deadliest country on earth for Christians.

“Make no mistake: continued enforcement of state-sanctioned blasphemy laws enables the type of deadly violence that killed Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu and so many others.

“When we previously wrote you, we were met with a response which failed to answer our questions about why the State Department views Nigeria as not having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom” or even “severe violations of religious freedom.”

“Given the abysmal state of religious freedom in Nigeria, it is incumbent upon you to reverse last year’s decision and redesignate the country as a CPC. The moment demands that you do so without delay. We look forward to your swift action on this important matter.”

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Dele Farotimi regains freedom after meeting bail conditions

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Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate, has been released from the correctional centre in Ekiti state after meeting his bail conditions.

Farotimi was released on Tuesday morning.

Last Friday, a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti granted Farotimi N30 million bail with two sureties.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, had ruled that the two sureties must be “responsible citizens in the society”, and one of them must own a house within the jurisdiction of the court.

The defendant was asked to leave his international passport with the court.

Farotimi would also not grant media interviews during the pendency of the case.

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Yuletide: Lagos state government sets up task force to tackle noise pollution

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The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents against noise pollution, especially during the Yuletide season and beyond.

A statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday noted that the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, alongside the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency., Dr Babatunde Ajayi, highlighted the government’s measures to curb excessive noise and safeguard public health.

“The Lagos State Government is committed to a zero-tolerance policy on noise pollution, particularly during the Yuletide season and beyond.

“The government has put proactive measures to curb excessive noise and safeguard public health.

“We acknowledged that the festive season brings heightened celebrations and activities that often lead to increased noise levels.

“But we have to prioritise the health and well-being of Lagos residents by reducing noise pollution”, he said.

Wahab added that to ensure compliance with noise regulations, the government had established a Special Task Force on Noise Pollution under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.

According to him, the task force, which includes members of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, will monitor, arrest, and prosecute violators.

Wahab acknowledged that the festive season brings heightened celebrations and activities that often lead to increased noise levels.

He reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on noise pollution, saying there was a need to prioritise the health and well-being of Lagos residents by reducing noise pollution.

He warned that unregulated noise poses significant health and environmental risks, which the government would not tolerate.

The commissioner stated that it had become a must for establishments such as worship centres, nightclubs, lounges, and bars to obtain permits from LASEPA for public events involving amplified sound. These venues are required to operate within soundproofed and enclosed spaces to protect neighbouring residents.

He noted that in January 2025, the government would begin intensified public awareness campaigns to educate residents on acceptable noise levels and the benefits of a quieter environment.

Wahab said that collaboration with stakeholders, including religious organisations, business owners, the entertainment industry, and event planners would be a priority.

“Plans are also in place to recognise and reward individuals and organisations that demonstrate exceptional compliance with noise regulations, fostering a culture of responsibility and sustainability” the commissioner assured all.

He commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, for their leadership in promoting environmental sustainability and a healthier Lagos.

He assured residents that the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would continue to implement policies aligned with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda to create a cleaner, quieter, and safer Lagos.

Wahab urged Lagosians to join hands with the government in achieving a noiseless and peaceful Lagos, expressing gratitude to the press for their role in raising awareness of government initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents.

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FCT resident doctors give Wike two weeks to meet demands

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Resident doctors in Abuja, the nation’s capital, have given Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), two weeks to meet their demands.

Speaking with journalists on Monday, George Ebong, president of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) FCT chapter, said while the minister is fixing abandoned infrastructure in the FCT, the doctors have now become “abandoned projects”.

“We want the minister to solve the problems so doctors can practice to the best of their ability,” Ebong said.

“We earlier gave a 21-day ultimatum last week during our annual general meeting, leaving 14 days.

“We don’t want the deadliest shutdown that may lead to loss of lives; it is important that the minister listen and act on demand without delays.”

The ARD president said the association wants the minister to clear the six months of salary arrears being owed to members who were employed in 2023.

“The minister should with urgency clear the payment of the medical residency training fund of 2024,” he said.

“Also, we want the minister to review the bonding policy to two years instead of six years.

“Other demands are that we want the minister to enforce the implementation of skipping and issuance of skipping letters to our members employed in 2023, immediate payment of accoutrements allowance for 2024, payment of outgoing 13 months hazard allowance arrears, and the FCTA management should fast-track conversion of ARD FCTA post two members to consultants and expedite the process of employment of health care workers to buffer the manpower shortage in the nation’s capital hospitals.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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