Shortest That New News in a while. You’re welcome 😉
In this edition:
Making disability awareness accessible
All the people flown to Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference
Kano governorship election verdict
Tinubu wants to borrow a little more
This edition is 1,135 words (approx 4 min read)
More visibility for people living with disabilities 👏
Ahead of the 3rd of November, which marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities edition, last week, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities unveiled a simplified version of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 they collaborated on to increase understanding.
They translated it from English into three major Nigerian languages – Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba.
According to reports, at least 15% (about 35.1 million) of Nigerians are living with disabilities.
With this simplified act, more people, including people living with disabilities in the country, can now access and understand their rights under this law.
During the unveiling event, they discussed the importance of breaking language barriers so that everyone can feel included and have access to crucial information.
Some people highlighted the need to reach out to rural areas where awareness about the Act might be low.
They also mentioned plans to further educate people about disability rights, especially in areas where most people with disabilities live.
Additionally, there were discussions about using sign language in the House of Representatives and making more efforts to create laws that support the rights of people with disabilities across Nigeria.
Overall, the aim is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities or where they live, understands and benefits from this law.
Religious discrimination in Nigeria
Rhoda Ya’u Jatau, a healthcare administrator, has spent over 18 months in police detention for sharing a WhatsApp criticising a mob action in Sokoto state, where a university student, Deborah Yakubu, was burned to death over alleged blasphemy: “insulting Prophet Muhammed”.
Prosecutors accused Jatau of “inciting disturbance”, contempt for religious creed, and “cyberstalking” for forwarding a video she did not record, where the owner of the video was condemning Deborah’s death.
Blasphemy remains a criminal offence in Nigeria, with instances resulting in human rights violations.
Recent notable arrests include Jatau, Mubarak Bala (an atheist who was sentenced to 24 years for denouncing Islam in a social media post), and Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (a Muslim musician who was arrested for making a WhatsApp voice note that “praised an imam to the extent it elevated him above the Prophet Muhammed”)
These cases, along with Deborah’s reflect a larger issue of injustice and pose a threat, particularly to people in northern regions of Nigeria.
Non-Muslims in the northern parts of Nigeria have raised concerns about the imposition of Islamic law on them.
Late last month, Jatau attempted to appeal her case with a "no-case submission"(meaning she requested to be discharged without it having to present a defence), but a Bauchi state high court rejected her request.
Kola Alapinni, lead counsel at Abuja-based nonprofit Foundation for Religious Freedom who is familiar with the case, told Al Jazeera that since her request was rejected, Jatau’s defence team is expected to make a case when the court sits again this month.
Read more about Rhoda Ya’u Jatau's case here
Unrest in Kano
On the 17th of November, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the ruling of the Election Petitions Tribunal, affirming that Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, despite winning the election, was not qualified to run. - Channels
The court agreed with the tribunal's judgment, stating that Abba Yusuf's candidacy breached electoral laws, rendering him unqualified to contest the election
Initially, Abba Yusuf, who contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had been declared the election winner by the INEC but the court deemed the majority of his votes as invalid due to lack of proper stamping or signing on the affected ballot papers.
The court disqualified Yusuf and declared Nasiru Gawuna (the APC candidate) the winner.
The Aftermath
Following the court’s decision, people in Kano staged protests against the ruling.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on busy roads and commercial areas to disrupt business activity.
They took on busy roads like Kano/Zaria Road, Maiduguri Road by Muhammadu Buhari Interchange, and Kantin Kwari (Kano textile market), demanding justice for Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP.
The situation is believed to have led to tension between rival groups, which the police allegedly dropped by to intervene
Upon their arrival, police officers used gunfire and tear gas to disperse the fighting groups.
Unfortunately, one of the bullets the police officers shot hit and killed an uninvolved teenager
The teenager’s death caused more protests across the State
The Kano State Police Command acknowledged the incident, stating it was a result of a clash between rival groups.
They confirmed that a police inspector, whose identity was not disclosed, fired the fatal shot. The police said they’d ordered the inspector's arrest and assured the public that justice would be served.
Excursion to Dubai: Political class and friends
The 28th UN Climate Change Summit (COP28) in Dubai witnessed a substantial presence from Nigeria, with a reported delegation of 1,411 registered delegates. This number made Nigeria one of the countries with the highest number of registered participants, alongside China.
Recall that during his campaigning, the Nigerian President, Tinubu, said that climate change is a secondary issue for him, now imagine carrying over 1,000 people to a conference dedicated to something you don’t care about 🤔
There’s a list of everyone who was invited, but the final definite list of people who attended will only be confirmed after the conference, as not all registered individuals might have gone.
Some people on the list: the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Oladunmoye Adejobi, the President’s son (First son 😭 ) Seyi Tinubu also made the list.
Toke Makinwa was also there. Not as a representative of Nigeria, but representing Nigerian NGO, International Climate Change Development Initiative along with other representatives. Although it is unclear if the NGO was sponsored by the FG.
It is also uncertain if the entire delegation was sponsored by the Nigerian government or if it involved participation from the private sector.
Despite Nigeria facing economic challenges such as inflation, high fuel prices, and financial hardships for its citizens, the country sent a significant number of delegates to COP28.
The costs associated with such a large delegation, including flight tickets, accommodation, and other expenses in Dubai, could be substantial, especially considering Nigeria's economic constraints.
Speaking of excessive
President Bola Tinubu is seeking Senate approval for an additional loan of $8.69 billion and €100 million as part of the 2022-2024 external borrowing plan. - Premium Times
This request, read in the Senate and House of Representatives' plenary sessions, seemingly indicates an increase from a prior request of $7.86 billion and €100 million made on November 1.
While not explicitly mentioned, it's believed the president augmented a component of the loan from $7.86 billion to $8.69 billion. This request precedes Tinubu's presentation of the 2024 budget to the National Assembly.
The loan, initially requested during President Buhari's administration, aims to fund critical sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, security, and employment, emphasizing the necessity to fulfil campaign promises.
Tinubu underscored that the selected projects align with economic evaluations and will contribute to socio-economic development, job creation, and skill acquisition.
The president urged the Senate to approve the borrowing plan to enable the government to fulfil its responsibilities to Nigerians.
Note: Two weeks ago, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, stated that Nigeria cannot rely solely on borrowing to finance the 2024 budget, highlighting the need for alternative funding sources.
The latest on Emefiele
Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele's trial regarding alleged fraud amounting to ₦1.6 billion has been postponed to January 18 and 19, 2024. Emefiele was granted bail last week with a ₦300 million bail bond. However, he could not meet the bail condition, so he will remain in Kuje prison until he can meet the bail condition or until his trial in January.
Other news
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted Nigerians about the ATM Debit Card swapping fraud. - EFCC
The CBN has announced that from April 2024, accounts without BVN and NIN will be frozen - The Nation
More than 30 people were feared trapped Friday in a mine collapse in a Zambian region known for illegal open-cast digging for copper, a minister said - Channels
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