Author: Vera

UNICEF has warned that female genital mutilation is on the rise among Nigerian girls aged 0-14. Rates have risen from 16.9 per cent in 2013 to 19.2 per cent in 2018, a “worrying trend,” according to UNICEF. Point News247 reports that the harmful practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) remains widespread in Nigeria. With an estimated 19.9 million survivors, Nigeria accounts for the third highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide. While the national prevalence of FGM among women in Nigeria aged 15-49 dropped from 25 per cent in 2013 to 20 per cent in 2018,…

While relying on Intelligent information gathering and collaboration with sister agencies in the Apapa port, the Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has Intercepted 9 container load of unprocessed and semi processed woods. Point News247 reports that the command also seized a container of unregistered pharmaceutical which was laden with 702 cartons of codeine syrup (each carton contains 200 pieces) and 347 cartons of Col caps (each carton contains 2,000 piece with a street value of ₦78,787,975.00. Giving a breakdown of the wood seizures which was intercepted at the point of loading into vessel, the Customs Area Controller of…

Point News247 reports that Egbin Power Plc, the largest power generating plant in Nigeria, has confirmed that there was a fire incident at its power plant on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. The fire incident which happened at around 4.20 pm as resulted in a blackout in Lagos and its environs. Egbin Power confirmed the incident in a statement to its stakeholders and the general public, saying the fire outbreak was successfully contained by a team of its firefighters in collaboration with firefighters from the Nigeria Gas Company at Egbin. The power generating firm also noted that it has set out…

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, called for the expansion of access to modern contraceptive methods across the country to address the nation’s rising population. Point News247 reports that President Buhari made this known while speaking at the launch of the revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development in the State House, Abuja, where he explained that the overall goal of the policy is to improve the quality of life and standards of living of all Nigerians. The President also inaugurated the national council on population management, which he chairs. “The policy emphasizes the urgency to address Nigeria’s sustained…

Point News247 reports that Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, North East Nigeria, has advised the government to seek external help in the fight against insurgency, including hiring mercenaries, saying there is nothing wrong with such. Zulum said this at the State House, Abuja, during a media briefing, He expressed concern about the increasing sophistication and spread of the terrorist group, Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), in the state. Zulum said the federal government must do everything in its power to defeat ISWAP now, or else the menace constituted by the Boko Haram terrorist sect would be nothing compared…

Wema Bank’s annual Hackaholics program is set to commence soon. Point News247 reports that Nigeria’s first fully digital bank, ALAT is set to unveil the third edition of Hackaholics (3.0) themed “Building the Future”, a pitch event where innovators and tech enthusiasts are welcome to pitch groundbreaking solutions to some fundamental societal challenges. The 2022 Hackaholics pitch event will be inviting applications from creative tertiary students and youth from every corner of the country who can exhibit/present exciting solutions that can help deal with problems associated with Financial Inclusion, MSMEs, Healthtech, and Lending. According to a statement from the bank, the official call for entries will be…

Point News247 reports that Kano Magistrate’s Court 12, sitting at Gidan Murtala and presided over by Chief Magistrate Muhammad Jibril, has ordered the case of Abdulmalik Tanko and his accomplices to be transferred to the State High Court six before Justice Usman Na’abba. Counsel to the state government led by Aisha Mahmoud applied to the court to adjourn the case to a higher court as the Magistrate’s Court has no jurisdiction over the case. Mahmoud said: “The offences alleged to have been committed by the defendants are not triable by this court. So, we are applying for a count charges…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced Computer Studies and Physical and Health Education as part of its UTME subjects. Point News247 reports that the board disclosed this in its weekly bulletin released by the Director of Public Relations, Dr Fabian Benjamin, and made available to newsmen in Abuja. It said that candidates sitting for the UTME could now pick Computer Studies or Physical and Health Education as part of the four required UTME subjects, if they so desire or as dictated by their programme preferences. The board said that the addition of the two subjects to the…

Point News247 reports that a doctor in Benue state has been accused of removing the ovaries of an 18-year-old girl, Dooyum Lanna, during an operation to remove her appendix. Reports from SaharaReporters indicate that Dooyum who first had her menstruation at the age of 14, started experiencing abdominal pain each time her period came by the time she was 16 in May 2019. Worried about the situation, her father, 72-year-old Kparevfa Lanna, took her to an acclaimed medical doctor named Agber Kwende in the Gaav Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, for immediate treatment. Sadly, the events that soon…

The Lagos State government has unveiled the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Centre to address the burden constituted by sickle cell disease in the state and the country. Point News247 reports that the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi congratulated the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria for the comprehensive BMT Centre in sub-Saharan Africa, which he described as first-of-its kind. According to Prof. Abayomi, who represented the State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the opening, the centre is a bold step towards battling the disease. The commissioner, however, bemoaned the high rate of children living with sickle cell in the country.…