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Kogi Governor’s wife pledges to promote menstrual hygiene
The wife of Kogi Governor Hajia Sefinat Ododo, has pledged to promote menstrual hygiene among girls and women in the state.
Sefinat said this in Lokoja as part of activities to mark the 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day, organised by Heal for Africa Initiative (HFAI), tagged:”#PeriodFriendlyWorld”.
May 28 marked the 10th World Menstrual Hygiene Day, a global initiative dedicated to promoting awareness and education about menstrual hygiene.
She commended HFAI founder, Dr Kelechi Okoro for her efforts in promoting menstrual hygiene in the state.
She pledged her unwavering support for the initiative and outlined her plans to improve menstrual hygiene and sexual and reproductive health services in the state.
She emphasized the importance of breaking the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation.
“Menstruation should never be a barrier to education, health, or personal growth. As a mother and a leader, I am committed to ensuring that every girl and woman in Kogi can manage her menstruation with dignity and confidence,” she said.
She also admonished parents to prioritize menstrual hygiene education for their daughters.
“Parents play a crucial role in their children’s development. It is essential to provide your girl child with accurate information and support about menstruation.
“This helps them understand their bodies and manage their menstrual health effectively. Let us create an open and supportive environment where our daughters feel comfortable discussing their menstrual needs,” she said.
Sefinat encouraged young girls to know that menstruation remained a natural part of growing up.
“To every young girl, know that menstruation is a natural part of growing up. Do not let it hold you back from pursuing your dreams.
“Educate yourself, take care of your health, and seek support when needed. My office is committed to advancing the health and rights of the girl child,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Folasade Arike, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), reiterated calls on other female leaders to support the initiative.
She also urged government officials and stakeholders to join the movement for menstrual hygiene sensitization, especially in schools and underserved communities.
“We must work together to ensure that all girls have access to menstrual hygiene products, education, and facilities.
“Our collective efforts can break down barriers and create a world where menstruation is not a hindrance but a celebrated aspect of life,” she said.
She implored other women leaders to take concrete steps to build a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fatimah Momoh, made a commitment to champion the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in the state.
She emphasized that the focus on women’s and girls’ health must extend beyond the menstrual hygiene day commemoration.
“This is not just about today; it is about ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our girls. The Ministry of Women Affairs will provide the necessary support to promote the #PayAttentionToHer project.”
I urge everyone to join us in this vital cause,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ASA/ABI
A coalition of youth organisations has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to reconsider its wanted tag on socialite, Dr Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, OFR.
The organisations, Niger Delta Youth Council for Good Governance and Middle Belt Youth Stakeholders’ Initiative said this in a joint press statement they issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to them, the declaration of Achimugu wanted by the anti-corruption agency came to them as a rude shock.
The joint statement was signed by Comrade Emma Niboro and Ali Ameh for Niger Delta Youth Council for Good Governance and Middle Belt Youth Stakeholders’ Initiative, respectively.
They described Achimugu as a dedicated friend of the youths, who had always shown commitment to the welfare and care of the downtrodden.
According to the youth coalition, “we know the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, as a man who came with utmost zeal to sanitize the agency. He has already demonstrated this and we are proud of his achievements so far.
“However, we urge him to resist pressure from politicians, which is a plague that has dwarfed EFCC for several years of its existence.
“The commission had hitherto remained a tool for politicians to undue their perceived political foes and this has always rubbed off on the credibility of the agency.
“The case of Achumugu doesn’t appear to be different in any way, as the haste with which she was declared wanted showed there is a hand of Esau and voice of Jacob.
“Our appeal is that the commission should withdraw the wanted tag on her and give her ample time to report to the commission, as she has never been indicted of any offence whether in Nigeria or outside the country.”
While noting that Achimugu is a global figure, they added that they can always vouch for her integrity.
“We know her, she has always been of immense help to the youths and other members of the society.
“Her closeness to certain politicians should not be used as a tool to persecute or harass her,” the youths further stated.
The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision that recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). In a decisive ruling, a five-member panel declared that the Court of Appeal lacked the legal authority to determine the party’s leadership matters.
In a unanimous verdict, the highest court in the land stated that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction over the matter. The panel observed that since the case revolved around the internal leadership structure of the Labour Party, it fell outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
The ruling reinforced the long-standing principle that leadership disputes within political parties should be resolved internally, rather than through judicial intervention.
The Supreme Court stressed that leadership struggles within political parties are purely internal matters. According to legal principles, courts should not interfere in such issues, as they fall under the party’s constitution and governance framework. By upholding this legal doctrine, the apex court reaffirmed that political parties must settle their leadership crises independently.
The Supreme Court upheld the appeal lodged by Senator Nenadi Usman and a fellow appellant, ruling that their claims were valid. Their appeal challenged the earlier judgment, arguing that it was flawed due to jurisdictional overreach. After thorough legal scrutiny, the Supreme Court found merit in their argument and ruled in their favour.
The legal battle also involved a cross-appeal filed by supporters of Julius Abure, who sought to challenge the decision against their leader. However, the Supreme Court dismissed this cross-appeal, declaring it unsubstantiated and lacking merit. The ruling effectively ended the legal contest over the Labour Party’s chairmanship, cementing the judiciary’s stance on non-interference in party leadership disputes.
Bitcoin experienced sharp fluctuations following President Donald Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement, initially surging to $88,000 before dropping to $82,000.
By April 3, it stabilized around $83,000, with the broader crypto market down over 4%. Major altcoins like Ethereum and Solana also declined over 6%, hitting multi-month lows.
Analysts see the tariff news as reducing market uncertainty, potentially attracting institutional investors.
Despite higher-than-expected rates, experts believe the clarity could help Bitcoin regain momentum toward $90,000. Bitcoin ETFs, led by BlackRock, recorded $218 million in inflows on April 2, reversing prior outflows.
Kraken’s Thomas Perfumo challenged the idea that institutional interest stabilizes crypto, emphasizing that volatility signals demand for a scarce asset.
Some analysts viewed the sell-off as an overreaction to trade policy concerns, highlighting Bitcoin’s resilience as a store of value.
With ETFs showing strong demand, Bitcoin’s price may stabilize and rise, though market participants remain cautious, monitoring trade policies and economic conditions.