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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
The Anambra Government has imposed a one-month sanction on Blossom Fount School, Awka, for allegedly selling the position of head prefect during a student election.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.
According to the commissioner, the school reportedly demanded N5,000 from each pupil aspiring to become head prefect in the primary section.
Chuma-Udeh condemned the act, describing it as an attempt to “sell the psyche of the children to the highest bidder from the cradle.”
According to her, such practices are unacceptable under the administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
She said that an investigation was ongoing to examine the school’s broader management practices, with the possibility of further actions based on the findings.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest and continued detention of former House of Representatives member, Muhammad Kazaure, describing it as a violation of due process.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Atiku said Kazaure’s detention reflects a brazen disregard for the rule of law, accusing the anti-graft agency of operating beyond the limits of the Nigerian Constitution.
Atiku alleged that the EFCC is increasingly becoming a tool for political repression, citing what he called a troubling pattern of lawlessness under the current administration.
He said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has once again plunged headlong into its well-worn pattern of lawlessness, arresting and detaining citizens with brazen disregard for due process and without offering any justification for its actions.”
Atiku also referenced the recent arrest of social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, whose release followed intense public pressure. He suggested that Kazaure’s case fits into a broader trend of state institutions being used to silence dissenting voices.
“We witnessed this same abuse in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, whose release was only secured after massive public outrage and pressure.
“Now, the EFCC has targeted Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, a former member of the House of Representatives and an unapologetic critic of the gross misgovernance and failings of the Tinubu administration.
“Abducted in Kano and whisked away to Abuja, Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.
“Let it be stated without equivocation: even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law. The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is unequivocal on this matter—every detainee must be promptly charged to court or released. By once again trampling on the fundamental rights of a Nigerian citizen, the EFCC is entrenching itself deeper into the mire of impunity and constitutional delinquency.
“It’s deafening silence regarding the arrest of Hon. Kazaure, a man who represented the good people of Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, and Yankwashi federal constituency, lays bare the agency’s contempt for transparency and justice.
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has ignited social media buzz after posting a 15-second TikTok video set to the trending song Omo Ologo — a track closely linked with President Bola Tinubu.
The video, shared on her TikTok page on May 8, shows the embattled lawmaker smiling and playfully interacting with the camera. Captioned, “Just for fun, song choked,” the post has drawn mixed reactions online, with some interpreting it as a light-hearted moment, while others suspect a deeper political undertone.
The video comes just days after the song Omo Ologo was performed live by Kano-based singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara during a dinner in Katsina State held in honour of President Tinubu, who was on a two-day working visit to assess security in the region.
The song, which blends Hausa and Yoruba, praises Tinubu as a victorious leader who has outlasted his critics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s TikTok post follows a series of dramatic exchanges between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The senator was suspended from the upper legislative chamber in March after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation that triggered heated debate in the National Assembly.
In what appeared to be a bold response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan recently posted a sarcastic apology video to Akpabio on Facebook, in which she claimed she was sorry “for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect.”
The post was accompanied by a short video, further fueling controversy.
Akpabio’s legal team has since approached a federal high court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the senator to delete the post from her social media pages.
In a counter-affidavit filed by her lawyer, Jubril Okutepa (SAN), Akpoti-Uduaghan’s camp described the motion as an attempt to silence and intimidate her.
The court is expected to rule on the matter on May 12.