A non-governmental organisation, the Global Initiative for Peace, Love, and Care (GIPLC), in collaboration with the Dickens Sanomi Foundation, has donated ₦200 million to fund medical treatment for conjoined twins Hassan and Hussaina, along with 11 other children requiring urgent medical attention.

At a cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, GIPLC Director-General Nuhu Kwajafa emphasised the importance of providing timely assistance to children facing severe medical conditions.

“When you have children in this kind of condition, you need to bring them out so they can get help,” Kwajafa said.

“This is not the first time we’ve supported a set of conjoined twins. About a year and a half ago, we assisted another pair. Two years ago, a different set of conjoined twins had been in a government hospital for over a year before the King Salman Foundation of Saudi Arabia sent an air ambulance to evacuate them for treatment.”

Hassan and Hussaina, however, were not able to secure international support, prompting GIPLC and its partners to take immediate action.

“We launched a fundraiser, and within a day, we raised $100 million for the twins. The following day, another ₦100 million was raised for 11 other children in need,” Kwajafa explained.

The grand patron of GIPLC, Igho Charles Sanomi, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable children receive the support they need.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide children with a platform where they can compete and build a future for themselves,” said Sanomi, who was represented by Goodluck Hayi, the Chief Operating Officer of the Dickens Sanomi Foundation.

“There are many challenges, but we must come together and support trustworthy organisations that are making a difference.”

Hayi urged private individuals and organisations to contribute to such initiatives, noting that government resources are often stretched.

“The government has many responsibilities, but private individuals can step in and support platforms that are transparent and accountable. This way, we can reach more children who are physically challenged or in need of urgent care,” he said.

He added that the foundation partners only with verifiable and trustworthy organisations.

“Our chairman, the grand patron of GIPLC, was raised by a father who valued love and care. This initiative is our way of giving back to society in his honour.”

The father of the conjoined twins, Muhammad Halilu from Kebbi State, expressed gratitude to the foundation, revealing the hardships his family has endured.

“The twins will be five years old by may ,” he said. “I lost my job because I had to stay home to support their mother. She could not take care of them alone. Eventually, we even lost our home.”

The House of Representatives has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend the implementation of the increment in Automated Teller Machine transaction charges given the economic situation in the country.

The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Esan Central /Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State, Marcus Onobun, during Tuesday’s plenary.

Addressing his colleagues on the floor, Onobun noted that the apex bank through a recent circular, prescribed an increase in ATM withdrawal charges and a discontinuation of the free ATM withdrawals for customers using other banks’ ATMs, thereby imposing additional financial burdens on Nigerians.

Recall that with the new policy, customers withdrawing from their bank’s ATMs will continue to enjoy free withdrawals.

However, a fee of N100 will be applied to N20,000 withdrawals for customers from other banks transacting from ATMs within the bank premises.

Similarly, customers from other banks transacting from ATMs outside the premises of the bank such as malls, marketplaces, and other public places will be charged N100 and an additional surcharge of N500.

The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker argued that Nigerians “Are already grappling with multiple economic hardships, including high inflation, increased fuel prices, electricity tariff hike, and numerous banking and service charges that significantly reduce disposable income and negatively impact their welfare.

“We are worried that the imposition of additional ATM withdrawal charges will further limit the financial inclusion of Nigerians by discouraging low-income earners from accessing banking services, thereby contradicting the CBN’s financial inclusion agenda.

“The banking sector has continued to record significant profits, imposing further charges on consumers without corresponding improvements in service delivery or infrastructure is unjustifiable.”

The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary session put the motion to voice vote and it was overwhelmingly supported by the lawmakers.

The House thereafter urged the CBN to immediately suspend the implementation of the policy, pending proper engagement with the relevant Committees on Banking, Finance, and Financial Institutions.

The Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) has issued a stern warning to Nigerian activist and politician Omoyele Sowore over his recent remarks about Christian leaders in the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, the forum’s convener, James Paul Adama, described Sowore’s comments as “offensive and unfounded,” warning that any further disparagement of the Christian faith or its leaders would not be tolerated.

“To label our Fathers of Faith and Pastors as failures, uneducated, or jobless is preposterous, egregiously disrespectful, and therefore unacceptable,” Adama said.

“The time has come to put an end to Sowore’s incessant attacks on the Christian faith and its reputable leaders.”

The statement accused Sowore of undermining the contributions of some of Nigeria’s most revered religious figures, including Bishop Francis Wale Oke, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, and others. It noted that these individuals had attained remarkable success in their respective fields and were widely respected both nationally and internationally.

“Sowore should reflect on the fact that these individuals are not only spiritual leaders but also intellectual heavyweights who have earned the admiration of millions,” the statement read.

“Academically, Sowore is a dwarf where most of these men are standing. How can a sane man refer to a First-Class graduate of mathematics or a professor of mathematics as uneducated?”

The CCYF further accused Sowore of making statements “not grounded in reality, but rather in ignorance and hate.”

It described his words as “reckless” and warned that they could incite religious tension in an already volatile society.

“This serves as a strong note of warning to Sowore and his ilk that any further attacks on Christianity or Christian leaders will be met with a stronger response,” the forum said.

“His misguided words and actions have far-reaching consequences, even capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.”

The CCYF called on the Nigerian government to take note of Sowore’s statements, highlighting their potential implications for national peace and security.

“We, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, stand in solidarity with our Christian leaders and our faith. We will not tolerate any further attacks against them.”