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Saturday, July 18,b2020 EiE Nigeria Weekly Update

"No action is too small when it comes to changing the world." – Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa)

It was an epic gbas gbos during the week when Joy Ninueh, former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), levelled corruption and sexual harassment allegations against Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. As a comeback, Mr Akpabio diagnosed her of temperamental disorder, which, according to him, can be confirmed by her four ex-husbands. Mrs Ninueh was placed on house arrest but alas, River State Governor Nyesom Wike saved the day as he was seen at her residence "rescuing" her. In an interview on Arise TV earlier today, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan had said that the Police had been at Joi's residence on instruction. This is in contradiction to what the Inspector General and the Police Commissioner had earlier admitted to of being unaware of the deployment to her house. At this point, we are confused. Everything is just "turnioniown".We call for a thorough investigation of the fraud allegations against the NDDC leadership. 

Nawa! What is it with government officials and recklessness?Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri and his entourage violated COVID-19 protocol at the Port Harcourt International Airport by refusing to have their temperature checked and hand sanitized at the airport. Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, also allegedly breached protocols at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport when he refused an officer from disinfecting his luggage. Recall that two weeks before Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu tested positive for COVID-19, he attended a political event without wearing a mask or observing social distancing, and sneezed at least once.Our leaders should lead by example! COVID-19 affects all of us!!!

Insecurity has been a major problem throughout Buhari's presidency since he was first inaugurated in 2015. Attacks from bandits and bloody inter-communal clashes have also become mainstays in some northern states, including the president's own native Katsina.The first half of the year saw 2,732 reported killings. One minute, you're alive, the next minute, you're part of the statistics of violent killings. These are not just numbers, they are parents, children, siblings, spouses, friends. We call on the Government to deliver on its responsibility of securing the lives of citizens as enshrined in the constitution.

Another Win for #OfficeOfTheCitizen

The Community Court of ECOWAS has ordered the Nigerian Government to repeal or amend its law on cybercrime to align with its obligation under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights & the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.Several journalists, bloggers and activists have been arrested and charged under these sections of the Act. EiE, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) and Media Rights Agenda (MRA) have been in court since 2016 to repeal Sections 24 and 38 of the Act.We urge the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed to expedite hearing of our appeal.

We will keep demanding until our girls are brought BACK & ALIVE!#EducationIsNotACrime #BringBackOurGirls #6YearsTooLong

Have a great weekend,The EiE Nigeria Team