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December 1, 2023 Let Communities Lead in The War Against HIV/AIDS
IFMUYONEWS

Let Communities Lead in The War Against HIV/AIDS

Every year on December 1st, the world comes together to observe World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and commemorating the millions of lives lost to the pandemic. This year’s theme, “Let Communities Lead,” emphasizes the crucial role of communities in shaping the HIV response and achieving an AIDS-free world.

Nigeria has witnessed remarkable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in recent years. The HIV prevalence rate among adults aged 15-49 has declined from 5.8% in 2003 to 1.4% in 2021. Additionally, the number of people living with HIV on treatment has increased dramatically, from 500,000 in 2005 to 1.4 million in 2021.

These achievements stem from a concerted effort by the Nigerian government, civil society organizations, and international partners. The government has increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs, expanded access to antiretroviral treatment, and implemented prevention campaigns. Civil society organizations have played a pivotal role in providing care and support to people living with HIV, advocating for their rights, and educating the public about HIV prevention. International partners have provided technical and financial support to the Nigerian government’s HIV/AIDS response.

Echoing the spirit of World AIDS Day, former President Muhammadu Buhari stated, “We must continue to fight for a world where everyone has access to the prevention, treatment, and care they need to live long and healthy lives.“

Despite the progress made, there are still significant challenges to overcome in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV continue to impede prevention efforts and access to care. The HIV prevalence rate among adolescents and young people remains higher than the national average. Moreover, there is a persistent need to expand access to HIV testing and treatment in rural areas.

Just as former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo aptly emphasized on last year’s occassion, “We must not let up in our efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. This is a fight that we must win.”

Minister of Health Prof. Ali Pate, recognizing the critical role of eliminating stigma, remarked, “Stigma and discrimination are major barriers to HIV prevention and treatment. We must work together to break down these barriers.”

Executive Director of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Aliyu Gumel Gambo, highlighting the importance of empowering youth, stated, “We must empower Communities with the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves from HIV.”

World AIDS Day serves as an important occasion to reflect on the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to reaffirm our commitment to ending the pandemic. By working together, we can achieve a world where everyone has access to the prevention, treatment, and care they need to live long and healthy lives.

Written by Adebayo A. Samuel

November 29, 2023 NJC screens 22 nominees for Supreme Court
IFMUYONEWS

NJC screens 22 nominees for Supreme Court

The National Judicial Council has  screened 22 shortlisted justices on Tuesday at the Committee Room of the NJC in Abuja, of which 11 successful candidates will be forwarded to the Presidency for appointment into the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The priority candidates include Justice Jummai Sankey; Justice Stephen Adah; Justice Mohammed Idris; Justice Abubakar Umar; Justice Chidiebere Uwa; Justice Obande Ogbuinya; Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu; Justice Moore Adumein; and Justice Habeeb Abiru.

The names of the reserved candidates are Justice Muhammad Sirajo; justice Ridwan Abdullahi; Justice Joseph Ikyegh; Justice Abubakar Talba; Justice Balkisu Aliyu; Justice Abdullahi Bayero; Justice Onyekachi Otisi; Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua; Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Justice Biobele Georgewill; and Justice Oyewole Kayode.

The apex court was reduced to 10 justices following the retirement of Musa Dattijo. His retirement came after that of Justice Amina Augie on September 22, 2023, and the death of Justice Chima Nweze on July 31, 2023.

The 10 justices at the Supreme Court fall short of the 21 stipulated by section 230(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The Nominees have to go through security checks before they are appointed into the offices.

November 29, 2023 Ondo House of Assembly Demands Aiyedatiwa’s Resignation
IFMUYONEWS

Ondo House of Assembly Demands Aiyedatiwa’s Resignation

The Ondo State House of Assembly has demanded the resignation of the deputy Governor, as part of  resolutions of President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with the members of the House and other stakeholders over the lingering political crisis in the state.

The House held its first plenary session on Tuesday after last Friday’s meeting with Tinubu in Abuja.

At the end of Tuesday’s plenary, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, disclosed that, as part of the resolutions reached at the meeting with Tinubu, the deputy governor,  Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was asked to write an undated resignation letter and submit it to the President.

The Speaker said the President appointed him (Speaker),  the Secretary of the Ondo State Government, Mrs Oladunni Odu, and the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Ade Adetimehin, to monitor compliance with the resolutions.

Oladiji, who read the resolutions on the floor of the House, warned all the gladiators and stakeholders against violating the resolutions of the meeting.

The Speaker said,  “For the avoidance of doubt, let me present to the good people of Ondo State, the resolutions reached after the meeting of representatives of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council members, members of the National Assembly from Ondo State and the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress with His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the leadership of our great part,  that all parties shall embrace peace, that status quo be maintained by all parties, that all impeachment proceedings be terminated forthwith, and all court cases withdrawn by all parties.”

Reading further, he said the resolutions also included “that there will be no dissolution of the State Executive Council, that an undated letter of resignation must be written and signed by the deputy governor and submitted to the President, that the party leadership and structures remained intact, that the House of Assembly leadership remained intact and that Hon. Lucky  Aiyedatiwa continues to perform the functions of office as deputy governor.”

The speaker noted that the lawmakers were acting based on the mandate given to them by their constituents.

“We, as elected representatives of the people, have only acted within the precinct of the mandate freely given to us by our constituents. We have demonstrated courage when the occasion demanded it. We asked questions when there was cause for us, to do,” the Speaker said.

November 28, 2023 We Won’t Replace Laws with Emotions – CJN Retorts
IFMUYONEWS

We Won’t Replace Laws with Emotions – CJN Retorts

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola has reacted to controversies trailing judgments of various courts handling election disputes, stating that public sentiments, and emotions cannot replace the law.

“The law remains the law, no matter whose interest is involved. In all we do, as interpreters of the law, we should endeavour to sever the strings of emotion from logic and assumption from fact,” he charged judges.
The presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party and civil society organisations, however, flayed the CJN for his comments, saying Nigerians were losing confidence in the judiciary, considering the activities of judges in recent election matters in Kano, Zamfara and Nasarawa states.
But the CJN called for total emancipation of the judiciary from external influences, saying to guarantee the integrity of the judiciary, it must be “truly and genuinely independent in all ramifications.”
He bemoaned the fact that the judiciary had over the years struggled for fiscal autonomy, which he said would “ultimately embolden us to act without fear of intimidation or harassment from other arms of government.”
Justice Ariwoola, who lamented that rule of law in Nigeria had been questionable since 1999, however, scored the third arm of government highly in 2023.

The CJN spoke at a special session the Supreme Court held to mark the commencement of its 2023/2024 Legal Year and swearing-in of 58 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs.

On the sidelines of the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria also called on the National Assembly to amend laws and allow termination of most appeals at intermediary courts, to reduce burden on the Supreme Court.

According to the CJN, from September last year to July this year, the Supreme Court received 1,271 cases, consisting of motions and appeals. Out of these, he said: “We heard 388 political appeals, 215 criminal appeals, and 464 civil appeals.”

Ariwoola said during the period under review, the Supreme Court delivered 251 judgments. Out of these, 125 were political appeals, 81 were civil appeals, and 45 were criminal appeals.

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