Nigeria’s slow drive in exclusive breastfeeding

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), the nation’s slow progress in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding came into sharp focus.

 In the past, Nigerian mothers took pride in breastfeeding their children for as long as necessary and the country’s exclusive breastfeeding rates were among the highest in the world. But this is no longer the practice. Today, breastfeeding rates in Nigeria are amongst the lowest in the world and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently remarked that Nigeria is making slow progress in exclusive breastfeeding. 

Niger state govt. alleges arrested NTA reporter demanded bribe

The government of Niger state on Monday provided what it says were text message exchanges between it and Fejiro Oliver, the journalist declared missing since Friday and eventually paraded by the State Security Service, SSS in Minna on Monday.

The text messages as provided by the Niger State government detailed a conversation between Mr. Oliver  and an official of the Niger state government. The Niger government is alleging the reporter tried to blackmail its officials over a story about Governor Muazu Aliyu.

The spokesperson of Mr. Aliyu, Israel Ebije, told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Oliver, whose real name is Tega Oghenedoro, is actually a staff of the Nigerian Television Authority in Asaba Delta state.

BREAKING: SSS blocks lawmaker from travelling, confiscates his passport

Sunday Karim, a member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State, is currently being prevented by the State Security Service from boarding a flight at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the lawmaker has told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Karim, representing Yagba East and West Federal Constituency, says he was on his way to the United States when state agents suddenly seized his pasdport as he tried to clear immigration.

The lawmaker said he was scheuled to travel by Air France, and that the flight was already boarding when he was blocked.

Mr. Karim, a PDP lawmaker, said his luggage had already been checked in before the incident, adding that he has “absolutely no prior notice” that the SSS was on his trail.

It is not immediately clear why Mr. Karim is being detained, but law enforcement agencies have recently focused on the activities of lawmakers in the wake of the budget padding scandal.

The police, SSS, EFCC and other agencies have been invited to investigate the scandal, which involved several lawmakers, including the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara.

PDP not sponsoring Avengers -Turnah

Ben. Agande, 

Abuja ABUJA: A deputy Chairmanship candidate and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP from Bayelsa state, Barr. George Turnah has dismissed allegations that the party engineered the emergence of some militant groups including Niger Delta Avengers NDA to frustrate the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

PDP and its colour flags Speaking with journalists in Abuja chortle after he collected nominations forms for the deputy chairmanship position, Barrister Turnaj said what the party is concerned about now is reposition itself and to robustly engage the government in power in order for Nigerians to derive the best benefits of democracy. 

“You are journalists and we all can remember that the media had reported before now that MEND was dead. Sometimes, when it suits us, we like to make issues out of nothing. We have problems in the Niger Delta, East, North and some other places and we are supposed to be seeking solutions to them. 

“These things do not get us anywhere. I know that allegations, when you make them, you also take further steps to prove them, you do not just make such weighty allegations. Who takes pleasure in taking blood? We may not all be angels in the party, but when you talk about militancy in the region, it is purely a regional issue, of a people asking for their rights and other privileges, it is not a PDP matter”, he said. Turnah who added that the PDP was due for a reset and new mode of thinking said the crisis in the party is a “family affair” which would be sorted out for the greater good of the majority. “I assure you that what is happening in the PDP would soon come to an end, not through the courts anyway, we are going to talk to ourselves and people would have to shift grounds, make some concessions in the interest of all”, he stated.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/pdp-not-sponsoring-avengers-turnah/