🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
First Lady Remi Tinubu defends comments on small-scale businesses, highlights broader empowerment programs
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has clarified her previous statements on small-scale businesses, asserting that the Federal Government's empowerment initiatives extend beyond akara sellers to include traders of tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, and roasted plantain. Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, her remarks followed social media criticism regarding her earlier comments on akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli businesses. Mrs. Tinubu addressed the backlash by stating that the Federal Government had donated N100 million to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 petty traders. She explained that beneficiaries would each receive N50,000 to recapitalize their businesses. The First Lady emphasized that the criticism would not deter the government from its empowerment programs, stating, "We are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people, you know, are well cared for." She also spoke about Nigeria's untapped resources, referencing an orange orchard she visited in Benue State, and expressed hope that young Nigerians would explore opportunities beyond oil.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, launched a new health center and academy in Hadejia, Jigawa State, on Monday. The initiatives aim to promote early detection and prevention of chronic kidney disease. The Oluremi Tinubu Clinic, built and equipped by the FutureMap Foundation and eHealth Africa, is dedicated to early detection and prevention for vulnerable populations. The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy, established by the Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, will train youth and health workers in using technology to address health challenges. These projects align with President Bola Tinubu's recent establishment of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office. NITDA Director-General Kashiful Inuwa stated that the academy and clinic will collaborate to develop digital tools and early warning systems for chronic kidney disease. Governor Umar Namadi commended the First Lady for the projects and also for launching the National Community Food Bank Programme for the North-West in Jigawa, which he described as a significant step against food insecurity and malnutrition. The visit concluded with commitments from the Federal and Jigawa State governments to enhance collaboration on healthcare, food security, and social protection.
Must ReadLawyers have filed a lawsuit against Ghana at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja on behalf of deportees sent to the country under the United States' third-country deportation policies. The legal team, comprising Ghanaian law firm Merton & Everett LLP, Cornell Law School Transnational Disputes Clinic, and the Global Strategic Litigation Council, stated that the suit was filed on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that Ghana is violating domestic and regional law by "facilitating removals to unsafe countries." Since September, at least 60 people have been deported to Ghana, with 27 represented in the lawsuit. These individuals had sought and, in most cases, obtained asylum or other legal protections in the United States. The US policy involves sending deportees to "third countries" like Ghana when Washington is prohibited from sending them directly to their home countries due to concerns about torture or persecution. Ghana has subsequently sent these individuals to their home countries or, in some instances, to neighboring Togo without documents. The lawyers noted that none of the 27 deportees in the lawsuit remain in Ghana, with many now in hiding in their home countries or in limbo in other third countries. The lawsuit follows a similar one filed in June at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights concerning US deportations to Equatorial Guinea.
Must ReadMorocco's penalty shootout win against the Netherlands in the World Cup led to celebrations and arrests in The Hague. In the Schilderswijk district, fans with Moroccan flags danced and cheered, with car horns and firecrackers adding to the festivities. Several hundred supporters gathered, kicking a ball and celebrating with passing vehicles. However, the mood shifted about an hour into the celebrations when riot police arrived, using water cannon and baton charges to disperse the crowd. Around a dozen arrests were made, with police pinning young men to the ground and taking them away in vans. Dutch police on bicycles engaged with youths in the streets, but no major damage was reported. People on the streets declined to speak to the media, with many wearing face coverings. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Ismael Saibari scoring the winning penalty for Morocco, setting up a match against co-hosts Canada.