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Lai Mohammed attributes EndSARS protest escalation to fake news and disinformation
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated that the escalation of the #EndSARS protests in 2020 was due to widespread fake news and disinformation, which he described as the government鈥檚 biggest challenge during that period. The protests, which began on October 8, 2020, as peaceful demonstrations against police brutality, particularly the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, gained momentum on social media. Mohammed, speaking at the London School of Economics and Political Science, noted that while the protests initially reflected genuine public frustration, they took a different direction as unverified information circulated. He specifically mentioned that the situation worsened when misleading content spread across traditional and digital platforms, especially after troops were deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate. Mohammed criticized CNN, alleging that some of its reports relied on unverified content, which he claimed heightened tensions and shaped global perceptions. He also discussed Nigeria's communication strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the multi-channel approach adopted, including daily briefings and outreach in local languages, to counter misinformation. Mohammed defended the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, stating it was a considered decision after attempts to address concerns over misinformation and divisive content failed. These remarks were part of his three-day UK speaking tour, where he discussed leadership, governance, and public
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The renovated Sabon Tasha Primary Healthcare Centre in Kaduna State is seeing an increase in pregnant women seeking antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and family planning services. This surge in patronage follows upgrades to facilities, improved staffing, and a renewed focus on patient-centered care, which has restored public confidence in the primary healthcare system. Previously, the center suffered from deteriorating infrastructure and a lack of staff accommodation, leading many women to seek care elsewhere or rely on traditional birth attendants, contributing to high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Kaduna. The improvements, including new equipment, essential medicines, and staff quarters, have transformed the facility and its services. Patients like Maryam Ibrahim and Aisha Musa shared positive experiences, highlighting the compassionate care, clear explanations, and support received during their pregnancies and deliveries. Grace Yakubu and Rebecca Daniel also benefited from family planning counseling, which dispelled myths and allowed them to make informed decisions about child spacing. Officer-in-Charge Mrs. Alice Williams and Corps Medical Doctor Dr. Onovu Christopher emphasized that the transformation extends beyond infrastructure to include a patient-centered approach, where life-saving care is prioritized even if patients cannot immediately pay. They noted that sustained investment is crucial for maintaining these gains, despite ongoing challenges li
Must ReadFive Nigerian state governments, including Ondo, Kaduna, Anambra, Zamfara, and Abia, intend to convert their current security organizations into state police once the constitutional process for the new policing system is finalized. This development follows the House of Representatives' passage of an Executive Bill to establish state police. These states argue that their existing security outfits already possess the necessary institutional structures, operational experience, and community trust for a smooth transition, making it more cost-effective and faster than creating new organizations. For instance, Ondo State plans to convert its Amotekun Corps, Kaduna State aims to transform its Vigilance Service, and Zamfara State intends to utilize its Civilian Protection Guards. Anambra State will reconfigure its Agunechemba outfit, and Abia State plans to merge its Homeland Security and community vigilante groups. Conversely, states like Bayelsa, Yobe, Imo, Benue, Kebbi, Sokoto, Ogun, and Ekiti are awaiting the completion of the constitutional process and the issuance of implementation guidelines before deciding on their approach. Delta State, however, plans to establish entirely new state police structures rather than converting existing vigilante groups, having already approved the construction of police headquarters in all 25 local government areas.
Gynaecologists have warned that women who misuse steroids to simulate pregnancy are at increased risk of serious health complications, including high blood pressure, blood clots, liver problems, ovarian and breast cancers, and stroke. They emphasized that using hormonal medications to mimic pregnancy is extremely dangerous and delays proper medical evaluation, exposing women to significant health risks. Former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Julie Okah-Donli, linked this practice to fake pregnancy syndicates and baby trafficking in Nigeria, stating that women are injected with steroids to appear pregnant, with bloated faces and enlarged abdomens. These women also imitate pregnancy symptoms and often arrange for childbirth to occur when their husbands are absent, sometimes even faking caesarean sections. Professor Preye Fiebai, President of the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health, cautioned against steroid misuse, noting that while some drugs cause weight gain or breast changes, they do not result in real pregnancy and can cause harm. Short-term effects include high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, fluid retention, mood disturbances, and liver dysfunction. Long-term implications include hormonal system disruption, infertility, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic liver disease, kidney damage, and an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, particularly breast cancer. Professor Christopher Ai