🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Nehemiah Danjuma becomes first deaf lawyer from Northern Nigeria
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Nehemiah Danjuma has been called to the Nigerian Bar, marking a historic achievement as the first deaf lawyer from Northern Nigeria. Danjuma, from Jaba, Kaduna State, studied Common Law at the University of Ilorin and completed his Bar Part II program at the Abuja Campus of the Nigerian Law School. His journey has garnered admiration from colleagues and disability rights advocates, with a friend learning sign language to communicate with him during law school. Danjuma initially faced a setback in his university admission, being offered Primary Education Studies before successfully reapplying for Law in 2018. Beyond his academic pursuits, Danjuma is a prominent disability rights advocate and youth leader. His professional interests include disability law and policy, human rights, international law, and the intersection of assistive technology and disability. He served as a Students’ Union Senator for students with disabilities at the University of Ilorin and as National President of the National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students for two terms. Danjuma also served as a Youth Adviser on Human Development on the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria and was a Coelho Law Fellow at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, specializing in disability rights law. He completed externships at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Danjuma acknowledged support from the Voice of Disability Initiative for a sign languag
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim, has officially begun her diplomatic duties after presenting her Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, at the Palais de la Marina in Cotonou on Friday, July 10. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this development. Following the presentation, Ambassador Adeola-Ibrahim discussed with President Wadagni ways to deepen cooperation between the two nations. Key areas of discussion included the early convening of the next session of the Nigeria–Benin Joint National Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, expanding private sector-led investments, enhancing collaboration in the energy sector, improving intelligence sharing, and advancing other shared strategic priorities. The presentation of credentials signifies the formal start of Ambassador Adeola-Ibrahim’s diplomatic mandate and underscores the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening diplomatic ties, promoting regional integration, and fostering friendship and good neighborliness. The ministry expressed optimism that this renewed engagement will further consolidate the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, particularly in economic cooperation, security, energy, and regional integration.
The final group of 40 stranded Nigerians has been evacuated from South Africa, arriving at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. This brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated under the Federal Government's evacuation program to 1,174. The returnees expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving their evacuation, and also thanked Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Acting Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their assistance. Officials from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission received the evacuees and announced financial support. Returnees from Imo State received N1m each through Governor Hope Uzodimma, while MTN provided free SIM packs with data worth N50,000 and pledged N100,000 to each returnee's bank account. Edo and Delta State governments also announced support packages for their indigenes. The JAAL Foundation pledged empowerment support for 50 female returnees, and Apostle Dr Chibuzor Gift Chinwe of Omega Power Ministries Worldwide provided free accommodation for about 52 returnees, skills acquisition, and free education for their children. Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church donated N100,000 to 66 returnees, and Cruxstone, a real estate firm, offered financial support to the first group of evacuees. Various government agencies were present to document and receive the returnees.
Must ReadThe Federal Government is expanding funding, local drug production, and research to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, aiming to ease patients' financial burdens. Professor Usman Aliyu, Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, announced these measures at the Best of American Society of Clinical Oncology Africa 2026 conference in Abuja. Initiatives include the Catastrophic Health Fund under the National Health Insurance Authority, which subsidizes cancer care for eligible patients, and the National Cancer Health Fund by NICRAT, supporting indigent patients. The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain will promote local production of cancer medicines. Dr. Lolade Adewale, Special Adviser on Research and Innovation to the Minister of State for Health, noted the expansion of financial protection through targeted insurance schemes and the commencement of three immunotherapy clinical studies, making advanced medicines like Nivolumab and Keytruda available at no cost to participating Nigerians. Dr. Miriam Mutebi, immediate Past President of AORTIC, highlighted Africa's low contribution to global cancer research and urged governments to invest one percent of GDP in research and development. Dr. Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer of ASCO, emphasized adapting global evidence to African settings while addressing affordability and access.