Nigerian government mourns medical graduate killed in Ukraine attack
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed profound sadness over the death of Nnani Adaobi Marian, a 23-year-old Nigerian medical graduate of Kharkiv National Medical University. She reportedly died from injuries sustained during a Russian aerial attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, extended condolences to her family, friends, and the Nigerian community. The ministry is engaging with relevant authorities and Nigeria's diplomatic missions in Ukraine and Germany to verify the incident's circumstances and provide consular assistance. The Nigerian government reiterated its concern over the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Ukraine, particularly the loss of civilian lives, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. It urged all parties to pursue peaceful resolution through dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law and the United Nations Charter. Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and protection of its citizens abroad, promising to monitor developments and provide support through its diplomatic missions.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, has identified poor environmental practices and illegal land reclamation as the primary causes of persistent flooding in Lagos. Speaking on Channels Television鈥檚 The Morning Brief, Bush-Alebiosu stated that indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal dredging, and unauthorized reclamation hinder efforts to manage flooding in the coastal state. He explained that illegal reclamation is often driven by commercial interests, while poor waste disposal stems from residents' attitudes. The Commissioner also highlighted the concerning practice of dumping human waste into the lagoon, warning of its environmental and public health consequences. Lagos has recently experienced widespread flooding following continuous rainfall, leading to disruptions in movement, property damage, and public criticism of the state government. Major roads frequently affected include Gbagada, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Ikeja, Maryland, Mushin, Ogudu, Lekki, Oshodi, Agege, Alimosho, Obalende, and sections of the Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Abeokuta, Apapa-Oshodi, and Lekki-Epe Expressways.
A Nigerian surrogate mother has spoken out about her journey into surrogacy, driven by financial difficulties and an irresponsible partner, particularly after the loss of her second child. In a YouTube episode on Cruise TV, she detailed the emotional, financial, and psychological aspects of carrying children for other families. She described surrogacy as one of her hardest decisions, highlighting the emotional attachment that develops during pregnancy despite knowing the child is not hers. She became a gestational surrogate through IVF, meaning she had no biological connection to the babies. Her partner's failure to provide for their family, coupled with her inability to work during her second pregnancy and the subsequent death of her baby due to complications, led her to this path. She initially declined financial compensation beyond medical care, accommodation, and allowances, a decision she now regrets. The surrogate mother stated she would not encourage her daughter to pursue surrogacy due to the emotional and health risks. She also mentioned relocating during a pregnancy to avoid stigma and often telling people the baby had died when questioned. She noted that surrogate mothers face psychological challenges even with counseling and called for stronger regulation of surrogacy to protect mothers from exploitation and ensure adequate support.
The Nigeria Immigration Service has released an updated step-by-step guide for Nigerians living abroad to renew their passports using its Contactless Passport Application System. The Service announced this update on its official X handle, encouraging diaspora Nigerians to utilize the digital platform. The process involves visiting the NIS Passport Application portal, creating an account, verifying identity with a National Identification Number and date of birth, completing the application form, choosing a processing embassy or high commission, uploading documents, and paying the passport fee. Applicants then obtain an Application ID and Reference Number, select the Contactless option, and download the NIS Mobile App to complete biometric enrolment, including facial image and fingerprint capture, and liveness verification. A contactless service fee is also required. The Service noted that not all applicants will qualify for the contactless process; ineligible applicants must book a physical appointment. Those who successfully complete contactless biometrics must print the application form, passport booklet payment, biometric payment, and current passport, and send these in a self-addressed return envelope to their selected processing embassy. Applicants can track their application status two weeks after submission via the NIS website or mobile app.