馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Protesters urge Nigerian Senate to halt ex-FUOYE VC's ambassadorial confirmation over sexual harassment allegations
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
Demonstrators, organized under the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, gathered at Nigeria's National Assembly in Abuja to call on the Senate to suspend the confirmation of Professor Abayomi Fasina as a non-career ambassadorial nominee. The protesters cited allegations of sexual harassment, human rights violations, and victimisation, which they stated are currently subjects of ongoing court cases. President Bola Tinubu had submitted a list of ambassadorial nominees, including Fasina, for screening. Adeyemo Amira, a legal practitioner representing the coalition, stated that Fasina has pending cases before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja. The coalition emphasized that their protest was not driven by personal animosity but by the need to allow the judicial process to conclude before any confirmation. They warned that confirming Fasina while allegations of sexual misconduct are unresolved could damage Nigeria's international reputation. Dr. Ernest Ogaze, co-convener of the demonstration, argued for outright rejection of the nomination rather than mere suspension, citing a precedent from 2009 involving Prof Tunde Adeniran. The Feminist Manifesto Conference, a coalition of over 500 civil society organizations, also urged the Senate to halt the confirmation, with representative Emmanuella Azu stating that confirming the appointment under these circumstances would send a wrong message about Nigeria's commitment to addressing sexual misconduct.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has launched the 2026 wet farming season, initiating the sale and distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK fertilizer at a 50 percent subsidized rate. Additionally, 120,000 farmers will receive free agricultural inputs, including agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, certified seeds, water pumps, bicycles, and post-harvest storage facilities. The intervention aims to boost food production, improve livelihoods, ensure food and nutrition security, create employment, and enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people. Governor Zulum emphasized that the program covers the entire agricultural value chain, from mechanization to market access, and includes initiatives targeting women and youth. He also announced a N500 million cash support package for vulnerable persons, women, and youths across five local government areas. The Governor warned beneficiaries against diverting or reselling the subsidized fertilizer, stressing its intended use for crop production. Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bawu Musami, highlighted Borno's emergence as a leading agricultural state through sustained investments.
The Corporate Affairs Commission CAC announced it will begin enforcing statutory requirements for company business letters starting August 1, 2026. Companies failing to comply will face sanctions. This directive, disclosed in a public notice, mandates that business letters, including invoices, quotations, and official correspondence, must clearly display the company鈥檚 registered name, registration number, and the present forenames or initials and surnames of directors. Additionally, any former forenames and surnames, and the nationality of every non-Nigerian director, must be included. The enforcement will cover Sections 3041, 3042, and 3041c of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. The CAC urged companies to comply before the enforcement date to avoid penalties, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability in the corporate regulatory environment.
Must ReadThree Nigerian students, Egejurum Onyedikachi, Onwubiko Chimdiebube, and Don Anele Munachimso, secured gold medals at the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy. Onyedikachi was recognized as the world's best in the Mathematics Primary Category, while Munachimso also won a gold medal in Science. Education advocate and Educare CEO, Alex Onyia, sponsored the students' participation after they excelled in the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad. The International STEM Olympiad, held at the Universit脿 Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, featured participants from over 150 countries. Onyia covered the expenses for the students' travel and participation, including registration, visas, flights, and accommodation. The students represented Nigeria in the primary, junior, and senior categories, achieving significant recognition on the global academic stage.