South Africa to strip beauty queen of ID documents

Beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina, who has been at the centre of a fierce nationality row, is to be stripped of her South African identity and travel documents.

The Department of Home Affairs began investigating her case after she became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, but faced criticism as people questioned her eligibility to compete because her mother has Mozambican roots and her father is Nigerian.

She withdrew from the competition in August after the department announced that her mother might have committed "identity theft" to become a South African national.

Ms Adetshina, a law student, went on to win Miss Universe Nigeria after she was invited to participate by the organisers.

 

The controversy sparked a wave of xenophobic vitriol in South Africa after which Ms Adetshina told the BBC she would need therapy to recover.

 

The Department of Home Affairs made the announcement about the withdrawal of her ID papers to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday.

Tommy Makhode, the top civil servant at the department, said Ms Adetshina’s mother would also have her documents cancelled as they had both failed to meet Monday’s deadline to provide reasons why they should be eligible to keep them.

Neither Ms Adestshina nor her mother have commented on the move to revoke their papers.

Mr Makhode said the case had been referred to the Hawks, a special police unit that investigates serious crimes, which had concluded that it was a "case of fraud" - and officials were awaiting on prosecutors about how to proceed.

After the department’s revelation in August, it had said that Ms Adestshina "could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time".

Ms Adestahina has previously said she was born in the South African township of Soweto.

After winning the beauty competition in Nigeria, she told that BBC that she still saw herself as "proudly South African" and "proudly Nigerian".

Ms Adetshina has just arrived in Mexico to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition to be held on 16 November.

She will compete against contestants from across the world, including Mia le Roux, who won this year's Miss South Africa contest.

 

— BBC

Match Report: Ijamilusi’s Hattrick Fire Nigeria to Thumping Win over Algeria

The Super Falcons coasted to a 4-1 win over their Algerian counterparts in the second of two international friendlies between both teams decided today.
Long-time absentee Folashade Ijamilusi bagged a hat-trick in the afternoon at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, to make it back-to-back wins for the Falcons.
True to his words, Farid Benstiti’s Algerian lasses started with more poise and assurance than they showed in The first game in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday and, on a couple of occasions, carved open opportunities in the Nigerian rear.
However, former junior international Ijamilusi opened the scoring for Nigeria after 12 minutes, scoring from a corner-kick, and doubled the lead nine minutes later after latching onto a second ball following Blessing Ilivieda’s effort that cannoned off the crossbar.
Undaunted, the Green Ladies stepped up another gear and could have reduced the tally in the 39th minute when Nigeria conceded a penalty.

CAF Confirms Timeline for Nigeria's Final AFCON Qualifying Matches.

Super Eagles' last two Final Qualifiers for AFCON 2025 will come up on 14 and 18 November 2024.

The Confederation of African Football CAF confirmed the dates for the games with the Eagles expected to seal qualification for the AFCON 2025 early enough.

According to CAF, Nigeria will be away to Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday 14 November 2024 with a draw good enough to secure qualification for the Eagles.

Kick-off time is 7pm Cote d’Ivoire time (8pm Nigeria time).

The Eagles' final qualifier against Rwanda is scheduled for Monday 18 November 2024 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Nigeria top Group D with 10 points from four matches, while Benin are second on six points.

Rwanda are third on five points, while Libya are rock bottom on one point.

The top two teams will advance to the next AFCON to be hosted by Morocco in December 2025.

House of Reps react to an alleged assault on an e-hailing driver, vows to get to the root of it.

House of Representatives says it is looking into accusations involving Rep. Alex Ikwechegh (APGA, Abia) of a physical confrontation with an e-hailing driver, Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, and the use of threatening language.

A Press Release signed by the Spokesman, House of Representatives Akin Rotimi Jr, in reaction to the reports which have garnered widespread media coverage and public attention, says, the housese is aware that the matter is before the Nigeria Police, " we urge the public to allow the due process of investigation to unfold ".

" The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives, takes these allegations very seriously. " As elected officials, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in our official engagements and privately",

"Any behaviour that falls short of these standards is a matter of concern, and we are committed to addressing such issues with the utmost seriousness". Rotimi

He called for further engagement from the public on the subject, which can be shared via email at akintunde.rotimi@nass.gov.ng, akinrotimi@gmail.com, even as we continue to monitor the situation ".

" We remain dedicated to upholding the values of accountability, transparency, and ethical behaviour that define the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives.

According to him, updates will be provided as more information becomes available. He promised

NUJ Delegates Conference : Lagos Council Adopts Alhassan, Abimbola amidst funfair : solicits support.

It was a gathering of who is who in the media industry in Lagos on Saturday as the duo Comrade Alhassan Yahya and Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde officially launched their Campaign ahead of the upcoming National Triennial Delegates Conference in Imo State Tagged "Owerri 2024.

 

The flag-off which took place at the Lagos NUJ Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, had in attendance NUJ leaders from the Six geopolitical zones of the country.

 

 At the inauguration of the "A+A Campaign Council", contestants laid their cards on the table, promising to turn things around positively in NUJ when elected, while appealing to delegates for votes.

 

The campaign team was received by leaders, members and veterans of the Council under the Chairmanship of Comrade Adeleye Ajayi and Tunde Olalere as Secretary.

 

Moving the motion for the adoption of Alhassan and Abimbola, as well as other candidates under the "A+A Campaign Council", Comrade Abiodun Akinbusuyi, a former Secretary of the Council, stated that, having listened to the candidates and perused  their manifesto, " I am convinced that both Alhassan and Abimbola will perform wonderfully well ".

 

" The answers Comrade Yahya provided to numerous questions thrown at him by members of the Council demonstrated that he was familiar with the needs of NUJ members and fully abreast of modern trends in media practice". Akinbusuyi added.

 

Seconding the motion, Comrade Odunayo David, a member of the Correspondents Chapel, Lagos, urged the congress not to waste time in settling for the duo and their team, noting that, "with them at the helm of affairs, NUJ would witness massive progress and transformation".

 

Earlier, the Director General of the "A+A Campaign Council" who doubles  as Chairman, Oyo State Council of the Union, Comrade Demola Babalola (JP), introduced the candidates beginning from, Yahya for president, Abimbola, Deputy President, Victor Ndukwe (Treasurer), Samuel Dada (Financial Secretary), Ronke Samo (VP B Zone) and Tukur Mohammed.

 

Babalola said, " Lagos Council is the foremost Council in the country, hence the reason for the choice of Lagos for the official launch of the campaign.

 

The Presidential Candidate, Comrade Alhassan Yahya while presenting his manifesto, said his administration would reintroduce insurance scheme (especially health insurance) and weigh - in allowance for journalists.

 

" I promise to restructure the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), establish NUJ online radio, develop the infrastructure at the NUJ Secretariat, ensure capacity building for journalists".

 

Others are, " to sustain press freedom, and work with other stakeholders to attract FG intervention fund for the media as well as sponsor a bill for new salary structure (media enhancement bill)." Alhassan said.

 

Yahaya, who is the current Deputy President of NUJ, also explained that he chose a female running mate, because he believes that women should be given equal opportunities to contribute in running the Union alongside other stakeholders.

 

Deputy Presidential candidate, Dr. Abimbola urged Lagos Journalists to make the right choice by voting her team, promising that her team will not disappoint them.

 

Leaders of NUJ across the South West and other parts of the country graced the occasion.

 

With the launch, A+A Campaign Council is taking its messages to other councils in the country ahead of the NUJ Triennial Delegates Conference in Owerri, Imo state.

 

Sanwo-Olu wants all children vaccinated ...as Nigeria records new polio outbreaks.

Twelve prominent (12) artists from across West and Central Africa, including prominent Nigerian figures like Cobhams, Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Omawumi, Qing Madi, and Spyro have put together a song that seeks to tell Africans and indeed the world that every child deserves protection against diseases through vaccination, especially as the region continues to face polio, measles, and other preventable outbreaks.

The song titled "No More Zero Dose," an anthem calling for improved childhood vaccination coverage, is also to reinvigorate the immunisation drive.

Africa has seen 138 cases of poliovirus, with nearly half occurring in Nigeria, in 2024, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the song became imperative to resonate with audiences across the region, mobilize communities and encourage parents to vaccinate their children.

This year's World Polio Day was marked in grand style as Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, pledged support for the eradication of polio in Nigeria at an event organized by UNICEF, knowing that, new cases of polio are being reported.

"while emphasizing the societal duty to protect children’s health. "This day is not only about raising awareness for polio eradication but also about recognizing the tremendous progress made in the fight against this devastating disease," he remarked.

Sanwo-Olu credited global collaborations led by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative for reducing polio cases by 99 per cent since 1988 while highlighting Lagos state's ongoing partnership with development partners to protect every child from preventable diseases.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, noted that immunization remains one of the most effective public health measures, and the launch of the song marks a unique approach to engaging communities in the mission to eradicate polio. “Music has the power to unite people and inspire action. By embedding this message in our culture, we’re empowering families and communities to ensure the health of our children,” Sanwo-Olu said, calling the song a symbol of hope and determination.

The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, celebrating the release of the song, described it as a demonstration of collective commitment to child health.

Reflecting on Nigeria's past victories over polio, she cautioned against complacency, especially in light of disruptions caused by COVID-19 that led to the rise in “zero-dose” children. “We must not deceive ourselves with the notion that our mission is accomplished, We owe it to our children to continue pressing forward until every child is protected,” she stressed.

The Regional Director for West and Central Africa, UNICEF, Gilles Fagninou, echoed the issues, emphasizing the critical need to reach "zero-dose" children who lack access to life-saving vaccines. “This song amplifies our message to protect every child." We can, and we must reach every child and eradicate polio,' Fagninou stated.

" According to him, the track delivers a message of hope, love, and protection, aiming to address the needs of over 4.3 million children who remain unvaccinated in the region".

Cristian Munduate, the UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, added, “This project is significant for Nigeria, a country still facing a high number of under-vaccinatEd children. The release of the "No More Zero Dose" song, reflects the deep commitment to ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines.

"Music is a powerful tool for change, and through this collaboration, we are amplifying the message that no child should be missed,” she stressed

A Nigerian music producer and UNICEF Champion who led the music project, Cobhams Asuquo, invited everyone to support the fight against preventable diseases. “Together, we can protect every child’s future. Let’s spread hope and health across Africa,” he encouraged.

Lagos launches a state-wide campaign for hypertension and diabetes screening.

To tackle the health challenges confronted by Lagos residents, The State Government has launched a state-wide screening and public enlightenment campaign on hypertension and diabetes.

The health campaign is tagged, “Know Your Numbers and Control Your Numbers”.

The campaign will run from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 at the state’s 300 primary healthcare centers and 30 general hospitals.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, announced this at a press conference in Alausa, Ikeja, area of Lagos.

Prof. Abayomi explained that the campaign was a brainchild of the Nigerian Governors Forum to raise awareness and provide free screening for hypertension and diabetes, two leading non-communicable diseases.

According to him, “Today, we bring to you a very important public awareness campaign courtesy of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Nigeria’s Health Commissioners Forum.

” It is tagged Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers. It is happening simultaneously across Nigeria.

He explained that the states will measure the blood pressure and sugar levels of 10 million Nigerians. This is to raise awareness nationwide about conditions such as hypertension and sugar diabetes.

Prof Abayomi noted that of this 10 million, Lagos has been allocated 800,000, noting that, " the objective is to improve awareness on these ailments.

The commissioner who disclosed that the aim was to encourage health-seeking behaviour among Lagos residents,

said," High blood pressure, sugar diabetes, and obesity are related. Each of them can quietly and slowly have a devastating effect on people’s health.

He said too much unused sugar in the system will silently start to affect vital organs over time.

" Obesity is a food tank that is always full but unused, it is a reminder of how lifestyle choices can increase body fat and affect overall health". Abayomi

" Nigerians to get tested to know their statuses as regards high blood pressure and diabetes ".

The Commissioner while urging people to embrace healthy lifestyles such as moderation in sugar, salt, and alcohol consumption, emphasized a smoke-free attitude, and again warned that " smoking has deadly repercussions".

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said that the state government had done a lot in terms of free medical outreach to help the residents improve their health.

Dr Ogunyemi stated that when treatments are initiated a lot of residents don’t follow, up for them to monitor their progress and act accordingly.

According to her, "The awareness is important because these are silent killers in the real sense of it.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, called on journalists to participate in the campaign due to the stress associated with their job.

Mr Omotosho said, “When you go to any newsroom and pick journalists randomly, a high number of them are dealing with hypertension because of deadlines and all of that, but we need to take things easy".

He urged Lagos residents to actively participate in the campaign and subscribe to the state health insurance – Ilera Eko – for diagnosis and treatment.

By Sherifat Oyediran