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Enugu To Regulate Native Doctors, Herbalists
Published
2 months agoon
By
Editor
Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State has transmitted an executive bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at regulating the activities of native doctors, herbalists, and related practitioners across the state.
The proposed legislation, titled “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance, and Order,” seeks to outlaw money rituals, criminal bulletproof charms, and the unlawful use or occupation of forests and properties for criminal activities.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the media office of the governor, the bill also mandates private security outfits to register with the state government and provide particulars of armed security operatives.
The bill also mandates private security outfits to register with the state government and provide details of all armed personnel. Additionally, presidents-general of town unions are required to submit regular security reports to local government chairmen.
Landlords and proprietors of hotels and guest houses must obtain and submit valid identification details, phone numbers, occupations, and places of work of tenants and guests to the relevant authorities.
The bill prescribes penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment.
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Specifically, Section 3(1) of the proposed bill states: “Every person who engages in the practice or rendering of spiritual services within the state, whether as a native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer, or by any other traditional or spiritual title or designation, shall be registered with the ministry, department, or agency (MDA) of the state as may be designated by the Governor for that purpose.”
Practising without registration attracts a fine of not less than ₦1 million and not more than ₦5 million, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Section 15 provides that: “Any person who, under the guise of spiritual or traditional practice—including, but not limited to, practices commonly referred to as okite, ezenwanyi, or any other mystical or ritual name or form—administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person for the purpose of: (a) achieving invincibility or other forms of protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence; or (b) acquiring wealth or benefits through supernatural means outside any lawful source of livelihood, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six (6) years or to a fine of not less than ₦5 million, or both.”
The bill further states that anyone who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public for personal gain or influence commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for three years or a fine of not less than ₦3 million, or both.
It also provides that anyone claiming spiritual powers must provide reasonable proof of such abilities during investigation.
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In a similar vein, Section 16 prescribes six years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦5 million, or both, for anyone who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious facility for the commission or facilitation of a crime. Such facilities will be sealed pending the outcome of investigations.
Section 17 states: “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts—or causes another person to do so—commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
Under Section 13, “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to suspicion of involvement in criminal activity, shall be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation.”
Regarding the use of forests and property for criminal purposes, the bill proposes: “Any person who owns, occupies, or has control over any land or building—whether located in a forest or elsewhere—and knowingly allows it to be used as a camp, hideout, or base for kidnapping, unlawful detention, ransom collection, or any activity connected to banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to twenty (20) years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.”
Furthermore, any person who knowingly allows non-security personnel to reside, camp, or establish a settlement on their land—except for farming—shall face two years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.
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Failure to report suspicious use of one’s property to security agencies is also punishable by a two-year prison term without an option of a fine.
According to the bill, “Subject to Section 3 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law 2016, any land, property, or structure used in contravention of Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this law shall be forfeited to the Government of Enugu State.”
Additionally, any money, property, or proceeds of crimes such as theft, robbery, or kidnapping will be forfeited to the state unless a lawful owner comes forward within a reasonable time.
The bill also mandates private security firms to register with the State Government and provide full details of the company and all armed operatives. Town union presidents-general are required to submit monthly security reports to local government chairmen or other designated departments.
Landlords, hotel and guest house operators, and estate associations are mandated to collect and transmit valid identification and contact information of tenants and guests to relevant authorities.
All hospitality establishments are also required to install surveillance cameras in public areas and submit recordings to the appropriate agencies upon request.
Penalties for non-compliance range from fines of not less than ₦500,000 for landlords to ₦1 million for proprietors.
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News
FG Gives KWAM 1 Aviation Appointment, After Airport Incident
Published
2 hours agoon
August 13, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Government has announced plans to engage Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, after the recent controversy over his conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in a statement outlining resolutions to recent cases of unruly behaviour at Nigerian airports.
Keyamo said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had agreed to reduce KWAM 1’s flight ban to one month and would work with the musician to promote awareness on acceptable conduct within the aviation space.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria will lead the engagement process.
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”The NCAA is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
”Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the police,” the statement read.
The minister added that the decision followed appeals from well-meaning individuals, as well as KWAM 1’s public show of penitence over the August 5 incident in which he allegedly obstructed a ValueJet aircraft’s movement.
Keyamo also revealed that the NCAA would withdraw its criminal complaints against the artiste.
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The development comes days after the musician apologised to the public, insisting the flask he carried on the day of the incident contained water for medical reasons and not alcohol, as was alleged by security personnel.
The minister emphasised that the clemency was granted on “compassionate grounds” , warning that the government remained committed to enforcing safety and security laws in the aviation sector.
On August 5, KWAM 1 was involved in a confrontation with airline staff and security officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to board a ValueJet flight to Lagos.
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He was accused of carrying a prohibited flask believed to contain alcohol, spilling its contents on personnel, and later walking onto the aircraft’s tarmac, allegedly blocking the plane from taxiing.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority described the act as a breach of aviation safety regulations and initially placed him on a six-month no-fly list while filing a criminal complaint with the police.
News
Gov. Mohammed Flags Off Cybernation Program In Bauchi, Targets 100, 000 Citizens On Digital Skill
Published
4 hours agoon
August 13, 2025By
Editor
In a determined move to position Bauchi State as a hub for digital innovation and a technologically-driven state, Governor Bala Mohammed on Tuesday flagged off what he called a “Cybernations” program–
an intensive cybersecurity training initiative.
This ambitious program known as the Digital Literacy and Skill Framework Bauchi Initiative, the project, developed in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will provide basic digital skills training to more than 100,000 citizens by 2027.
Speaking at the launching in Bauchi on Tuesday, the governor said the initiative “marks a turning point for our state’s economic future” and will ensure that citizens, especially young people, can participate fully in the global digital economy.
He added that DL4ALL will integrate digital education into schools and workforce development policies, creating a talent pipeline for both local and international employers.
He also said it will offer advanced training to 2,000 youths in high-demand technology fields such as software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity among others.
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He said, “We acknowledge that Information Technology is today and in the foreseeable future the fastest growing industry and one with increasing capacity to absorb young people with skills. Its advantage is such that everyone can undertake training and acquire skills, be certified and create a sustainable source of livelihood leveraging on its power.
“Our vision is clear: to transform Bauchi into a digitally inclusive, economically vibrant, and innovation-driven state. We aim to harness technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for economic diversification, human capital development, and social transformation.”
Also, the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju in a goodwill message Harped on the importance of cybersecurity awareness in today’s digital age.
He highlighted the need for collective efforts to equip Nigerians with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in a digital society.
He added that through visionary leadership of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, Galaxy Backbone has successfully extended its digital infrastructure to Bauchi via fibre optic connectivity and deployed 3 eLTE base stations to deliver true broadband internet access.
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Country Representative of Protexxa’s Abi -Hafsat Abubakar, described the initiative as a gateway to over 3,5 million global cyber security jobs.
“The Cyber Nation programme, in partnership with Protexxa Inc, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa, whereby 500 youths will be trained as certified cyber security experts with dire f pathway to local and international employment, including opportunities to earn foreign currency”.
Speaking in the same vein, the Director General Bauchi State Bureau for Information and Communication Technology, (BICTDE), Hayatudeen Babamaji noted that the Bauchi State Cyber Nations Program, in partnership with Protexxa Inc., under the leadership of Governor Balance Mohammed is a pioneering initiative the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa.
Babamaji added that the program will train youths to become world-class cybersecurity professionals, equipping them with the skills to protect critical infrastructure and participate competitively in the global digital economy.
“As we launch these programs, I want to reaffirm that this is not random. Our vision is clear, our direction is set, and with the collaborative programs such as these, we will achieve our goal of making Bauchi State an ICT hub not just for the North East region but whole of Nigeria and beyond”.
Other critical stakeholders include the Chief Operating Officer, Protexxa Inc. Canada, Rick Huijbregts, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission,(NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji and MD, Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited, Mrs Nkechi Idehen among others.
News
Anambra Guber: ‘I’m On Sabbatical,’ Don’t Use My Name In Your Campaign, Ngige Tells APC
Published
17 hours agoon
August 12, 2025By
Editor
Former Anambra State governor and two-time minister, Senator Chris Ngige, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, not to link him to their campaign, saying he is currently on sabbatical from partisan politics.
A campaign poster featuring Ngige alongside the APC candidates has been circulating on social media, creating the impression that he is backing the party in the November 8 governorship election.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Hyggi Obialo, Ngige clarified that his consent was neither sought nor obtained before the publication was released.
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“Senator Chris Ngige is on sabbatical from active partisan politics as he takes a well-deserved rest after 25 years in politics and public service,” the statement read. “We advise those behind the poster to respect his wishes, as he has repeatedly stated in public that he is out of partisan politics for now.”
Ngige served as governor of Anambra State from 2003 to 2006, represented Anambra Central in the Senate from 2011 to 2015, and was Minister of Labour and Employment from 2015 to 2023.
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