News

Netizens Knock FG Over Nigeria’s 1,411 Delegates To COP28

Published

5 months ago

December 4, 2023

Nigerians on social media have slammed Nigeria’s large delegation to COP28.

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, is the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, being held from 30 November until 12 December 2023 at Expo City, Dubai.

A netizen with the handle @EduWhaltzChuka expressed that such a gathering will increase the high of governance, “Nigeria always leading the line when it comes to irrelevant things or issue that will increase the already high cost of governance.”

For @realadnantweet, “It’s totally outrageous that Tinubu’s govt is sponsoring those large number of idle people attending #COP28 in Dubai without any official functions but to go there like tourism wasting taxpayers money.” while another user, @Hedutsinma sees the large participation as “part of his failed economic reforms & his pretend Renewed Hope of deceitfulness.”

@geophylexy said that despite the large entourage, the President will still consult other nations of the world to seek for funding national projects.

“My only concern is that the same Tinubu that came with the most entourage will still approach other countries to beg for loans,” he tweeted.

@Pontiffes laments the poor state of the nation’s electricity and supply and questions “What do you want to debate about climate change?” and added, “It could be that they don’t understand what COP is all about.”

Another Nigeria with the name Geraldine Adeniyi and handle @Geraldine1Omon simply described the large participation as “Wasting of time and resources”

Also, @Martinfeels sees it as a “Wasteful government” and questions “In what way will their participation impact Nigeria?”

@IamthatNaijaguy asked, “Why does he (Tinubu) have to travel with some many aides amidst the cry by the govt that they met an empty treasury?”

For @theIbadan1 who supports Tinubu, he believes the expenses should be lessened.

“While I support BAT, I also believe that trips like this should be curtailed. The average per diem per person on the entourage would be about $3k per day. Also ironic that you flew multiple planes to a conference on climate change,” he tweeted.

However, the Presidency, on Sunday, said only a handful of the 1,411 Nigerian delegates who registered to attend the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, were sponsored by the Federal Government.

The Presidency explained that a bulk of the contingents comprised private sector players, such as businesspeople, civil society organisations and delegates from Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region.

It also argued that the delegates were at the summit to promote their respective causes and not for a jamboree.

A statement signed by President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, read, “It is important to state here that delegates from all countries, whether from government, private sector, media and civil society groups, attend COP summits and conferences as parties and the number of attendees are registered against their countries of origin. This does not mean they are sponsored or funded by the government,”

While noting that the large contingent from Nigeria was not solely government-funded, Ajayi said, “It is important to state here that delegates from all countries whether from government, private sector, media and civil society groups attend COP summits and conferences as parties and the number of attendees is registered against their countries of origin.

“This does not mean that they are sponsored or funded by the government. It must be said also that the fact that people registered to attend a conference does not mean everyone who registered is physically present.

“As the biggest country in Africa, the biggest economy and one with a bigger stake in climate action as a country with a huge extractive economy, it is a no-brainer that delegates from Nigeria will be more than any other country in Africa.”

News

Hunters Rescue Baby Buried Alive In Benue

Published

59 mins ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

Photo: file copy

Some hunters have found a baby reportedly buried alive in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident, according to a resident of the local government who simply identified himself as Terna happened in the Ashav Kusuv community.

Terna said that hunters found her and brought her alive from the forest where she was buried alive.

“Some hunters on Saturday found a baby girl and said that they found her buried alive in a forest. The baby is currently being taken care of at Ashav Kusuv community,” he said.

Chairman of the local government, Iorkyaan Agber who spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Sunday confirmed the report and stated that the baby was found in a forest by some hunters.

“Some hunters indeed found a baby in the forest but we are investigating to know who went and dropped a baby in the forest and the reason for doing that,” he said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Benue Police Spokesperson, Catherine Anene, were not successful as her phone rang out.

News

Edo: Man Arrested For Posting Obscene Photos Of 4-year-old Daughter Online

Published

1 hour ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a father who uses his 4-year-old daughter for adult contents.

This follows an alert from Nigerians on social media who drew the attention of relevant authorities to the obscene photos of the minor posted on an Instagram account handled by the suspect.

Some of the photos include those of the minor in suggestive poses and thongs.

Others photos were taken at hotels in the company of her father and grown men.

The father also posted a flyer with a photo of the minor naked except for an underwear, announcing her birthday party scheduled to hold on May 28, 2024, at Spring Leaders Montessori School in Auchi.

Social media users feared that the minor is a victim of sexual exploitation and called on the police to immediately arrest the men, including the photographer who took the birthday photos.

Reacting to the photos and subsequent outcry by Nigerians in a statement, Nigeria Police Force, Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said investigation revealed that the father of the girl was involved and was consequently arrested.

His statement reads in part: “The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the public outcry in response to disturbing images and videos involving a 4-year-old child with the Instagram handle @officialsarah_ig, circulating on social media.

“The content portrays the young child in inappropriate poses, akin to adult contents. The Force expresses profound shock and grave concern over the apparent exploitation of this vulnerable child and unequivocally condemns such actions in the strongest terms possible.

“Prima facie investigations indicate the involvement of the child’s father, who has been apprehended by the Police at the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters, Edo State Police Command.

“Every necessary measure is being implemented to ensure that justice is swiftly served. As the investigation unfolds, it is imperative to establish proactive measures to guide and counsel parents, preventing the proliferation of such anomalies in our society.

“In light of the above, the Force emphasizes the importance of implementing support systems for parents and guardians to protect the safety and well-being of their children.

“It is crucial for caregivers to also prioritize the security of minors and seek assistance or guidance when required.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding children and upholding the law.”

Also reacting to the disturbing posts, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) urged the public to desist from further sharing photos of the child.

“This is Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSCAM) which is a crime. We are working on contacting Meta to bring down the accounts while we track the offenders,” the agency stated.

“We urge the public to desist from further sharing unsanitised pictures of this child; you are adding to the distribution of SCAM which is also a crime.”

News

PHOTOS/VIDEO: Prince Harry, Meghan Visit Sanwo-Olu

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived at the Lagos House Marina, on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday.

The couple were received by Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and others at the State House, Marina.

This Visit is mainly to promote the Invictus Games, founded in 2014 by Prince Harry.

The Invictus Games is aimed at helping currently serving members of the Military as well as veterans in overcoming their physical or mental health illness or injury, which eventually helps them develop a sense of belonging and increased self-esteem.

The British Royal couple arrived in Lagos on Sunday in what is the last lap of their three-day visit to Nigeria.

The couple, who have been in the country since Friday, have earlier attended several events in Abuja and Kaduna.

Addressing the press while welcoming the couple at the State House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu hailed Prince Harry and Meghan for the work they are doing with Nigeria’s military men, especially on issues around mental health.

😂 Governor Sanwo-Olu compliments Duchess Meghan’s Aso-oke, saying it goes very well with her yellow dress.
The governor wants Meghan to stay in Yoruba land. 😂😄#HarryandMeghaninNigeria #Omowale pic.twitter.com/80uoPx6Q0O
— ChrisBaronSmith (@ChrisBaronSmit1) May 12, 2024