News
Bauchi set to ban childbirth outside health facilities
Bauchi State government is set to ban childbirth outside health facilities which have been identified as major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality in many parts of Nigeria, especially rural communities.
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abubakar Suleiman, disclosed plans to introduce a bill to that effect, during a two-day high-level engagement with policymakers and legislators on improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, as well as Maternal, Newborn and Child Healthcare and Nutrition, held in Jos.
He expressed concern over findings from the National Demographic and Health Survey, which indicate that only 31% of women in Bauchi deliver in health facilities, while 69% gives birth at home.
The Speaker also noted that although 57 out of every 100 pregnant women attend antenatal care, many still opt for home delivery.
“All these are fundamental rights, not privileges. We are considering a law that will compel women to utilise antenatal services and deliver in health facilities to reduce maternal and child mortality,” he said.
Also speaking, a Social Behaviour Change expert with UNICEF, Mr George Eki, said the proposed legislation could help address harmful cultural practices associated with childbirth.
“We have seen cases in rural communities where husbands prevent their wives from seeking medical care.
Stakeholders in the health sector in Bauchi State have eatlier called on the State House of Assembly to fast-track a proposed bill seeking to ban childbirth outside health facilities, citing rising concerns over maternal and neonatal mortality.
According to national data, Bauchi remains among the states with the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
Some traditional rulers and religious leaders have supported the enactment of the law to reduce dangers of home delivery in the State.
Similarly, there has been overwhelming concern by stakeholders in the health sector with calls for the State House of Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill and for the Governor to approve it to become enforceable law.
Speaking on the matter, a health specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund, Mr Seyi Olosunde, highlighted alarming statistics showing that many newborns die within their first 28 days of life, largely due to preventable causes linked to unsafe delivery practices.
He stressed the need for urgent interventions by all stakeholders including legislation by the State lawmakers to reverse the trend.
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
News
Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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