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Stakeholders task Kogi Assembly on Legislation against stigmatisation of PL-HIV

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
KOGI State House of Assembly has been enjoined to collaborate with relevant authorities for the passage and accent to the proposed law to promote and protect the Rights of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Kogi State.
The call was contained in a Communique issued on Sunday in Lokoja at the end of “One-day Start-up Meeting and Capacity Building for Stakeholders on Improving Capacity of Policy Makers on Stigma and Discrimination Issues in HIV and AIDS.”
According to the Communique, the meeting was organized by Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria (INGRA) with support from the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
The Stakeholders expressed optimism that the proposed law would provide safety nets for PLHIV in the State, as they underscored the urgent need for expedited passage of the Bill on presentation to the Assembly and quick assent by the Executive.
The Communique said that the legislation would, aside promoting and protecting the rights of Persons Living with HIV in the State, uphold their dignity as humans with equal rights and opportunities in public space devoid of discrimination.
It held that the current modalities where HIV response occurs as a “Stand-alone Service” in our healthcare facilities was discriminatory, and Government must therefore take immediate actions to integrate it into the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the facility service provision.
The Communique observed that Kogi state with a 0.9% population prevalence of HIV, has over 40,000 persons living with the virus but regretted that Nigeria was not on track to achieve the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets and 2030 Agenda.
It noted that Nigeria and Kogi State HIV Response was largely Donor dependent and not sustainable going forward adding that donor organizations had so far been able to put on treatment over 37,000 persons in Kogi state.
It urged INGRA, working with other stakeholders, to immediately make necessary arrangements to place before the Kogi 8th Assembly a Bill for the protection and promotion of Rights of Persons Living with HIV in Kogi State.
The stakeholders also called on religious and traditional leaders to use their exalted positions in the society to build support and resilience of citizens against stigma and discrimination especially in HIV cases.
They stressed that stigma and discrimination were pervasive in all sectors of the State especially in the Health, Education, and Employment sectors and urged institutions and places of employment to desist from infringing on rights of citizens in requesting for their HIV status.
According to the Communique, the stakeholders commended INGRA and AHF and their partners on intervention project, for embarking on the campaign to put in place an Anti-Stigma and Discrimination Law in Kogi State
The meeting had in attendance stakeholders from the Treatment, Care and Support themes in HIV Implementing Partners, Media, Civil Society Organizations, Patient Community, Religious (CAN and JNI) as well as Traditional leaders, government coordinating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The meeting featured Plenary Discussions, Paper presentation, Question and Answer sessions and communique development and dissemination. (Ends)
News
CUPP lampoon Reps over move to investigate Ugochinyere, others for visit to Fubara

**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
News
Kano Police counter reports that Emir Bayero will lead Jumma’t prayer

the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
News
Royal turbulence gets messier as emirs Sanusi II, Bayero move to hold prayer at Palace Mosque

As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
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