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Senate approves 14-yr jail term for sexual harassment in tertiary institutions

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1 day ago

November 5, 2025

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Bandits ‘Demand’ N40trn Ransom For 16 Abducted Kaduna Residents By Journalist101 -March 11, 20240 Fidelity Advert Share Bandits have reportedly demanded N40 trillion as a ransom to release the 16 residents abducted from the Gonin Gora area of Kaduna. recommended by THE FINANCIAL MERCURY Crypto Millionaire Predicts “This Coin Will 100x By 21 Mar 2024” 3700 people rush to copy along after his last prediction rose by 692 times READ NOW Speaking with TheCable on Monday, John Yusuf, a community leader, said the bandits contacted family members of the victims and also demanded 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles. This is the first time bandits would make such a huge demand since abduction for ransom started in Nigeria. On February 28, bandits killed two residents of Anguwan Auta in Gonin Gora and abducted several others. After the attack, residents of the area on February 29 blocked the Kaduna-Abuja highway for several hours to protest against the killing and abduction. Yusuf said the bandits attacked the community twice within the week. “The bandits have contacted us. They are demanding N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles for the release of 16 people they are holding captive,” he said. “Where are we going to get this kind of money? Even if we sell the entire community, we cannot raise N40 trillion. Even Nigeria as a country has never made a budget of N40 trillion. “The abductions happened twice within four days interval. During the first attack, three people were kidnapped while in the second attack, 13 people were abducted bringing the total number of people being held captive to 16.” He said the communities in Birnin Gwari are surrounded by bushes serving as hideouts for the bandits, adding that the establishment of a military base would tackle the criminal operations in the area. “We are pleading with the government to come to our aid by establishing a military base behind our community where the bandits take advantage of the bushes to invade our community,” Yusuf said. “From our community down to Birnin Gwari which is over 150 kilometres is a stretch of bush. “We also have another stretch of bushes from Gonin Gora down to Niger state. “So when the criminals have free access through the bushes to our community. We are pleading with the government to help us. “The army are really trying, despite the fact that they are seriously overstretched. Whenever we make distressed calls they come. “But the problem is that before they reach the community, the bandits would have done what they wanted and left.” The community leader commended the Nigerian Army for their efforts in fighting bandits.

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The Senate has approved a bill prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for educators convicted of sexually harassment of students in tertiary institutions.

The move comes amid recurring reports of lecturers coercing students for grades, admission advantages and other academic favours.

The bill titled Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), was presented for concurrence by the Deputy Senate Leader, Sen. Oyelola Ashiru, during Wednesday’s plenary.

Ashiru explained that the bill was designed to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments.

“While providing clear legal frameworks for the enforcement and punishment of offenders”.

He further stated that the bill was enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator relationship of authority, dependency and respect for human dignity.

According to the Senate, any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this Bill is guilty of an offence of felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than 5 years, without an option of a fine.

“(i) Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (4), (5) and (6) of this Bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to an imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine.”

The bill states that a student who alleges harassment may also pursue a civil action for breach of fiduciary duty, and that the standard of proof shall be the same as in civil proceedings.

It outlines a wide range of offences, including demanding sexual favours, making sexual advances, inducing others to commit harassment, and unwanted touching or gestures.

During the debate, some lawmakers called for the bill’s scope to be expanded.

The lawmaker representing Edo North, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, argued that the legislation should also cover workplaces and other sectors.

“There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application,” he said.

But the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, noted that the bill had already passed through the House of Representatives and was only open for concurrence.

Barau also explained that existing laws already addressed harassment in workplace settings.

The bill was subsequently adopted and passed for third reading.

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Don’t panic, we’re tackling terror, protecting religious freedom, FG tells Nigerians

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19 minutes ago

November 6, 2025

Advocate News Nigeria

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris

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The Federal Government on Thursday assured Nigerians that it is responding decisively to recent security concerns and urged citizens to remain calm, saying there is no cause for panic as efforts to contain terrorism intensify.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

He said the government remains fully committed to safeguarding lives and ensuring that the constitutional right to freedom of worship is upheld without fear or intimidation.

Idris acknowledged ongoing incidents of violent extremism in some parts of the country but stressed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation in collaboration with regional neighbours and international partners.
“The killing of even one Nigerian is of concern to the Government of Nigeria,” he said. “Our Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to worship without hindrance, and we are fully committed to that.”

The minister dismissed suggestions of instability within the administration, insisting that President Bola Tinubu and members of the Federal Executive Council are calm, focused and united.

“Yes, there are security issues; yes, people are being killed in some areas. But government is responding — and doing so with the utmost sense of responsibility,” he said.

“There is no panic mode here. The President is calm; the Council is calm. Government is stable.”

Idris said Nigeria continues to work closely with neighbouring countries and global partners, including the United States, to curb terrorism, secure porous borders, and strengthen intelligence-sharing.
“Issues of terrorism and violent extremism are not tackled by one country alone. We are engaging regional and international partners, and diplomatic channels are being used appropriately,” he stated.

He added that the government would continue to reinforce directives to security agencies to maintain order and protect citizens nationwide.

“We will continue to impress on our security agencies to maintain law and order wherever they are,” he said.

“Whatever concerns there are, the Government of Nigeria will take care of them.”

Idris reaffirmed that Nigeria’s tradition of religious tolerance would be preserved and that the country would continue to welcome international support while ensuring responses remain consistent with national sovereignty and dignity.

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Anambra Govt declares Friday work-free ahead of governorship election

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1 hour ago

November 6, 2025

Advocate News Nigeria

Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo

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The Anambra government has declared Friday a work-free day for civil servants ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

This is contained in a statement by Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, the Head of Service (HOS), on Thursday in Awka.

Igwegbe said that the work-free day was approved by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to enable civil servants to travel to their respective locations to participate in the election.

She said the gesture was to encourage the active participation of the state workforce in the electoral process.

According to her, the electoral process is a civic duty and a vital contribution of the civil servants to good governance and democracy.

The HOS directed all political appointees, permanent secretaries, and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies to inform their staff and ensure full compliance.

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South-East Senators hail Dangote Refinery as global economic landmark

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2 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Advocate News Nigeria

Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group

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The South East Senate Caucus has hailed the Dangote Group, declaring that its refinery and petrochemical plant represent a huge investment that has positioned Nigeria on the global map of successful and resilient entrepreneurs.

The caucus, on a visit to the multi-billion-dollar Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical plant in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, last weekend, also hailed the federal government’s fiscal initiatives that encourage local manufacturers to pivot Nigeria into a productive economy.

In a statement yesterday from the Media office of the Chairman of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, APGA, Abia South, the Senators led by their Chairman Senator Abaribe, however, urged the federal government to continue to support and, as usual, act as a bulwark to the country’s burgeoning industrialists and other entrepreneurs until the nation becomes self-reliant.

The Vice President of the Dangote Group Mr Devakumar Edwin who conducted the Senators on the tour of the gigantic and highly integrated refinery, which also comprises of the fertiliser plant and a jetty told the visitors that the company is already expanding the refinery that could triple it’s daily production capacity of 650,000 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS) and other petroleum bye-products like, gas etc.

He stated that the Dangote group is committed to its efforts to expand Nigeria’s energy sector, thereby ensuring sufficiency in refined petroleum products for both domestic consumption and export.

Mr Edwin also declared that the Dangote group is proud to showcase to the world that a Nigerian can singlehandedly spearhead an energy revolution that confidently places the country on the global stage as one of the foremost energy destinations for other countries.

Responding , Senator Abaribe said that the South East caucus appreciates Aliko Dangote’s patriotic zeal and love for the Country.

“We are amazed by what we have seen. This is an institution; this plant is a pride not only to Nigerians but to the whole of Africa. It is a testament to the fact that the future of this country is very bright. So, do not relent. We appreciate your effort and your belief in the country despite global economic pressure”, Abaribe said.

He, however, assured that the South East Senate Caucus will always support indigenous entrepreneurs and industrialists through any legislation aimed at easing the business environment in Nigeria.