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Tag: David Lawal

  • HIV sexual ritualist who had sex with 104 girls

    HIV sexual ritualist who had sex with 104 girls

    The story of Eric Aniva, Hyena, broke sometimes mid this year when a BBC reporter spoke to him. Aniva bragged of his mischeavious feat of  having sexual cleansing for young girls before they are given out in marriage.verdict is expected this week in the case of a man arrested in Malawi after he told a BBC reporter he had had sex with pubescent girls as part of a “cleansing” ritual. But some Malawians are asking why only one man is on trial for a practice involving whole communities.

    On Thursday, the follow up reveals that a verdict is expected this week in the case the Malawian after he had sex with pubescent girls as part of a “cleansing” ritual. But some Malawians are asking why only one man is on trial for a practice involving whole communities.

    Eric Aniva was arrested in July on presidential orders after he admitted having unprotected sex with girls as young as 12 – and keeping quiet about his HIV-positive status.

    Aniva says he was hired by the girls’ relatives to take part in a sexual initiation ceremony which they believe “shakes off” the girl’s childhood “dust” so that she can enter adulthood.

    We believe that if a widow or widower is not sexually cleansed, then bad luck, sudden death or illness will come to some, or all, of the clan Social worker, Nsanje.

    When Malawi’s president, Peter Mutharika, ordered the arrest, he wanted Aniva tried for defiling young girls, but no girl came forward to testify against him.

    So instead Aniva is being tried for another ritual defined as a “harmful cultural practice” under section five of Malawi’s Gender Equality Act, in which he had sex with newly bereaved widows.

    On this charge, two women have come forward to give evidence against Aniva, though one says he had sex with her before the practice was banned, and the other says she managed to escape before the sexual act took place.

    “Widow cleansing is a highly regarded practice among us,” said a social worker from Nsanje, the remote south-western district where Aniva lives.

    “We believe that if a widow or widower is not sexually cleansed, then bad luck, sudden death or illness will come to some, or all, of the clan. We are obliged to do this custom by our ancestors,” he added. He asked to remain anonymous, because government employees are not allowed to talk to the media without permission.

    Until a few years ago, it was common practice in the district for a bereaved widow to have sex with a man three times a night for three to four nights. Often the man would be the deceased’s brother, but in some cases someone from outside the immediate family, such as Aniva, would be hired to perform the act.

    If the bereaved was a man, a woman would be found to have sex with him.

    The ritual was modified, however, in the light of the HIV epidemic, and these days a married couple are supposed to act as surrogates, having sex on behalf of the bereaved. As before, they utter an oath at the point of ejaculation to prevent ill fortune arising from the death.

    What horrifies Malawians about Aniva, who claimed in his BBC interview to have had sex with 104 women and girls, is that he did not stop his sexual practices after finding out he was HIV-positive.

    “HIV is a killer. How can someone with this status, do what he did? I think this man is the devil. Greedy and selfish. If I could judge him, I would give him a murder sentence and life imprisonment,” a pastor, Paul Mzimu, said outside Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, where HIV rates on some wards reach 70%.

  • Clinton urges supporters to ‘keep fighting’

    Clinton urges supporters to ‘keep fighting’

    Candidate of the Democrats Party at the just concluded 2016 election in the United States, Hillary Clinton has urged her supporters not to give up fighting in the face of Donald Trump’s impending presidency.

    She made the statement at a Children’s Defense Fund benefit in Washington D.C., on Wednesday night, her first outing after conceding defeat to Mr Donald Trump.

    Clinton said: “I will admit coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me. There have been a few times this past week where all I wanted to do is curl up with a good book or our dogs and never leave our house again.”

    But Clinton argued against retreating from the world in her brief speech, given at a fundraiser for the organisation that launched her career as an activist for children and families 45 years ago. Her mentor Marian Wright Edelman, the group’s founder, introduced her to the crowd as “our president,” highlighting the fact that Clinton won the popular vote last Tuesday.

    Clinton sounded a less defiant note but asked her supporters to pick themselves up and continue to fight for their principles in the face of defeat. “I often quote Marian when she says that ‘Service is the rent we pay for living,”

    Clinton said. “Well, you don’t get to stop paying rent just because things don’t go your way.”

    Clinton shared some of her personal pain at her loss last week. “I know many of you are deeply disappointed about the results of this election,” she said. “I am, too. More than I can ever express.”

    But she insisted that things would get better, and emphasised what she sees as one positive development that came out of what was an unprecedentedly nasty campaign. “For the first time ever, a broad consensus emerged about the importance of affordable quality child care and paid family leave,” Clinton said, referring to the Trump campaign’s proposals in those areas.

    But she also appeared to obliquely criticise Trump, saying, “No child should be afraid to go to school because they’re African-American or Latino or have a disability,” possibly in reference to reports of bullying in schools since Trump’s victory. She also highlighted the plight of a young girl who fears that her parents could be deported.

    “The divisions laid bare by this election run deep, but please listen to me when I say that America is worth it. Our children are worth it,” she said.

    “Believe in our country, fight for our values and never, ever give up.”

     

  • Airtel makes case for reading culture

    Airtel makes case for reading culture

    • Telco donates books to adopted School

    Airtel Nigeria has donated over 1,000 books to students of one of its adopted schools as part of its Reading for Leading campaign, an initiative to promote the reading culture among students across primary schools in Nigeria.

    According to the telco in a statement, the Reading for Leading initiative demonstrates its commitment to promote quality education and academic excellence in Nigeria and also provide educational opportunities for less privileged children.

    The book donation exercise was held on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at the St. John’s Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, a school adopted by Airtel.

    Speaking during the event, Head Teacher of St. John’s Primary School, Mr. Adeniyi Odufoye, commended Airtel for its support to developing the educational sector, urging other corporate organizations to emulate the telco.

    “I sincerely hope that other corporate organizations will join Airtel in supporting education and providing opportunities for children.

    “I must say that since Airtel adopted St. John’s Primary School in 2013, it has raised the standard of education, here. And with this book donation, it becomes easier for children to take to a reading culture.”

    Also speaking, an elated Surajudeen Sukuratu, a primary six student of St. Johns Primary School, said: “Airtel Nigeria, thank you very much for providing books for me and my friends. I promise to read it and also share it with my brothers and sisters.”

    In his own submission, Olukayode Samuel, a Primary five student expressed excitement, saying, “Now I have a textbook I can always use to study at home. My mummy will be happy because she likes to see me read. Thank you, Airtel.”

    In addition to donating books to the school, Airtel employees also bonded with the kids, taking turns to read and share in exciting educational games.

    Airtel’s Reading for Leading campaign was borne out of the telco’s passion in assisting the less privileged children and also improve the standard of education in Nigeria. The initiative was flagged off by renowned author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, in June 2016.

    The Airtel ‘Reading for Leading’ campaign is in partnership with Longman and Macmillan Publishers. Under the initiative, Airtel employees have purchased over 3,000 high quality and relevant textbooks for students in the company’s six adopted schools.

  • N/Delta: Oil industry corruption birthed militancy – Agaga

    N/Delta: Oil industry corruption birthed militancy – Agaga

     There is no denial that in the minds of many patriotic Nigerians in Diaspora, who are Professionals and have become authorities at different capacities, what matters most is setting things straight in Nigeria; making leadership accountable to the people while delivering election campaign promises to the citizenry. This is similar to the interests of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Spain, Comrade Stephen Tella and a few other Chairmen, APC Diaspora.
    It is in the effort to correct the age long plague, corruption, that has bedevilled the Nigerian petroleum sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Niger Delta region in South-South Nigeria, that APC diaspora has sorted out Prince Christopher Akpojotor Agaga, who is well read and informed in the Nigerian petroleum industry as well as a few other countries around the world.
    Recalling the problems with the Nigerian oil sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Oil cabals and the Niger Delta people of South Southern Nigeria which dates back to 1907 when Nigerian Bitumen Corporation conducted exploratory work in the country, Prince Agaga boasted that if the Federal Government agrees to follow his proposal, contained in this report, the issue of Niger Delta agitations/militancy, the amnesty programme, as well as the unemployment menace ravaging Nigerian youths will be properly taken care of.
    Of a truth, the Nigerian oil and gas industry has been vibrant since the discovery of crude oil in 1956 by the Shell Group. However, the sector was largely dominated by multinational corporations until the early 1990s when Nigerian companies began to make a foray into the industry. Local participation was boosted with the implementation of the Nigerian Content Directives issued by the NNPC about a decade ago, and eventually, by the promulgation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGIC) Act (The Act) in 2010, which seeks to promote the use of Nigerian companies/resources in the award of oil licences, contracts and projects.
    In respect to the enactment of the Local Content Act, Agaga, in an interview with newsmen, advised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to create the office of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which he said will be a Federal Government organ, statutorily saddled with the authority to formulate and regulate the implementation of the Local Content Policy in the Petroleum industry.
    “This by extension is to monitor the full adherence to all the clauses as stipulated in the signed Local Content Act right from the pre-qualification stage through the Bidding stage and during the awarding and execution stages, because the Local Content Policy is to regulate, evaluate, monitor and effect the day to day implementation of every operation in the Oil and Gas industry which stipulates that Nigerians must be encouraged to be major players in the industry.
    christopher-agaga-1“This, the Nigerian Government believes will help in capacity building and also enhancement of all necessary opportunities. But ironically, this noble innovation of Government, because it has not been properly handled, has not yielded the required results and as such, in a very disappointing way, quenched the apprehensions which are serious sources of worries to all operators in the Oil and Gas Industry.
    “In addition to the above, effective monitoring and evaluation of projects are essential and pivotal means of guiding and accelerating the economic growths. However, evidence has shown that the practice of monitoring and evaluation / enforcement during construction projects in the Oil and Gas industry is grossly deficient since it has not been effectively extended through the necessary apparatus of Government to the Grassroots operational areas and as such led to the wastage of resources and leakages which negates project programmes designed to impact positively on the poor suffering people of this country.
    “Similarly, it has led to the prevention of the full assessment of projects in comparison with the declared intent from which authorization is derived. This deficiency can manifest the proliferation of continuous stoppage and disruption of construction projects in the respective projects sites which in turn will give a negative impact on the economic growth and development in the Oil producing states in particular and Nigeria in general. Therefore, the indispensability of project monitoring and enforcement cannot be over emphasized and also will only through a perfect connubial attract genuine development in the respective host communities,” he observed.
    The Political leader from a Niger Delta community noted that the office of the NCDMB shall be operated on behalf of the President by a Special Assistant who will automatically become Government/ Community Liaison Officer in the Presidency and shall be known in the Oil industry as the Presidential Liaison Officer (P.L.O) in all construction projects awarded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and all its joint venture partners.
    He stressed that this office is very important if Nigerian oil must be channeled to the right sources while not trampling on the well being of the indigenes of the region, adding that the absence of inspection companies like the Oceanergy, Globe Resources and others that left the country years ago has given room for theft of crude oil in large quantities, direct from the oil well. “What these sort of companies do include the inspection of civil construction, electrical, mechanical constructions like welding and also divers. You will see a lot of vessels on the high sea, even the Navy will think they want to berth because they are waiting for a turn to discharge petroleum products, but I tell you that some of these vessels carry divers who go under the sea to do welding jobs which Nigerians are expected to do, thereby denying citizens job opportunities.
    “Another thing is that we used to have companies that were electronically monitoring the distribution of crude oil from place to place; from one terminal to another terminal, from one flow station down to the terminal before it gets into the ships. They know what is going out and what is going down. The excuse that people are agitators are blowing pipes is fake.
    “What we need to know is the record of what is passing through each pipe, what are the challenges that the pipelines have which will lead to what we do in those, like pigging (Pipeline Inspection Gauge) which helps in clearing the wax in the pipeline. All these have stopped.
    “Unfortunately, when these stopped, it automatically stole the job slots of some Nigerians. When it comes to construction, before a company, for instance a Korean company, Hyundai Heavy Industries or Samsung Heavy Industries, want to bid, they will send their bidding documents to, for example, Chevron. Chevron will now inform the NNPC that these number of companies are now pre-qualified and we want you to approve the ones that are qualified.
    “You know what to consider when considering those that scaled through pre-qualification stages; firstly, the ones that submitted their community/ security plan, cashes policy, etcetera. Now, just like it is done in every other kind of documentation where people prepare a profile. They go to consultants that will provide a perfect community/ security management plan, then you call it a local content policy plan.
    “So, what they do at the business centre is to replace the name of the companies that were inside existing ones with this new one and then submit
    it. Then NNPC will send it to the organ that should be statutorily responsible
    for this job, which is the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board
    (NCDMB). In turn, the NCDMB should ideally go to the community to find out from the locales if the listed company came to you because they are biding for this sort of job. If the people say yes, what did you discuss with them, what kind of project did they tell you they are interested in doing? This is fact finding which these organs don’t do anymore.
    “Also, the environmental impact assessment which they publish regularly, did they really do their own cross-checking of the said environment?”
    He disclosed that as much as Nigerian Government remains the rightful owners of the Oil wells and are totally in full control of all the security apparatus, it is directly impacted once the problems of mistrust exist between the host communities and the constructions/oil producing companies and this always result to crisis, as evidenced in the Niger Delta. By this, it becomes pertinent that the Government becomes the direct provider of Government/Community Affairs and Security Management on all project sites and creation of conducive environment for the companies to operate peacefully while in their respective project sites.
    His words: “In fact, this now makes it mandatory for the Federal Government to be the domestic and grassroots providers of construction project execution Monitors/Enforcement Officers with regards to implementation of a well-articulated Government/ Community Relations and Security Management plans in all Oil and Gas Project sites in the various Host communities in Nigeria. This automatically places the Federal Government in a strategic position of Monitoring and evaluating the sincere implementation of the Nigerian Local Content Law as it positively affects the poor masses of Nigeria.
    “Furthermore, is that the Special Assistant to the President shall be among the formulators and also monitors of the full implementation/Enforcement of all project contract Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding signed by all concerned parties. This is imperative because all the foreign owned Oil and Gas construction companies don’t and never prepared to respect the passed Nigerian Content Act specifically because they are not directly in partnership with the Federal Government.
    “But in contrast, it is the Oil Producing Companies that respects the Nigerian Content Act because they have a partnership Agreement with the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Another unfortunate story in the oil industry is that the disease called corruption in the system grew to become a monster hurting the Oil and Gas Construction world. This is so because the Nigerian Managers in both at the NNPC and all the various Oil Producing Companies (i.e. Exxon Mobil; Chevron; Agip; Total; Shell etc) have togetherly turned the Oil and Gas industry into a money making machine.
    “By so doing, they influence the construction companies to divert most of the various project funds into their private pockets which in fact is always to the detriment of both the owners of the projects and the Host communities. The fact is that every project site is constantly faced with crisis and stoppage of works because the companies are always economical of the truth on matters concerning Community Affairs / Security Management Plans or Policy as agreed and stipulated in the various projects contract document.
    “They are forced into these negative acts because of the Public Affairs department of their various client (i.e. Chevron) have Cabal with which they use in draining project cost to the detriment of the host communities which people don’t know until when the project starts and the youths of the concerned host communities start agitating for their rights.
    “Also, the foreign Construction Companies are so greedy to the extent of withholding training Allocations, technological transfer and Job slot robbery caused due to the giving out of most of our (i.e. Nigerian) job slots to other Nationals (i.e. Philippines, Indians, Americans, Italians, Spanish, etc.), thereby reducing drastically the number of Nigerians employed or engaged in the various project sites.
    “These negative practices are made possible with the support and backings of the corrupt Nigerians, known as the Cabals, which includes some corrupt officers of both the Custom and Immigration Services that the Construction Companies used in providing fake foreign personnel information data for unqualified expatriates to get work permits illegally specifically with the intention of drastically reducing job spaces initially allocated for Nigerian youths in the various project Contract Agreements.
    “In addition is the falsification of imported facilities or materials / equipment import duty clearance document purposely to easily clear their goods from the Nigerian Sea Ports. The Cabals become more dangerous when being led by the corruptly imposed Governors from the Niger Delta states who provide both financial and security logistics to their various political thugs which they used in forcing themselves into the Government Houses but unable to provide the needed employment spaces or financial supports as promised during their respective election campaigns.
    “In fact, these Governors have turned the various project sites into their individual free Bank of Gangsterism. It is sad, what things have become in the oil industry.”
    Ones this office is created, Agaga, noted that the Officer shall report directly to the President through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Local Content Enforcement Matters. “He shall also always act according to instructions and approval verbally or written from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on all actions he wish to carry out while working in any of the companies,” he said.
  • Clinton’s prophesy: TB Joshua breaks silence

    Clinton’s prophesy: TB Joshua breaks silence

    Prophet TB Joshua has finally broken his silence after his prophecy that Hillary Clinton would win the US presidential election did not ‘come to pass’.

    The General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has sinced been mocked by many on social media after the prediction which ‘failed’ was first deleted and then reinstated on his official Facebook page following Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the keenly contested election.

    However, members and suporters of the controversial pastor have been quick to defend him saying that his prophecy was indeed realised, because Mrs Clinton won the popular vote, although she still lost the election based on the US system of electoral college votes which saw Trump as winner of the poll.

    A new statement on Mr Joshua’s Facebook page echoes this argument, saying:

    We might have great cathedrals, huge bells, and all kinds of activities that are good by human standards but human point of view is limited.

    1 Corinthians 1:25. The foolishness of God is wiser than that of men and the weakness of God is stronger than that of men. There is no shortcut to spiritual maturity unless earthly understanding gives way to spiritual enlightenment.

    I see many people trying to interpret prophets on the basis of their own minds and ideas. The prophecy seems to cause uproar, to many who gave it different meaning and interpretation.

    Finally, campaigns and elections in any democratic country in the world are never about one person, it is about the country we care and love. Whichever way it happens, we must accept the outcome and then look to the future (God), the Author and Finisher.

    Democracy is all about accommodation. All democrats must value the process of democracy more than the product.

    God bless the United States of America.

    So how should we interpret these comments? Since Mr Joshua is described on his own church’s website as a prophet, is he saying that other people who are not “at the same level” as him and are therefore unable to see what he sees? Or is he saying that none of us as humans cannot hope to truly understand the word of God?

  • Two Hospitals attacked in Syria

    Two Hospitals attacked in Syria

    • SyriaPhosphorous bombs used In Syrian attack
    A hospital in Kafr Zita in rural Hama, has been hit by at least two barrel bombs, resulting in severe damages to the facility.
    According to media release made available to David Lawal of The Nation by the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) in Syria, the initial reports show no casualties even as the facility was rendered completely out of service.
    Similarly, another hospital in Atareb, rural Aleppo, was targeted today by airstrikes, resulting in damage to the facility. Also, no casualties reported.
    On a monthly basis the hospital provides an average of 3,350 consultations, 480 admissions and 285 major surgeries.
    A phosphorus attack was reported in Daret Ezzah in the Aleppo directorate.

    No casualties have been reported but medical staff have raised concerns about the use of prohibited weapons such as phosphorous and their indiscriminate and horrifying impact on civilians.

    “UOSSM condemns today’s attacks against medical staff and civilians. The blatant disregard for international humanitarian law must stop. We call on the international community to hold those responsible accountable for war crimes and use all pressures at their disposal to come to a peaceful resolution in Syria.”

    The hospital, which its name was deliberately not released to protect facilities and staff, provides an average of 1,940 consultations, 339 admissions, 126 major surgeries and 25 deliveries.
  • 23rd annual Teenage Festival of Life holds today

    23rd annual Teenage Festival of Life holds today

    Young people from public secondary schools across Lagos State will showcase the realities of child marriage in Nigeria using songs, poetry and drama to advocate for the elimination of Child marriage in the country on November 12th, 2016 at the 23rd Annual Teenage Festival of Life (TFL).

    TFL was initiated by Action Health Incorporated (AHI) in 1993 with the aim of bridging communication gap between young people and adults and also to serve as an enabling forum where young people and relevant stakeholders meet to both identify the plights faced by them. This year, the event is focused on creating awareness on the issue of child marriage, its prevalence in Nigeria, impact – effects on the child bride, community and national development.

    Child marriage is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and despite laws against it, the practice still remains widespread. In Nigeria, 43% of girls are married before their 18th birthday and 17% are married before they turn 15. The prevalence of child marriage varies widely from one region to another, with figures as high as 76% in the North West region and 10% in the South East.

    These child brides are burdened with responsibilities as wives and mothers with little support, resources, or life experience to meet these challenges. Furthermore, girls’ rights, health and development are undermined by the impact of early marriage, including pregnancy and early childbearing which impacts on their mortality and morbidity. There are also outcomes of early termination of their schooling which limits human capital and their future productivity which of course affects the lives of their children and families.

    This year theme “Ending Child Marriage”; is one of the priority areas under “Ending Gender Inequality” Goal 5 of the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Ending Child Marriage not only achieves gender equality but translates to the fulfilment of other priority areas such as Ending Poverty, Achieving Education for All, and other goals. This, therefore, calls for urgent steps to eradicate the practice in Nigeria through policies and innovative ideas that must be implemented.

    This event will have in attendance as the special guest government officials from Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, UNFPA, the Tutor General/Permanent secretaries of all the Education districts in Lagos state, teachers and students of secondary schools in Lagos as well as the Executive Director of Action Health Incorporated Mrs. Adenike Esiet. Also in attendance as the celebrity artist of the day is Aramide, winner of best female artist Afrima 2016.

  • TFL: Young people say no to child marriage

    TFL: Young people say no to child marriage

    Young people from public secondary schools across Lagos State will showcase the realities of child marriage in Nigeria using songs, poetry and drama to advocate for the elimination of Child marriage in the country on November 12th, 2016 at the 23rd Annual Teenage Festival of Life (TFL).

    TFL was initiated by Action Health Incorporated (AHI) in 1993 with the aim of bridging communication gap between young people and adults and also to serve as an enabling forum where young people and relevant stakeholders meet to both identify the plights faced by them. This year, the event is focused on creating awareness on the issue of child marriage, its prevalence in Nigeria, impact – effects on the child bride, community and national development.

    Child marriage is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and despite laws against it, the practice still remains widespread. In Nigeria, 43% of girls are married before their 18th birthday and 17% are married before they turn 15. The prevalence of child marriage varies widely from one region to another, with figures as high as 76% in the North West region and 10% in the South East.

    These child brides are burdened with responsibilities as wives and mothers with little support, resources, or life experience to meet these challenges. Furthermore, girls’ rights, health and development are undermined by the impact of early marriage, including pregnancy and early childbearing which impacts on their mortality and morbidity. There are also outcomes of early termination of their schooling which limits human capital and their future productivity which of course affects the lives of their children and families.

    This year theme “Ending Child Marriage”; is one of the priority areas under “Ending Gender Inequality” Goal 5 of the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Ending Child Marriage not only achieves gender equality but translates to the fulfilment of other priority areas such as Ending Poverty, Achieving Education for All, and other goals. This, therefore, calls for urgent steps to eradicate the practice in Nigeria through policies and innovative ideas that must be implemented.

    This event will have in attendance as the special guest government officials from Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, UNFPA, the Tutor General/Permanent secretaries of all the Education districts in Lagos state, teachers and students of secondary schools in Lagos as well as the Executive Director of Action Health Incorporated Mrs. Adenike Esiet. Also in attendance as the celebrity artist of the day is Aramide, winner of best female artist Afrima 2016.

  • Airtel, HNI unveil internet-free public service

    Airtel, HNI unveil internet-free public service

    Airtel Nigeria has partnered with Human Network International (HNI), to unveil the 3-2-1 Service, a call-in system that provides free, on-demand information – ranging from healthcare to good governance – to Nigerians, regardless of the kind of mobile phone or region.

    The 3-2-1 Service is a search engine which provides public service information, on-demand, to mobile phone users in English as well as in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Pidgin English, which depends on recorded messages by indigenous speakers. The Service is convenient for all Nigerians, regardless of age, education and literacy.

    In his remark, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said the telco is committed to creating platforms that will empower Nigerians as well as uplift telecoms consumers in the various communities where it operates.

    Represented by Human Resource Director, Airtel Nigeria, Gbemiga Owolabi, Ogunsanya said: “As a major stakeholder, we are excited to partner with HNI to create a huge platform that offers a plethora of opportunities to enable millions of Nigerians across various communities to lead better and healthier lives. We are confident that the 321 initiative will help transform lives in many locations across the country.”

    Similarly, Harriet Blest, HNIs Country Manager in Nigeria noted:“By turning simple mobile phones into search engines, Human Network International and Airtel are giving Nigerians an entirely new way to access information using technology they already own.”

    “Nigerians with little or no literacy can still leverage the service, and that makes it an incredibly powerful tool. We are delighted to have partnered with Airtel on this and look forward to reaching millions of Nigerians.”

    The 3-2-1 Service provides public service information that is all relevant to both individuals and communities across Nigeria. The topics launched on the service include Agriculture, Commodity Prices, Family Planning, Good Governance, Health, News & Entertainment, Nutrition, Sanitation, and Weather.

    The public service messages are created and curated by committees convened by HNI. These committees included representation from government ministries, plus Nigerian and international subject area experts, including, Action Aid, Catholic Relief Services, EarthNetworks, GSMA, MERCK/MSD, Novus Agro, Pulse.ng, UNFPA and the Federal Ministry of Health.

    The call-in system will further be enhanced to cover more topics and messages such as entrepreneurship and financial literacy in the near future. By dialling 321 prepaid Airtel lines, users will connect the caller to voice prompts in any of the earlier mentioned indigenous languages or in English.

    Airtel subscribers can use the service for up to ten times for free within a month after which a flat call rate of N10 will be applied. However, it is an endless free usage to use the USSD code, *321#.

  • US election: 2016 Electoral College Results

    US election: 2016 Electoral College Results