The Nation Newspaper

Tag: mother

  • Mother, son charged with damaging fence

    A 69-year-old woman, Munirat Alao, and her son, Yusuf, were yesterday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly damaging a fence, valued at N81, 000.

    The accused are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and wilful damage.

    The prosecution alleged that the accused conspired and damaged a fence of thirty blocks, property of one Akeem Oloyede.

    Sergeant Michael Unah told the court that the accused committed the offences on August 3 at 11.00 p.m. at Ajasa Command.

    Unah said the duo, who also allegedly stole 30 pieces of blocks, had been committing the offence since 2017.

    He said the accused wanted the complainant to use where the fence was built as a pathway but he refused.

    “The complainant rebuilt the fence each time and the accused always damaged it,” the prosecutor said.

    The duo pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate A. A. Fashola granted the accused N50, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Fashola said the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and should have their addresses verified by the court.

    He said the sureties must also reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The case continues on September 3.

  • Mother, son ‘stab’ co-tenant with knife

    A mother and her son were yesterday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attacking a tenant. They were said to have attacked their victim with a knife.

    Ekaete John, 55, a trader and Isaac Godwin, 20, a company worker, living at 27, Segun Adetiba Street, Alakuko, Lagos, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful assault.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada told the court that the accused committed the offences with others at large on July 15, at their residence.

    The prosecutor said that a fight broke out between the duo and the complainant, Mr Fabian Owotikwu, following an argument.

    “In the process, John and her son brought out a knife which they used to cut Owotikwu’s private parts and inflict injuries on him,” Eruada said .

    Eruada said Owotikwu suffered various injuries following the attack.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate M. I. Dan-Oni granted the accused N50,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    The case continues on August 20.

     

  • ‘Alakija, mother in a million’

    They defied the early morning downpour penultimate Saturday to converge on Victoria Island, Lagos – all dressed in colourful attires depicting the Rose of Sharon Foundation’s corporate colours of red, gold and black. The mood was electrifying as they cheerfully danced and sang even before the start of the event.

    It was a double celebration for the foundation, which marked its 10th anniversary and International Widows Day. Venue was the Queens Park Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Led by its founder, Mrs Folorunso Alakija, hundreds of widows, orphans and children, supported by the foundation, left no one in doubt why they were celebrating a decade of faith, hope and transformation of their lives. It was also a day to appreciate partners and trustees for their steadfastness in supporting the foundation in the 10-year journey, in which many a tear has been wiped, many a sorrow transformed into laughter, inferiority changed to confidence and helplessness turned to hopefulness.

    Guests at the celebration included Mrs Bolanle Ambode, wife of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Mrs Onari Duke, wife of former Governor of Cross Rivers State Donald Duke, Mrs Olusola Momoh, Emzor Pharmaceutical Ltd Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stella Chinyelu Okoli, and Shedrack Madlion (keynote speaker).

    The celebration was laced with sweet memories, testimonies and success stories from widows and orphans who showered encomiums on Mrs Alakija for her big heart.

    As background information about the foundation, a documentary on the journey so far was screened to educate the audience on the programmes and activities of the foundation, which started from a humble beginning ten years ago. To spice the day’s package, dance-drama  performances were presented by children of the foundation to  thrill the guests.

    Mrs Alakija said there were over eight million disadvantaged widows with an estimated 21 million children in Nigeria as at last year. She added that one in every seven widows globally live in extreme poverty, while one in ten married women is widowed.

    “A significant number of girls are widowed in childhood, a reflection of the prevalence of child marriage in developing countries and the custom of marrying off young girls to much older men,” she stated.

    Mrs Alakija said: “As an NGO, our vision is to provide succour and help to widows and orphans across Nigeria and hopefully to other parts of the world, God helping us. Our mission is to guarantee financial independence and educational opportunities for them through skills and programmes that assure self-esteem and ease of socio-economic integration. These we have pursued vigorously in the last decade.

    “It is heartwarming and gratifying to see lives and hope restored and transformed over the years. The joy of seeing smiles on the faces of our beneficiaries where there used to be anxiety is indescribable. Those with low self-esteem are now walking confidently with their heads held high, because their lives have taken a turn for the better. ‘Area boys and girls’ have become successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour, while school dropouts have become graduates.

    “Those who were once dejected, rejected and treated as outcasts by family and friends have now become the toast of their families. Indeed, the ‘stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” she added.

    Mrs Ambode commended the foundation urging Nigerians to spare a thought for the less-privileged, saying “can you imagine the condition of a five-year-old boy or girl who suddenly loses both parents?

    “Where does she turn for help? Wipe her tears when she cries? How does she get food when she is hungry? Who comforts her in those long agonising periods? How does she live through every single day of her life?” she added.

    These thoughts, she said, “on your minds, impose the moral duty on our conscience, to take steps to positively affect lives of children  in this condition and of women in widowhood.”

    One of the widows, Mrs Bolanle Olawuyi, recalled: “I heard about the foundation through a member of my church when my husband passed away and I was going through hardship. The same year I lost my husband, luckily for me, was the same year I got empowered by the Rose of Sharon Foundation. But I vividly recall that the months that led up to my being a part of the foundation was a living hell. My children’s schooling stopped, despite the fact that my husband never owed a penny before his death. My life was on pause and it felt as though there was no help forthcoming from anywhere. When I was empowered by the foundation, my life changed for the better. My daughters are in school and doing well. One is in JSS1 and another in SS1…

    “Mrs Alakija is a mother, one in a million is what we call her. We will continue calling her that name because she has been of great help in our lives. What she has done, governors have not been able to do for us. I pray that God continues to bless and enrich her pocket and team at the foundation”.

    Some partners were presented with awards at the event.

     

  • Mother, four others killed in Bonny/Andoni crisis

    Five persons have allegedly been killed in Andoni Local Government following last week’s crisis between Andoni and Bonny in Rivers State.

    Soldiers and youths, identified as indigenes of Finima in Bonny, allegedly stormed fishing ports (settlements) occupied by fishermen from Andoni last Sunday

    Sources said three persons died, but chiefs of Andoni alleged that five were confirmed, including those who fell into the river with bullet wounds.

    However, Bonny chiefs said the crisis was cult-related.

    But a statement by Andoni chiefs, under the aegis of Andoni Area Council of Traditional Rulers, insisted the attack was a deliberate action by Bonny landlords.

    It added that five persons died, 15 injured and 17 missing.

     

     

  • Working to drive away hunger in Nigeria

    Working to drive away hunger in Nigeria

    The story of Victoria Madukaji, a wife, mother, student and a professional driver, who says driving away hunger from Nigeria and challenging gender stereotypes is her mission.

    Millions of Nigerian women own and drive cars but being a woman and a professional driver does not carry the highest job appeal for many. Victoria, who works for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Abuja, is one of a few women who are breaking the myth that driving is a man’s job.

    “Many people are very surprised when they see me working as a driver,” says Victoria. “I hear them argue: ‘It’s a man’; ‘no, it’s a woman’. When I come down from the vehicle and they see that it is truly a woman at the wheels, some are like ‘wow!’”

    Since her first employment as a driver in 2011 with ACTIONAID Nigeria, Victoria has learned to live with being the centre of attention, especially in rural areas. She focuses on her work and impressed her former employers when she even undertook missions where she drove from Nigeria to other countries including neighbouring Cameroon and Benin Republic.

    Since she joined WFP in March 2017 she is even more motivated because of what she views as the organisation’s grand purpose for humanity.

    “What pushes me is that I am a humanitarian worker,” she says. “A lot of people are hungry. The work we are doing at WFP helps to reduce hunger and I am helping to drive out hunger from the land,” Victoria adds with determination.

    Her colleagues at WFP — both men and women — recognise her dedication, courtesy and humility. They treat her with dignity and respect. She explains that she has not suffered from gender-based discrimination or bias.

    But the journey has not been without challenges. When she got her first driving job, it took her several weeks to muster courage to announce it to her husband because of the perception that professional driving is reserved for men. He was initially unhappy but later gave her support and encouragement.

    Victoria has been able to strike a delicate balance between her work and her family life.

    “It is not easy for a woman but I manage to balance everything,” says the mother of three children. “After work, I create time for my kids. I check their homework and prepare the things they need for school. My husband is very understanding and very supportive.”

    At WFP, the work schedule is also adapted to encourage her to continue with her career. As a breastfeeding mother she is exempted from night shifts and field assignments.

    “I am very happy with my work. My work does not affect my family life in any negative way…my work has changed a lot of things for me,” says Victoria.

    Her ambition is to become a United Nations international staff member in the next 10 years and possibly an ambassador of her country someday. She is taking a bachelor’s degree programme in education and is also studying part time for a degree in food and nutrition from the National Open University of Nigeria.

    She would like to encourage more Nigerian women to be daring, self-reliant and not entirely financially dependent on their spouses and men.

    “Women should not shy away from so-called men’s jobs — like driving, shoe-making, motor mechanics, and so on. A woman can do any job.”

    One of Victoria’s three children is a girl — whom she is training to be independent-minded like herself, in an environment dominated by men.

    “I’m training her to be a goal-getter, to have a mind of her own, because when she grows up, there’ll be a lot of challenges out there to be faced.”

     

    Victoria Madukaji poses next to a WFP vehicle in Abuja. PHOTO: WFP/Ladi Eguche

    A woman can do any job including that of a professional driver, says Victoria Madukaji. PHOTO: WFP/Ladi Eguche

    Victoria – Keeping focus today to become a Nigerian Ambassador tomorrow. PHOTO: WFP/Ladi Eguche

    . Kelechi Onyemaobi is the National Communications Officer (Nigeria) of the UN World Food Programme (WFP)

  • Car crushes mother, two kids in Bayelsa

    A MOTHER and her two children were, yesterday, crushed to death by a car in Yenagoa,  Bayelsa State.

    The incident, on the Isaac Boro Expressway, reportedly happened after the driver lost control.

    The incident occurred, about 9.30 pm, and involved a Toyota Sienna, registered as ACA 644 AA, and a tricycle: Yen 828 WC

    The driver of the tricycle, identified as Kingsley, and father of the kids, were said to be in coma.

    It was gathered that the Toyota Sienna car, which was coming from the Oxbow Lake end of the road, lost control and ran into the tricycle on the other side of the road.

    The woman and her two children died instantly.

    Eyewitnesses said the bodies were deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, by a patrol team.

    An official of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC confirmed the accident.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat also confirmed the incident.

  • Man allegedly kills father, injures mother

    Man allegedly kills father, injures mother

    A 27-year-old man, Ifeanyi Osita Oguejiofor, from Ezimuko Nsukwu in Abatete, Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State has allegedly killed his father,  Osita, with a with a knife.

    He allegedly injured his mother with the same knife.

    The Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ogidi Division, Mr. Mark Ijarafu, who confirmed the incident, told The Nation yesterday that the suspect had been arrested.

    He said investigation was on.

    Ijarafu noted that the suspect had no mental problems, “although neighbours said he smokes Indian hemp.”

    It was learnt that trouble started on the day about 8am when the man, a commercial motorcyclist (okada rider), demanded money from his father to buy a new motorcycle, since, according to him, the one he was using had become old.

    Our source said his father told him that he had no money, since he had just bought him a new engine to replace the old one in the motorcycle.

    The source said the suspect did not like his father’s response. He went to the kitchen, took a knife, which he used to stab his father to death.

    The eyewitness said the suspect also attacked his mother, who screamed for help.

    He added: “The woman reportedly fell down. The suspect thought she had died and in a bid to escape punishment, he tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself in the chest.

    “The woman shouted for help and this attracted passers-by and neighbours, who alerted a vigilance group and the Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Ijarafu, who went to the scene with his Divisional Crime Officer, Mr. Fidelis Eyisi.”

    The suspect confessed: “I did what my spirit told me to do.”

    Ijarafu said the body had been taken to Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital mortuary in Ogidi, while the woman had been hospitalised.

    He added: “The suspect is in our detention. Investigation is on. He will be arraigned after investigation.”

  • Maryam Sanda, mother, two others arraigned for alleged murder of ex-PDP chair’s son

    A FORMER Aso Savings Executive Director, Hajia Maimuna Aliyu and her daughter and son – Maryam Sanda and Aliyu Sanda – as well as Sadiya Aminu were arraigned yesterday before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Jabi, Abuja.

    They were charged for the murder of Bilyamin Muhammed Bello, the son of ex-People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bello Halliru Muhammad.

    The police had earlier filed murder charges against Mariam Sanda for allegedly murdering her husband at their home in Abuja.

    But yesterday arraignment came after police amended a charge at the end of their preliminary investigation.

    In count one of the amended charges, police alleged that Maryam had caused the death of her husband “by stabbing him on the chest and other parts of the body with a knife and other dangerous weapons, which eventually led to his death”.

    It was alleged in the second count that the former Executive Director of Aso Savings and Loans and Sadiya Aliyu, with the knowledge that a murder had been committed, “cause evidence of the offence to disappear”.

    However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the two count charges read to them in court.

    After the charges were read to them, their defence counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to grant the defendant bail, noting that Maryam Sanda is a nursing mother.

    “My lord, the defendant has a six-month-old baby; the child’s care is at stake. She should enjoy the benefit of bail so that both lives can be secured,” the lawyer said.

    Daudu added that the defendant was anxious to clear her name.

    In reaction to the application filed by their defence counsel, police prosecutor Mr. James Idachaba opposed to both oral and formal bail applications.

    “I have sympathy for her eight-month-old baby but I don’t think that should count in the face of law for her to be released on bail.

    “But as for Maimuna, Aliyu and Sadiya, I will leave the issue of bail to the discretion of the court,” Idachaba said.

    He also noted that the defendants should be in prison pending their trial.

    After listening to both parties, the trial judge refused and dismiss the bail application for the first defendant.

    Justice Halilu refused to grant her bail because no competent reason has been brought by the defence counsel to show that the ailment she is suffering from cannot be treated in Suleja prison

    He also added that the defence counsel did not give reasons why the prison authorities lack facilities to care of Maryam and her baby.

    Justice Halilu said the fact that she has a baby was not stressed in the aforementioned sections of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)

    But for the second to fourth defendants, the trial judge ordered that they must produce two sureties who reside in Abuja.

    He added that the remaining defendants standing trial should deposit their international passport and travel documents to the court registrar .

    “Each of the sureties shall deposit their landed documents to the court,” the judge said.

    The matter was adjourned till February 5, 2018 for continuation of trial.

  • Mother contracts HIV after alleged bite by pastor

    Mother contracts HIV after alleged bite by pastor

    A 23-year-old pastor of a Pentecostal church  in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Kingsley Ihunda, has been arraigned by a chief magistrates’ court for allegedly biting an expectant mother, Ejiro Abua (not real name), on the waist during deliverance and infecting her with HIV.

    The incident allegedly occurred at Ada-George, Diobu in Port Harcourt Local Government, on July 27.

    Mrs. Abua, a mother of one, who had reportedly lost two pregnancies, was allegedly directed to the pastor by Treasure Victor, 40, a female herbalist, for special prayers.

    As with previous ones, she was said to be having problems with the pregnancy.

    The complainant alleged that besides losing the pregnancy, she was allegedly infected with HIV, following the “holy bite.”

    She told the court at the weekend that she consulted the herbalist for assistance to stop the hotness of her womb, which she suspected to be the cause of her miscarriages, but instead of helping her, she directed her to Pastor Ihunda, who she said worked with her.

    The complainant said the pastor allegedly asked her to pay N1,500 for olive oil for prayer.

    She went on: “When I objected to paying the money, he told me that if I refused to pay, my husband and child would die. The woman (herbalist), supported him and encouraged me to pay the money. She said she had brought other expectant mothers, who had the same problem, to the pastor, and after payment and prayers, their problems were solved.

    “When I heard this, I decided to pay and come for prayers. During prayers, he asked me to raise my clothes, I refused, but the herbalist encouraged me to comply. He rubbed oil on my waist, bit me, sucked my blood and spat it out, claiming that was the cause of my problem and it had been solved.”

    The woman alleged that a few months later, she tested positive for HIV, but her husband tested negative, adding that it was discovered the pastor infected her.

    The pastor and herbalist were charged with conspiracy, assault and pretence.

    The prosecutor, Jonas Rufus, told the court that the crime was committed on July 27 at Ada George, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt.

    He said the offences breached sections 516(A), 351, 335 and 343(g) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume II Laws of Rivers State Nigeria 1999.

    The accused pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail.

    The matter was adjourned till last Friday for hearing.

    At the sitting, the victim opened her case and told the court her side of the story.

    The matter was adjourned till today for further hearing.

  • Mother heartbroken after son is electrocuted

    Mother heartbroken after son is electrocuted

     …while trying to save sister’s cat during Harvey

    A mother has been left devastated after her son was electrocuted in the Texas floods while trying to save his sister’s cat. Andrew Pasek, 25, was wading through water in Houston with childhood friend Sean Stuart Tuesday when they neared a light pole, unaware it was electrified.

    Incredibly, after feeling the electrical current,  Pasek immediately thought of his friend.

    “He told Sean, ‘Don’t touch me, go away! I’m dying,’” his tearful mother, Jodell Pasek, told Inside Edition. “Sean ran across the street as much as he could to get out of that water.”

    Of her son, she added, “I can’t even imagine his selflessness.”

    No one could come to his recue for more than an hour until the power had been switched off in the neighborhood.

    “They could not save him or try and resuscitate him because of the electricity in the water,” his anguished mother said.

    Sadly, Andrew Pasek is not the only one to fall victim to the hidden flood danger.

    Five men and two journalists set out on a rescue mission in a boat, which lost power. When they started drifting towards downed wires that were sparking in the water, they jumped out in a bid to save themselves.

    But two men, Yahir Vizueth, 25, and Jorge Perez, 31, were electrocuted. Two others, Benjamin Vizueth, 31, and Gustavo Rodriguez-Hernandez, 40, are still missing.

    The two journalists with DailyMail.com and another man held onto a tree for hours until they were rescued.

    Vinnie McManus, who works with the fire marshal’s office in New York’s Nassau County on Long Island, says anyone in that situation must be aware of warning signs that there is an electrical current in the water.

    “You may hear some buzzing from electrical equipment,” he said.

    People in the water may also feel a slight tingling and, if so, “you must remove yourself immediately from that situation,” he said.