Nigeria Roundup: Ramadan fast, mass abductions, African Games

Ramadan fast

President Bola Tinubu has urged wealthy individuals to support the less privileged in society, particularly during the Ramadan fast. Speaking in Kano during the inauguration of the distribution of 140 truck-loads of rice donated by Abdullahi Yari in honour of the president, Tinubu praised the gesture to aid those in need during this critical time, reports local media Premium Times. Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Tinubu emphasized the importance of collective action in assisting vulnerable members of society and called for unity to foster progress and a better Nigeria.

Mass abductions

Amidst the resurgence of mass abductions of pupils, the Federal Government has identified schools in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as being at risk of attacks by bandits and insurgents. The National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya, confirmed the collection of data for intervention in these at-risk schools, Punch Nigeria reported. The recent wave of abductions saw no fewer than 465 pupils, teachers, and women still held captive by their abductors. In Sokoto State, fifteen pupils of an Islamiya school were kidnapped, following closely on the heels of the abduction of 287 schoolchildren and teachers from LEA primary school and Government Secondary School in Kaduna State.

African Games

Nigeria celebrated a triumphant sweep of all six gold medals in the women’s wrestling event, with Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu leading the charge as team captain, securing a decisive victory over Blandine Nyeh Ngiri of Cameroon. Multiple world medalist Odunayo Adekuoroye followed suit with another gold, defeating Zineb Hassoune of Morocco. Commonwealth champion Mercy Genesis, African Games debutant Ogunsanya Christiana, and Hannah Reuben all contributed to the stellar performance, The Nation Nigeria reported. President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali, attributed the victory to hard work and dedication.

Access Bank CEO buried

The late Dr Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and their 29-year-old son Chizzy were laid to rest in a private cemetery, marking the end of an era for the Access Bank Group co-founder and Chief Executive. The burial took place at the family's estate within the premises of the Wigwe University in Isiokpo, Rivers State. They were victims of a tragic helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, between Nevada and California, following an 11-hour flight from London. During the burial ceremony the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, paid tribute to the departed Dr. Wigwe, praising him as a great mentor who had a positive impact on younger generations, guiding them towards greatness, local media Vanguard reported.

University staff strike

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has approved a seven-day warning strike starting on March 18 due to the federal government's failure to pay members four months' withheld salaries. President Bola Tinubu previously directed that workers in public universities who went on a prolonged strike in 2022 but weren't paid salaries during that period should be compensated for four months. While the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has paid the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as directed, the three non-teaching staff unions remain unpaid, reports local media Vanguard.