Author: straightnewsng.com

By Akanimo Sampson Deputy Chief of Staff of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Vincent Houver, has said that persons with disabilities are amongst the most marginalised groups in conflict and emergency contexts around the world. According to him, their unique protection concerns make them more vulnerable to abuse and during disasters, their mortality rate is higher than the average affected population. Globally, persons with disabilities are estimated to represent 15 percent of the world’s population, but in many humanitarian situations, this percentage can be significantly higher. In Syria, for instance, the United Nations estimates that 27 percent of the…

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria has condemned the recent attack on Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, IPOB members in Spain, noting that such action negates the Igbo brotherhood in Nigeria. Amaechi was attacked by a group of IPOB members at the weekend, while attending a climate change conference in Madrid, Spain, and the spokesman, Mr. Emma Powerful, said they acted on the instruction of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to attack any Nigerian leader in foreign land. But the attack has generated angry reactions from some IPOB members in Nigeria, who believe such action could…

A British oil company is in the eye of high profile fraud over alleged non-remittance of withholding taxes collected from Nigerian companies having business deals with it to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). For instance, the British-owned Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) was said to have collected withholding taxes of US$706,600.00 and N169,986,341.55 (about N424.3 million) from Eraskorp Nigeria Limited in respect of Oil Mining Licence (OML) 30. OML 30 contains nine flow stations: Eriemu, Evwreni, Oweh; Oroni; Osioka; Kokori, Afiesere, Uzere, and Olomoro-Oleh. Straightnews had obtained a petition from Eraskorp Nigeria Limited more than two weeks ago and…

By Akanimo Sampson A new survey by the United Nations migration agency in Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine has revealed that high levels of knowledge about human trafficking do not translate into lower vulnerability. The survey was presented in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv this December during the International Day for Abolition of Slavery. It revealed that while 86 per cent of Ukrainians are aware of human trafficking, 13 per cent would cross the border irregularly, work without official employment status, in exploitive conditions without freedom of movement, or hand over their passport to an employer. The figures were 81 per cent and 24 per cent…

By Akanimo Sampson Chifundo Tindo was facing rejection when she began dating. Tindo lived with HIV for years before learning, at 14, about her status. According to her, the stigma attached to HIV can derail the health and safety of young people living with the virus, adding that they may find themselves rejected by their peers, loved ones, community members or even health providers. It had been a closely guarded secret since she was a child, even as her sister made sure she took her antiretroviral (ARV) medication. “I asked her, ‘Why am I taking these drugs?’ She told me,…

The pastor of Grace Family Global Outreach, Patrick Henry Edet has advised highly placed people in the society to always remember to show appreciation to people who helped them to rise above vicissitudes of life. Edet, a former Reverend Father of the Catholic Church gave the admonition on Sunday when members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council worshipped in the church at Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo as part of the activities marking the beginning of 2019 Press Week, saying such attitude attracts enduring blessings to people. He paid glowing tributes to the Catholic Church in helping…

  All is set for the conferment of awards on the winners of the 11th edition of Akwa Ibom Icons Awards (AKIA 2019) also known as Dakkada Plus. The event earlier scheduled for September 20 was called off 48 hours to the kick-off time due to some state exigencies. The voting that commenced on August 15 and ended on August 20, 2019 with 55 nominees who emerged from the 11 different categories. A press release issued by Prince Ene Baba Owoh, Jr, the executive secretary of AKIA, on Monday, December 2, said Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom governor will…

Anthony Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr by unanimous decision to regain his unified heavyweight world titles on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. Following the Mexican-American’s stunning upset on June 1 in New York, the Brit activated an immediate rematch clause and boxed beautifully from start to finish in a masterclass performance to win back his WBA, IBF & WBO belts. The fight began with the champion instantly claiming centre-ring. Ruiz Jr fired off multiple jabs to the body in the opening minutes while AJ hit back with jabs of his own and a big right hand which cut his opponent…

Chelsea slipped to their third Premier League defeat in four matches on Saturday as Everton bounced back from their Merseyside derby humiliation to win 3-1 and escape from the relegation zone. Former fans’ favourite Duncan Ferguson is in interim control at Goodison Park after Marco Silva was sacked on Thursday and the former forward had an instant impact. Goals early in each half from Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the home side 2-0 up and although Mateo Kovacic pulled one back, Calvert-Lewin struck again late to seal the win. The three points for Everton lifts them to the relative comfort…

By Akanimo Sampson The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) have launched a pilot initiative with Ecuadorian partners to capitalise on the momentum behind the country’s efforts to work migration into development policies, plans and programmes with a special focus on employment and urban development. Ecuador has a rich migration experience as a country of origin, destination and transit for migrants in the Americas and other regions. It is recognised as a global pioneer in adopting a human rights-based approach to human mobility owing to its recognition of the importance of including migration and migrants into efforts to…