A young woman whose story touched Nigerians months ago has died just two months after the public donated towards her treatment. 

Joyce Ifunanyachukwu developed complications during pregnancy that led to kidney issues. 36 million Naira was needed for her treatment and kind Nigerians donated towards this in September. 

However, Sarah Ibrahim, the X user who publicly sourced funds for the sick woman, returned today, Nov. 21, to announce that Joyce has passed on. 

She alleged that the sick woman’s husband removed her from the hospital after the donations had been sent to his personal account. He allegedly then took her to church for a pastor to treat her. 

Sarah said efforts are being made to arrest the husband and pastor following Joyce’s d£@th.

Organisers of the China Africa Economic and Trade expo that will be held in Abuja in the last week of this month have released details of the event.

The trade expo in addition to its broad-based outlook will have a major focus on Chinese engineering technology products.

A statement made available to ACE Magazine indicated that over 100 companies are expected to participate in the trade exhibition, the second of such in Africa after an earlier one held in Nairobi early this year.

The organizing group’s press office, which includes over 8 agencies affiliated to the Huna Province of China and the Nigerian Federal trade agency, stated that the event starts on November 28 and will run for three days until November 30 at the Abuja Trade & Convention Centre.

“The theme of this event is “China and Africa Joining Hands for a Better Future”， and will feature a series of activities focused on multiple sectors, including investment and trade, infrastructure, healthcare, and engineering machinery.

The Opening Ceremony and China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation Forum (Nigeria) will commence at 10.00 am and focus on “the opportunities and challenges in China-Africa infrastructure cooperation, conducting in-depth discussions on hot and cutting-edge topics in the industry, such as infrastructure connectivity, innovation in investment and financing modes, green and sustainable development and business transformation and upgrading, bringing together stakeholders for exchanges and cooperation, and promoting the signing and implementing of key projects.”

Also on the list of activities will be the  China-Africa Business & Healthcare Matchmaking Conference that follows later in the day lasting between 3.00-5:30 pm.

It will be an event to “introduce Hunan and Hunan-based leading enterprises; introduce investment and trade environment and market conditions in African countries by representatives of African chambers of commerce, investment promotion agencies, and enterprises; focusing on healthcare, new energy, manufacturing, construction and construction materials, textiles and garments, fisheries, flowers, infrastructure development, organizing “one-on-one” talks between Hunan enterprises and African business associations and enterprises.”

Next on the event’s list is the exhibition in Nigeria and China Engineering Technology on the same first day of the event and will run until the last day.

The space will have “seven exhibition areas made of products in new energy, construction materials (construction hardware), machinery (construction machinery, agricultural equipment), power transmission and distribution, home appliances and furniture, manufacturing, general infrastructure, and a comprehensive area.

With the strong support and joint participation of all parties in China and Africa, the China Africa Economic and Trade Expo has been successfully held for three sessions, creating a new window for local economic and trade cooperation with Africa. The third session of CAETE was held in Changsha, Hunan, in June 2023 on a space of 100,000m2 with 120 signed projects, amounting to US$10.3 billion. More than 1,700 exhibitors of Chinese and African enterprises, business associations, and financial institutions took part.

In May 2024, the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Africa (Kenya) was successfully held in Nairobi. During the event, with 43 signed projects, amounting to 1.402 billion USD, matched 34 projects, and released 3 results.

• Distribute relief packs to 250 indigent women at National Mosque

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria commenced its diamond anniversary celebrations and triennial conference in Abuja on Friday with a thanksgiving service at the National Mosque where palliative packs containing various kinds of raw food items were also distributed to 250 indigent women, the unveiling of a new logo and a media parley.

Another 250 of these packs will equally be handed over to indigent women after the Christian Thanksgiving service at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, International Headquarters II, Abuja on Sunday.

Addressing delegates and media personalities at the event, FIDA Country Vice President, Amina Agbaje who revealed that this year’s conference officially opens on the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a strong evidence of FIDA’s unyielding stand against all forms of violence and injustice perpetuated against women and girls added that: “This logo is more than just a symbol; it represents FIDA Nigeria’s renewed commitment to innovation, leadership, and justice whilst reminding us that re-branding, re-inventing to remain relevant in an ever dynamic world is much needed for the evolution that we seek.”

Mrs. Agbaje further stated that the logo: “…honors our past, highlighting the foundation laid by trailblazing women who fought for equality in their time, and to keep the consciousness to further institutionalize an intergenerational Organization deliberate about mentorship and passing the torchlight to the younger, more vibrant, technology-driven generation of women who will lead in the revolution, landmark legislative reforms that will give women and children access to a fair and equitable justice, an opportunity in governance and leadership.

“The colors, shapes, and design elements of the logo speak to the vibrancy and diversity of the communities we serve, and the hope to dare dream of freedom, justice and empowerment.”

Speaking on FIDA Nigeria’s achievements, Agbaje: said “From securing landmark legislative victories to pushing for the domestication of international treaties that protect women and children, we’ve championed causes like the mitigation of gender-based violence, enhance child protection, and the empowerment of women through legal education. We’ve continuously trained lawyers, provided free legal services to indigent women, and advocated for the passage of laws that promote gender parity and inclusion.

“Today, as we mark this milestone, we are proud of the role we have played in shaping a more just and equitable society. As we celebrate, we are also conscious of the work that lies ahead. There is still much to be done, and FIDA Nigeria stands ready to continue leading the charge.”

Some of the week-long events which she said promise to be engaging and enriching, include:

• A 60 for 60 Outreach to empower indigent women who run small businesses with a profit lower than minimum wage;
• The grand unveiling of our National Shelter for survivors of gender-based violence—a testament to our unwavering dedication to supporting and empowering the vulnerable;

• Aerobic sessions to promote physical and mental well-being among our members.
• Legal education sessions to boost the knowledge and capacity of our members.
• A cultural night showcasing Nigeria’s rich diversity and a celebration of our unity, ending with a formal dinner.

• Nigeria ranks third in the prevalence of child brides

After 17 years of campaigning by advocacy groups and eight failed attempts to push the legislation through the House and Senate, legislators in the South American country of Colombia finally passed the bill to eradicate child marriage.

On Wednesday evening last week, the lawmakers, after five hours of heated, drawn-out debate, approved the proposed legislation, dubbed They are Girls, Not Wives, which prohibits the marriage of anyone under the age of 18.

“We do not want to continue seeing the systematic violence and sexual exploitation of children. Colombia is making history because, for the first time, we have managed to ban child marriage after trying eight times,” said Jennifer Pedraza, congresswoman for the Dignity and Commitment Party and co-author of the bill, after the vote. “So it is a great message, not only for Colombia in terms of respect for the rights of boys and girls, but also for the world. Colombian childhood is important, we have to protect it and we have to care for it.

“So we are very happy that Colombia has just left the shameful list of countries that allow childhood marriage.”

Colombia is now one of 12 countries out of the 33 in Latin America and the Caribbean to have entirely banned marriage under the age of 18, following Honduras, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

It ends a 137-year-old loophole in the country’s civil code which allowed under-18s to marry with parental consent. Minors were also deemed to have entered an informal marital union when they cohabited for two years.

There are 4.5 million girls and women in Colombia who married before 18 – about one in four. Of these, a million were married before they were 15, according to Unicef.

Sandra Ramirez, adviser in Latin America for the advocacy group Equality Now, said: “Eliminating these exceptions aligns Colombian law with international standards and guarantees the full protection of the rights of girls and adolescents.”

Rates of childhood marriage in girls are about three times higher than for boys, with children living in poverty and rural or Indigenous communities particularly affected.

Despite decades of economic and social development, the prevalence of child marriage had barely budged due to a deeply ingrained machista [male chauvanist] culture, decades of internal conflict and narcoculture, says Marta Royo, executive director of Profamilia, a non-profit organistation promoting reproductive health services.

“We live in an extremely patriarchal society where there is a deep division between what a man wants and a girl wants,” Royo said. “In many areas we have a role in life and that role is simply to be mothers, it doesn’t matter at how early an age. It is totally normalised to make girls of 12, 13, 14 not just into wives, but into mothers.”

Rights groups have campaigned to end the practice for 17 years but bills were shot down, with opposition citing tradition and parental rights, and many representatives of the country’s more than 100 Indigenous communities opposed to the bill.

Advocacy groups said that Colombia was legally obliged to wipe out the practice as it is a signatory of international conventions on violence against women. They also pointed out that marriages are often between girls in poverty and an older partner with economic power.

“A lot of the time these girls have no say on entering a relationship and then when they enter it they have even less. Their opinions don’t count, their dreams don’t count and they are viewed as objects,” Royo said.

Studies have long shown child marriage is strongly linked to poverty and oppressive relationships.

Children who marry are more likely to have an early pregnancy and die in childbirth, to drop out of school and become victims of domestic violence.

Senator María José Pizarro said: “These girls abandon everything. Their studies, their life project and their possibility to construct a life for them and their children ends completely.”

The bill also stipulated that policies, including education, must be introduced to address the root causes of child marriage.

“This is a historic moment but a lot of challenges remain ahead,” Ramirez said. “Public policy now will be crucial, as a change in legislation means little without effective implementation and ensuring that the voices of girls and adolescents are at the centre.”

Meanwhile, four out of every ten girls in Nigeria are married before the age of Eighteen. This was revealed at the high-level National Dialogue on Ending Child Marriage hosted by the Government of Nigeria and supported by UNFPA and UNICEF. 

According to UNICEF, child marriage remains a critical issue affecting the development and well-being of adolescent girls globally, with Nigeria ranking third in the prevalence of child brides.

Its prevalence remains high in the country, with 44% of girls married before the age of 18, totalling over 24 million child brides and ranking third globally. Although recent data suggests a decline in national prevalence from 44% to 30%, progress has been slow and uneven, particularly affecting the poorest households, rural areas, and girls with little or no education.

Speaking at a recent Stakeholders’ Consultation to deliberate on sustainable strategies towards ending child marriage in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, a UNICEF Representative said:

“Child marriage violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of young girls. The collective action and unwavering commitment of government officials, community and religious leaders, civil society organizations and every Nigerian is required to end this harmful practice” said Dr. Gifty Addico, UNFPA Resident Representative

“In addressing the challenge of child marriage in Nigeria, we stand with our partners and commit to a strategic and united effort to eradicate this practice by 2030. We reaffirm our pledge to elevate the status and well-being of girls, ensuring their rights to education, health, and economic opportunities are preserved. Child marriage not only impacts their well-being but can also cause grave emotional and bodily harm. It is a practice that must be stopped.”

Watch the video below.

Most of this report was culled from The Guardian with additional reports from UNICEF.org.

• As FG removes Pro-Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences, Benue

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has rejected a recent letter from the Federal Ministry of Education, claiming the dissolution of its Governing Council and the removal of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bernard Odoh.

The letter, signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, cited alleged breaches of university regulations and disregard for directives as reasons for the decision.

The Ministry said that the Governing Council had appointed an unqualified Vice-Chancellor, leading to tension and a breakdown of order within the institution.

However, a detailed response issued on November 20, 2024, Charles Otu, the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the embattled Vice-Chancellor, described the Ministry’s actions as a “mischievous” attempt to destabilize the university.

The statement questioned the Ministry’s authority to dissolve the Governing Council and remove the Vice-Chancellor, citing provisions of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, LFN 2004, which reserves such powers for the President as the Visitor to the university.

UNIZIK argued that the Ministry’s actions bypassed the proper channels, as the Governing Council members and the Vice-Chancellor had not been formally questioned or notified.

The university maintained that the appointment of Professor Odoh followed due process and had been widely accepted by stakeholders.

UNIZIK emphasised that the matter is sub judice, rendering the Ministry’s actions premature and inappropriate.

Contrary to the Ministry’s claims of a “breakdown of law and order,” the university stated that its campuses remain calm and that Professor Odoh has been effectively discharging his duties without rancour.

The statement questioned the authenticity of the letter, noting that it was signed by a Public Relations Director rather than the Permanent Secretary or Minister of Education.

It further criticized the absence of formal communication with the Governing Council’s chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe.

The university urged the public and its community to remain calm, insisting that the courts should determine the legality of the actions taken by the Ministry.

“Let peace continue to reign supreme in our revered citadel of learning,” the statement concluded.

The university reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and called for an expedited resolution of the matter through judicial processes.

Also, the Federal Government has announced the sack of Mr Ohieku Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State,

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made the announcement in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, by Folashade Boriowo the Director of Press in the ministry.

Alausa said that the sack of Salami was due to actions “unbecoming of his office and violations of established procedures’’

The minister said the decision followed a series of unprofessional actions by Salami, “including the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor, without following the prescribed procedures.”

According to the minister, despite intervention by the education ministry and formal requests to rescind the unlawful suspension, Salami refused to comply.

The minister said, instead of complying with the request, Salami resorted to “abusive and threatening behaviour towards the ministry’s directors, including the Permanent Secretary.

“Such conduct undermines the ministry’s supervisory role over the university and jeopardises the institution’s stability and governance.

The minister directed the appointment of a new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council for the university.

“This is to restore proper governance and ensure the university operates in accordance with the principles of law, due process and accountability,’’ he said.

The Conclave/NAN