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Ipas Nigeria demands legal reform, supportive care for women, girls…Says unsafe abortion preventable

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2026

A nonprofit group, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation has called on government and all stakeholders to ensure a more supportive environment that empowers women and girls in the country, to make informed decisions about their lives and health.

The Country Director of Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, Dr. Lucky Palmer, in a press statement to commemorate the International Women’s Day called for reform of outdated laws in the country to protect women’s access to safe abortion care and equip healthcare workers with adequate training to deliver safe and high-quality services.

He said, “In alignment with this year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ it is critical that women and girls are given the opportunity to make safe abortion choices, because when we give access to safe care, we gain reduced maternal deaths.”

He noted that safe abortion, when provided by trained healthcare professionals or self-managed with prescribed medication, is extremely safe.

He lamented that due to persistent myths, restrictive laws, moral and religious stigma, and limited access to services, abortion remains unsafe for many women in Nigeria. Unsafe abortion contributes to at least 13% of maternal mortality nationally.

Palmer said evidence also shows that when abortion care is delivered safely, it is 14 times safer than carrying a pregnancy to term, yet unsafe abortion continues to be a silent killer, driven by stigma, shame, legal restrictions, and limited access to quality care.

“The pervasive incidence of rape and incest creates even more devastating outcomes for survivors, especially due to the stigma surrounding pregnancies resulting from rape.

“Research by Ipas Nigeria shows that 76% of women and girls aged 15–49 have experienced sexual violence, and 3 out of 25 survivors surveyed became pregnant as a result of rape. These women and girls are often forced into unsafe alternatives or required to carry unwanted, trauma inducing pregnancies.”

“Our law is over 150 years old, a colonial law. We have effectively handcuffed women’s ability to make better decisions by attaching stigma and shame to abortion care instead of empathy. This International Women’s Day, we must commit to giving women a safe environment to make informed choices by ensuring accurate information, providing safe abortion care and creating laws that protect abortion access”, he said

News

Adeboye backs Remi Tinubu’s RCCG pastor title

Published

6 days ago

May 2, 2026

The Exclusives

Despite mounting pressure from various quarters, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has stated that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, will continue to hold her position as an ordained pastor in the church.

Adeboye made the clarification during the church’s monthly Holy Ghost Service, explaining that Mrs Tinubu was ordained as an Assistant Pastor more than a decade ago—well before her husband, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emerged as a presidential contender.

He noted that her ordination followed the church’s established procedures and emphasised that she had not violated any of its doctrines or regulations.

The cleric also dismissed calls from some quarters demanding that she be stripped of the title, stressing that the church would not yield to external pressure on internal matters.

Adeboye further rejected claims that the church is aligned with any political interest, reiterating that it remains a place of worship open to all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation.

He made the clarification during the May edition of the church’s Holy Ghost Service, themed ‘Excellent Counsel,’ where he responded to public perceptions linking the RCCG with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adeboye said such assumptions overlook the diverse political representation within the church.

“Some people are saying RCCG is an APC church. I just smile. In RCCG, you will find a governor from the Peoples Democratic Party sitting down with a governor from the Labour Party, APC, and APGA.

“By the special help of God, we are representative of the whole nation, and that is what we will continue to be,” he said.

He stressed that the pulpit is not used for political expression, regardless of the status of worshippers present.

According to him, church activities are focused on prayer and worship rather than political engagement or announcements.

“If you saw one governor among us today dancing and you were expecting he would be called forward to say something, we don’t do that. But if you come to worship with us, you are welcome. Our duty is to pray for everybody,” he added.

The cleric also commented on Nigeria’s political future, particularly the 2027 general election, stating that ultimate outcomes are already known in the divine order.

“The one that will rule has been decided by God before we were born. He knows the end from the beginning,” he said, urging citizens to remain prayerful while fulfilling their responsibilities.

Adeboye further addressed his participation in past civic protests, explaining that his involvement was based on directives from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“That was because the then chairman of CAN asked all Christians to go out for a peaceful protest. If he talks tomorrow and asks me to march, I will,” he said.

He emphasised that his public actions are guided by the umbrella Christian body on national issues affecting believers.

News

Xenophobia tensions: FG summons South African envoy

Published

6 days ago

May 2, 2026

The Exclusives

The Nigerian government has summoned the South African High Commission in Nigeria over ongoing protests in South Africa targeting foreign nationals, which have reportedly led to the killing of at least two Nigerians and attacks on Nigerian-owned businesses.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria), Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Acting High Commissioner has been invited to a meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026.

Ebienfa stated that the most senior official at the South African mission in Abuja is expected to attend the meeting.

He explained that the engagement is intended to formally communicate the Nigerian government’s deep concern over the recent incidents, which could strain the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

The statement reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has extended an invitation to the Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa for a meeting scheduled to take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

“The objective of this engagement is to formally convey the Nigerian Government’s profound concern regarding recent events that have the potential to impact the established cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

“Discussions will primarily focus on the ongoing demonstrations by various groups within South Africa and the documented instances of mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.

“The Ministry is aware of the growing discontent among Nigerians concerning the treatment of their nationals in South Africa. Nevertheless, it implores the Nigerian public to remain calm and reiterates the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of Nigerian citizens residing in South Africa.”

News

Varsity clears N3bn staff salary arrears

Published

6 days ago

May 2, 2026

The Exclusives

The Osun State Government has cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to workers of the state-owned University of Ilesa (UNILESA).

Management of the institution confirmed that Governor Ademola Adeleke released N3 billion to offset the backlog of unpaid salaries owed to staff of the university. The governor also approved the regularisation of about 300 casual workers, granting them permanent employment.

Speaking with journalists during a briefing to commemorate the institution’s third anniversary, themed “Three Years of Purposeful Leadership, Growth and Institutional Transformation,” the Vice Chancellor, Taiwo Asaolu, commended Adeleke for the administration’s support since the university was established.

Asaolu also disclosed that no fewer than 3,661 students of the university benefited from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2026.

According to him, the institution currently has a student population of about 15,000, with 3,661 students benefiting from the federal government’s NELFUND initiative. He added that Governor Adeleke also approved a tuition-free policy for students in the Faculties of Education and Agriculture.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the current management inherited dilapidated and obsolete facilities, demoralised staff, a dwindling student population of fewer than 1,000, overgrown surroundings and poor infrastructure.

However, he said the institution has since recorded significant progress and now runs 97 academic programmes, all of which have been approved by the National Universities Commission.

“We inherited over 300 staff on temporary appointments from the defunct Osun State College of Education, Ilesa. Many of them had been in such unfortunate and inhumane conditions, receiving salaries of less than N25,000 per month. Those on permanent appointment were also owed several allowances. When we assumed duty, agitations from these staff constituted a major setback to the smooth take-off of the University.

“The Governor rose to the occasion and provided lasting solutions: all temporary staff were granted permanent appointments, and all outstanding allowances owed to permanent staff, amounting to over Three Billion Naira (₦3billion) only, were fully paid. Retired staff of the defunct College and next-of-kin of deceased staff also benefited from this payment.”

He equally confirmed that “Within the last three years, the University has enjoyed tremendous support from TETFund, Owa Obokun, Oba Clement Haastrup, the Ijesa Community, among others. You will see the various projects funded or donated by them during your guided tour of the campus.”

Speaking about the accommodation for students, he said TETFund released over N750million for the school, while about N2 billion has been made available for the construction of hostels.