NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag law

Health

Foundation tasks FG on full implementation of anti-discrimination law

Foundation tasks FG on full implementation of anti-discrimination law
NAN-HG-8
Law
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Feb. 22, 2018 (NAN) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, has urged the Federal Government to ensure the full implementation of anti-discrimination law in Nigeria.
Mr Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He advised the government to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that rights of individuals are protected.
Aborisade said he was giving the advice ahead of “Zero Discrimination Day’’ slated for March1.
He urged government to also ensure that a nationwide orientation was carried out to educating Nigerians and law enforcement agencies on the use of the law.
The manager explained that the adoption of the law in the country was a commendable development, adding that “a law is not efficient if it is not implemented’’.
According to him, the law applies to all persons living with and affected by HIV and AIDS in Nigeria as well as other employees of labour in the private and public sectors.
“The law comprises of individual rights, responsibilities, institutional obligation, penalties as well as threats, intimidation and punishment for non-compliance.
“March 1, is a day set aside by the United Nations as Zero Discrimination Day to raise awareness against all forms of discrimination, to celebrate individuality, inclusion and human rights.
“It is also a day to encourage every individual to live a full and productive life with dignity regardless of gender, race, nationality, age, disability, colour, sexual orientation, religion and language.
“Millions of people living with HIV and AIDS still suffer as a result of stigma and discrimination in Africa and the world at large, it however plays a very crucial role in ending AIDS.
“Individuals are still denied access to healthcare services, jobs and schools, rejection from their families and treated unfairly because of their status; all Nigerians have responsibility to prevent HIV discrimination in the society.
“AHF urges every individual to treat one another first as humans with rights that need to be respected and upheld as the world prepares to commemorate Zero Discrimination Day.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives on April 9, and Oct.15, 2014, respectively. (NAN)
TIM/MO/MST
Edited by Omolade Michael/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Emir Sanusi wants public officers undergo drug test

Emir Sanusi wants public officers undergo drug test
NAN-HG-1
Law
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Dec. 18, 2017 (NAN) The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called for a law that would compel public officers and traditional rulers to undergo drug test in the country.
He made the call at the Senate Roundtable on drug abuse held in Kano on Monday.
NAN reports that the event is organised by the Senate in order to address drug abuse epidemic in the country.
He said the call was necessary in order to ensure that anybody was not allowed to hold political office and traditional leadership positions.
“I am ready to submit myself for the drug test.
“I suggest that ministers, governors and traditional rulers should go for drug test because when youths understand that they cannot be governors, ministers or senators if they are drug addicts, they will be into their senses.
“The country is facing a great danger because the fight against drug abuse has to be taken seriously if we are to succeed,’’ he said.
While calling for effective implementation of the laws against drug abuse in the country, the first class traditional ruler also urged the Senate to ensure proper funding of all agencies charged with the responsibility to enforce the laws.
“We are deceiving ourselves if we don’t believe that we are part of the problem,’’ Sanusi said.
Besides, the emir called for the establishment of modern rehabilitation centres for victims of drug abuse in the six geo-political zones of the country.
He said when established, the centres should be equipped with necessary facilities and personnel to enable them take care of the teeming numbers of victims of the drug abuse.
He said the measure was necessary in order to ensure that those addicts were rehabilitated and trained in various skills to enable them be reintegrated into the society.
He, however, called for adequate funding of the centres to enable them operate effectively and serve the purpose for which they are established. NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Adamawa Assembly passes law on compulsory HIV/AIDS, genotype test for couples

Adamawa Assembly passes law on compulsory HIV/AIDS, genotype test for couples
NAN-HG-2
HIV/AID
By Yakubu Uba
Yola, Nov. 1, 2017 (NAN) The Adamawa House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a law for compulsory HIV and genotype (sickle cell anaemia) test for couples before marriage.
The law was unanimously passed after the third reading of the bill at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa.
A motion for the third reading of the bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Hassan Barguma (APC-Hong), and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Emmanuel Tsamdu (APC-Madagali).
The speaker of the house then directed the Clerk of the Assembly to make clean copy of the bill and send to the governor for his assent.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that parts of the bill stipulated that any couple intending to marry would be subjected to a compulsory HIV/AIDS and genotype test that should be conducted in public hospitals or registered diagnostic centres one week before the marriage.
The bill also required that the certificate of the two tests should be presented to any religious institution or the clergymen of church or mosque where the wedding would be contracted.
“Any person or persons who have complied with this law in fulfillment of the requirement of the previous marriage shall not on this basis evade undergoing the test when contracting any subsequent marriage,” the proposed law stated.
Part three of the bill also made case for non-discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS and sickle cell anaemia in the state.
“Individuals, communities, employers and employees have a mutual responsibility to prevent discrimination on basis of HIV (AIDS) or Sickle Cell Anaemia in the society.
“No cultural practice or tradition shall encourage documented practices that exposé people to risk of HIV infection,” the bill said.
It further provided for a penalty of N150,000 for individuals and N500,000 for organisations or imprisonment for a period not less than one year or both for any person or institution found guilty of non-compliance with the law.
With regard to organisations, the head or representatives of the board of the organisation would be held liable, the bill said. (NAN)
YMU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

University don wants law to protect palm trees in Niger

NAN-H-26

Palm

By Mercy Osajiugo

Lapai (Niger) April 1, 2017 (NAN) Dr. Samuel Ibrahim, a senior lecturer with the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has advised the Niger State Government to enact a law to protect palm trees in the state.

Ibrahim, of the Department of Geography and Regional Planning, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Minna, that wine tappers had reduced the palm trees to “wine producing items”, instead of allowing them to yield palm nuts that would produce oil.

“The palm trees are abundant in Edati, Mokwa and Lapai Local Governments, but my fear is that they may soon go extinct due to the illegal activities of these palm wine tappers,” he said.

He alleged that the illegal tappers usually “offer little tokens to village heads so as to be allowed to waste this important economic tree”.

Noting that the palm tree value chain was endless, he said that its economic potential was being vastly wasted as it “dries up and dies within six months”, if used for wine tapping.

“If the palm trees in Niger are well managed, their life span will be increased and the yields will multiply and boost the economy,” he said. (NAN)

MNO/ETS

=========

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Health

NASG urged to enforce law prohibiting discrimination against HIV/AIDS victims

 

NAN-H-135

HIV

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Lafia, Feb. 7, 2017(NAN) The Nasarawa State Government has been urged to enforce the law prohibiting all forms of stigmatisation and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Hidayat Usman, the State Coordinator of UNAIDS, made the call on Tuesday in Lafia, at a Media/Civil Society Organisation/Community interactive, organized by the Society for Family Health, to mark the International Women’s Day.

She noted that the law had been passed and assented to, by Gov. Umaru Tanko-Al-Makura, since 2012, and called for strict adherence to its provisions.

Usman said that two, in every three people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the state were women, saying that such persons were often stigmatized and openly discriminated against in the society.

“The discrimination is always very open, but no one has been prosecuted,” she said.

Speaking on the theme: “Be Bold for Change”, she said that reducing female vulnerability to the scourge was only possible if socio-economic challenges that promoted gender inequalities were addressed.

She identified the main factors contributing to women’s vulnerability to include lack of education, societal norms, and their generally poor status.

The official charged governments, at all levels, to take proactive measures to address the challenges confronting women and children by implementing policies and laws that would protect their rights and uplift their welfare. (NAN)

BAB/ETS

========

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin