FEATURES

FEATURES

Some countries, grappling with economic challenges, are home to some of the world’s poorest people, where poverty remains a pressing issue.

Spotlighting the nations with the largest populations living in extreme poverty sheds light on the magnitude of the challenge and the need for sustainable economic reforms to change the narrative in the affected countries.

These figures, as per the latest report from the United Nations, illustrate the ongoing struggles faced by communities and emphasise the need for a closer examination of the factors contributing to poverty in different regions.

 

Here are the top 5 countries with the poorest people in the world:

India

India has the largest number of people living in extreme poverty, with approximately 234 million individuals affected in a population of 1.4 billion. Despite some economic growth in recent years, a substantial portion of the population remains vulnerable.

Factors such as unemployment, inadequate access to healthcare, and educational disparities contribute to the persistence of poverty in both urban and rural areas.

Pakistan

Following India, Pakistan has about 93 million people living in extreme poverty. With a population of over 240 million, many Pakistanis face challenges such as inflation, limited access to education, and health services.

Political instability and economic hardships further exacerbate the situation, leaving many families struggling to meet their basic needs.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is home to over 130 million people with almost 67 percent [83 million] of that population living in acute poverty.

Despite progress in recent years, including improvements in agricultural production and access to education, the country still grapples with food insecurity and the impacts of climate change.

Droughts and other environmental challenges can severely disrupt livelihoods, pushing vulnerable populations deeper into poverty.

Nigeria

Nigeria, with approximately 74 million individuals in extreme poverty, is the most populous country in Africa.

Economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, and a crippling economy, contribute to widespread poverty.

Additionally, high levels of corruption, conflicts, terrorism, and widespread carnage in various regions hinder development efforts and disrupt access to essential services, leaving many without adequate support.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has about 66 million people living in extreme poverty. Despite its vast natural resources, the DRC faces ongoing political instability, conflict, and corruption, which significantly impede economic growth and development.

Many Congolese lack access to basic services such as clean water, education, and healthcare, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Vanguard News

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has raised the alarm over the threats posed by cybercrime, revealing that Nigeria lost more than $500 million to the criminal activity in 2022.

Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede spoke during a National Cybercrime Summit in Abuja on Tuesday.

“As a matter of fact, the research I did earlier this year confirmed that cybercrime has become the third largest GDP in the world with approximately 2,328 cases occurring daily.

 

“The implication of all this is that if left unchecked, cybercrimes portend grave dangers to the entire world.

“Bringing it to Nigeria, in 2022 alone, Nigeria lost over $500 million to cybercrime,” he said.

The chairman of the EFCC noted that cybercrime constitutes a significant percentage of the convictions recorded by the agency since he took office a year ago.

However, Olukoyede revealed that the agency has made plans to rechannel the energies of young people who are mostly perpetrators of cybercrime.

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has disqualified the chairman and members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, from conducting the scheduled local government elections in the state.

The court ruled that the KANSIEC chairman and other members of the Commission are card carrying members of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and also are not civil servants above grade level 14.

This is coming barely four days to the Kano LG elections, scheduled for Saturday October 26, 2024.

 

The court presided by Justice S.A Amobede made the declaration while delivering judgement in a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga, an All Progressives Congress, APC, member against KANSIEC, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, and 14 others.

According to him, “The defendants being card carrying members of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) and in partisan politics contrary to the Section 197 (1) (b) and Section 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 4 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001, are not qualified to be the Chairman and Members of the of the Defendant, (KANSIEC).”

The judge further ruled that “Kabir Zakirai, the Secretary of the Commission, not being an officer in the Kano State Civil Service not below the rank of Director prior to his appointment as Secretary of the Commission, is not qualified to be appointed to the position pursuant to Section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001”.

The judge added that “the 1st Defendant (KANSIEC) whose composition of members was made in contravention of constitutional provisions of Section 197 (1)(b) and Section 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 4 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001, cannot validly and competently conduct Local Government Election 2024 in respect of 44 Local Governments in Kano State until and unless qualified persons are duly and legally appointed as chairman and members of the commission in line with relevant extent law.”

Justice Amobede further ruled that whatever the Commission “did or has done or is doing in preparation of 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State such as issuance of election guidelines, circulars, screening of candidates, sale of nomination and expression interest forms whichever and howsoever are null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.

“The defendants are forthwith disqualified and removed from their positions as chairman and members of the Commission.

“The 1st defendant (KANSIEC) is forthwith restrained from conducting 2024 Local Government Election in respect of 44 Local Governments in Kano State until and unless qualified persons are duly appointed.

“The defendants are mandated forthwith not to participate and monitor the conduct of Local Government Election 2024 in Kano State until and unless the provisions of sections 197 (1) (b), 199 (2) and 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and sections 4 (b) and 14 (1) of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001 are fully complied with in the appointment of qualified persons as Chairman and Members of the 1st Defendant,” the judge added.

Justice Amobede directed the Police and other security agencies to forthwith ensure full compliance with the ruling.

A Deputy Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Services, NCoS, Emby Anukwara, has disclosed that crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, was kept in a ‘privilege cell’ during his jail term in Kirikiri Prison.

He explained that Bobrisky was sent to the privilege cell because he was examined and found to have both male and female sex organs.

The deputy comptroller disclosed this at the correctional centre while addressing members of the House of Representatives investigative committee.

 

The committee had visited the facility as part of their investigative hearing into the allegations against Bobrisky.

A Lagos Court had sentenced Bobrisky to six months in prison for naira mutilation.

But recordings of a conversation leaked by social media sensation, Martins Ortse aka VeryDarkMan, suggested that Bobrisky never served his jail term at Kirikiri prison as ordered by the court.

In the audio, the crossdresser said he served his jail term in a lodge due to the influence of his ‘godfather’.

However, an investigative panel has said there was no evidence that Bobrisky slept outside the prison during his six-month jail term.

However, the officer while addressing the House of Representatives committee, said: “I am Emby Anukwara, Deputy Comptroller of Corrections and officer in charge of Medium when Bobrisky was brought in here.

“On April 12, 2024, Bobrisky was brought here at about 10:30 pm and at about that time, we could not do the necessary documentation.

“So knowing his history as to if he’s a male or female, we decided to take a proactive action; so I directed that he should be given a single cell in the privilege ward – privilege cell.

“He was taken to P-ward room 2 where we are. The next day when we did the admission, he was taken to medicals where the doctor and matron examined him and said he had a male and female organ.”

A suspected cultist has been arrested while negotiating to buy an AK-47 rifle for N1.3 million.
 
He was arrested by ment of the Delta State Police Command and paraded on Tuesday by State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.
 
The Police image maker said the suspect, who is a member of the Vikings Confraternity, has confessed to the crime.
 
Edafe said, “He said he belong to Vikings Confraternity and was vying for number 1 position and the condition to get the position is to own an AK-47 rifle.
 
“He was arrested while negotiating to buy the AK-47 rifle for N1,300,000.”
A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan has been released from prison after serving his five-year jail term at Kuje Prison.
 
Recall that the ex-lawmaker was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2021 for accepting a $500,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
 
In January, the Supreme Court had affirmed the five-year jail term handed to Lawan by the Court of Appeal.
 
In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel affirmed the 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld Lawan’s sentencing to five years in respect of only count three on the three-count charge on which he was tried at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
 
In the lead judgment prepared by Justice John Okoro but read by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, the apex court found that Lawan’s appeal was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.
 
However, a video on Tuesday showed Lawan’s release from Kuje prison.

Media

Popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky has now been moved from the custody of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos State.

The socialite was arrested by Immigration officers at the Seme border on Sunday night October 20 while trying to ‘flee’ to  Benin republic. 

Punch reports that Bobrisky was transferred from the Immigration service office to the FCID where he spent the night with the police.

Confirming this development, the spokesperson for the FCID, Lagos, Mayegun Aminat, said;

“He is detained at FCID Alagbon. He is with us and we are to get a remand to keep him in custody today.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has announced the construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District of the FCT.

She asserted that the initiative will significantly boost the performance of judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking on Monday at the flag-off ceremony of the project, Justice Kekere-Ekun described it as a significant milestone in the government’s continuous efforts to enhance the welfare of judicial officers in the FCT.

“Beyond the courtroom, a supportive and conducive living environment is essential to their ability to focus on the heavy responsibility entrusted to them,” she stated.

Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of a peaceful living environment for judges, noting, “Judicial officers require peace of mind, security and comfort in their residences to fully dedicate themselves to the rigorous task of interpreting and applying the law.”

She further elaborated on the necessity of the project, stating, “The construction of these residences is a practical step towards ensuring that judicial officers are well-supported; it reflects the recognition that the mental well-being of judicial officers is directly tied to their living conditions.”

The CJN added that the homes would provide a secure and tranquil environment, enabling judicial officers to perform their duties with greater focus, efficiency, and clarity of mind. “The ability of judicial officers to perform their functions is strengthened when their well-being is prioritised and their work condition is conducive,” she remarked.

The event was attended by notable figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, among other dignitaries.

Minister Wike underscored the necessity for judicial officers to have a robust welfare package, including adequate housing. He asserted that with the guarantee of their houses, judges would be firm in delivering judgments and courageous in executing their duties.

Wike confirmed that 70% of the funds for the project had been released following its approval by the Federal Executive Council last month. He specified that out of the 40 units to be constructed, 20 will be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi has revealed that the Federal Government has started the implementation of the 300% pay rise for judicial officers. 
 
He made the statement on Monday at the 12 Convocation ceremony of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) in Ekiti State.
 
“One ongoing concern before I took office was the poor remuneration of judicial officers,” the AGF said at the event’s grand finale where he was conferred with an honourary doctorate in Law.
 
“I am again pleased to report that a major intervention of the Tinubu administration in the judiciary is the recent 300% upward review of the remuneration of judicial officers in Nigeria across board. To be true, I can confirm that the implementation of this has begun in earnest.”
 
He described the move as “an important first step” in the President Bola Tinubu administration’s resolve to “strengthen the judiciary”.
 
Tinubu had in August signed into law a bill seeking a 300% increase in salaries and allowances for judicial officials.
 
His comment came months after the Supreme Court recently ruled in favour of local government autonomy in what many have described as a watershed in the nation’s democratic journey.
 
Earlier in the year, Justice Fagbemi had sued the 36 state governors over alleged mismanagement of local government funds.
 
Months later, the apex court ruled that it was illegal for states to hold local government funds.
 
Before the verdict, local government funds were paid into a joint account managed by state governments and LGAs in their domains.
 
Justice Emmanuel Agim directed that allocation from the federation account should be paid directly to local government areas henceforth, and not to state government coffers.
 
At the ABUAD Convocation, Fagbemi expressed joy over the ruling and said it was the judiciary’s contribution to democracy.
 
“This is our very modest contribution to the strengthening of our foundation and invariably the country’s democracy,” Fagbemi said.
 
The AGF also said the Federal Government will be embarking on a holistic review of Nigeria’s laws to respond to the daily needs of the country.
 
“We have assembled a team of legal luminaries to achieve this within a very limited timeframe,”the minister of justice said.
 
“This law review intervention will cut across all aspects of our social, economic, and political life.”
Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo Kanayo has lamented over the condition of Nigerians in the country.
 
Speaking about the hardship, he revealed that even dogs abroad live a better life than the average Nigerian.
 
He shared a TikTok video of two dogs living a better lifestyle overseas.
 
He wrote: 
 
“I have been unhappy since morning after seeing this video because of the hunger in Nigeria.
See BINGO with better bed. Wakey Wakey.
See BINGO with good food. Ordinary Bingoooo, advanced Ekuke.
How then do you compare living as a human dog or being in Nigeria
Nigerians. God be with you. THIS TOO SHALL PASS”.Compose Message
 
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Last modified on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 12:20