22% of Nigerians suffer from chronic depression–World Bank

22% of Nigerians suffer from chronic depression–World Bank

A new study by the World Bank has revealed that 22 per cent of Nigerians, on average, are chronically depressed.

The study looked at the first nationally representative estimates of chronic depression in Nigeria to shed light on how it may be linked to economic outcomes, such as Labour market and human capital investments, especially in heavy-conflict areas or for individuals or communities who have experienced shocks or deaths.

Describing the availability of representative statistics of mental health at the national level as rare , the Washington-based lender’s Mind, Behaviour and Development Unit said the results were not surprising, but telling.

Chronic depression , according to the report, is strongly associated with adverse events, especially conflict, and these events are positively associated with chronic depression but their effects vary.

“For example, less than 30 per cent of household heads who are affected by a family death or a community shock (such as droughts) are chronically depressed. This contrasts with more than 50 per cent of household heads affected by conflicts; this rate of depression is more than twice the national average, ”it said.

There are strong socioeconomic gradients at play with respect to chronic depression, the World Bank’s behavioural sciences team in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice said.

It said, “Being in the bottom 30 per cent of the income distribution is positively associated with chronic depression. Even worse, adverse events affecting these households add another 10 percentage points to the probability of having a chronically depressed household head. Poverty and shocks go hand in hand.”

The study also finds that there is a strong correlation between chronic depression and labour market outcomes.

It said, “Specifically, a household head who is chronically depressed has an eight percentage points lower probability of participating in the labour market. While the overall effects are similar by gender, chronic depression drives lower labour market participation in agricultural activities for men and in non-farm self-employment for women (which is mainly driven by gender sectoral distribution). In our sample of workers, there is no correlation in terms of number of hours worked.”

According to the report, chronic depression also affects child investments.

It says families with a chronically depressed parent spend nearly $ 30 (in current terms) less in educational expenses annually, driven by lower investments among older girls between 12 and 18 years of age.

It adds that younger children (particularly girls ) between five and 11 years of age who live with a chronically depressed parent are 2.5 percentage points more likely to work .
The World Bank said, “Taken together, these findings suggest that chronic depression is likely to have both short- and long- term effects on welfare in Nigeria. It also seems to be affecting intra and inter -generational channels of upward mobility.

“With almost two out of every five Nigerians affected by shocks, deaths, and/or conflicts (key drivers of chronic depression), further understanding these costs and linkages is essential.”

According to the report, conflict-and shock-mitigating policies (related, for example, to insurance, prices, and security) may have far higher economic impacts than what is traditionally measured.

It said, “Thus, policymakers should take the potential amplified costs of adverse events into account when making these decisions. Last, it is of utmost importance to integrate solutions in mental health policies to provide psychological support to affected populations.

“These policies may include implementing mental health and psychosocial programmers, which have been tested in similar settings, and changing the social norms related to communication about and treatment of depression and depressive and stress symptoms. By directly treating and minimising the effects of depression experienced by victims of conflicts, deaths and shocks, we may help mitigate these incidents’ overall economic impact in society.”

Nigerian prisons turn inmates to animals — Osinbajo

Nigerian prisons turn inmates to animals — Osinbajo

The Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday lamented the sorry state of the nation’s prisons , stating that the facilities have turned inmates to animals.

He explained that the rot in the Nigerian prisons was so terrible that anyone who spent time there would come out as an animal.

Osinbajo stated this in Abuja during the official presentation of the Nigerian Prisons Survey Reports, a research work undertaken by the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action in conjunction with the Nigerian Prisons Service.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), noted that it would take years of sustained and continued interventions to reverse the trend.

Narrating his experience during a visit to Port Harcourt prisons on Wednesday, the minister noted that the facility which was built in 1918 for 800 inmates, is currently housing 5,000 persons.

He said, “I visited the Port Harcourt prisons yesterday (Wednesday). While I was waiting for my flight, I chose to go to the prison. What I saw is a reflection of quite a lot of things in the survey.

“The Port Harcourt prison was built in 1918, meaning it will be 100 years old this year. For a very long time, our prisons had been neglected because that prison , when it was built in 1918 was meant to contain about 800 inmates but today, it is containing over 5 , 000 and I find that very disturbing.”

He added, “There is no room for prisoners and anybody who goes into that place as a human being is coming out as an animal. If I have to say all that I saw at the Port Harcourt prisons, the media would feast on it . But, to say the least, it is very disturbing and we must do something about the prisons.”

While hailing PRAWA for the survey , which he said would avail government of reliable data on which to predicate its plans for prison reforms, Osinbajo called on states to domesticate the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

He restated government’s commitment to building a 3, 000 capacity prisons in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country as part of measures to decongest the prisons, which he said, were filled with mostly awaiting trial inmates.

In his welcome address, the Controller -General of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Ahmed Ja’afaru, said the survey report “mirrors the justice delivery process from different stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.”

Presenting a summary of the report, Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, said some of the problems confronting prison personnel included, staff overwork, delayed promotion, non-availability of work tools, obsolete equipment, poor remuneration, threats by inmates and corruption.

Court Jails Business Woman 10 Years for $240,000 Fraud

Court Jails Business Woman 10 Years for $240,000 Fraud

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a business woman, Taiwo Martins, to 10years imprisonment on 11-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and issuance of dud cheque to the tune of $240,000.

The convict was prosecuted alongside her company, Baal-Perazim Investment Limited, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following receipt of a petition from a complainant, Sholari Olasunkami, on May 19, 2011.

Martins allegedly told the complainant that she could help him secure a credit facility of $65,000,000.00 (Sixty-five Million United States Dollars), if he could raise a sum of $300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Dollars) to access it.

The complainant further alleged that he could only raise an initial sum of $240,000.00 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars) out of the $300,000.

Martins allegedly became evasive after collecting the money.
The convict was said to have become suspicious after coming in contact with a publication, where a disclaimer was placed on the defendant by a company, Broad Gate Group Plc., warning members of the public not to do business with Bal-perazim Investment Limited.

Martins was later arrested by the EFCC.

In the course of the trial, the prosecuting counsel, Ayokunle Fayanju, called three witnesses, including Alex Ogoble, an operative of the EFCC, and tendered several documents as exhibits.

Justice Ipaye on Tuesday, January 30, found Martins guilty and sentenced her to 10years imprisonment on seven counts of obtaining by false pretense.

The judge also ordered the convict to restitute the sum of $240,000 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand United States Dollars) to the victim.

Bill to allow married women choose indigenous identity passes second reading

Bill to allow married women choose indigenous identity passes second reading

A bill for an Act to amend Federal Character Commission (FCC) Act to give married women the option to choose indigenous identity and other related matters passed second reading at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Edward Pwajok (Plateau-APC) seeks to address the issue of indigenship of married women in the country.

Leading the debate, Pwajok said the extant law was discriminatory against women as a man’s indegeneship was never questioned even when he married many wives.

The lawmaker said married women had been subjected to psychological trauma on the legal uncertainty of their indigenous identity in the country.

He added that upon marriage, women’s status remained unclear as to whether they were indigenes of their father’s or husband’s homeland.
According to him, women in public service are usually confronted with the dilemma during promotion into directorate cadre.

“We are witnesses to how the promotion of a female justice was delayed on account of indigenship,” he said.

Pwajok said there had been several efforts, including an attempt to alter the constitution to resolve the situation but did not succeed.

The legislator said the culture could be patriarchal but democracy and civilisation should give married women the option of choosing where to belong to.

He noted that if the bill was passed into law, the National Assembly would have solved the problem without altering the constitution.

However, Rep. Sylvester Ogbaga (Ebonyi-PDP) said the bill was misguided, adding that there was no need to allow women to make the choice of indigeneship.

He argued that once a woman got married to a man, the two had become one and should share in the origin of the man as presently constituted.

Other legislators contributed against and in favour of the bill. Consequently, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, referred the bill to the Committee on Federal Character for further legislative actions.

Ferry Carrying 22 School Children Sinks In Pacific Ocean

Ferry Carrying 22 School Children Sinks In Pacific Ocean

Desperate search for the 80 passengers including 22 school children going on in the Pacific Ocean Officials on Thursday said the Kiribati ferry believed to have sunk in the Pacific was carrying 22 school children.

The 17-metre-catamaran, MV Butiraoi, has been missing since January 18 after departing from the remote Nonouti Island bound for the capital city Tarawa.

President Taneti Maamau said earlier on Monday that the ferry was carrying 100 passengers.

Maamau said the number was revised after Nonouti officials sought details from those with family on the ferry, confirming that 88 people 45 male and 43 female had boarded.

Maritime New Zealand said the 22 children from the island of 2,000 people included 10 primary school students and 12 high school students.
Maritime authority said the children were on their way to start a new term in Tarawa, according to Radio New Zealand.

A 14-year-old girl was among the seven survivors rescued from the Pacific Ocean on Sunday by New Zealand’s air force.

The group had been drifting in an unpowered wooden dinghy without water, food or radio.

Local media have reported that the ferry had no emergency rescue equipment or locator beacon.

It also had a recent history of mechanical problems and had just been repaired before going missing.

Locals in Tarawa and Nonouti have criticized the government for taking too long to call on Fiji and New Zealand to assist with the search.

Ieremia Tabai, a Nonouti parliamentarian, slammed the vessel as “unseaworthy,” saying the government should have stopped it sailing.

He said his people were devastated and wanted answers, Radio New Zealand reported on Thursday.

Tearinibeia Enoo Teabo, a spokesperson for the president, has said previously that the vessel had a certificate of seaworthiness but had been ordered by maritime authorities not to carry any passengers after sustaining serious damages to its navigational system, rudders and hull.

On Wednesday night, Maamau gave his second public address since the incident, promising to conduct a full investigation.

“The government is with you, the people of Nonouti, including those who have been greatly affected by this incomparable incident.

“It will not run away from [responsibility] but to humbly accept and will try [its] very best to search for the remaining passengers,” Maamau said on Radio Kiribati.

He also said six Kiribati vessels were part of the search, including five fishing vessels and one patrol boat.

“There are objects that have been spotted like wooden pieces and a gas cylinder and a few other things but sadly, there are still no signs of people spotted yet,” Maamau said.

Maritime New Zealand has been leading the search operation and has already completed an aerial search covering more than 350,000 square km, larger than the size of Germany.
The U. S. and Australia have also joined the search.

Anote Tong, the former president who brought global attention to Kiribati over its fight for survival due to climate change, said the apparent sinking had shocked his nation and people were angry.

“This is by far the biggest disaster in terms of numbers and also in terms of the people involved,” Tong told Australian broadcaster ABC on Wednesday.

He said the disaster could amount to a “criminal act” if it was found to be due to gross negligence.

Nigeria Budgetary Process Very Opaque, Ranks 90th In World

Nigeria Budgetary Process Very Opaque, Ranks 90th In World 

Nigeria budgetary process has been described as very apaque, ranking 90th in the world and 23rd in Africa on budget transparency rating out of 115 countries globally and 38 African countries in the 2017 Open Budget Index (OBI) survey which was released yesterday.

Nigeria’s score on the index dipped from 24 percent in 2015 to 17 percent, and currently ranks behind Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Liberia in Africa while South Africa has been ranked first alongside New Zealand globally.

The Open Budget Index (OBI) is a global independent, comparative measure of central government budget transparency. Countries covered by the survey are given a transparency score between 0 and 100, used to construct the Index which ranks the assessed countries.

OBI assesses the comprehensiveness and timeliness of budget information that governments make publicly available. The OBI survey also examines the extent of effective oversight provided by legislatures, the independent fiscal institutions and the supreme audit institutions, and the opportunities available to the public to participate in national budget processes.

Meanwhile, analysts at BudgIT have blamed Nigeria’s low rank on the failure of the federal government to produce mid-year review.

BudgIT expresses dismay at Nigeria’s current position on fiscal transparency and public participation in the budget process as Africa’s largest economy has apparently taken steps backwards despite persistent advocacy by citizens and repeated promises by the government to improve, Abiola Afolabi, Communications Lead at BudgIT, noted.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria provides her citizens with insufficient budget information making it difficult for taxpayers to understand how elected officials are utilising available resources. Also, the budget process takes very little feedback from the public, and the final budget document does not reveal how the meagre feedbacks are used", it stated.

JSS 3 pupil arraigned for allegedly kidnapping eight-year-old cousin

JSS 3 pupil arraigned for allegedly kidnapping eight-year-old cousin

The police on Wednesday arraigned a Junior Secondary School 3 pupil in a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, over the alleged kidnap of eight-year-old Innocent Sani, his cousin.

The prosecutor, Kufreabasi Ebong, alleged that the defendant kidnapped Sani on December 18, 2017.

The prosecutor said the defendant, 18- year-old Ebenezer Istifanus, demanded N40 million ransom, but was paid N160, 000.

He alleged that the defendant enticed the boy out of the custody of his guardians.

He said the offence contravened Section 273 of the Penal Code .
Istifanus, however, denied committing the offence, saying he was wrongly accused.

He said he was a Junior Secondary School 3 pupil of Government Science School, Wamba , Nasarawa State.

The defendant said he was fixing electrical faults in the shop of a former neighbour when he was arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

The magistrate, Emenisi Ebiwari , described the case as “delicate” because it involved members of the same family.

He ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case till February 1, 2018, for further hearing.