Child

By Christian Ogbonna

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has assured more collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on child protection and ending violence against women.

Mr Mathew Odono, Director of NOA in Ebonyi, made the assertion while receiving a set of printer, Laser Jet Pro MFP M227fclw from the UNICEF in Abakaliki on Thursday.

Odono hailed UNICEF for donating the printer, describing it as “symbolic gift” to their office.

The director expressed optimism that the printer would go a long way in encouraging staff to be more committed to the campaigns on child protection in Ebonyi

“Of course, we cannot relent in the campaign on end violence against women and girls (GBV) and female genetial mutilation (FGM) and other related abuses, because the women we are talking about are our own.

“I promise UNICEF that we will continue to do more at ensuring that our children are properly protected. With this encouragement, we will go places and our collaboration has come to stay,” Odono added.

Mr Victor Atuchukwu, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office,  Atuchukwu, said the donation of the printer was a show of appreciation to NOA over its long-standing partnership on campaigns towards child protection in Ebonyi.

Atuchukwu explained that the donation was also part of UNICEF’s contribution to ensure more efficient work.

“The women of Ebonyi is also saying thank you to NOA on the impactful campaigns towards ending all sort of abuses on them.

“This is an appreciation for our longing partnership with NOA. Over the years, they have been the backbone of UNICEF Programme in the state and Nigeria at large.

“Our activities focuses more on FGM, GBV and othe harmful practices in the society. In fact, NOA has been on ground in reaching out to the grassroots, educating the people on the need to end such harmful practices.

“We will continue to partner with NOA at ensuring that the children are protected,” he added.

Mr Victor Okike, Deputy Director of Administration, NOA in Ebonyi, also commended UNICEF for donating the printer to their office.

Okike therefore encouraged the staff to be more committed to its activities on campaign on child protection in the state, especially in the rural communities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Funmilola Gboteku

QNET, an e-commerce company, has partnered Transblue Nigeria Ltd. to empower over 750 youths on financial literacy in the second phase of FinGreen, its corporate social responsibility initiative.

The Managing Director of Transblue Nigeria Ltd., Mr Akeem Ajisafe, said this on Wednesday during the graduation ceremony of the 25 Fingreen Ambassadors, who were trained on financial literacy in Lagos.

He said the interactive workshops and train-the-trainer approach had empowered 25 FinGreen ambassadors to educate over 750 youths in crucial financial principles through the peer-to-peer module.

Ajisafe said the training was successfully executed with the support of the programme’s content and training partner, Financial Literacy for All (FLFA), who developed all the training materials and conducted the ToT (Training of Trainers) workshop for the 25 alumni.

He said an implementation partner, Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), recruited, assessed, and tracked the participants’ performance to monitor their learning outcomes and gauge their development in various areas.

Ajisafe said there was a growing demand for job creation among young people in Nigeria to drive economic growth.

“A sizable proportion of the Nigerian population faces financial challenges and they have few options for revenue generation.

“Through FinGreen, our mission is to instil a comprehensive understanding of how financial literacy profoundly impacts the lives of those who have undergone our training, empowering them to, in turn, educate others,” Ajisafe said.

He noted that they planned to train over six thousand youths with the train the trainer approach.

He also said that to encourage the participants, awards and gifts would be presented to the three best ambassadors.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Financial Literacy For All (FLFA), Mr Laja Shoniran, explained that financial literacy was about making informed decisions on one’s finances.

He said educating youths about the importance of financial management and making sound financial decisions would go a long way to prevent them from making costly mistakes.

Shoniran added that programmes such as the Fingreen would encourage them to be financially prudent when making decisions, noting that the importance of educating young people on financial literacy could never be overstated.

“The problem Nigeria is facing presently is as a result of having leaders who do not know much about financial literacy,” Laja said.

He said the initiative also gave the participants the advantage of having practical insights into budgeting, savings, investment and entrepreneurship.

The Executive Director, Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, who described the programme as an amazing opportunity said financial literacy was a necessity for all.

She said the six weeks programme not only taught them about financial literacy, but how to also reorganise their thoughts, be wealthy and the kind of inheritance they would leave behind in their various environment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the top three Fingreen Alumni, who performed exceptionally well during the peer-to- peer training were awarded N1,000,000, N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

Temitope Adesemowo was the overall best while Olayinka Olanrewaju won second prize, and Chikwere Nwosu got the third prize. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Thompson Yamput

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Wednesday begged President Bola Tinubu to stop the incessant attacks and carnage occasioned by the governorship electioneering in Kogi.

Mr Isaiah Ijele, the Director General, New Media, SDP Campaign Council, made the plea ipat a news conference in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Ijele said that innocent citizens are being maimed and killed across the state by sponsored political thugs.

He alleged that members and supporters of the SDP Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, were constantly under attack, allegedly sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

But the APC Campaign Council’s Spokesman, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, had denied sponsoring any attack against SDP supporters in the state.

Ijele, in his recounts, said: “There were gun shots through the night of Tuesday in Anyigba and Ankpa towns where houses and property of innocent SDP supporters were vandalised and destroyed.”

“Our campaign Coordinator in Anyigba and his family were victims as they were chased away from their house and property destroyed, including his motorcycle in the Tuesday night attack.

“As it’s now two persons are missing as a result of the attacks being unleashed on Ajaka’s supporters across the Kogi East.

“We are under siege, given the intimidation, harassment and attacks on us simply because of the humongous support our governorship candidate is enjoying in the state.

“As law abiding citizens, we are appealing to the President and the Inspector General of Police to come to our aid by calling Gov. Yahaya Bello to order.”

The spokesman added: “Election is not a war nor do or die affairs, but a game of numbers based on candidates’ pedigree and acceptability before the electorate.”

According to him, nobody has the monopoly of violence but that courtesy demands that people of Kogi should be allowed to peacefully choose the person they want to govern them on Nov. 11.

The director general said that Bello’s administration has failed the citizens, who he claimed has decided to vote in Muritala Ajaka to rescue the state from poverty and hunger.

“We want the quick intervention of the President to save the lives of innocent citizens before they are brutalised and destroyed by sponsored political thugs,” he pleaded.

Responding to the allegations, Fanwo, the APC spokesperson, debunked the SDP’s claims, saying: “We are a Government and our priority is to protect all the people of Kogi State, irrespective of political leanings.”

Fanwo said that all allegations without proof are as good as no allegations.

“As a Government, our concern and responsibility is to create an enabling environment for all to pursue their normal businesses.

“The SDP is a nest of funny birds that cry by the pain of their losses rather than the action of anyone.

“We won’t glorify them and we won’t be dragged into their frivolities, gasping lies and lack of direction,” he said.

On its part, the Kogi Police Command’s Public Relation Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said that he was yet to be briefed on the alleged Tuesday night attacks by the Respective Divisional Police Officers in Anyigba and Ankpa towns.

He however promised to furnish the public on the development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tol

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Mr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has threatened to seal off any facilities that do not comply with the commission’s accessibility laws.

Lalu said, the law mandates organisations and other business premises to make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

”Failure to comply, the law also mandated us to seal the organisations through law enforcement agencies.

He was speaking on Wednesday when he received the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, in Abuja.

” It is no longer an option for organisations to  comply with the accessibility laws because we would enforce it.

”Though, the law provides a transition period of five years, that is from January 2019 to January 2024.

Lalu said, the law provided for a national regulation on accessibility in Nigeria to every public building by January 2024 to make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities

”Anything in short of that, we are mandated by law to go and seal up any facilities that do not comply with the law.

Lalu however, NAPTIP is a critical partner towards achieving Nigeria’s desire for equal opportunities for the disability community in Nigeria.

“This is evident in the agency’s conversion of its policy documents into assistive devices especially for blind to enable them gets acquainted with the workings of the agency, he said.

He also commended the commitment of the NAPTIP boss towards providing the relevant laws that ensures access to justice for the disability community.

”We remain very grateful to you and we are committed to sanitise the system to gurantee better future for Persons With Disabilities ” he said.

In her response, Prof. Waziri-Azi, expressed the deliberate attempt by NAPTIP towards disability inclusion.

She said the agency is determined to ensure effective mainstreaming of the issues of visibility of persons with disabilities into the running of the organisation.

”We are very deliberate about disability inclusivity and about issues of visibility into our everyday work into our everyday processes and also across our five strategic prevention protection competition partnership” she said.

Waziri-Azi said the agency had already make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities in the last five years.

She said in addition to that, the agency allocated five percent employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in the agency.

”I have the drafting team that came up with that and in the past few years we have been able to make our building at the headquarters accessible.

”We have ramps just at the main entrance into the NAPTIP office, we also have ramps in the main Building and our rapid response code at the back has also been fitted with a ramp” she said.

She therefore assured the commission of her readiness for partnership to ensure mutual benefit for the two organisations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the event featured presentation of some official documents called NAPTIP Red Card, NAPTIP Act, NAPTIP Violence against Persons Prohibition Act.

NAN also reports that, the documents was all converted into a readable format for the blind community in Nigeria (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has warned indigenous and expatriate contractors engaged in the construction of road projects across the country against substandard works.

The minister, gave the warning in Abuja at a meeting with contractors handling federal roads, said sub-standard work was no longer acceptable.

Umahi said most of the roads currently being constructed in the country could not last for seven years after construction

He frowned at how contractors cheat Nigerians in the materials they use to construct roads in the country.

“Our expatriate contractors, this cannot happen in any of your countries, it cannot.

“Anywhere there is a project going on, the first thing that is done is the convenience of the people. I feel we are being taken for a ride, and we are being taken for granted.

You feel you are doing us a favour, you are not doing us a favour, this is business, and this attitude must stop,” he said

He also decried the discomfort  and pains Nigerians face while travelling on federal roads, saying he had to feel their pains when he travelled to Edo from Abuja.

He said the contractors constantly increase the cost of project and cheat the country through contracts variation and the use of asphalt materials, which are subject to the international price of crude oil.

According to him, there is no project being constructed right now in Nigeria that is going to last for seven years.

“The question is, are we going to be maintaining or reconstructing our roads after every 10 years.

“That is what we have been doing. I traveled from Abuja to Benin City through Lokoja, all the stretches of the road are on contract, ongoing, this is through  the policy of the last administration but how much of the roads are motorable?

“I travelled through the roads myself and I shed tears for the kind of pains our people are going through.

“I spent 14 hours on the road having started my journey from 10 a.m. and got to Benin City at 2 p.m. the next day and I was very happy I experienced the pains.

“President Tinubu said I must travel through all the projects so that I will brief him on my experience and tell him the truth,” he said

Umahi further said he had stopped the signing of the funds to be released to contracts who are seeking price variation of their contracts, adding that Mr President was not aware of such increases.

The minister debunked the claim that cement price would go to N9,000 if the government starts doing concrete roads saying that it was  blackmail against him by the people who don’t  want the progress in the construction industry.

He added that he was doing his work with the fear of God.

“This is my line of instructions. I will do whatever the president instructs me to do and he is the only one and God that can cancel my instructions so don’t waste your time reporting me to anyone apart from these two.

“No matter the amount of blackmail and lies, it will not prevail. I travelled to the south west, I am not totally unhappy with the project there and supervision as I gave them 80 marks.

While critising workers in the ministry for not doing their supervision of contracts as they are expected, he said they had blood in their hands for the number of people that died in road accidents and those that were kidnapped.

“Unless Mr President does something about it, his lofty intention to help this country may not totally be achieved. Documents will be sent to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) it will stay for six months.

“How will the contractors do the additional job you directed them to do without a backup authorization.

“I am warning all directors to get your controllers back to work, I want to see all the roads motorable, trucks should be off the road, any road where trucks fall I recall the director,” Umahi warned.

Also at the stakeholders meeting, President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said the council was delighted to be part of the meeting.

According to him, the minister has shown a peculiar direction in bringing change to the sector.

He said COREN was going to do a follow up and have a meaningful engagement with the contractors.

He complained that there was a lot of non-compliance on the aspects that have to do with expatriates engagement in the country especially  quota allocation adding that Nigeria having been admitted   to the Washington Accord demand compliance.

Abubakar, therefore, appealed to the directors to bridge the gaps notes by the minister adding that COREN would do its own due diligence.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PUO/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Angela Atabo

The Global Migration Research Institute (GMRI), U.S. on Tuesday called for collective efforts among stakeholders to tackle irregular migration in Nigeria.

Dr Williams Azuma-Ijoma, President, GMRI, U.S., made the call in Abuja at a National Workshop on Migration Issues it organised in partnership with the Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre (UMEC), Nigeria.

The workshop has the theme: “Tackling Migration as a Diverse Problem for Sustainable Growth and Social Progress.”

According to Azuma-Ijoma, the aim of the workshop is to address one of the most pressing issues in the country, which is migration, and explore how to work together towards a better future.

“Migration in all its dimensions has emerged as a complex challenge affecting nations worldwide.

“Today, we are here to delve into the core of this problem and to chart a course towards sustainable growth and social progress,” he said.

Azuma-Ijoma said that though the Nigerian government had made commendable efforts in implementing policies and initiatives aimed at combating migration-related challenges, there are still rooms for improvement.

He said that migration remained a pressing concern in Nigeria and it was incumbent upon all to ensure a sustained and intensified effort.

The GMRI president said that there are specific areas that the Nigerian government and concerned agencies should focus on to address migration more effectively.

“Firstly, accurate and up-to-date data is essential to understand the patterns, causes and consequences of migration.

“It will enable us to develop evidence-based policies and programmes that can effectively manage migration flows, protect vulnerable individuals and allocate resources appropriately.

“Therefore, the Nigerian government should invest in strengthening data collection mechanisms and encourage research institutions to contribute towards a robust knowledge base on migration,’’ he said.

Azuma-Ijoma added that there was a need to prioritise the implementation and enforcement of existing policies and laws.

He said that concrete steps needed to be taken to ensure that policies are effectively enforced at all levels, leaving no room for gaps or weaknesses.

Azuma-Ijoma said that this included collaborating with relevant agencies to combat human trafficking and irregular migration while providing support and protection to victims.

He said that it was vital to establish partnerships and strengthen cooperation with other nations and international organisations.

The GMRI president noted further that there was also the need to focus on addressing the root causes of migration.

These root causes of migration, he said, included economic disparities, political conflicts, environmental degradation and lack of opportunities, and drove people to migrate in search of a better life.

“To tackle these underlying factors, the Nigerian government should prioritise sustainable development and inclusive growth.

“This is by creating an environment that fosters economic opportunities, social equity and environmental sustainability that can reduce the desire or need for individuals to migrate,’’ he said.

Azuma-Ijoma also stressed the need to equip youths by investing in education, skills development and ensuring they get gainfully employed or empowered.

The Acting Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Wuraola Adepoju, in her paper presentation titled, “Issues and Dangers Of Irregular Migration”, said migration could be profitable, however irregular migration was dangerous.

Represented by an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG), Ngozi Odikpo, Adepoju said that at least 1.3 million Nigerians are facing irregular migration challenges across the world.

“Just on Sept. 25, 160 stranded Nigerians were returned from Libya. This is coming just less than weeks when 155 irregular migrants were voluntary returned.

“The evacuees were trapped in Libya as irregular migrants on the verge of a perilous journey to Europe and other parts of the world.

“More than 6,500 stranded Nigerians have been returned from Libya under the IOM Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) in 2023,” she said.

Adepoju urged Nigerians to desist from irregular migration, as the nation made concerted efforts towards enhancing migration governance to harness the benefits of migration. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Christiana Fadare

By Doris Esa

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has stepped up efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s beaches are clean as well as the sustainability of the environment.

The Director – General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, stated this at a news conference organised by the agency in collaboration with the Centre for Culture and Environment Promotion (CCEP),on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was tagged “Operation Clean Our Beaches (OCOB) campaign” project.

He said that the event was remarkable as the agency was determined to ensure that sustainability returns to the country’s environment.

” The Nigerian beaches are great assets to the nation and form the destination for recreation and tourism. However, where they are not regulated, they become a conducive place for negative vices.

” While it also serves the purpose of tourism, and entertainment among others, entrepreneurs make their income from sales of their goods and products at the beach,” he said.

Jauro said that various brands of soft drinks and other kinds of drinks sold at the beach come in plastic bottles and have become explosive.

He said that plastic production and consumption were expected to increase globally, and in Africa in the coming decades if no adequate action was taken.

” Nigeria accounts for 17 per cent of the total plastic consumption in Africa and is the second largest plastic importer in the continent.

” A large percentage of these plastics are used in food and drinks packaging which people take along to beaches for relaxation.

” These wastes are disposed of on the beaches which eventually end up in the ocean thereby threatening biodiversity,” he said.

He also raised the concern over drug and substance abuse at the beaches, saying this was majorly the result of poor educational outcomes due to absenteeism, drop out among others.

Jauro said another challenge at the beach was open defecation which is the practice of defecating or disposing of human faces outside, in places such as in the fields , streets, gutters among others.

He said the (OCOB) campaign aimed to stop the pollution of the beaches in Nigeria.

In a remark, the President CCEP, Dr Patrick Okpah, said that the OCOB project was designed to positively impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDPs).

He said that ensuring Nigerian’s Beaches are Clean ( free from open defection) and drug- free would help attract more tourists, as well as both local and foreign investors.

” This will lead to increased Gross Domestic Growth (GDP), and Job Creation for Nigerian citizens and other residents,” he said.

Okpa said that a special feature of OCOB project called the Nigerian Environment Awards (NEA), would hold in Nigeria on March 23, 2024 with the theme ” Environment for Life.(NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Abbas Bamalli

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has supported the validation and registration of 20,800 Almajiri children to the social register in Katsina State.

Hajiya Rabi Mohammed, the Head of Operations, State Operation Coordination Unit (SOCU), disclosed this in Katsina on Wednesday at the quarterly Social Protection Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting.

She further explained that the exercise was carried out in three local government areas for future interventions.

According to her, no fewer than 5,882 Almajiri children were registered in Kafur LGA, in Mani LGA 8,318, while in Safana LGA they registered 6,106.

She added during the exercise that  they had also captured about 131 Almajiri from Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi, and Zamfara.

The SUCO head of operations further revealed that out of the almajiri children integrated, 43.97 per cent are males, while the females are 56.3 per cent.

“During the exercise, we have also captured almajiris living with special needs and their needs, and also their sources of food, especially those that fed themselves, by their parents or by their teachers.

“Among them, those with Junior Secondary Education (JSE) certificates are 1,397, those with no qualifications are 12,362, those with primary certificate 6,311, and those with Senior Secondary Education (SSE) 221.

“Age distribution of the children, 5-10 years of age are 8,208, 11-15 years, 10,309 vulnerable children, 16-20 years, 1,671, and those between the ages of 21-25 years are 103.

“During the exercise, we had sensitisation and mobilisation activities for the stakeholders, and also training of the enumerators,” according to her.

She also revealed that during the validation and integration, they understood that most of the children don’t want to stay out there, but have no option because their parents insisted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives from the state’s ministry of education, agriculture and emergency management agency also made their presentations. (NAN)

By Angela Atabo

The North East Development Association (NEDA) has called on stakeholders in the Northeast especially Vice President Kashim Shettima , Governors and legislators to come up with sustainable innovations for the restoration of the region.

The Secretary General of NEDA, Bitako Umar, made the call on behalf of the association during a news conference tagged` `Conference on Politics and Development in the Northeast Sub-region on Tuesday in Abuja.

Umar said that NEDA as an advocacy and socio-cultural group serving as the mouth piece of the sub-region, met and reviewed the political trends and developmental activities in the sub-region.

He said the association therefore, decided to draw the attention of critical stakeholders on issues on ground with the view to strengthen the path towards the recovery of the region from the devastations experienced due to insurgency, conflicts and other related criminal tendencies.

“The Association resolves as follows: That, it is pertinent for critical stakeholders of the sub-region to constantly bear in mind that the region was a big hub for agricultural and business activities.

“This was before the advent of the so-called Boko-Haram, communal and ethical clashes that befell the region.

“Hence, the dare need for collective and supportive collaboration in bringing back the lost glory of the region, bearing in mind the fight towards the restoration of peace and security of all forms in the region.

“To achieve the above, political and traditional leaders most agree to come together, work together and establish the political will, coupled with sincerity of purpose, devoid of political, religious affiliations and ethnic backgrounds.’’

According to Umar, by so doing, institutions, policies and programs of government would be implemented without hitches.

He said the association also resolved that the people and leaders of the region should recognise and fully support the Vice President, Kashim Shettima as the Political leader in the sub-region and in extension Northern Nigeria to succeed.

He said that NEDA is also reminding the good people of the region that North East Development Commission (NEDC) had recently launched massive developmental programs in the six states of the Sub-region.

He listed the activities to include palliative items to capital projects and distributed to all the six state governments ,18 Senatorial Districts, 48 Federal Constituencies as well as the six State Houses of Assembly.

Umar said the Commission was equally constructing the 22.5 Km Jere Bow road networks and other critical roads in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States respectively.

He said that all these would enhance security and facilitate free movement of goods, services of the people.

“In view of the above, NEDA is appealing to VP Kashim Shettima , the six State Governors of North East Region, Traditional Fathers, Senators and Members ,House of Representatives among others in the region to as a matter of patriotism help and support the Commission.

“This is in implementing its programs devoid of distraction and cheap blackmail.’’

Umar said in the same vein, NEDA is urging the Commission to fully implement their educational endowment program enacted to cater for less privileged students, especially those at IDP Camps.

He said that the NEDA also called on the commission to complete, equip and put into use their Special Mega Science Secondary Schools under construction in all the six states of the region.

He said that NEDA appealed to the North East Governors to be proactive in the discharge of their responsibilities and fulfill their campaign promises.

Umar said that was the only way they would earn the respect and confidence of the electorates.

He said that NEDA also urged the prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and other wages because it would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the masses in the Sub-Region.

He said that NEDA called on the Management team of NEDC to always adhere and strictly operate within the acts that established the Commission, while, encouraging them to be proactive in their operations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza