Every February 6th brings to mind a brutal and heinous form of abuse and violence against over 230 million girls and women all over the world. This day makes us conscious of the physical, emotional and psychological pains and harm done to innocent women just to satisfy or justify a tradition of a given people. 

As the world celebrates the international day for zero tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation with the theme "Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM", let us learn about the hazards, dangers and hurts done to girls and women each time you mutilate them.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice of removing partial or total external genitalia of girls and young women for non-medical reasons. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue which  interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies. This is mostly done as a tradition in many places to instill self control and sexual purity in young girls. 

When a girl child is circumcised, her natural body system changes. The way God created her body to react and function, changes. Her sensitizations reduce drastically. She may or may not have urge or desire for sexual intercourse with the opposite sex including her future husband. 

Some cultures promote FGM as a certain way of ensuring a young girl keeps her virginity for her future husband and remains faithful to her husband. The proponents of this traditional practice forgot to note that when a girl child is mutilated, she doesn't desire a man including the future husband she is being reserved her for. Harmony and intimacy in marriage is under serious threat with FGM. 

Let us ascertain some other short term and long term complications of FGM.

Immediate complications of FGM can include severe pain, excessive bleeding (haemorrhage), genital tissue swelling, fever, infections e.g.tetanus, urinary problems, wound healing problems, injury to surrounding genital tissue, shock, death etc. 

Long-term complications can include, Urinary problems (painful urination, urinary tract infections);

Vaginal problems (discharge, itching, bacterial vaginosis and other infections);

Menstrual problems (painful menstruations, difficulty in passing menstrual blood, etc.);

Scar tissue and keloid;

Sexual problems (pain during intercourse, decreased satisfaction, etc.);

Increased risk of childbirth complications (difficult delivery, excessive bleeding, caesarean section, need to resuscitate the baby, etc.) and newborn deaths;

need for later surgeries: women with Type 3 might require deinfibulation (opening the infibulated scar to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth.

psychological problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, etc.

FGM is an extreme form of discrimination against girls and women. It has been proven to be of no benefit to girls and women, instead it is a violation of their human rights, their rights to good health, life and proper growth.  

FGM is categorised into four types, they are:

Type 1: This is the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans (the external and visible part of the clitoris, which is a sensitive part of the female genitals), and/or the prepuce/clitoral hood (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoral glans).

Type 2: This is the partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and the labia minora (the inner folds of the vulva), with or without removal of the labia majora (the outer folds of skin of the vulva).

Type 3: Also known as infibulation, this is the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minora, or labia majora, sometimes through stitching, with or without removal of the clitoral prepuce/clitoral hood and glans.

Type 4: This includes all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, e.g., pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area.

It is worthy to note however, that the four types of FGM mentioned above poses health risks but the risk is greater with more severe forms of FGM. None of them should be practised no matter how simple it appears. 

It is appalling that even health workers are performing FGM due to the belief that the procedure is safer when medicalized, and also that medicalization of FGM could be a first step towards full abandonment of the practice. Health Care Providers should be advocates for FGM abandonment within the hospital environment, their families and communities. It has been proven that FGM has no health benefits, instead it harms girls and women in many ways. This year's awareness creation is to ingrave the dangers of FGM in the hearts of mothers, fathers and every member of the society. Let's say NO to FGM. 

World Health Organisation (WHO) should be appluaded for its strong fight against FGM. It strongly urges health workers not to perform FGM and has developed a global strategy and specific materials to support the health sector and health workers themselves to end FGM medicalization. With WHO’s support and training, many health care providers are becoming advocates for FGM abandonment within the clinical setting, their families and communities.

 We must step up the pace, strengthen alliances and movements to end Female Genital Mutilation.

A Non Governmental Organization(NGO) that promotes the rights and welfare of girls and women in Nigeria, The Dorcas Foundation has vehemently condemned Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), saying that the practice has no health benefits for girls and women instead has overtime resulted to severe issues such as bleeding, urinating problems, psychological problems, menstrual difficulties, infections, painful sexual intercourse, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.

The Founder, Dorcas Samson Achi speaking to Journalists in Owerri on February 5, during a sensitization road match in commemoration of the FGM day, described FGM as a total violation of the human rights of girls and women, including their rights to health, security and life. 

 It is appalling, she said that some health workers are greatly involved in the practice believing that it is safe when medicalized. 

Dorcas  joined the World Health Organisation (WHO) to urge health workers all over the globe not to perform FGM, instead to war against FGM and contribute their quota towards ending the heinous practice.

"Health Care Providers should be advocates for FGM abandonment within the hospital environment, their families and communities. It has been proven that FGM has no health benefits, instead it harms girls and women in many ways as it involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, interfering with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies. This year's awareness creation is to ingrave the dangers of FGM in the hearts of mothers, fathers and every member of the society. Let's say NO to FGM".

She further argued that the sociocultural and varying religious reasons behind FGM practice are not valid, maintaining that FGM which is erroneously often considered a necessary part of raising a girl, and a way to prepare her for adulthood and marriage, including controlling her sexuality to promote premarital virginity and marital fidelity, has done more harm and no good to the women involved, their husbands and the larger society. 

Dorcas applauds WHO for actions taken so far to eliminate FGM medicalization  as well as their partnership with organizations and countries to ensure its implementation in the world.

The Four House Unions of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education comprising of Academic Staff Union (ASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have passed vote of confidence on the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Stella Ngozi Lemchi, describing the appointment as one done with unanimous approval, due diligence, due process and with the support of the university community.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, January 27 at the school premises, Dr. Jovita Ogu, the chairman of the Academic Staff of the university, stated that Prof. Lemchi's appointment was conducted with utmost transparency and adherence to established guidelines. 

"The Governing Council of the institution, under the able leadership of distinguished Senator Joy Emodi,  meticulously followed all procedures outlined by the Federal Ministry of Education" she reiterated and listed the steps taken which are : advertisement for application, constitution of a search team, shortlisting/screening process, interview and final selection. 

Ogu vehemently faulted claims made in publications circulating on media spaces, doubting Lemchi's credentials and qualifications. She revealed that the new Vice Chancellor's academic and administrative track records are exemplary, adding that her leadership qualities are widely recognized within and outside the academic community. 

She urged the general public to reject misinformation and blackmail imported by "self seeking individuals and detractors whose aim is to sow discord and undermine the progress of the institution" 

Ogu revealed that the entire Alvan community is satisfied by the process leading to the appointment of Lemchi as evident in the massive heralding reception of the VC on the day of her appointment. She expressed hope that Lemchi's appointment shall usher in a new era of growth and development for the institution.

Dean Faculty of Arts, Prof. Chinenye Udeze described Lemchi as a woman of capacity, full of experience, knowledge and energy required to bring about more academic dividends to the citadel of learning. 

She maintained that the ongoing campaigns of calumny are sponsored by the opponents or rivals of the new VC who wished to occupy the exalted position but were grossly disappointed. She added that the entire Alvan community is solidly behind Prof. Lemchi.

Prof. Ngozi Ebemuche, former deputy provost of the institution thanked God for the appointment of Lemchi and appreciated Alvan community for the heroic welcome extended to her on her arrival into the university after her appointment.

He expressed gratitude to Senator Joy Emodi for the transparent and rigorous process she embarked upon to arrive at Lemchi's appointment, extolling her administrative acumen, skillful reasoning and expertise. 

Dignitaries at the conference were Comrade Kizito Uzoma, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Dr. Eze Maduakor, chairman, Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), Comrade Martin Chieke, chairman, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Comrade Emma Nwachukwu, president, Students Union Government amongst other members of various councils of the university.

Express gratitude for the Walking Aids, Cash Gifts they received from him

The Special Citizens of Imo State has expressed profound gratitude to Hon. Kyrain Uchegbu, the NDDC Commissioner representing Imo State, for gifting the Persons Living With Disabilities some wheelchairs, clutches, walking sticks and fat envelopes on Friday January 31, 2025. 

Speaking to newsmen on Saturday in Owerri, Hon. Charles Ebonuma (Onyeze), the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Imo State Governor on Special Citizens appreciated Honourable Uchegbu for hosting the special citizens in a very remarkable way and helping those who have locomotor dysfunction by gifting them walking aids. 

According to Ebonuma, Hon. Uchegbu's noble initiative has redefined philanthropy with an array of interventions designed to uplift lives and foster wholeness.

 He maintained that Uchegbu's continued commitment to bettering lives and causing positive change, as seen in his epoch-making reception of the Special Citizens, underscores his deep love, concern and investment in the welfare of the Persons Living With Disabilities.

 He applauded him for crafting a model of philanthropy that transforms lives on every level, inspiring hope, opportunity, and unity across Imo State, while praying God to grease his elbow and ease his path to greatness just as he eased the stress of walking for the special citizens who can not walk on their own. 

Ebonuma also acknowledged his financial assistance to special citizens amid unpalatable economic situation and solicited for God's continuous provisions and supplies for him in every ramification.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Nigerian businessman, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe who ingested 81 pellets of cocaine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He was arrested on arrival to Nigeria at Murtala Muhammad International Airport on Sunday January 26, 2025 during compulsory clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight.

 A release made by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed that Igbokwe, departed Lagos on 22 January to Addis Ababa, where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day, 23 January. After which he  boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon, to deliver the consignment for a fee of $3,000. Upon arrival in Beirut, he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the minimum amount required for entry.

He was subsequently deported to Addis Ababa, where he attempted to excrete the illicit drugs but was unsuccessful. He then proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, 25 January, still carrying the consignment in his bowel. He was arrested upon arrival at Lagos Airport by NDLEA officers on 26 January.

Igbokwe was promptly subjected to a body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system, and was thereafter taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.

After five days under excretion observation, he managed to expel only 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

Due to complications from underlying medical conditions and the urgency of his situation, the suspect was admitted to a tertiary facility, where he underwent exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine. The surgery was conducted after his wife and brother signed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, 30 January. 

In total, 81 pellets of the Class A drug, with a gross weight of 1.943 kilograms, were recovered from his stomach.