Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has requested a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances surrounding the passing away of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

A report revealed that Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, and was laid to rest just a day later.

In a formal letter addressed to the Chief Coroner of the High Court of Lagos State in Ikeja, Falana expressed deep concern about what he referred to as a “very tragic death.” He cited the Lagos State Coroner’s Law of 2007, specifically Section 15, which stipulates that an inquest should be conducted when a coroner becomes aware of a death within their district that results from violent, unnatural, or suspicious circumstances.

In the letter, dated September 18, 2023, signed and shared by Folakemi Falana via Instagram on behalf of the law firm, Falana & Associates, the urgent need for an investigation into Mohbad’s death within Lagos State was emphasised.

The letter further read, “We hereby request Your Lordship to conduct an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death in Lagos State, and we are confident that Your Lordship will accede to our request with utmost urgency.”

By Taiwo Ajayi

The high poverty rate in Nigeria is a major challenge for the country’s youth.

However, unemployment and its effects remain the most significant issue young people have to deal with in Nigeria today. The report found that over 60% of unemployed youth in the country have been unemployed for at least 1 year and that a significant number of them have been unemployed for several.

The high unemployment rate among Nigerian youth has several negative consequences. It leads to poverty, crime, and social unrest. It also makes it difficult for young people to start families and build their futures.

Several factors contribute to the high unemployment rate among Nigerian youth. These include:

A lack of economic opportunities: The Nigerian economy is not growing fast enough to create enough jobs for the country’s growing population.

A lack of skills: Many Nigerian youth do not have the skills that are in demand by employers.

A lack of access to education and training: Many Nigerian youth do not have access to quality education and training, which makes it difficult for them to get good jobs.

Discrimination: Nigerian youth face discrimination in the labor market, which makes it even more difficult for them to find jobs.

The high poverty rate among Nigerian youth is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. The government needs to create more economic opportunities for young people, improve the quality of education and training, and address discrimination in the labor market.

In addition to the government’s efforts, there are several things that individuals and organizations can do to help address the high poverty rate among Nigerian youth. These include:

Providing financial assistance to unemployed youth.

Offering job training and placement services.

Advocating for policies that support young people, such as education reform and job creation programs.

Volunteering your time to help young people in need.

By working together, we can help to create a better future for Nigeria’s youth and reduce the high poverty rate in the country.

By Ajayi Taiwo

President Bola Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, and has since hit the ground running, delivering on his campaign promises. Here are some of the key initiatives and policies he has implemented in his first 100 days:

1. Removal of fuel subsidy

Tinubu ended the petroleum subsidy regime, which had been in place for many years. This decision was unpopular with some Nigerians, but Tinubu argued that it was necessary to save the country from going under.

2. Forex unification:

Tinubu also ended the preferential exchange rate system, which had been used to favor certain businesses and individuals. This move was aimed at creating a more level playing field for everyone.

3. Establishment of a presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms:

Tinubu set up a committee to review the country’s fiscal policy and tax laws. This is aimed at making the tax system more efficient and equitable.

4. Declaration of a state of emergency on food security:

Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security, pledging to ensure that staple foods are available and affordable.

5. Signing of an electricity bill: Tinubu signed a bill into law that is aimed at improving the country’s electricity supply.
6. Recall of all career and non-career ambassadors:

Tinubu recalled all of Nigeria’s ambassadors, both career and non-career, to reorganize the foreign service.

7. Disbursement of post-subsidy palliatives to states: Tinubu approved the disbursement of palliatives to states to ease the hardship faced by Nigerians caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
8. Assenting to a bill unifying judicial officers’ retirement age to 70:

Tinubu assented to a bill that unified the retirement age for judicial officers at 70.
Re-jigging of the NDDC board: Tinubu re-jigged the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to make it more effective.
Suspension of the EFCC chairman and CBN governor: Tinubu suspended the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to investigate allegations of corruption against them.

9. Increase in external reserves and stock market growth:

External reserves grew from $35.1 billion to $33.5 billion, and the stock market grew by 29%. Inflation rates also increased from 22.4% to 24.1%.

10. Role as ECOWAS chairman:

Tinubu has also asserted himself on the political scene on the global stage. He became the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on July 9 and has played a leading role in resolving the Niger coup crisis.

These are just some of the key initiatives and policies that President Tinubu has implemented in his first 100 days in office. It is still too early to say what the long-term impact of these policies will be, but they represent a clear break from the past and a commitment to change.