Warning issued to shoppers after ticks spotted in town centre
A warning has been issued to shoppers after ticks were spotted in a town centre.
An anonymous poster shared information about the creatures on the Spotted Witney Facebook page, after pulling multiple ticks off their skin.
The poster said: “Just as a warning to people out and about in Witney town centre there have been ticks spotted in the market square.
“I myself pulled one off twice and was wearing a skirt.
Ticks are small, spider like creatures that feed on blood
“They don’t just go on bear skin they can go on your clothes too and work their way to your skin and they are very good at jumping.
“They can cause serious harm to humans and pets so please be careful thank you.”
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans.
Usually, ticks are found wherever there is wildlife, such as woodland or moorland and they are particularly common between March and October.
The creatures can carry Lyme disease
The bite of a tick is not usually painful and sometimes causes red lump to develop where you were bitten, however other symptoms include swelling, itchiness, bruising and blistering.
People should be aware though that some ticks carry the bacterial infection which causes Lyme disease in humans.
The NHS says ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.
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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
…Says Ibim’s, exit is Inconsequential; Wihioka’s, a Good Omen for AP …expresses Confidence in Party’s Ability to Win 2023 Polls Remains Unshaken …Pleads with Members to Keep Faith with Party …Assures that Amaechi Will Come Out of the Troubling Time Stronger and Better
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwumeka Eze has expressed a deep sense of loss over the recent resignations of three party bigwigs – Dr. Dawari George, Prince Tonye Princewil and Comrade. Celestine Akpobari, from the APC.
In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Chief Eze described Dr. Dawari as a rare breed in the political space whose sound leadership mooring blended in godliness was a stabilizing influence in the 2015 and 2019 journeys to the firm establishment of progressive ideals in Rivers State.
On the other hand, Eze describes Prince Tonye Princewill’s inputs to the ideals of progressivism in the Rivers State politics can’t be overemphasized or undermined. Apart from contesting twice for the office of the Governor of Rivers State, he is a great Iroko so far the politics of Rivers State is concerned. Joined Amaechi while as the Governor of Rivers State to midwife the first and most successful Unity Government in Nigeria. A strong Ally of the Leader of APC in South South and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. As a principled man he resigned from the party due to the insensitivity towards national unity and conhension by the leadership of APC by imposing Muslim/Muslim ticket on the party, we will surely miss him.
The party Chief said he has remained in shock since the news of their exit from the party, noting that the three – Dawari, Princewil and Akpobari remain great assets whose wealth of expertise in leadership and politicking can not be undermined in the building and strengthening of a political structure.
“The news of the three of my great friends in APC, Dr. Dawari George, Prince Princewil Tonye and Celestine Akpobari leaving the party came to me as a huge shock. These three have proved capacity in most of the task assigned to them and for them to decide to leave at this period of time when we are planning to salvage Rivers State from the strong hands of Wike and all the evil forces that have held the State spell bound is most sad and unfortunate.”
The news of their departure will remain a sad one to me and those who have seen and observed them from a very close range as I will not relent in praying for their return back to the party as we do our best to put things right in the party.
Reacting to the resignation of a former Commissioner of Information and Communication and one time Ag. Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, from the APC, Chief Eze described her exit as grossly footling, inconsequential and of no effect, noting that the former Commissioner was merely a nominal member with zero electoral value, scamping from one political camp to another seeking undue relevance.
He said her exit doesn’t affect the party in any way and wondered why her resignation should be a matter of public discourse in a time as critical as now, when there abounds issues of public concern to thrash.
On the exit of Elder Chidi Wihioka, a former Federal Lawmaker who represented Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the Red Chamber, Eze said his formal resignation is of no effect as he has never made any meaningful contribution for the progressive of the party rather he connived with the likes of Magnus Abe to sabotage every meaningful efforts at liberating Rivers State from the shackles of maladministration underage PDP.
“Chidi Wihioka has no political relevance and no electoral value. He rode to power as a federal lawmaker on the wings of Amaechi’s political relevance and nothing more. For him to formally leave APC calls for celebration because the party can now hive a sigh of relief. Wihioka was one of those who constituted themselves as clogs in the wheel of party’s progress.”
Further expressing his pains particularly over Princewill and Dawari’s exit, Eze said it is saddening that after it was agreed that power should shift to the Riverine Area after 24years of governance of Rivers State by the upland area through Sir. Peter Odili, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and currently by Gov. Nyesom Wike and given the wisdom of the leaders of APC to allocate their gubernatorial seat to the Riverine Area, it is shocking that most key leaders of the Riverine seem not happy with this plot to shift.
Accordingly, he said the Ogonis have been complaining that since the creation of the State, they have not occupied the seats of the Governor, Deputy Governor or Speaker of the State Assembly and to pacify them, the APC leadership allotted the seat of the Deputy Governor to the Ogonis. Therefore, it is saddening to hear that great pillars in the likes of Sir. Celestine Akpobari is resigning from a party that is committed to addressing the age-long political marginalization of the Ogonis.
Eze called on Rivers People and particularly party faithful not to grieve much over the happening, noting that more will resign after the constitution of the NDCC. He charged them to remain faithful to the ideals and visions of the party even when they hear news of similar nature.
The challenging times notwithstanding, Chief Eze expressed optimism that Pastor Tonye Cole who flies the flag of the party will make it in 2023 and salvage the State from its present horrible State where only one man has positioned himself as the Emperor of the State.
Eze commended Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the leader of APC in the South South region of the country for single handedly
keeping the party intact all these years not minding the plots both within and outside to destroy the party and his legacies in the State.
Eze encouraged the Presidential aspirant to live by the wonderful names with which God has blessed him with and remain steadfast in the pursuit of the greatness of Nigeria and Nigerians, assuring that God is working out something greater and better for him.
Eze reminded leaders and members of the APC, that Amaechi is just an individual and there is no way he can give appointments to everyone at the same time or continue to solve everyone’s problems singlehandedly. He noted that the challenge of the political family is the inability or refusal of some privileged fellows who have been empowered to extend helping hands to others as they continue to expect Amaechi to do everything by himself, even the little they are privileged to do. “This is nothing but wickedness” Eze lamented.
Eze further expressed disappointment that the APC led FG which Amaechi sacrificed his life to set up is doing nothing to help and some critical leaders of the party are finding joy in ensuring that Amaechi kisses the dust, unfortunately for them, Eze said, God is still on His throne and will surely intervene at the appropriate time.
Princewill the man they call Prince of Niger Delta Politics while explaining his reasons for resigning from APC states, “I can’t argue for equity in my state and defend inequity in my country. While I appreciate my leader, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and all his efforts, I cannot defend the decision of my party in fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket, especially at a time like this, against all protestations from well meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides. It sets a very wrong precedent, it is totally insensitive and even if you win, will prove bad for good governance. Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to still remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory, over the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens.
Dr. Dawari George was a Lawmaker who represented Akuku Toru/ Asari Toru Federal Constituency, at the Federal House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. He had earlier served as Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources under the golden administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi where he built sterling legacies in the sector.
Similarly, Celestine Akpobari, is a foremost Human and Environmental activist. He was Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Khana Local Government Area and Board Member of HYPREP.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to nominate Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima as her presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively, has thrown the country into palpable political and ethno-religious tension; given that both candidates are of the Islamic faith, which has altered the established political tradition and further jeopardized the delicate structural balance of Nigeria.
Constitutional Requirements for the Office of President and Vice President
As the controversy rages on, this op-ed attempts to dissect the legal perspective and the implications of the same faith candidacies adopted by the APC. As a preliminary point, it should be noted that faith or religious identity of a candidate is not a prerequisite or a qualifying criterion for eligibility into elective offices. Thus, the issue is not whether Kashim Shettima is qualified to be the Vice President within the purview and contemplation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The office of Vice-President is established by Section 141 of the 1999 Constitution which states that “there shall be for the Federation a Vice-President”, while Section 142 (1) of the Constitution prescribes the process of nomination and election of Vice President as follows:“In any election to which the foregoing provisions of this part of this Chapter relate, a candidate for an election to the office of President shall not be deemed to be validly nominated unless he nominates another candidate as his associate from the same political party for his running for the office of President, who is to occupy the office Vice-President and that candidate shall be deemed to have been duly elected to the office of Vice-President who nominated him as such associate is duly elected as President in accordance with the provisions aforesaid.”
Regarding qualification and disqualification, Section 142 (2) read along with Section 131 of the Constitution states that the indices of qualification and disqualification applicable to the office of President shall apply to the office of the Vice-President. In other words, a person shall be qualified for election to the office of Vice-President if: (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty years; (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
From the foregoing, there is no doubt that Senator Kashim Shettima has met the constitutional requirements to be nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC.
Principle of Federal Character
As earlier cautioned, the real issue is not about qualification; the real question or issue is whether the decision by Tinubu and the APC to select and nominate Shettima as their Vice Presidential candidate despite being of the same faith with the Presidential Candidate is in conformity with the constitutional principle of federal character?
I will preface my attempt to answer the above question by drawing our attention to Section 10 of the Constitution which is construed by a jurisprudential school of thought as the provision that entrenches the secularity of the Nigerian state, by declaring emphatically that “the Government of the Federation and of a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion.”
In essence, while there is general consensus that Christianity and Islam are the ‘dominant’ religions in Nigeria, the Constitution forbids any act or omission which seek, tend or purport to elevate either religions as State religion. In discussing Muslim-Muslim ticket, or Christian-Muslim ticket, we should bear in mind that these religions are not the official religions of the Nigerian State and cannot be elevated as such having regard to the constitutional encumbrance in Section 10.
The federal character principle at the federal level is rooted in Section 14 (3) of the Constitution. For clarity, the provisions are reproduced verbatim infra:
“14(3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”
From the above provisions, the composition of the Government of the Federation, and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria, promote national unity, and also command national loyalty, and ensure that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government.
Some commentators have contended that religion has nothing to do with the federal character principle and that in any event, elective offices are not subject to federal character. This argument is flawed and we shall illustrate this momentarily. Before exposing the flaws in this argument, there is a fundamental question that must be addressed and it goes thus: what is the federal character of Nigeria?
The word “character” can simply be defined as the attributes, traits, mannerisms, physical makeup, culture or personality of a person, society, nation or thing. The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) in its 1977 report, defined Federal Character as follows:
“The distinctive desire of the peoples of Nigeria to promote national unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging to the nation notwithstanding the diversities of ethnic, origin, culture, language or religion which may exist and which it is their desire to nourish, harness to the enrichment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
More concisely, Section 14 (3) of the Constitution reproduced supra is unequivocal on the purport of the federal character principle. The intention of the farmers of the Constitution is not in doubt. Federal character is intended to promote national unity, and also command national loyalty, and ensure that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government.
It is conceded that the federal character principle in Section 14 falls under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter II of the Constitution which is non-justiciable. It is non-justiciable because it cannot ordinarily be enforced in a court of law. This is because, by virtue of Section 6 (6) (c) of the Constitution, the judicial powers of the courts shall not extern to any issue or question as to whether any act or omission by any authority or person is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of the Constitution. This position was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in the case of ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ONDO STATE V. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (2002) 9 NWLR (PT.772) 222.
However, there are instances where the principles enunciated and provided for in Chapter II will be justiciable. One of such instances is where the Constitution itself makes a principle in Chapter II justiciable. Another instance is where the National Assembly enacts a law to guarantee the justiciability of a given matter or item in Chapter II. See the case of AG Ondo State supra and Section 4 (2) read along with item 60 (a) Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution on the exclusive legislative power of the National Assembly to enact a law for the enforcement and justiciability of Chapter II.
I have already posited in this piece that Senator Shettima is constitutionally eligible to be nominated for election to the office of the Vice President. I also espoused that the gravamen of the argument is not about his constitutional qualification.
Has the APC Breached the Federal Character Principle?
The question begging for answer therefore is, has the APC in any shape or form contravened the Constitutional principle of federal character by opting for Muslim-Muslim Presidential Candidacies in defiance of federal character and the established political tradition practised since the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999?
The answer to this poser is not a simplistic one. However, a community reading of the provisions of Sections 14, 15, 131 (c), 142 (2), 221, 222 (b) and 224 of the Constitution offers not only clarity, but a definitive answer on whether the Muslim-Muslim presidential candidacies adopted by the APC is inconsistent with the spirit and letters of the Nigerian Constitution, particularly as it relates to federal character. I shall now examine the said provisions in brevity.
Section 15 of Chapter II contains the Political Objectives of the country and subsection 2 thereof states that “…national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.” Subsection 4 of Section 15 similarly states that “The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various peoples of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.”
By virtue of Section 221 of the Constitution, only a political party can canvass for votes for a candidate. The combined effect of Sections 131 (c) and 142 (2) of the Constitution makes it imperative for any person seeking the office of President and Vice President to belong to a political party and be sponsored by that political party. Section 222 (b) states that no association by whatever name called shall function as a political party unless “the membership of the association is open to every citizen of Nigeria irrespective of his place of origin, the circumstance of birth, sex, religion or ethnic grouping.”
Lastly, Section 224 of the Constitution provides that the Aims, Objectives and Programme of every political party must conform to the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution. As earlier contended, Sections 14 (3) and 15 (2) and (4) of the Constitution falls under Chapter II. I also stated earlier that while Chapter II is not ordinarily justiciable, it becomes justiciable where the Constitution itself (in another provision) creates an exception for justiciability.
In the instant case, the APC as a political party has an obligation to conform to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter II of the Constitution, including the federal character principle under Section 14 and the political principles in Section 15 which mandates that “…national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited” and to also foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various peoples of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.
The next question that all Nigerians of good conscience must answer with honesty is: has the Muslim-Muslim presidential candidacies of the APC breached the federal character principle? Put differently, has the APC by nominating presidential and vice presidential candidates from the same faith promoted national integration, national unity and national loyalty or has it promoted disunity, sectional loyalty and disintegration?
From all that we have witnessed since Shettima’s nomination was made public, it should not be difficult to reach a conclusion that the APC has violated the federal character principle.
It amounts to intellectual duplicity to argue that religion is not an integral part of the federal character of Nigeria. In 2015, the APC rejected Muslim-Muslim ticket because it violated the federal character principle. If the APC no longer believes in federal character, the starting point should be for the Party to propose a Constitutional amendment to expunge federal character from the Constitution. Quota system should also be abrogated. Until this is done, it is mischievous and dubious for the APC to blatantly ignore the duty imposed on it by the Constitution to conform to federal character under the ridiculous pretext that it nominated Muslim-Muslim candidates based on “competence.”
Without federal character, Buhari would not be the President today. Bola Tinubu is the presidential candidate of the APC partly because of federal character. Zoning is a product of federal character. Those who seek to exclude religion from their interpretation of federal character are doing so dishonestly. If there is nothing wrong with Muslim-Muslim ticket, then there should be nothing wrong with Christian-Christian ticket, North-North ticket or East-East ticket. Politics and democracy have been said to be about numbers. But politics and democracy in a heterogeneous country like Nigeria must be deliberately tailored to foster a sense of inclusion and national integration. That is why the federal character principle is enshrined in the Constitution. Representation is an indispensable ingredient of democracy.
Those who keep retorting that Nigerians who are not comfortable with the decision of the APC should focus on their preferred political parties should reread the constitutional provisions enunciated above, including Section 224 which imposes a duty on all political parties to adhere to federal character. It smacks of arrogance and crass insensitivity to dismiss the legitimate views of those who are justifiably disenchanted by the destructive and dangerous politics of identity and exclusion that the APC has now fully embraced.
Conclusion
There is a reason why the framers of the Constitution made it mandatory for the membership of all political parties to be open to people of all religions. It is to ensure that all religions are treated fairly in the ‘distribution’ of leadership positions in the country. It is to ensure that a political party does not operate in a sectarian manner. It is to prevent a political party from projecting itself as a Muslim Brotherhood, or as a Christian Brotherhood, or as a brotherhood for African traditional worshippers.
Since the APC has chosen a sectarian and divisive path, it is left for the Nigerian electorates to determine whether the path chosen by the APC is in the best interest of Nigeria bearing in mind the existing mistrust in the country, and the multi-religious and multi-ethnic character of Nigeria and vote accordingly in 2023.
Given the unpardonable mismanagement of Nigeria’s diversity, and the grievous damage that President Buhari and the APC have inflicted on this country in the last seven years, one would have expected the APC to read and respect the mood of the nation and be circumspect, and not resort to desperate political gimmicks and divisiveness that will further polarize our country. Shamefully, the APC decided to remind us that allowing it to assume power in 2015 remains a tragic mistake of history.
Inibehe Effiong is a Lagos-based legal practitioner and human rights activist.
Email: inibehe.effiong@gmail.com
Culled from Thisday Newspapers.
I am 52 and my husband is five years older. Our sex life used to be average but, lately, he finds it difficult to sustain an erection – sometimes he can’t even get one, in the first place. As it is now, we have not had sex for months, though we both want to.
Is this normal for older men?
Feyi, by e-mail.
Dear Feyi,
Your husband is maybe suffering from what is known as erectile dysfunction, ED, which medical reports say affects one in 10 men. It was once thought to be a normal part of ageing, but physical conditions can also contribute.
Diabetes is a cause. Others include poor blood flow to the penis from furred-up nerve damage, drug abuse, medication, alcoholism, smoking, high cholesterol, diseases affecting erectile tissue and neurological and severe chronic diseases. Most importantly, Stress, lack of Finance, worry about sexual performance, depression and sexual boredom can be factors too.
At 57, your husband still has a lot of sexual mileage in him. His doctor can make sure there are no physical causes for his current impotence. Most men can be treated with tablets such as Viagra.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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