The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians to desist from the use of second hand and substandard mobile phones, saying such devices pose greater risk to the users. Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta gave the advise at the occasion marking NCC special day at the ongoing 37th Kaduna International Trade Fair. Professor Dambatta who was represented by Hajia Maryam Bayi debunked insinuation that telecom facilities like masts and towers pose health hazards to residents around such facilities, saying cell phones, pose greater health risks than masts. While highlighting the numerous roles of NCC towards ensuring that telecom subscribers get the best of service from their service providers, the telecoms regulatory agency said, consumers must also play their roles accordingly in other to receive quality service. According to him, “the use of substandard and counterfeit devices, have been identified as one of the reasons for poor quality of service. “Today, there are different types of handset in the market. Some of these devices have been used and dropped in the other parts of the world. Some are devices that did not meet international benchmarks for safety and other requirements,” he said. http://leadership.ng/news/506682/ncc-warns-use-second-hand-phones

Falana calls on FG to rescue another 14-year-old girl

While the dust is still settling over the alleged kidnap of Ese Oruru, a 14-year-old teenager, Mrs. Funmi Falana, a human rights activist and chairperson of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), has called on the Federal Government to rescue a 14 year old girl, Lucy Ejeh, who was allegedly abducted in Zamfara State.

“We have just received another report of the kidnap and conversion from Christianity to Islam of another 14-year old girl named Lucy Ejeh which occured in Zamfara State.

“Miss Ejeh was allegedly abducted by one Hajiya Zarau on the 31st day of October 2009 and taken to an Imam’s house for the purpose of conversion to Islam.

“All efforts made by her parents to secure her release have proved abortive. We use this opportunity to call on the government of Zamfara State to ensure that Miss Ejeh is reunited with her family without any further delay while her abductors are fished out and prosecuted”.

The WELA chairperson noted that the abduction saga of Ese has confirmed the level of insecurity of life and the inadequacy of legal protection for women and children throughout the nation.

She said her group has found that such gross infringement of the human rights of women and children are prevalent in the country due to the connivance of security agencies.

http://tribuneonlineng.com/falana-calls-on-fg-to-rescue-another-14-year-old-girl