The Harbingerngr News

  *Abuse, shortcut to death *Experts worry over rising use of drug among youths FROM hushed whispers in market stalls to bold online advertisements, the demand and conversation around aphrodisiacs, popularly known as sex enhancers, have taken a new dimension. Once shrouded in secrecy, their use is now increasingly open in Nigeria, fuelled by a complex mix of economic pressures, the pursuit of pleasure, and evolving societal attitudes towards sexuality, which have driven many, particularly men, as studies in Nigeria showed that over 40 per cent of users in Nigeria are young adults between ages 21 and 30 years. There is no doubt that the demand for aphrodisiacs is booming in Nigeria. For some, it is a desperate attempt to rekindle flagging relationships strained by financial stress. For others, it’s a perceived shortcut to confidence but whatever the motive is, the market for these so-called ‘love potions’ is thriving and many lives are being pushed to death silently. Sadly, findings...

  By Adeshina Okoosi STUDENTS of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, may spend the whole of the first semester in the current session off campus as there is no possibility of the renovation of their hostels being completed as scheduled. Checks by Vanguard showed that only three hostels have been renovated up to an appreciable level, while works have not started on the others because of the paucity of funds. Moreover, the release of funds has been intermittent and that makes the pace of work to be slow. The management had two months ago, gave December 2024, a deadline for the renovation works and had directed students to stay off campus, as lectures would be delivered online. Hostels’ll be ready March 2025—Mgt When contacted on the phone yesterday, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Musa Obalola, said the hostels would be ready for occupation by March next year. Obalola said: “We initially thought the renovation of the hostels would be completed by the end of 2024, and that was why w...

•The ill-fated Jeju Airplane with firefighters and rescue workers (in suits and helmets) inspecting the charred wreckage of the crashed plane. Two survivors were recovered from the wreckage. Source: BBC.  A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival Sunday, smashing into a barrier and bursting into flames, killing everyone aboard except for two flight attendants plucked from the wreckage. A bird strike was cited by authorities as the likely cause of the crash -- the worst ever aviation disaster on South Korean soil -- which flung passengers out of the plane and left it "almost completely destroyed", according to fire officials. Video showed the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 landing on its belly at Muan International Airport, skidding off the runway as smoke streamed out from the engines, before crashing into a wall and exploding in flames. "Of the 179 dead, 65 have been identified," the country's fire agency said, adding that DN...

FORMER leader of the House in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area Constituency 1, Dr. Ismaila Sule Olatunji has said that 18 years is the ideal matured age for higher institutions. According to him: “18 years is the age of maturity and adulthood. The university environment and course materials are intended for grown minds and brains. “Requiring students to be at least 18 years old before entering university can be seen as a reasonable standard for several reasons, but opinions may vary based on educational systems and cultural norms. At 18, students are generally more emotionally matured and better equipped to handle the independence and responsibilities of university life.  This age often expected to be correspond to a point where students have finished secondary education and are better prepared for the academic and social demands of higher education. In many countries, 18 is the age of legal adulthood for students to make decisions independently, sign contracts, and take on more ...

 *Fares jump by almost 100% lTransporters blame high fares on petrol price, rising maintenance costs Contrary to the impression that many Nigerians would not be travelling for this year’s Christmas and New Year holidays due to the economic hardship in their country, people are trooping to the bus stations to board vehicles and aircraft to their country homes, but with pains due to astronomical fares The airports too are getting busy as many families, including those living abroad, are making frantic efforts to take the next available flights to their various states. Investigations by Vanguard, however, showed that domestic flights for the season have been fully booked by frequent flyers. Even as the majority of travellers are left with no option than to go by road, they still have to contend with high cost and fear of insecurity on the highway. Road travellers face high fare Road transport companies have also doubled their fares. A visit to some of the bus stations in Lagos, such a...

*Says Tax Reforms Bills to stay President Bola Tinubu said, that tax reform has come to stay but noted he was ready to bend backwards on the controversial bills. He also said he had no regrets removing fuel subsidy. President Tinubu made the clarifications in his maiden Presidential Media Chat. He said: “Tax reform is here to stay. Why do you want to know that today? Tax matters are subject to debates, reviews and negotiations until you reach concessions. That is what I am going to say about that. I don’t mind cutting edges. “We cannot continue to do what we were doing previously in today’s economy. We cannot retool this economy with the same broken boat and I believe that I have that capacity that is why I went into the race. I am focused on what Nigeria needs and what I must do for Nigerians.  “It is not yet eldorado for everybody but the new dawn is here. I am convinced.” Asked whether he would reduce the size of his cabinet to cut the cost of governance, Tinubu said: “I am not ...

Soldiers reportedly acting on the orders of an army general (names witheld), yesterday, attacked and chased away development control officials who were in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, to remove some illegal structures in the area. The officials were in the area to remove the fence of a building on Plot 416 said to belong to the Major General. An official of the department, who narrated their ordeal said: “During the operation, there was an incident that happened at Plot 416 Sabon, Lugbe that belongs to the Major General. “When the removal was going on, Major General got information of the removal. He sent two soldiers to his house to ascertain the situation.   “On getting to the scene, the soldiers, who drove the covered number plate vehicle blocked the way out of the house to prevent the enforcement team from coming out of the premises, threatening that somebody must die today. “Private Jamilu (surname unknown) went straight to the caterpillar operator, cocked his rifle and pointed at...

Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce have apprehended 27 persons for alleged unlawful act of street begging. State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed this in a post he shared on his X handle @tokunbo_wahab, yesterday. Wahab said that the agency carried out the operation on Tuesday. “The task force monitored and carried out a special purpose operation against persons constituting public nuisance across the metropolis. “Twenty-seven persons, including 15 minors, involved in the unlawful act of street begging in the middle of vehicular traffic/hold-ups were apprehended during the operation. “Major routes raided include Awolowo Way up to Falomo Roundabout, Ikoyi and Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, along Lekki Road. “This is in a bid to apprehend and get rid of destitutes in the areas, “ he said. According to the commissioner, all suspects will be transferred to appropriate government facilities in line with enabling laws. 

  AN unidentified male driver died in an accident at Kara Bridge in Lagos yesterday morning. The incident occurred when a truck driver, attempting to avoid a collision with a stationary 40-foot container, lost control of the vehicle. The truck overturned, spilling its cargo of steel coils across the carriageway, causing a major obstruction to traffic. Confirming the incident, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said emergency responders were alerted at 4:26 a.m. through the 767/112 toll-free lines. According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “Upon arrival at the scene, LASEMA’s Tiger Response Team discovered that a truck, registration unknown, carrying several rolls of steel coils and a 40-foot container without the truck head, was involved in the accident, completely obstructing vehicular movement.  “Preliminary investigations by LASEMA revealed that the driver of the articulated truck lost control while in motion, leading to the t...

*How our daily bread is becoming daily poison *WHO, FAO express concern *NAFDAC reads riot act to bakeries,  threatens crackdown *Our loaves are safe, go after quacks, PBAN challenges NAFDAC *Why we can't do without bread — Citizens By Clifford Ndujihe Over time, bread has remained a staple food consumed by most families worldwide, including Nigeria. It has emerged as one of the most popular meal options that can be combined with a variety of nuts, seeds, liquids, etc, to make a cheap and quick hunger-quenching meal. Bread was so popular and significant that Jesus, more than 2,025 years ago, taught his disciples to pray to God thus: "Give us this day our daily bread' (Matt 6.11). However, the unethical and sharp practices of some bakers are making consumption of bread an ingestion of daily poison. How? Researchers across many Nigerian cities have found that many bread brands contain potassium bromate and impermissible levels of other heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, ...