Nigeria Times

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympian, has passed away in Kenya four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, Ugandan athletics officials confirmed on Thursday.

“We are saddened to announce the tragic loss of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei following a brutal attack by her partner,” Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare shared on X. He called the incident a “senseless act” that has robbed the sports world of a remarkable athlete, noting that her legacy will live on.

Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, allegedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire at her home in Endebess, Kenya, on Sunday. The 33-year-old athlete, who had recently competed in the Paris Olympics, suffered burns on 80 percent of her body and succumbed to her injuries on Thursday after battling for her life at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

A witness to the horrific event was one of Cheptegei’s daughters, who tried to help her mother but was unable to stop the flames. “He kicked me as I tried to save my mom,” the young girl told Kenya’s The Standard.

Marangach, who sustained 30 percent burns during the incident, was also injured.

The Uganda Athletics Federation condemned the attack and called for justice, describing the incident as a tragic example of domestic violence, a persistent issue in the region. This comes in the wake of similar tragedies in Kenya, including the deaths of athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua in recent years.

Domestic violence remains a serious concern in Kenya, where 34 percent of women have reported experiencing physical violence since the age of 15, according to 2023 statistics.

The recent petrol price increase from ₦617 to ₦897 per litre, effective September 3rd, has caused a sharp rise in transportation costs across Kaduna. Residents report that fares for commercial tricycles (Keke) and motorcycles have doubled, making commuting difficult.

For instance, a trip from the central market to Sabo now costs ₦500, up from ₦300. Similarly, other routes like Barnawa and Narayi have seen fare hikes, with Gonin Gora to Kasuwa now costing ₦500, compared to ₦300 previously.

Commercial operators cite rising fuel costs and reliance on black market petrol, sold at ₦1,400 per litre, as the cause. Residents are pleading for government intervention to ease the burden.

The House of Representatives has clarified that Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, lacks constitutional authority to conduct oversight functions in government agencies. Deputy spokesman Philip Agbese emphasized that oversight remains the exclusive power of the National Assembly, as outlined in Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

Agbese explained that while Gbajabiamila can make courtesy visits to government agencies, labeling them as “oversight” contradicts the Constitution. The clarification followed reports that Gbajabiamila visited several agencies, raising concerns over the nature of his visits.

Andrew Wynne, a Briton accused of funding the #EndBadGovernance protests against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has asserted his innocence and claimed that the Nigerian government lacks evidence against him.

In a statement made via WhatsApp to a Punch correspondent, Wynne accused the Nigeria Police Force of illegally raiding his Abuja bookshop and stealing his granddaughter’s bicycle during a July 7 operation at the Labour House in Abuja.

Wynne criticized the federal government for failing to address the worsening poverty in Nigeria over the past 15 months and expressed concern for those detained and allegedly tortured during the protests. He urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to advocate for the release of these detainees.

“I am completely innocent, and they have no evidence against me. The government is trying to pin the blame on me as a foreigner for the widespread protests,” Wynne said. “The police seized all my books from Iva Valley Bookshop, ransacked my home, and even stole my granddaughter’s bicycle, yet they found no evidence.”

Despite his claims, a Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Wynne on charges related to treason and terrorism.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced a nationwide protest set to begin on September 15, 2024, aimed at shutting down major cities across Nigeria. The action is a response to the recent increase in fuel prices and dissatisfaction with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Director General, Mele Kyari.

NANS is demanding an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Kyari from his position. The student union has pledged that the protests will be peaceful and conducted within legal boundaries.

To ensure the protest is well-coordinated, NANS has informed several security agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Chief of Defence Staff, and state governors about the planned shutdown.

In a statement, NANS expressed, “We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective September 15, 2024. This protest is in response to the recent fuel price hike and the perceived incompetence of the NNPC DG, Mele Kyari.

“The ongoing increase in fuel prices has severely impacted the masses, and we refuse to stand by as a few individuals jeopardize our future. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price increase and Mr. Kyari’s removal from office.

“We call on all Nigerian students to join us in this nationwide occupation of major cities. We will not be silenced or intimidated as we fight for a fair deal for students and the general populace. We urge all involved to ensure law and order during the shutdown while we commit to conducting a peaceful and lawful protest.”