News

Guardian tortures 11-yr-old girl to death in Plateau LGA

Published

4 years ago

November 17, 2022

vicky

An 11-year-old girl, identified as Margaret Joshua has died in Jos as a result of alleged physical abuse by her guardian, Mrs. Nneamaka Nwachuku, a Microbiologist who works in one of the Research Institutes in Vom, Jos South local government area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that the Kebbi State-born victim, reportedly fled from insecurity in her community before some supposed helper took her to serve in a family home in Jos.

A source said the suspect, a mother of two, did not enroll the victim in school since the girl was taken in by her family but indulged in the daily beating of the girl.

During a recent beating as punishment for masturbating, the girl was forced to sit in a container with hot water, which burnt her buttocks, and she died in the hospital on Monday, November 14.

The Plateau State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Grace Pam, whose office is following up on the case told Vanguard that based on the number of scars and wounds on her body, her guardians must have subjected her to a series of torture during the period that she stayed with the family.

“Our attention was called to the situation on Monday by a staff in the hospital who said that an a 11-year-old girl was seriously beaten and injured by her guardian, Mrs. Nneamaka Nwachukwu in Vom. The girl had scars and burns on her body. We were told that she was taken to Mandela hospital in Kaduna Vom before she was referred to come to Jos.

When some of our staff met with Mrs. Nwachukwu at the Police Station in Vom where she was detained, she confessed she has been beating her and claimed the girl used to masturbate so she was punishing her so she could stop. She claimed she did not know what used to come over her because she felt bad anytime she beats the child.” Pam said

Speaking on the burns on the victim’s buttocks, the guardian claimed;

“she fell into hot water and ran out of the house after the incident for almost 24hrs.”

It was however gathered that someone saw the traumatized girl on the street and took her to the Police station at Kaduna Vom. The security agents then took the girl to the hospital before calling the attention of her guardian as Mrs. Pam expressed worry that, “no action was taken to take care of the girl in her condition for about 24hrs until someone saw her and took her to the Police station.”

It was also gathered that this was not the first time the Nwachukwus would assault the girl as the Police had earlier warned them against maltreating the girl and asked them to return the girl to her parents. The supposed guardians have not met the girl’s parents who are in Kebbi State but are said to have been speaking with them on phone.

However, the case has been transferred from the Police Station in Kaduna to the Police Headquarters in Jos as investigations continue.

News

Digital Storytelling Takes Centre Stage at 2026 EU-NFI Students Film Festival Finale

Published

54 minutes ago

October 2, 2026

PlateauReports

JOS, PLATEAU STATE — Student creativity and digital storytelling took centre stage in Jos as the 2nd edition of the European Union–National Film Institute (EU-NFI) Students Film Festival came to a colourful close on September 29, 2026.

The two-day festival, organised by the National Film Institute (NFI) in partnership with the European Union (EU), brought together emerging filmmakers, film students, industry professionals and stakeholders for screenings, masterclasses and competitive showcases aimed at developing the next generation of Nigerian filmmakers.

The event provided students with an opportunity to showcase their creative abilities while exploring the role of film and digital storytelling in documenting Nigerian experiences, culture and contemporary realities.

EU Ambassador Applauds Students’ Creativity

Speaking at the festival finale, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Gautier Mignot, described the students’ creative output as impressive and expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s film industry.

Mignot highlighted the important role of the National Film Institute in Nigeria’s creative ecosystem, noting that initiatives such as the students’ film festival align with the European Union’s priorities in youth empowerment, education, culture and strengthening EU-Nigeria relations.

He also commended the leadership of the Institute, particularly the Rector, for his commitment to the students and for fostering a relationship built around creativity, mentorship and learning.

Ali Nuhu: Festival Is More Than Competition

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Ali Nuhu, described the festival as more than a platform for competition.

According to him, the initiative provides young Nigerians with an opportunity to develop their skills and become cultural ambassadors who can use film to tell stories that reflect Nigeria’s identity and diversity.

He called for sustained investment in skills development, education and learning opportunities for young people seeking careers in the creative industry.

NFI Announces Winners

The Rector of the National Film Institute, Prof. Pomak Frank Tengya, expressed the Institute’s readiness to continue supporting young filmmakers and assured participants that the institution would host the 2027 edition of the festival.

He subsequently announced the winners in the various competition categories.

Each of the top prize winners received ₦100,000.

The winners include:

Best Sound: Rev Kola — Osakpolo Arthur
Best Documentary: Carrying a Legacy — Badung Chuhwak
Best Animation: Coming Home — Habibi Risku
Best Cinematography: Dusk Till Dawn — Longtong Tamg’an
Best Director: They Call Me Mother — Esther Oyninyechi Nnamani
Best Short Film: They Call Me Mother — Esther Oyninyechi Nnamani

Esther Oyninyechi Nnamani emerged as one of the biggest winners of the festival, taking home awards for both Best Director and Best Short Film.

Nurturing the Next Generation

The festival further demonstrated the potential of film education and practical creative opportunities in nurturing young talents and strengthening Nigeria’s growing creative economy.

With students taking centre stage as writers, directors, cinematographers, animators and storytellers, the EU-NFI Students Film Festival provided a platform for emerging filmmakers to gain exposure, learn from industry professionals and connect with fellow creatives.

As the National Film Institute looks ahead to the 2027 edition, the festival continues to position Jos as an important centre for film education, creativity and digital storytelling in Nigeria.

Jos Events | Connecting Jos. Promoting Events. Supporting Local Businesses.

Business

Airtel Money sets IPO price at £1.96 per share, targets £5.3bn valuation

Published

5 hours ago

October 2, 2026

PlateauReports

Airtel Mobile Commerce N.V. (Airtel Money), the mobile money business of Airtel Africa, has set the offer price for its planned initial public offering (IPO) at £1.96 per share, implying an estimated market capitalisation of £5.3 billion ($7.0 billion) at admission.

Airtel Africa disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying Airtel Money intends to list its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange, with admission currently expected on 14 October.

The planned listing followed Airtel Africa’s announcement on 23 September of its intention to undertake an IPO for Airtel Money, which operates mobile money services across several African markets.

Listing offer

Under the offer, certain existing shareholders of Airtel Money are expected to sell 270 million existing shares. Also, an additional 27 million shares may be sold if the over-allotment option is fully exercised.

Airtel Africa said it does not expect to sell its existing Airtel Money shares in the offer, except pursuant to the over-allotment option.

The telco said it would remain a “long-term strategic shareholder” in Airtel Money and support the business as it moves into its next phase as an independently listed company.

Based on current indications from existing shareholders, approximately 16.5 per cent of Airtel Money’s issued ordinary share capital is expected to be held in public hands if the over-allotment option is not exercised.

This could rise to approximately 17.5 per cent if the maximum additional shares are sold, according to Airtel Africa.

Airtel Money expects the level of public ownership to make it eligible for inclusion in the FTSE UK indices.

The company said it intends to apply for admission of its ordinary shares to the equity shares category of the Official List of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and for trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market.

Airtel Money said further details of the offer would be contained in its prospectus, which it said would be made available on Airtel Money’s IPO website, subject to applicable access restrictions, on Thursday.

READ ALSO: What Dangote IPO signals – NGX Chairman

Airtel Africa has been planning to spin off its mobile money business from its core telecoms operations following the financial subsidiary’s performance in previous years.

Its mobile money unit, Airtel Money, logged a strong performance in 2025, recording $1.4 billion in turnover, more than one-third higher than what it reported a year before.

Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with operations in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Airtel Africa provides an integrated offer to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services, as well as mobile money services, both nationally and internationally.