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NEWS ANALYSIS: Renewing hope for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
Renewing hope for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
A News Analysis by Ahmed Ubandoma, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Centre for Citizens with Disabilities is a non-governmental organisation that has, on many occasions, raised concerns about the population of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the country.
The argument of the organisation has been that without an accurate figure on PwDs, it will be difficult to make adequate plans for their wellness.
It alleges that the 2006 Nigerian census recorded 3.2 million people as living with disabilities, or 2.32 per cent of the total population of 140 million people in that year which, according to it is inaccurate.
It then enjoined the National Population Commission to cooperate with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for a fair capturing of the PwDs in future census.
Concerned persons living with disabilities have also observed that the ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 2007 and its Optional Protocol in 2010 have no any impacts on the management of PwDs across the country.
According to them, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, charged with submitting reports on progress might not have been doing so, thus limiting the understanding of disability to a treatise of welfare and charity, resulting in total neglect of the several rights of the PwDs.
For instance, Mr James David Lalu, the pioneer Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, explains that it takes 20 years struggle to recognise the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in the country.
“There are a lot of things to put in place in a particular building before you can achieve an effective accessibility. One of the efforts we are making is to create a programme to bring together experts on accessibility, within and outside the country’’, he explains.
Similarly,Mr Abdullahi Usman, President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities notes that many PwDs live in abject poverty “and if you go to some parts of the country, they engaged in street begging because they are not educated enough to know the dangers of it.
“Our members needs skills acquisition training if the Federal Government can help us to admit our members into skills centres to acquire different skills, we will appreciate that’’.
Concerned by this condition of the people living with disabilities, President Bola Tinubu’s administration through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, announced a new policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda that in every social intervention programme undertaken by government, 10 per cent of such would be reserved for PwDs.
Suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Betta Edu who announced the new policy while inaugurating various empowerment programmes for persons with disabilities in Abuja, said that the President directed that the disability community should be given priority in all intervention programmes of government.
“Already, we are into conditional cash transfers for 15 million households; out of this figure, 10 per cent is reserved for the disability.
“So, we are happy and very proud of the disability commission for pushing on all fronts to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda is actually achieved,’’ she noted.
“We are providing Point Of Sales (POS) machines to persons with disability across the country so that they can be the last mile distributors of the funds to people living in villages and hard-to-reach areas.
“We also gave N130, 000 each, as scholarship to some physically challenged students in tertiary institutions.
“Beyond this, we have also been able to bring officials of the Corporate Affairs Commission to carry out proper registration of their businesses and N20 million has been released for that purpose.
“We are having several other interventions such as giving out grants to associations linked to persons with disabilities,” she said.
Edu said that the Federal Government would be committed to supporting the educational needs of citizens, persons with disabilities inclusive.
She also said that the ministry would collaborate with the Ministries of Finance, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, among others, to eradicate poverty in the country.
“Some people are poor because they do not have access to education while others are poor because they do not have access to quality healthcare services or are poor because they do not have access to jobs,’’ she observed.
She said that the ministry had been given a full department to coordinate the overall national responses on issues relating to affecting persons with disabilities in the country.
Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Abdullahi Usman, President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, therefore, commended the president for the gesture and for rectifying the African Charter on Human Rights and the rights of persons with disabilities in the country.
Usman, however, decried the slow level of implementation of the presidential directive which he said that only half of his members had so far benefited from the intervention programme.
“First, we must appreciate the government of Tinubu with the Renewed Hope Agenda and for his wonderful job of ensuring that there is equal opportunity for all citizens.
“All we are asking for is to have equal opportunity where inclusive society will be guaranteed because nothing about us is without us’’ Usman pleaded.
Ms Chisom Onyekwere, one of the beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope intervention programme that got POS machine, also expressed gratitude for the gesture.
“I am a living witness of the Renewed Hope intervention programme and for me, the president has made impact in this one year of his government because I was given POS machine and a token of N100,000 to startup my business through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs,’’ she said.
Mr Halilu Gayam, Chairman, Nasarawa State Association of the Deaf, however said that his members had yet to feel the impact of the Renewed Hope intervention programme.
“We in Nasarawa State have yet to feel the impact of president’s intervention but we use to see in television as other states benefit and we hope our turn will come.
“Majority of our members in Nasarawa State are well educated because we have special needs school and the areas we would need Federal Government support is job opportunities,’’ he said.
Also, Ms Brisca Aaron, Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, said that the state had benefited from the Federal Government’s intervention programmes.
“The policy has been implemented in Bauchi State because the state is benefiting from the relief materials and other social interventions of the Federal Government to persons with disabilities under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Bauch is the first in the North-East region of the country to domesticate the discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Law and we have strong synergy with the Federal Government in promoting disability inclusive projects, especially as it relates to their education, health and social wellbeing,’’ she said.
Observers, nonetheless, believe that Tinubu means his promise on the Renewed Hope Agenda when he said that it would leverage the nation’s population and resources with main focus on unleashing the nation’s full economic potential.(NANFeature)(nannews.ng)
**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
June 21, 2024
FG inaugurates 116 housing units, delivers keys to 4 beneficiaries in Gwagwalada
FG inaugurates 116 housing units, delivers keys to 4 beneficiaries in Gwagwalada
Inauguration
By Okon Okon
Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government on Friday, inaugurated 116 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows at the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Estate at Gwagwalada Area of Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF) expressed delight at the successful implementation of the project after its ground-breaking not quite long ago.
According to Yemi-Esan, FISH project is one of the key programmes of the 6 pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2021 to 2025).
She added that the priority area of FCSSIP25 was devoted to enhancing the value proposition for civil servants, regarding their welfare.
She said the current house price with different income ratios among civil servants had made it difficult for some civil servants to purchase their own house in the nation’s capital, hence the need for government’s intervention programmes.
“To tackle these challenges therefore, and with the objectives of delivering affordable houses for civil servants, the office of the HOCSF established a FISH programme with the main objective of reducing the cost of housing for civil servants to the barest minimum.
“These houses and their keys will be delivered to those fortunate civil servants today and in the course of this event, there will be a symbolic presentation of keys to four officers who have been allocated houses in this estate, ” she said.
Also, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, who described the project as worthwhile, commended Yemi-Esan for her efforts at ensuring that civil servants working in Abuja could afford houses of their own.
“I am aware that about three years ago, my ministry under my predecessor allocated five hectares of land free of charge to the head of service for the purpose of this project.”
The minister said the vision of providing a home for Nigerians by the HOCSF was in line with the vision of renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, who had pledged 150 houses in each state of the federation.
According to Dangiwa, the vision is aligned perfectly with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope of housing and urban development.
In his remark, Mr Ibrahim Mairiga, Executive Secretary, Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), who congratulated the beneficiaries, described the Estate structure as a model worth emulating by reason of infrastructure within the premises.
Mairiga lauded the efforts by the head of service who collaborated with his office for the successful implementation of the projects.
Meanwhile, Mr Lawal Babatunde, a staff with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, one of the beneficiaries, expressed appreciation on behalf of others.
Babatunde commended the gesture of the office of the HOCSF and the FGSHLB for creating such opportunity for civil servants.
“As civil servants from the core ministries to become proud house owners in the FCT, indeed it is a thing of joy for such an opportunity, indeed we are grateful, ” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration was part of the programmes to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week.
The week has as its theme: ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa’.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MZM/KOO/BRM
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Bashir Rabe Mani
June 21, 2024
A’Ibom: NDLEA apprehends 300 suspects, seizes 190.419 kg of drugs
Suspects
By Isaiah Eka 08039185152
Uyo, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested 300 suspects and seized 190.419 kg of hard drugs between July 2023 and May 2024 in Akwa Ibom.

Mrs Obot Bassey, NDLEA Commander in Akwa Ibom, disclosed this at a news conference to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Uyo on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for this year’s International Drug Day is: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”

Bassey said that out of the 300 suspects arrested, 249 were male and 51 female, and that no fewer than 61 drug offenders were convicted in the state within the period.

She said that the command had treated and rehabilitated 24 male drug-dependent persons, and carried out anti drug abuse campaigns at 82 locations across the state.

“Drug abuse negatively impact people’s health and their well-being. Many deadly drugs are permeating the illicit drug market and causing havocs on people’s health,” she said.

She called on corporate bodies and philanthropists to participate actively in the campaign against drug abuse.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IE/GOM/AZU
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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and Azubuike Okeh

June 21, 2024
Cholera: LP urges Sanwo-Olu to stem spread

Cholera: LP urges Sanwo-Olu to stem spread
Cholera
By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Labour Party in Lagos State has urged Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intensify efforts at controlling the spread of cholera , especially to schools.
The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mrs Olubunmi Odesanya, who made this plea in a statement on Friday in Lagos, said that the state government must work hard and give the epidemic the required emergency response.
Odesanya said: “Labour Party in Lagos State is calling to question the responsiveness of the state government to the current cholera epidemic in the state, the scourge is fast spiralling
“LP Lagos State is upset that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu government has not accorded the problem the kind of response it should.
“So far ,the government has not done more than a mere issuance of advisory.
“Has the government looked into the remote and direct cause of the disease with a view to abate the spread of the dreaded disease?Time for action is now”,he said.
Odesanya said that the state must do everything possible to avoid needless deaths.
“The reported figure of deaths is over 40 and infection rate is about 400,” she said.
According to her, residents cannot afford an uncontrolled spread of the epidemic as they are already grappling with many socio-economic problems.
Odesanya added: “The Labour Party in Lagos State has continued to watch with amazement the less-than-warm attitude and disposition of the state government to the issue.
“To us in the Labour Party, it seems the state government does not appreciate the threats posed by the continued spread of the disease.
“Rather than tackle this very serious matter frontally by activating the heath systems to tame the scourge, the best the Sanwo-Olu -led government has been able to do is to issue an ineffectual advisory, which has not ,in anyway, curbed the spread of the scourge .”
She urged the state government to ensure provision of clean and potable water to residents as a way to stop the spread of the epidemic.
The LP spokesperson said that the state must also take steps to ensure the environment is clean and safe.
“The festivities just ended and our children are back to school. The fear of our hapless children contacting cholera is there”,she said.
Odesanya said that the Labour Party commiserated with families of those who had lost their loved ones to the epidemic.
She prayed for full recovery of patients down with cholera
The publicity secretary urged residents to also adhere to good health and sanitary precautions to stay safe. (NAN) (www.nannws.ng)
AYO/BHB
Edited by Buhari Bolaji
June 21, 2024
Man, 36, arraigned for alleged theft of N5.2m
Stealing
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, June 21, 2024 ( NAN) A 36-year-old man, Yetunde Alao, who allegedly stole $5,006 Canadian dollars (about N5.2 million), on Friday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant and others still at large committed the alleged offences on June 2, at Akeem Balogun Street, Idimu, Lagos.
According to him, the defendant allegedly stole a cash sum of $5,006 Canadian dollars, equivalent of N5.2 million, five Jackets worth N500,000 and an international passport, belonging to one Mr Anthony Alao.
He told the court that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ariyo ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.
She, however, adjourned the case until July 2 for mention.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OCC/KOO/JNC
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
June 21, 2024
DEPOWA President pledges continuous support for military widows
Widows
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Mrs Oghogho Musa, the President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), on Friday, pledged continuous support for wives of fallen heroes of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Musa said this at the commemoration of the 2024 International Widows Day in Abuja.
She said the day was set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness on the plight of widows worldwide and to advocate for their rights and well-being.
Musa said that widows had historically been left unseen, unsupported and unmeasured in many societies, emphasising the need to support them.
She stressed the need to bring widows’ needs to the forefront and ensure their voices are heard.
According to her, the day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by widows and the need to address their unique social, economic, health and legal issues.
“Widows particularly in developing countries, often experience discrimination, social isolation and economic hardship following the death of their husbands.
“They may face obstacles in inheriting property, accessing education and healthcare and participating in the workforce.
“Many widows and their children are trapped in a cycle of poverty, vulnerability and marginalization,’’ she said.
Musa said that the day was earmarked to honour the strength of women, their resilience and courage.
“We acknowledge the pain and the loss you have endured, but we also celebrate your determination and your refusal to be defined by grief.
“We recognise that your journey is not easy, that there are days when the darkness feels overwhelming but we want to remind you that you are not alone.
“You have your loved ones and you have a global community such as DEPOWA that stands with you in solidarity,” she said.
The DEPOWA president recalled that the association had over the years, impacted positively on wives of fallen heroes, youths and less privileged through empowerments, sponsorships, donations and trainings.
She said some wives of fallen heroes and youths recently were trained at the DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Centre, on bag making, ICT, production of household items, hair making, tying of gele, tailoring and culinary.
According to her, the essence of the programmes is to assist them to be financially independent, confident to thrive and contribute positively to their communities.
She reiterated the commitment of DEPOWA towards assisting the wives of fallen heroes to ensure they were not marginalised, stigmatised but celebrated and empowered.
Earlier, Dr Juliette Ango, a Consultant, Public Health Physician, said that part of the problems associated with widows included health issues, poverty, violence and finances.
Ango called for empowerment of widows and regular medical screening to check their health status.
According to her, it is so sad to say that women are known to take care of others and do forget to take care of themselves, especially their blood pressure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured medical outreach for widows and empowerment lectures on health, finance and managing widowhood. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OYS/DE/ADA
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Deji Abdulwahab
June 21, 2024
Illegal Mining: Geoscience society urges adequate funding of mines offices.
Mining
By Isaiah Eka
Uyo, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Mining Geosciences Society (NMGS) has called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding of mines offices across the federation to tackle illegal mining activities.
NMGS President, Prof. Akinade Olatunji, made the call at a press conference to mark the 255th council meeting of the society in Uyo on Friday.
Olatunji said that there was need for the engagement qualified staff at mines offices to ensure proficiency in service delivery.
He said that illegal mining had led to environmental degradation and deaths in different parts of the country.
The NMGS President further called for the provision of logistic vehicles for federal mines offices to ensure effective operations.
“The issues of inadequate funding and lack of facilities are having adverse effects on the operations of mines offices.
“Illegal mining does not take place in the city centres, they are done in remote areas with bad roads.
“Federal mines offices are supposed to be equipped with vehicles and personnel. They are supposed to have sufficient running costs to do the job,” he said.
Olatunji, said that mines offices must be made functional if the government was serious about curbing illegal mining activities.
“Government should stop paying lip service to the issue illegal mining activities. As society, we frown at illegal mining, it is unproductive,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IE/AYO/AZU
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Edited by Ayodeji and Azubuike Okeh
June 21, 2024
Woman, 39, faces N2.4m fraud charge
Fraud
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) A 39-year-old woman, Nancy Nwokolo, a staff of Remosakar Women Empowerment, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), on Friday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2.4 million under false pretences.
The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud, conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant, and others still at large, committed the offences on March 4 and July 11, 2023, at No.14, Adetayo St., Ikotun, Lagos.
He said the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N2.4 million from the complainant, one Mr Smart Chukwu, under the guise of investing the money for him.
Aigbokhan said the defendant used her position as a staff of the NGO to defraud the complainant.
The prosecutor said the defendant did not invest the said money but converted it to personal use.
He said the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Nwokolo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Ariyo ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until July 5 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OCC/AYO/JNC
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Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
June 21, 2024
Don tasks churches on balanced provision for congregants
Don tasks churches on balanced provision for congregants
Food
By Victor Adeoti
Ede (Osun), June 21, 2024 (NAN) A Professor, Afe Adogame, has urged pentecostal and charismatic churches in Africa not to neglect provision of “physical food” for their congregants while satisfying them with the spiritual one.
Adogame, Professor of Religion and Society at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, United States, said this was imperative, especially with the harsh economic situation in Africa and the world at large.
He made the remarks at the maiden lecture series of Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Redeemer’s University(RUN), on Friday, in Ede, Osun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture had as its theme” Spiritual Ecologies and Moral Imaginaries in African Pentecostal Religioscapes”.
Adogame said that only one who is well-fed would truly enjoy and absorb spiritual food.
He urged religious institutions, including churches in Nigeria, to look into concrete investments and endowments that would deal with ‘stomach infrastructure’.
The don said that such investments should also address food security, job creation, sustainability and employability in the lives of the congregants.
He said this would assist the congregants to find security and contentment in the God they are taught to believe in.
Adogame said although it was paramount to take care of an individual’s spiritual well-being, physical needs should not be overlooked.
He said that institutions like RUN and the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which had already started integrating food production and real estate into their expansion strategies, could serve as model to other institutions and churches.
Adogame said that this would assist them to become ‘food baskets’ and ‘food laboratories’ to cater for not just their immediate environment but the larger society.
In his remarks, Prof. Oluremi Shadrach, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, appreciated the guest speaker for an apt delivery of the lecture.
He was represented by the institution’s Librarian Dr Akinniyi Adeleke.
Also, Prof. Babatunde Adedibu, the Head of Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, discussed the topic “Despite the various religious activities, why is crime a menace in the society?”
Adedibu, the host, also appreciated the guest speaker.(NAN)
VE/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
June 21, 2024
Nwifuru’s wife inaugurates free ICT training for youths in Ebonyi
Nwifuru’s wife inaugurates free ICT training for youths in Ebonyi

Training

By Uchenna Ugwu

Abakaliki, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, on Friday in Abakaliki inaugurated a three-month free training on digital skills acquisition for youths in the state.
Mrs Nwifuru inaugurated the training through her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), in collaboration with the state government.

The wife of the governor, who gave the beneficiaries start-up kits, said the initiative came as an effort to create digital literacy skills and provide employment opportunities to the younger generations in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries will be trained in frontend development, hardware maintenance/networking, graphic design, video editing and content creation.

She noted that the basic and practical skills in information technology and digital literacy were key to self-development and uplifting their potential.

The governor’s wife affirmed the state government’s commitment to providing the youth an enabling environment for the training.

She commended the governor for his support for the programme.

Earlier, Mr Tochukwu Okorie, Commissioner for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), said the essence of the scheme was to bridge the digital knowledge gap and enable the beneficiaries become self-reliant in their various endeavours.

Also, Mr Peter Oga, Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ebonyi Command, appealed to the youth to embrace the scheme and stay away from drug abuse.

Mr Kenneth Offor, Deputy Commander, NDLEA, who spoke on the topic, “Abstaining from illicit drugs”, advocated a treatment and rehabilitation centre in the state.

Speaking, Mrs Nkechi Echiegu, BERWO team leader, said 65 young men and women would embark on the free training scheme aimed at enhancing the digital literacy skill of youths in the state.

Echiegu highlighted that the foundation embodies a shared vision to address critical issues and enhance the quality of life for all.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed satisfaction for participating in the programme.

A beneficiary, Stephanie Okorie, expressed appreciation to the state government and the foundation for the initiative and pledged to utilise the knowledge gained for self-development and creation of digital empowerment.

NAN reports that the pilot phase of 65 beneficiaries were drawn from across the 13 local government areas of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
UVU/GOM/FAA
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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Folasade Adeniran

June 21, 2024