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600 PwDs benefitted from health Insurance package – Lalu
Health
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Abuja, June 2, 2024(NAN) The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) says no fewer than 600 PwDs have benefitted from the pilot programme of its health Insurance package.
James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of the commission gave the figure on Sunday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Lalu also told t) NAN that, the commission was working with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency in the training of over 3000 health workers that would specialise in handling disability related illness.
According to him, the training would come in the second phase of the health insurance intervention programme.
”We have provided health insurance coverage for PwDs n the last two years. We started with 600 beneficiaries.
”We are currently working with the Federal Ministry of Health to improve access to healthcare facility for PwDs across the federation and we have started the pilot programme with the Maitama district hospital in Abuja.
”We have signed an MoU for the hospital to become a referral centre for PwDs,” he said
Lalu added “‘Our intention is to have, at least, one tertiary hospital in each state of the federation as referral for PwDs,
“We are providing training for the healthcare workers in the hospital on how to handle disability issues and make sure they are disability friendly.
”The training is ongoing at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and over 3000 health workers have already passed through the training at the moment.
“We are creating awareness on access to healthcare facility for PwDs”.
On income security for PwDs Lalu said, no fewer than 150 Point of Sale (POS) machines and grant of N100,000 each was distributed to PwDs.
” We have also supported various Associations of PwDs on annual basis with grants to support their advocacy efforts
”We also provided assistive devices to three Nigerian Universities and the Sultanate Council in efforts to use the traditional institutions to create awareness on compliance with accessibility regulations for PwDs.
”The programme is expected to reduce hardship and and improve the health, sanitary conditions of the disability environment” he said.
Lalu said the programmes were also some of the commitments of the commission to ensure access to public services for PwDs in Nigeria(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).
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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
June 2, 2024
Teledalase, a Lagos community cut off from the city
Teledalase, a Lagos community cut off from the city
Bridge
By Kazeem Akande
Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Teledalase community in Maidan Orile, Ikosi-Isheri Local Government Area, Lagos State, has been cut-off from the city for two years, with no hope of reconnection, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
According to residents of the community, the big carnal, which passes through the community needs to be dredged to ensure free flow of water when it rains.
They said the Maidan Footbridge, which was used by residents to cross to the other side of the LGA, collapsed two years.
The residents also alleged that they had experienced different environmental challenges in the last two years and had written and consulted some government representatives.
They say situation is worse because their children cannot go to school during the rainy season, for fear of being drowned in the carnal, they also revealed that many had become homeless in the community due to flooding.
NAN observed that due to the collapse of the footbridge, residents of the community had to pay to be taken by canoe, whenever they needed to go to the city for school, hospital, market or even business.
The Community Leaders and Residents of Teledalase, told NAN that they had been appealing to government to come to their aid, by fixing the collapsed bridge, which disconnected them from the larger society.
Mr Alepro Ehijapor, the Chairman Community Development Committee (CDC) in Araromi Community of the area, told NAN that the stress of commuting from the area was stressful as well as painful especially for the elders in the community.
“We have been abandoned by the government and that’s why we are appealing for quick resolution before the situation becomes worse,” he said.
The community leader, also added that it was an enormous risk to transport pupils by canoe to school daily, and appealed to the government to rescue the community.
Ehijapor also urged government to build a big embarkment, to prevent the flood from over flowing it’s banks into the community.
“We want government to build an embarkment to prevent the flood from over flowing it’s banks into the community during heavy rains, as majority of the houses are already affected.
“Our school children are also at risk of not getting education, because most of them do not bother going to school when the carnal overflows, during rainy seasons,” he said.
Mr Adebayo Kareem, a Former Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman of Araromi Weigh Bridge in the community, also said that the environmental challenges was beyond the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and CDC.
“It’s beyond our capacity, the collapsed bridge and flooding are major challenges that are threatening the existence of the community.
“These problems have rendered many homeless because when there is rainfall, many residents leave their houses and seek shelter elsewhere.
“At the same time the bridge, which is the major entrance to the community has collapsed since 2022 without repair.
“Many of the residents have resorted to going out by canoe, they pay N50 per head, to enable them cross to the other side of the community.
“This is what we do to get to our places of work, this puts our lives at risk on daily basis,” he said.
Mr Dennis Olakitan, also a resident of the community, told NAN that he could not go out for the fear of canoe rides.
According to him, he has phobia for water transport, so, I find it difficult to leave my home all my legs have swollen because am indoors for months.
“We are living in isolation and fear in this community, majority of the elders cannot go out because of the collapsed footbridge.
“We beg the government to come to our rescue and save us from the life of isolation we are leaving.
Mr Abayomi Oguntimehin, also a resident, said that residents were tired of using canoe before they can connect with the outside world.
“The collapsed footbridge has disconnected us from the major road.
“We are calling and begging the government, to rescue us from this environmental hazard and find a lasting solution to our problems in this community.
“This is rainy season, some of our school children are at home for fear of the carnal, we really need urgent attention to these issues,” he said.
NAN reports that the Maidan footbridge, which sits between Oniyanrin Street and Maidan Orile, enroute Agility Bus -stop in the Mile 12 area, collapsed on July 8, 2022, after a downpour and has not been repaired till date. (NAN)
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole
June 2, 2024
FG vows to prosecute violators of disability rights
Prosecution
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Abuja, June. 2, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says it will not hesitate to prosecute any individual or organisation found in violation of the rights and dignity of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the country.
James Lalu, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Lalu said relevant sections of the disability laws prohibited discrimination against PwDs, especially as contained in the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.
He said the Act prescribes penalties ranging from fines and, or imprisonment.
Lalu, therefore, warned that the commission will not hesitate to sanction persons and organisations in contravention of the law, no matter how highly placed.
”The commission has warned that it will not hesitate to drag any person to court to protect the right and dignity of Persons with Disabilities.
“The time to stop discrimination against Persons with Disabilities is now.
”If you have any persons with disability around you, and they are being maltreated or discriminated against, the time to stop is now.
”If they fail to stop, they will surely face the wrath of the law,” he said.
The executive secretary assured the over 35.5 million PwDs in the country of the commission’s determination to continue to promote and defend their dignity and rights as it was encapsulated in the disability law. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
June 2, 2024
FG approves 500% budget increase for disability commission
Allocation
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has increased the 2024 budgetary allocation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities
(NCPWD) by 500 per cent of what it received in 2023.
The Executive Secretary (ES) of the commission, Mr James Lalu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja
Lalu was speaking on how the disability community had fared in the one year administration of President Bola Tinubu,
“The administration of President Tinubu is truly committed to providing opportunities for People Living with Disabilities (PwDs).
“The commission has continued to receive all the necessary support from the administration to ensure that PwDs are carried along.
“Since the coming of the Renewed Hope administration, there are some deliberate initiatives the president put in place to improve access to governance and quality of service to persons with disabilities,” he said
Lalu recalled that, as soon as the President assumed office on May 29, 2023, he made request on the instrument of reactivation of the African Union Protocol on Disability.
“The president did not waste time, he went ahead to sign the instrument, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment towards improving the quality of lives of PwDs which is part of the international treaty.
“As I am talking to you, Nigeria is a full-time member-state on issues of Disabilities as regarding African Protocol on Disability.,” he said.
Lalu said Tinubu equally created the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Disability Affairs to ensure that PwDs are carried along in governance.
“Just recently, there was approval from the President for the full enforcement of Accessibility Law.
“This is a policy document, created primarily to provide standardisation for accessibility facilities for PwDs in public buildings and all the build environments as well as transportation.
“The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities at the moment, is setting all the structure that are required for the full enforcement of this accessibility regulations.
“This is going to empower the Commission to monitor compliance, seal buildings and where necessary, invite erring party or organisations.
“The commission is also empowered by the law to do investigation, prosecute and sanction, where appropriate,” he said
Lalu said it was based on the approved law by the President that sanction was meted to a KFC outlet at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos over alleged discriminatory treatment against a Passenger with Reduced Mobility at the airport. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
June 2, 2024
Glamourise teaching to attract youths – education administrators urge governments

Teachers
By Oluwakemi Oladipo/Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Glamourising teaching will be a major way to attract the youth to the profession, some education administrators have said.
The administrators said on Sunday that scholarship awards, automatic employment improved salary and stipends would attract more people into teaching.
They spoke in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of dearth of qualified teachers, especially in core subjects, in many schools.

According to the 2022/2023 Universal Basic Education Commission National Personnel Audit Report, there is a shortage of 194,876 teachers in public primary schools in Nigeria.

The report shows that only 499,202 of the 694,078 teachers required at the primary school level were available.

Dr Wahab Afeez, Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, said that decline in enrolment  of students for the Nigeria Certificate in Examination (NCE) and Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) Programmes was getting worrisome.
Describing the situation as unhealthy and disturbing for the teaching profession, Afeez said there was an urgent need for governments to step up efforts in tackling the trend.
According to him, the development is gradually exposing the country to unqualified and unprofessional teachers who may put the future of students at risk.
The provost also appealed  to the Federal Government to consider improved welfare package for students in colleges of education to attract more Nigerians into the teaching profession.
He also called on the federal and state governments to consider scholarship awards to prospective students to boost enrolment into colleges of education.
Azeez said that the Committee of Provosts was making efforts to address dearth of qualified teachers.
“In the 2022/2023 academic session, we enrolled 382 NCE students and 30 PDE students.
“For this current  2023/2024 academic session, we have 353 students enrolled for the NCE and 43 for the PDE.
“When compared to what obtained in the previous academic years in the institution, you will discover that the  number has dropped.
“On our part, in 2022, we mounted programmes such as Primary Education Studies (PES) as a new NCE course, while PDE programmes are in line with the previous Technical Teachers Certificate,” he said.
Afeez said that all the courses were designed to enable the college to produce well-trained teachers.
Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education, Otto/ Ijanikin (LASUED), urged the federal and state governments to consider re-introduction of payment of stipends to students in colleges of education, aside scholarship.

According to her, there is also the need to give students automatic employment after their training as teachers.

“Teachers reward is no longer in heaven, but on earth. Teachers needs to be celebrated more and taken care of, with enough benefits.
“Back in the days, governments used to give students those benefits, while they were undergoing training as teachers, which were definitely part of the attraction to the profession.

“Whatever made them to stop that process, I definitely do not know, but governments needs to go back to the good old days.
“Governments can also give scholarships to our youth to study education, which can help to attract more youths to the programmes.
“Governments and private school owners must intensify efforts to increase salaries and welfare packages as well as  other benefits for teachers,” she said.
The vice-chancellor said that no fewer than 8,500 graduates had so far been produced by the institution in the last five years.
According to her, the institution admits about 2,000 students yearly.
She noted, however, that some left after the first year, to rewrite the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
According to her, this is because the interest of the students is in getting admission into the university, rather than college of education.
“Before our transmutation from college to university, we discovered that a lot of students who came to the college of education could not get placement into the universities of their choice. They saw it as a last resort.
“Now that we are a university of education, the number of interested or prospective candidates have increased tremendously, so much that we cannot admit all.

“For instance, over 8,000 candidates applied to this institution last session to study various education courses, but of this number,only the best 3,500 could get admission due to the quota given to us by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

“We had to write to JAMB to increase the quota for admission, which made us to admit about 4,500 students in the last admission process.

“This is our second year as a university, we currently have over 7,000 students at both the 100 and 200 levels,” she said.

Lafiaji-Okuneye warned that employing unqualified teachers in schools would lead to under-development of students, under-development of schools and under-development of teachers.

“Teacher’s training is about the passion, deeply knowing how to teach to make students to develop interest in all subjects.
“Governments should have good standards for teachers so that only qualified teachers can be attracted to the teaching profession today and in the future,” she said.

Lafiaji-Okuneye said that LASUED was endowed with quality manpower and adequate infrastructure to broaden, deepen and strengthen the teaching profession in Lagos and Nigeria at large.
The Principal, King’s College, Lagos, Mr Andrew Agada, said that qualified teachers had since been identified as key tools in achieving effective teaching and learning outcomes.
According to him, the success of any human  endeavour, particularly in the sphere of education, is linked to the quality of individuals performing the responsibilities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OKG/MIL/CCN/IGO
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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Ijeoma Popoola
June 2, 2024
MTN, Unilever others pledge 5% employment opportunity to PwDs
Employment
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Nigeria business community has confirmed its commitment to comply with the provisions of the disability laws, especially in providing five per cent employment opportunities for People Living with Disabilities (PwDs)
They made the commitment at a conference recently held in Lagos between members of the business community and the management of National Commission for Persons With Disabilities led by the commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr James Lalu.
Briefing News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the outcome of the meeting on Sunday in Abuja, Lalu said the conference was attended by 57 top private business organisations including, KFC, MTN, Access Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Unilever Nigeria PLC, Total Energy among others,
He said the business entities equally agreed to provide easy accessibility of PwDs to their business environment as well as accommodation in their workplaces for the disability community.
“Based on this commitment, I see a very cheering business community, committing themselves to making sure that they comply with the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 as well as the regulations on accessibility for PwDs.
” I can boldly say that we are making progress on the issue of accessibility and we have created awareness on the need for the general public to embrace the disability community.
This is very impressive and we also require the support of each and everybody to make this a success,” he said.
Lalu said that in the public sector, the mandatory five per cent employment opportunity quota for PWDs is captured in section 28 and 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act.
In achieving this, the executive secretary said the commission partnered with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
He said a circular had been issued on inclusion of the provision in the public service rules to ensure its maximum compliance.
Lalu said the commission recently secured over 200 employment for Persons with Disabilities in line with the Act
The ES also disclosed that the commission was planning to launch a platform for employers and potential PwD employees, where organisations seeking recruitment can advertise.
To prepare PwDs for competitive employment opportunities, Lalu said the commission signed Memorandum of Understanding with five Universities to establish Centre for Disability Studies.
“Starting with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi the centre for disability studies is expected to run five different Degree programmes.
“The first, is the Bachelor of Accessibility Engineering, which will be able to produce experts, independent consultants that will have the technical know-how on how to provide assistive facilities for PwDs.
“All buildings from the start, is expected to engage the services of accessibility consultants, who will monitor the building from the design up to completion level to make sure these accessibility features are properly fitted into the building.
“It is only after this conformity that the building will be qualified to be issued with the National Accessibility Compliance Certificate,” he said.
The second programme, according to Lalu, is Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Management, expected to train intermediate rehabilitation experts that would provide rehabilitation services to PwDs at the community level.
Another programme, according to the ES, is Bachelor of Art in Sign Language, which will be studied in Nigeria major languages.
Lalu said, it is a deliberate policy to produce sign language experts in Nigerian Languages who would bridge the gap between the deaf community and the hearing ones.
“Our mandate is to make sure we deploy sign language interpreters to all government offices and organisations where their services are needed,” he said.
Lalu said the institutions would also run Degree programme on Assistive Technology, (B.A Tech on Assistive Technology) aimed to train PwDs or any interested persons on design, manufacturing, assessment and administration of assistive technology for PWD.
“Assistive devices are supposed to be customised because a wheelchair for persons who have spinal cord injury is different from the wheelchair of survivors of polio.
“So, the degree programme is expected to carry along all this to make sure that everything is fitted for PwDs,” he said.
Lalu reiterated the commitment of the commission to providing opportunities for PwDs and stand in defence of their rights and dignity. (NAN) (www nannews.ng).
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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
June 2, 2024
Bridging gap of poverty through Renewed Hope Initiative
Analysis by Celine-Damilola Oyewole, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
“I am here also as a Nigerian to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the country.
“With the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), we shall assist the vulnerable groups; we shall try to see what we can do to naturally meet their needs.
”We hope to take off with unspent funds from the 2023 campaign purse, after which we shall solicit for funds from private organisations, international donors, Non-Governmental Organisations and free will givers.
These were the words of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on June 24, 2023 at the State House when she inaugurated her pet project, RHI, designed to cater for vulnerable women, youth and children.
Mrs Tinubu specifically said that the initiative aimed at empowering women, youths and children with focus on five key areas of agriculture, education, economic empowerment, health and social-investment.
To hit the ground running, the first lady on June 24, 2023 constituted a Governing Council Board for the pet project.
Members of the Governing Board include: the First Lady; wife of the vice president, Hajiya Nana Shettima and wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio.
Others are; wife of the Chief of Staff, Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamila; wife of the Imo State governor, Mrs Chioma Uzodinma and the then All Progressive Congress (APC) National Women Leader, Dr Betta Edu.
Two weeks after the inauguration of the board, Mrs Tinubu met with the wives of the 36 State Governors to formally introduce and acquaint them with the objectives and the mission of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
At the meeting Mrs Tinubu reminded the governors’ wives that it was time to keep promises made during the elections.
According to her, she will require their support to reach every nook and cranny of the country.
The First Lady assured the governors’ wives that, the RHI will not in any way interfere with their personal programmes and projects, rather, she believed that their support would be impactful.
“I wish to remind each of us that the exalted positions we are in today should be seen as an opportunity to impact more meaningfully, not only in the lives of people in your states but Nigeria as a whole.”
About two months into its inauguration, RHI had started yielding fruits with the graduation of first set of 35 women on ICT training and empowerment programme.
The training done in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA was in keeping with RHI mandate of empowering Nigerian women with enabling skills.
Mrs Tinubu in her address at the graduation ceremony, emphasised the importance of digital literacy and its role in fostering economic independence, noting that the skills were indispensable tools for driving growth and innovation.
The participants, drawn from across the FCT, were given starter packs which include a laptop and N75, 000 cash to enable them practice what they had learnt.
The first Lady said the training would also assist those already in business to project their businesses to the public, while adding value to the society.
Similarly, in response to the yawning gap in girls’ education, the first Lady through her pet project introduced the Alternative High School for Girls who drop out of schools.
Mrs Tinubu who launched the programme in Oshogbo, said It would offer a second chance opportunity to young girls who dropped out of school to continue their education and fulfill their dreams and aspirations.
“Our girls are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. It is high time we break down barriers that have held them back for long.
“Education is the key weapon that we must use to ensure that every girl is free from discrimination and intimidation,” she said
In addition to declaring support for the Federal Government’s Students Loan Scheme, the first lady, also, through RHI, offered full scholarship opportunities to 200 deserving students across the country to study at the African School of Economics Nigeria.
The school is in affiliation with Princeton University, U.S, under the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership For Africa’s Development-AUDA-NEPAD/RHI Scholarship Programme.
Also, in December 2023, Mrs Tinubu, through RHI, gave scholarship grant of N1 million and a new laptop to each of the five kidnapped undergraduates of Federal University Dutsinma, Katstina state, after they were rescued from their abductors.
Mrs Tinubu also awarded N46 million scholarships to university students who were unable to pay their school fees.
In line with RHI vision of advocating gender equity through inclusive education, Mrs Tinubu championed the #WeAreEqual campaign nationwide, which focuses on education as a powerful tool for change.
The first lady launched the initiative in Abuja when she hosted some first ladies across the African continent at the State House Banquet Hall.
She said the initiative, led by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAND), will last for one year.
The first lady raised concern over the rate of school dropouts among girls and primary school pupils in Nigeria
In the agriculture sector, the first lady, has, at different occasions, reiterated that her aim is to contribute to food sufficiency in the country by supporting women farmers and encouraging them to expand their agricultural ventures.
To this effect, Mrs Tinubu, launched the RHI–Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI-WASP) empowering women farmers in each of the 36 states and FCT with N10 million.
The inauguration of the programme and disbursement of the grant was done on geo-political zones basis
Specifically, on April 17, The RHI-WASP was inaugurated simultaneously in four zones of the federation: the Southwest, the Northcentral, the Northeast, the Northwest.
During the launch of the Southwest zone of the programme at June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Mrs Tinubu presented cheques of N10 million to each of the six states in the Southwest – Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti.
She said the money was for onward disbursement to the beneficiaries – 120 women farmers selected across the states who are involved in animal husbandry, poultry farming, and fishery.
The First Lady also gave N100,000 each to 100 physically challenged entrepreneurs to boost their businesses.
“The administration of President Tinubu recognises the pivotal role agriculture plays in achieving sustainable development and ensuring food sufficiency.
“Therefore, the Renewed Hope Initiative commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide aligns with the broader agenda to strengthen agricultural sector
“Today, we are supporting 20 women per states in the Southwest with N500,000 each.
“To this end, a draft cheque of N10 million per state will be handed over to the first ladies who are the Coordinators of this programme in each of the Southwest states for disbursement to the beneficiaries.”
She urged the beneficiaries to expand their farming entrepreneurship, improve their contribution to national and local food production and serve as role models to aspiring women in the country.
Also, during the launch of the Northcentral zone of the programme in Jos, the Plateau State capital, Mrs Tinubu announced the release of N10 million to women farmers in each of the states in the zone.
Twenty women were selected from each of the states in the zone – Kogi; Benue; Plateau; Kwara; Niger; Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – totalling 140 women.
In the Northwest, comprising Kebbi; Katsina; Kaduna; Kano; Jigawa; Sokoto and Zamfara states, held in Birnin-Kebbi, Mrs Tinubu announced a competition, called “Every Home A Garden”.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of House of Representatives Speaker, Hajiya Fatima Tajuddeen Abbas, said the competition was meant “to encourage each Nigerian woman to cultivate a garden at home to feed the family and share with neighbours. We want to see food on every table”.
The winner of the competition, she added, would get N20 million star prize by December 2024.
Also, in the Northeast, which comprises Adamawa; Bauchi; Borno; Gombe; Taraba and Yobe state, held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, the First Lady distributed cheques to some of the pre-selected recipients of women farmers and Persons with Disability Small Business Owners in the state.
Mrs Tinubu, who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, announced that other upcoming initiatives under the RHI include “Food on EveryTable” and “Young Farmers’ Club”.
In the health sector, the first Lady, in March 2023, donated N1 billion through RHI to support the fight to end the tuberculosis epidemic in Nigeria by 2030.
The event was her investiture as the Global and National Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Champion
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), TB is the second leading infectious killer disease after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS). with a total number of 1.3 million people globally died from the disease in 2022.
Similarly, in May, 2024, at the opening ceremony of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mrs Tinubu openly disclosed her interest in championing the advocacy for cancer awareness and prevention in Nigeria and across Africa.
She reiterated that her pet project, RHI, prioritised support for vulnerable populations, including women and children, who are disproportionately affected by cancer.
The First Lady also assisted victims of natural disaster through her pet project, such as the cash gift of N250,000 to each of the 57 families affected by flood at the Trademore Estate, Lugbe in Abuja
A sum of ₦500 million was also disbursed as relief and resettlement packages to 500 families in Plateau State and other states like Bornu, Kogi, Benue and other states.
One Mrs Olufunke Adeola, a benefactor of RHI training in Lagos said “I was able to start my own business and support my family.
“I want to appreciate the first lady. Thank you ma, for the entrepreneurship training and funding I received from the Renewed Hope Initiative.”
Also, Mrs Nneoma David, an Owweri resident said “”The RHI agricultural support scheme helped me to expand my farm and increase my yield.
“Now, I can feed my family and even sell some produce in the market.”
Similarly, Mrs Fatima Mohammed from Kano said “the education support programme has helped my children to get back to school and now they are doing well in their studies. I want to say thank you to Mama” .
Miss Yinka Oshuniyi, an Abuja resident also commended the first lady, saying “the skills acquisition programme that I attended in 2023 has helped me to learn a new trade and now I am empowered to take care of myself and my family”
The notable activities of the first lady through her pet project, since her husband resumed office as president in 2023 till date, has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to meeting the needs of the vulnerable.
She has also ensured that gender inequality and education barriers are completely wiped out in the country by giving several educational supports to the needy.
Mrs Tinubu, no doubt, is walking her talk, to play a supportive role in actualising her husband’s Renewed Hope Agenda. (NANFeature)
**If used, please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria
June 2, 2024
FG secures N20bn FDI on local production of disability assistive devices
Investment
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says it has secured Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune N20 billion towards facilitating local production of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Dr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Lalu said, the need to source for investors in the manufacturing of locally made assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) became necessary due to the high cost of the imported devices.
” Recently, we secured a foreign direct Investment to the tune of N20 billion and the organisation is committed to starting the local manufacturing of assistive devices as an MoU has already been signed.
”The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is going forward to make sure that we provide this opportunity to Nigeria for the manufacturing of local assistive devices.
”This is due to the fact that 99 per cent of our assistive devices are imported and the prices are higher and are now getting out of the reach of the poor.
“Even, the budgetary allocation provided may not be able to provide assistive devices to the disability community across all states of the federation,” he said.
Lalu added that promoting local contents in the manufacturing of assistive devices will go a long way to increase patronage and boost the nation’s economy.
”With the local manufacturing of assistive devices, it will encourage the state governments, local governments and other government agencies to procure and distribute them to the disability communities.
”The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is working already in the area of local manufacturing of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities.
”These include, wheelchairs, hearing aids and other devices for the blind and the deaf as well as persons with albinism,” he said
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the commission was touting for talent in innovative and creative industry to improve in the production of assistive devices for PwDs.
”Just recently, we saw a video circulating on social media about one person in Kano, who was able to manufacture a digital eye-glass that can assist a blind person to walk around using sensors that will communicate to him through voice.
” When we saw this, we put an invitation to the innovator to come to our head office.
“We are expecting him at our head office on Tuesday and we are going to review his invention, to see what we can do, to partner with the Bank of Industry and NASENI to bring the innovation to reality in Nigeria,” he said.
Lalu noted that Nigeria is a land of great opportunities ,adding the the commission will scout for the opportunities in other to bring the disability community into technological era. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
AMU/ROT
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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
June 2, 2024
Bago slashes registration fees of Abdulkadir Kure varsity by 50%
Bago slashes registration fees of Abdulkadir Kure varsity by 50%
Fees
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Minna, June 2, 2024 (NAN), Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has approved a 50 per cent reduction of the registration fees of all the students studying in Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna.
This largesse was part of his efforts to ease the burden on parents following the removal of fuel subsidy.
The Pro- Chancellor University disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday.
Yahaya-Kuta explained that the governor said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the compounding financial hardships on parents.
According to him, the decision would reduce the effect of the current economic hardship on the students and their parents who are suffering from the consequences of the fuel subsidy removal.
Yahaya-Kuta further stated that all the students studying regular courses in the institution were to enjoy the total relief of a fifty per cent reduction in the registration fees in the ongoing 2023/2024 academic session.
While congratulating the students, parents, and the people of Niger on the development, the governor hoped that the beneficiaries and entire people of the state would lend their unflinching support and cooperation to the present administration.
He said, “Governor Bago implored the beneficiaries of the government’s kind gesture to reciprocate it by being more committed to their studies for the development of the state and humanity at large.” (NAN)(www.nannewsngr.com)
BAB/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
June 2, 2024
NDDC plans ferry services, jetties in Niger Delta communities
Services
By Ehigimetor Igbaugba
Calabar, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will construct jetties and provide safe ferry services in communities not connected by roads in the region.
The Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made the disclosure at the inauguration of Abitto Luxury and Maritime Safety Boat in Calabar on Saturday.
Ogbuku, who described the Abitto ferry services as a game-changer in transportation business, said that NDDC would partner the group to connect communities in the region.
He noted that the partnership would provide safe means of transportation in the communities and stimulate their local economy.
“We have so many communities in the region that are not connected by roads, so we can collaborate with Abitto to extend these services to them
“For the Niger Delta to develop, we will not wait for foreigners, we shall use what we have to stimulate our local economy,” he said.
In his speech, the chairman of Abitto Global Services, Mr Richard Akinaka, said that the idea was to provide transportation services and reduce the travel time between Calabar and Uyo.
“This is very important, especially against the background of the bad state of Calabar-Itu road.
“We emerged as a result of the need to provide comfortable means of transportation and to create employment opportunities.
“I am proud to announce that about 90 per cent of the entire infrastructure, including the boats were built by us here in Calabar,” he stated.
Speaking at the occasion, the Senator representing Cross River South at the National Assembly, Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the ferry services would reduce the travel time between Calabar and Uyo to about 30 minutes.
“With this, you are creating jobs and promoting commerce. This is clearly a good omen” he said.
Ekpenyong said that it had become expedient to return to natural means of transportation owing to the depreciation on the roads.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ESI/EBI/AZU
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Edited by Benson Iziama and Azubuike Okeh

June 2, 2024