Yahaya A.G. Yusuf, a councilor in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State has appointed 18 people as personal aides to assist him in discharging his duties.

Yusuf who is representing Bajoga East in the Funakaye local council, appointed a Principal Private Secretary (PPS), 12 special assistants and five personal assistants.

Among his appointees are special assistants on Political Matters, Empowerment and Orphans, Legal and Security Matters, Protocol, Women Affairs, and personal assistants on Islamic and Christian Religious Affairs, respectively as well as PA on Public Complaint and PA on the Disabled and Physically Challenged among others.

The 40-year-old Sociology undergraduate of the University of Maiduguri is the current chairman of Gombe Councillors’ Forum, an umbrella body of councilors from 114 wards of the state.

As state donates N3m to launch Armed Forces Remembrance emblem

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, promised that his administration will continue to honour all fallen heroes and heroines in the state, as well as take care of maimed soldiers, their children, widows and dependents.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, stated this at the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Ibadan.

A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, added that there was nothing done to support the heroes and heroines that would be too much for them or their families.

He announced the donation of N3 million by the state government to launch the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Emblem.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, industrialists, commercial firms, philanthropists, and all individuals to donate generously to the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem Appeal Week Fund.

He said: “On the part of the state government, we will be ready to attend to your needs. Everybody in this hall must donate something before leaving because this is the message from the governor. So, on behalf of the state government, the governor has asked me to announce the donation of N3 million to the Nigerian Legion.

“We have to attend to the widows and widowers and give in support of their needs. Some of us have tasted the heart of the war and the effect of internal insecurity, and we cannot claim ignorance as if we don’t know what happened to those who were affected.

“Symbolically, for us in the South West, it could be easier for us to forget the effect of the Nigerian Civil War, but it won’t be like that for people in the South East. This is an occasion for good Nigerians and philanthropists among us to donate to the need of those, who were affected during the war.”

Earlier, Oyo State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Evangelist Ogunkojo Adeyemi, appreciated the Makinde-led administration for the positive and genuine disposition to the Nigerian Legion, especially when there seemed no more hope for the legion election in the state, the governor approved the long-awaited election.

He requested befitting operational vehicles for effective security operational duties and enjoined everyone to donate generously to the noble cause so that the effort of the heroes past would not be in vain.

The weeklong remembrance activities include the launching of Emblem Appeal Week, special prayers in churches, mosques, honouring veterans, as well as empowerment of widows and people with disabilities.

The event witnessed the decoration of top government officials, military commanders, the Commissioner of Police (CP) and other service commanders in the state.

A man suspected to be a ritualist was earlier today set ablaze in Ughelli, Delta State.

It was alleged that he was lynched at the Primary School axis of Otovwodo Community after he was allegedly spotted making calls concerning the delivery of human parts.

According to eyewitnesses, he was pretending to be a mad man but was in possession of an expensive android phone giving specific instructions to the caller at the other end.

On discovery that he had been spotted, he removed the sim, swallowed it, and took to his heels.

It was gathered that a mob immediately went after him only to discover that it was the same suspect that was arrested and handed over to
the police for a similar offense two weeks ago.

It was alleged that he had about twelve million naira in his bank account and had bailed himself with N500,000.

However, the Spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Edafe Bright could not confirm the jungle justice as at press time.

A Non-Governmental Organisation,  the Ikoyi-Lekki Bridge in keeping with the aims and objectives of the group has extended its show of love by donating several items to members of the Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Old Tramps (RECDOT), a centre for the physically challenged and orphanage homes in Enugu.

Making the presentation, the president of the group, Mr. Emeka Ndu,  said that this similar gesture has been extended to many orphanage homes in the South East adding that  RECDOT was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the reach out aimed at showing love to others especially people in the orphanage homes because of the commitment and zeal demonstrated by the founder of the centre.

Receiving the items, the Founder/ Managing Director of the centre, Dame Rosemary Odunukwu, thanked the group for their generosity and kind gesture to the centre and urged them to keep the good work so as to encourage the founders of some the orphanage homes in giving back to the society and to make the people feel the impact of the season which is showing love to one another.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the adjustment of the timetable and schedule of activities for the party’s primary ahead of the June 18, 2022, Ekiti governorship election.

PDP is the main opposition party in the country and Ekiti State.

The PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar M. Bature, announced the adjustment in the timetable on Wednesday.

He said under the adjusted schedule, the ward congress to elect 3-man ad hoc ward delegates earlier slated for Friday, January 7 to Saturday, January 8, 2022, had been shifted to Saturday, January 15, 2022.

Bature said consequently, the l earlier scheduled for January 15, 2022, had been shifted to Saturday, January 22, 2022.

He added that the state congress to elect the governorship candidate (candidate nomination) earlier scheduled for Friday, January 28, 2022, is now slated to hold on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

He said all governorship aspirants, critical stakeholders, leaders and members of the party in Ekiti State should be guided accordingly.

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) have established a special desk to hear and resolve matters pertaining to people with disabilities.

The Special Desk was established to avail persons with disabilities unfettered access to police services, and to give full effect to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

A significant milestone in the history of the disability community in Nigeria, the deal was struck Thursday, 6th January 2022 at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Post-implementation, the Nigerian PWD Community now has POLICE BACKING for the protection of their rights in every Police Station nationwide.

Present at the event were key dignitaries, including the ES James Lalu, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Alkali Usman Baba, PS, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nuru Alkali, representing Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development,  Distinguished Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, and Chairman, Governing Council, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Huseeni Suleiman Kangiwa.

After implementation, the Police Force will be able to give a special hearing to matters and situations that people with disabilities bring forward. There will be a special desk dedicated to hearing and promoting the rights of people with disabilities in every state of the Federation.

This alliance will see to the compliance and enforcement of the 2018 Act prohibiting the discrimination of Persons With Disabilities.

James David Lalu, Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Speaking at the launch of the special desk for Persons with disabilities held at the Police force headquarters, the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu announced that Persons with disabilities now have the full support of men and Officers of Nigeria Police in the protection of their rights and dignity.

A group Photo-op to mark the conclusion of the historical event.

While expressing gratitude to the Inspector General of Police Mr. Alkali Usman Baba, the ES seized the occasion to inform the IG that 35. 5 million PWDs in Nigeria are overwhelmed by the laudable feat and promised that the Commission will always support the Nigeria Police in the enforcement of the 2018 prohibition Act.

Lalu further stated that occasion is a movement that has come to stay and would linger on in the minds of persons with disabilities in the years ahead. 

While reiterating his confidence in the Nigeria Police,  he also said that the desk offices will serve as quick response units which will handle any form of discrimination or abuse against PWDs in any part of the country.

PS Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) Dr. Nuru Alkali Representing FMHADMSD Hon. Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq.

In her keynote address, the Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadia Umar Farouq who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Nura Alkali reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to the welfare of Persons With Disabilities. 

She used the platform to urge the Nigeria Police to inculcate the disability curriculum into the police Institute scheme so as to have inclusivity and visibility of PWDs in societal affairs.

Speaking further, Hajia Farouq mentioned that the 2018 Act prohibiting the discrimination of Persons With Disabilities will be “mere statements if not accompanied with enforcement”

Inspector General of Police Mr Alkali Usman Baba.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba in his speech, reassured Persons with Disabilities of the NPF’s commitment to protecting not just the lives and properties of persons with disabilities but, giving maximum coverage to them against social abuse. 

He further said that there is an urgent need to de-stereotyping the mindset of the populace from neglect and dehumanizing attitude towards Persons With Disabilities.

Alkali underpinned that Disability Desk Offices will be operating as focal centers domiciled at the force headquarters in order to continue to bridge the gap between the police and PWDs. 

The National President of Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Mr Abdullahi Aliyu Usman giving a goodwill message.

The Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Abubakar Aliu Usman also expressed absolute gratitude to the Nigeria Police for partnering with the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities to give the entire community of Persons with Disabilities the protection of their fundamental rights as provided by the 2018 Act. 

He said the slogan” Police is your friend” has become a reality by the synergy established today.

The high point of the event was the unveiling of the Logo signifying partnership between the Nigeria Police and the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities. 

COVID-19 pandemic has shown how critical it is to ensure essential information is accessible to everyone, including people living with disabilities.  On World Braille Day, observed on 4 January, UN agencies have been highlighting how they are promoting a disability-inclusive response to the crisis.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the person he wants to succeed him in 2023 might be killed if he names him this time.

Buhari said this during an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday.

Asked if he has a favourite among those eyeing the presidency in 2023, Buhari said he would rather keep the name of the person to himself, saying he may be eliminated before 2023.

“I wouldn‘t (mention the name of my favourite successor) because he may be eliminated if I do. I better keep that a secret,” Buhari said.

Though the majority of those interested in Buhari’s job are yet to declare their ambition, some of those being rumoured include, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Bola Tinubu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and a host of others.

Jigawa‘s Maigatari Local Government Council says it has treated and reunited 70 homeless people with mental Disability with their families.

Uzairu Nadabo, president of the Council, made it known in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency, NAN, on Tuesday in Maigatari,

Nadabo said the council spent N1 million on logistics while treating patients at the Kazaure Psychiatric Hospital.

He said most of them were biting on the streets where they slept outdoors due to lack of proper identification.

According to him, some of them after being recovered identified who they are and then reunited with their families.

He announced the council’s plans to improve the level of health service delivery in the area for the well-being of the people.

Nadabo said the council would increase its spending in fiscal 2022 to focus on equipping health centers located in rural communities.

The council, he said, had so far rehabilitated a significant number of dilapidated structures in most of the 87 public schools in the area, adding that the learning environment was much better.

He said the council also spent N18 million on expanding rural electrification in the new Nasarawa area of ​​Maigatari, adding that around 300 of the 600 unusable wells had been repaired in 15 communities.

“When I assumed leadership command, only 100 of the 600 wells are useful, I fixed about 300 and took the necessary measures for maintenance,” he said.

According to him, the council is spending a large sum of money monthly on repairs and maintenance of water facilities in the communities, noting that the problem of water scarcity has been addressed in and around Maigatari.

Festus Fajemilo Foundation (FFF), a disability-focused Non-Governmental organization has trained individuals with psycho-social disabilities and caregivers to properly manage psychosocial disabilities and other mental health issues.

Held at Surulere, the training is part of the Re-address Inclusion Rights and Empowerment (RIRE) Project supported by the Pan African Network for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANPPD) and International Disability Alliance.

Concluded in December, the project which spanned for four months sought to bring to the forefront the issue of psychosocial disability which has over time been neglected in the disability community especially post Covid-19 pandemic.

The project was also aimed at advocating for social change and inclusive policies, and to improve and advance services for persons with psychosocial disabilities.

The training also addressed cultural myths associated with psychosocial, disabilities, educating survivors of depressions and caregivers on how to properly manage cases of depression and psychosocial disabilities.

In the cause of the training, a participant who had in time past battled Psychosocial disability but wasn’t aware of his predicament attested to have suffered from the unique form of disability.

Speaking with BONews after the training, Mr. Afolabi Fajemilo, the Executive Director of FFF and Team Lead of the RIRE Project said so many people were going through mental health issues without being aware. He said the outbreak of COVID-19 further worsened the situation of persons with psychosocial disabilities.

He explained that many people developed psychosocial disabilities as a result of the anxiety and worries occasioned by the negative impact of the pandemic.

The director lamented that the issue of psychosocial disability and mental health were not given the required attention in the disability community.

Fajemilo said, “this is an aspect that is less talked about. There is a lot of stigmatisation and cultural myth around it and there is a need for a change of narrative around this subject matter, people need to have a change of perception and the unfortunate thing is that there are so many people that are going through mental health issue that they don’t even know.

“Those that have even been diagnosed are not ready to talk about it, and what this project has been doing is to raise awareness, advocate for policy change around mental health so that we can begin to change the perception of the society ,” he added.

On her part, the technical lead for project RIRE, Ms. Titi Tade called for the need to start normalising mental health issues, she said mental health issues should be treated like every other ailment like malaria and hypertension.

“The reality is mental illness like every physical illness can never totally disappear, we will always have people that have mental health issues amongst us and we need to start normalising mental health issues and avoid situations where we are stigmatising or discriminating against people with mental health issues.

“We should consider people treating mental health issues the same way we treat people who have malaria or hypertension and there won’t be room for any form of discrimination,” she explained

Further stating that mental illness is a behavioural condition, she called for the need to create knowledge, awareness, and address cultural myths.

She charged the National Orientation Agency to further raise awareness on mental health issues.

A non-governmental organisation, Centre for Disability Issues, has called on people living with disabilities to work together in unity in order to achieve their purpose.

The convener of CDI, Mr Kehinde Oshilaja, said this in a statement on Sunday, during the event organised by the NGO in Ebute-Meta.

He said, “Let us cooperate and unite in love with ourselves, because it is through such unity that all members of this centre can achieve our desire and real purpose. Presently, we have a great work ahead, and we need to be united towards it.

“When members cooperate and unite with each other, any attempt to cheat and underrate any one of them would be jointly fought and rebuffed, but if otherwise, members would be facing their problems or challenges individually.”

The Dean of St. Jude Anglican Church, Ebute-Meta, Venerable Feyi Ojelabi, who was represented by Rev. Ayotunde Osikominu, said, “I want to urge all members of the centre to use the occasion of this 2021 get-together to move closer to God and be ready to use their God-given talents. They should not allow their present position to disqualify them as because there is always ability in disability.”

A Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ebutte-Meta, Seun Odekunle, charged the people living with disabilities not to lose their hope in God as he sees their plight and is able to heal them.