Billionaire Femi Otedola on Tuesday posted on Instagram a photo of himself with cerebral palsy survivor simply known as Anthony alias Kupe9ja, Igbere TV reports.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles.

Mr Otedola said it was a pleasure to see Anthony, expressing how much he loved him.

“Always a pleasure to see @Kupe9ja, a Cerebral Palsy WARRIOR! He will always hold a place in my heart,” he wrote.

Anthony had on Sunday posted a picture of himself and the philanthropist also on Instagram.

He captioned his post: “Happy Sunday from this other side with papa @femiotedola. Guess what he showed me. We are outside.”

It was not immediately clear where the duo met.

Meanwhile, Otedola’s son Fewa is autistic. Autism is a complicated condition that includes problems with communication and behaviour.

Last year, a woman publicly professed love for Fewa but got no response.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the world, through the Millennium Summit of the United Nations’ Organizations formulated eight visions for the year 2015.

Headed and financed by the World Bank Organization, these were monumental and mammoth goals that required deep, complex, and overarching policies to come to fruition. However, the World had failed big in including hundreds of millions of people with disabilities in Africa’s most populous country and around the world.

A total of 191 United Nations member states and no fewer than 22 international organizations, including the IMF and the World Bank, committed to helping accomplish the Millennium Development Goals by 2015:

The Millennium Development Goals was drafted by the United Nations (UN) at the Millennium World Summit in the year 2000. They included eight goals that were aimed at achieving what they believed to be sustainable development in both middle income and poor nations:

The MDSs for the year 2015 include:

1. Eradicating poverty
2. Achieving universal primary education
3. Stimulating gender equality
4. Empowering women
5. Decreasing child mortality
6. Promoting maternal health
7. Fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and associated diseases
8. Safeguarding environmental sustainability, and,
9. Increasing a global partnership for development.

The ambitious and compassionate as the MDGs were, As well, the World Bank, year after year, has shown a remarkable commitment to the Millennium Development Goals because, according to the World Bank, “these goals are our goals” (OECD,1996).

Per the major set deadline, there were not many of the goals achieved. There was, however, a slight decrease in the percentage of the goals indicating an achievable cause.

Upon a harder reflection, however, the MDGs failed to consider an extremely consequential phenomenon in the world today, which includes INCLUSION.

Inclusion is key to the future mobility of the world. Why aren’t we talking about what we do want to accomplish for people with disabilities around the world? What about the millions of vulnerable and internally displaced individuals in Nigeria (the country where I am from)? –which is why the list cannot stay the same.

The 2015 MDGs need modifications to reflect the world’s true humanity in these volatile times. I believe the MDGs of 2015 under-emphasize inclusion and participation, and empowerment for all people with disabilities, including vulnerable individuals all over the world.

Given the pervasive social and institutional challenges confronting the average individual with disabilities in Nigeria, including denigration, stigmatization, poor socio-economic opportunities, poor access to quality education, and difficulties engaging within the larger, non-disabled society, often constituting significant harm and consequences, the World Bank can be the bellwether in addressing these challenges for the collective development of the world.

If the world wants peace and security, including prosperity, it should formulate a disability inclusion goal for the hundreds of millions of people with disabilities worldwide.

Researchers and stakeholders in the disability community in Nigeria consistently express concerns about the current trajectory of people with disabilities.

One, people with disabilities, because of lack of disability-related technical and human supports, experience stigma and discrimination, and consequently physical and emotional abuse, constituting significant safeguarding issues and governance for Deaf Leaders and Stakeholders.

Two, Deaf female adolescents, for example, are susceptible to early pregnancy, poor reproductive choices, and dropout. Three, male adolescents with disabilities are prone to significant social vices and delinquencies that may have even more far-reaching consequences than those of their non-disabled fellows.

Fact is, the effect of disability permeates all areas of the life of people with disabilities, ranging from the poverty of communication to poor knowledge acquisition in society. This leaves us among the most vulnerable groups, creating severe safeguarding issues and governance.  Ultimately, the World, including the United Nations has a responsibility to make goals and formulate policies on these protection issues and administration.

The future of our world is going to be determined by our capacity to band together, to form interlocking clusters of compassionate and inclusive people with creativity to make our world better than we found it.

Ahead of the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, and Direct Entry registration billed to commence on February 12, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has hinted on its plan to establish a self-service registration platform.

JAMB explained that the new registration platform would only be established in Lagos and Abuja, adding that it was set to incur not less than N50 million as added commission to its financial vendors, following the introduction of the cashless regime in 2022/23 UTME/DE Registration exercise.

Head of Media and Protocol,Dr Fabian Benjamin, in the board’s weekly bulletin released yesterday, said the new registration measure was aimed at expanding the registration access points in line with COVID-19 protocols and reducing the crowds at CBT centres in affected cities.

“In its bid to leverage the digital competence of its increasing number of computer savvy candidates, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is introducing self-registration outlets in Abuja and Lagos.

“This system would, in the long run, reduce the crowds at CBT centres in these cities.  The conception of this noble idea is to, besides advancing the digital competence of candidates who feel they can do the registration on their own, expand the registration access points in line with COVID-19 protocols.

“The service provider, Bankfort, expressed optimism about the immense potential of the seamless registration mode, stating that it is the norm rather than the exception in more developed climes,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin, who noted that  JAMB would incur over N50m as commission to financial vendors, quoted the registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, as explaining that the additional financial burden was the price the Board was prepared to pay, due to its passionate concern for the plight of hapless UTME/DE candidates by shylock centre owners.

” He added that the measure would also put a stop to other sharp practices that usually trailed the payments of direct service charges for registration at these centres.

“The Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this at a virtual meeting with financial institutions and other vendors who desire to participate in the sales of the 2022 UTME and Direct Entry application e-PINs.

“The registrar pointed out that every candidate who desires to purchase the e-PIN would have to pay the sum of N4,700 as the total cost of the e-PIN which is N3,500.

”For the e-PIN as subsidised by the Federal Government, N500 for the compulsory reading text which is paid to the publisher, and N700 regulated service charge for CBT centres, which candidates used to pay directly to the centres, but would now be paid along with the cost of the e-PINs by all candidates.

“The Board would later transmit all accrued entitlements to respective CBT centres on a weekly basis or any time frame agreeable to respective centres, to curtail all noticeable infractions.

“Prof. Oloyede stated that in spearheading the collection of the N700 services charge on behalf of the centres, the Board would be taking on additional responsibilities not least is the N25 commission, which amounted to over N50 million the previous year.

“The Registrar enjoined all the financial institutions to live up to expectations as the vendors would be held responsible for any act of misdemeanours or infractions committed by their agents.

“The vendors, in their various reactions, commended the Board for its consistency in churning out innovations aimed at safeguarding the interests of candidates.

“Similarly, they made useful suggestions on how to ensure a seamless flow of ePINs from the Board to participating financial houses for speedy and prompt access by candidates,” the JAMB scribe said.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has Launched and Inaugurated the National Eye Health Committee in other to ensure universal eye care services as it works towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

The event was honored with the presence of the Honorable Minister of State for Health Dr. Mamora Olorunimbe Adeleke ably represented by Dr. Obum, the Permanent Secretary of the FMOH Mr. Mahmuda Mamman the Perm Secretary, the Chairman of the Nigeria Commissioners for Health Forum Dr. Betta Edu, the Country Director of Sightsavers Dr. Sunday Isiyaku and a host of other dignitaries and partners.

Speaking on behalf of all the Commissioners for Health in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT, the Chairman of the forum Dr. Betta Edu expressed her delight to be a part of the long-awaited launching and inauguration of the National Eye Health Policy in Nigeria that will bring a huge relief to people having Eye challenges.

“Blindness like we all know is very devastating and has led to a high level of poverty, stigmatization, and loss of major opportunities “Sadly in Nigeria, 78 persons out of every 10,000 are actually blind and many more going through several other eye challenges, unfortunately in this situation which we are faced with, we have been unable to provide a Universal Health Coverage for people who needs this care.

Take for instance, in CRS where am privileged to be the Commissioner for Health, we have been partnering with Tulsi Chanrai Eye Foundation and FCMB for over 20yrs now and they have done over 40,000 eye surgeries at a subsidized rate with the private sector playing a huge role.

We have a large crowd in our General Hospitals with people coming all the way from the Eastern and Southern parts of the Country to access care due to the subsided services by Tulsi Chanrai, FCMB, and the State Government.”

Dr. Edu stated that the policy will direct the Country on a part to achieving Universal Eye Care Coverage which is what those suffering from different forms of eye challenges needs. Dr. Edu reinstated her commitment and that of the entire Health Commissioners in the Country to work in synergy with the Federal Government to fully implement the policy at the state level.

She called on partners and the private sector to come into the space and support the Government, NPHCDA and NHIS should be fully involved to ensure this gets to the primary health care level.

The Chairman of the Commissioners for Health Forum ended by stating the importance of stepping down this policy to the local government level of Primary Health Cares taking Cross River State as a case study where support from Brien Holden has actually moved eye care services to the Primary level (CHC Ikom) with the first phase of training already completed in 2 LGAs of the State with the huge success recorded so far.

“I believe as we set up the committee today it’s not going to be about the FCT alone but critical for every stakeholder to ensure that people in their villages get access to eye care services rather than resorting to using water, urine, and even kerosene to wash their eyes as rural dwellers search for solutions. I, therefore, wish to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria for the bold step, the FMOH, and of course the Minister, partners, and major stakeholders for the support as I call on us all to push this policy down to our various States and support the policy by ensuring its full implementation.” She added.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) on Thursday visited and presented relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Uhogua, Ovia North East Local Government Area in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Adeshina Adedayo, the 15th President and Chairman of Council of the institute led other members of the institute on the visit to the camp.

Adedayo while presenting the relief materials, which include clothing and food items, said that they were in the camp as part of the week-long activities in commemoration of the institute’s 40th anniversary.

“We will also be partnering with the camp for future purposes,” he said.

The CITN president, responding to the challenges in the camp as explained by the management of the camp, noted that the challenges were of great concern.

“So as an institute that has that caring heart, because they call us CITN CARES, we are going to have a discussion at the council level.

“This is to help us talk about building a policy around our own basis of assistance for IDPs generally and motherless babies homes.

“These are things we must take as a whole so that at that point in time, we are showing one aspect of the institute, that shows that even though it’s an institution, it has a human heart,” he said.

100% Natural Herbs to Finally End Premature Ejaculation, Weak Erection, and Small Manhood.

Adedayo further announced scholarship to five of the IDPs from their present class to university level on his individual level.

The five beneficiaries include two boys and two girls presently in Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1, and a child that is still in Kindergarten.

Responding, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, Coordinator of the camp, commended the visitors for finding time to visit the camp.

Folorunsho said the visit and relief materials would go a long way to inspire the IDPs, saying we know how the country is now, and “we commend the sacrifice of everyone who has contributed to providing this support to us”.

He further said that the scholarship award would serve as a great inspiration to the other IDPs, who were pursuing various academic qualifications.

“Presently, we have more than 90 of them in various tertiary institutions across the country and 60 more would soon be joining them. I tell you, from these ones the country would be restored,” the coordinator said.

NAN reports that relief materials presented include clothing, tubers of yams, bags of rice, bags of beans, cartons of noodles and vegetable oil.

Tinubu (middle) throws a fist salute to supporters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Sunday.

Tinubu (middle) throws a fist salute to supporters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Sunday

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Bola Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria about 10 days after he travelled to the United Kingdom, The PUNCH reports.

Our correspondent gathered that the former Lagos State governor and presidential hopeful landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport around 8pm on Sunday where he was received by some leaders of his 2023 campaign train.

Tinubu’s spokesman, Tunde Rahman, confirmed the development to our correspondent in a telephone chat. “He (Tinubu) arrived at the Lagos airport just now,” he said.

The PUNCH had reported that the 69-year-old politician travelled overseas last week to hold some meetings and further consultations in line with his 2023 presidential ambition.

There were speculations that he had travelled again to London on health grounds but his spokesman debunked it, saying his principal was “vibrant”.

On January 10, 2022, Tinubu had visited the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and announced to State House correspondents that he had informed the President of his intention to contest the presidential election in 2023.

Before his most recent UK trip, Tinubu had travelled to some parts of the country including Oyo, Niger, and Zamfara states to widen consultations for his political ambition.

With his return on Sunday, the APC leader is expected to continue consultations for his presidential bid which he described as a “lifelong dream”.

Tinubu had stayed in the United Kingdom for over three months in 2021 when he underwent surgery and therapy for knee injury.

He, however, returned to the country in October of the same year and travelled to some parts of the country to meet political juggernauts and stakeholders ahead of next election.

The health condition of the APC leader has constantly become a subject of controversy but many of his staunch supporters have argued that Tinubu is fit to become Nigeria’s President, adding that he is not older than the current President of the United States, Joe Biden, 79; and his predecessor, Donald Trump, 75.

Former member of the House of Representatives, and Director-General of the Bola Tinubu Support Group, Abdulmumin Jibrin, recently said 14 governors and 26 APC state chairmen are in support of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Other presidential hopefuls so far in the APC include Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; ex-Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; former Governor of Abia State and Majority Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu; among others.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who served as Attorney General in Lagos from 1999 to 2007 while Tinubu was governor, has also been rumoured to nurse an ambition to succeed his boss through the 2023 election but the professor of law has not officially made his intention known.

Aside from the APC, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party who have shown interest in getting the party’s 2023 presidential ticket include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; and ex-governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso. While some of them had yet to officially declare their presidential bid, there are strong indications they are eyeing the exalted seat in Aso Villa.

Other PDP stalwarts including former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; media personality, Dele Momodu, amongst others have also expressed interest in running for president ahead of party primaries which are expected to hold later this year.