Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, on Tuesday, formally inaugurated the State Disability Rights Commission.

The agency will be responsible for implementing the 2018 Disability Rights Law.

Recall that President Buhari, had, On the 17th of January 2019 finally—after years-long delay, signed into law the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, also known as National Disability Act). The Act was aimed to meet four goals for people with disabilities: equal opportunity, full participation in the community, self-sufficient living, and economic independence.

Now, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission will execute all of the provisions of the law at state level for the total development of Anambra people with disabilities.

The commission is headed by Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie as Chairman; Barr. Chinenye Okeke – Secretary (Deputy Director representing Ministry of Justice); Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke representing JONAPWD State Chairman; Mrs Obianyo Anthonia –  Director  Rehab ( representing Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), and Miss Victoria Okonkwo – Unit Head Ministry of Basic Education ( representing Ministry of Education).

Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie is not new to advocacy scene. He was one of the few people with disabilities appointed by Governor-elect Charles Soludo in his transition committee to oversee smooth inauguration of his administration in January 2022.

Others were Mr Tony Oli, representing  Anambra State Sports Commission; Bishop Moses Ezedebego, representing Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Dr Lady Pat Okeke, representing Private Sector); Mrs Eucharia Anekwe – Director Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (representing Civil  Society Organisation focusing on Disability Issues); and Mr Williams Ndidika Umeh, a retired Director of Education and Former Head of Department ( HOD) Education and Social Development Local Government Service Commission.

During the inauguration of the commission, the governor charged them to collaborate with relevant ministries, parastatals or corporate bodies issuing codes and directions for structural design and building so as to make them accessible to and usable by persons living with disabilities.

“Functions of the commission are; implementing government policies in the law in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and all other disability matters. Issuance of guidelines for education, social development and welfare of persons living with disabilities.

“Issuance of direction and guidelines to special schools for persons living disabilities, and issuance of direction and guidelines on all manner of disabilities, preventive or curative exercises, and other functions as stipulated in section 12 (a-u) of Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018,” he noted.

He also observed a minute of silence in the honour of Mr. Mmaduabuchi Nnofu, a visually impaired and Coordinator of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) in Aguata LGA suspected to have been ‘murdered’ and burnt by his younger brother, Onyedika Nnofu over family land.

Obiano said that the suspect was already in police custody, noting that justice would surely prevail.

On his part, the Secretary to the State government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, eulogized governor Obiano over his passion and love to uplift the plights of the less privileged, which according to him was why he ensured provision of disability rights Law, employment of over 400 Pwds members, appointment of pwd members as permanent secretaries, and others.

In a vote of thanks, Chairman of the Commission, Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, thanked the governor for uplifting the plights of the disability community in the state, assuring that with the commission, more achievements would be recorded even at the end of his tenure because the Governor-Elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has the capacity to be a tremendous governor of Anambra State.

A 35-year-old suspected ritualist has disclosed how he severed the hands and legs of a corpse at a cemetery in Ondo State after he was promised N30 million.

The suspected ritualist, Timothy Odeniyi, who was apprehended by men of the Ondo State Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, stated that before he was caught, he was to deliver the human parts in Lagos State.

Odeniyi, who was paraded at the Amotekun Office on Monday, said that he got the human hands and legs from a cemetery at Sabo axis of Ondo town, the headquarters of the Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.

According to the suspect, who used to work as a truck driver for a brewery company, his former boss in the company’s waste department was the one who sent him to get the human parts to be used for money ritual.

“I went to the cemetery to cut the legs and hands of one of the bodies buried there. I had planned to deliver the parts to the person who sent me in Lagos before I was apprehended. Once I deliver the items, he promised to give me N30 million,” he said.

“The burial ground I went is in Ondo town’s Sabo axis to chop the parts; I didn’t kill anyone, and it was my first time. I used to drive a trailer.

“When I used to drive a truck, the man who sent me used to be my supervisor. I used to throw the parts in the trash, and he’ll send people to pick it up.”

Meanwhile, the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disputed the suspect’s story, stating that he killed someone on purpose before detaching the parts after which he buried the victim in a shallow grave.

“We have a suspect in our custody, Timothy Odeniyi who was caught and arrested with legs and hands of human being wrapped in paper,” Adeleye said.

“Upon interrogation, he took us to where he severed the body of the person killed and hurriedly buried the person in a shallow grave.”

Anambra State Government says it is committed to the task of protecting the children of the State from polio virus and contribute in sustaining the polio free status of the country.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala  stated this during a press briefing organized by the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency ahead of the National Immunization Plus Days against Polio which will begin on Saturday January 29, 2022 until Tuesday February 1, 2022.

Correspondent, David Okpokwasili reports that while speaking at the media briefing held at the Jerome Udorji State Secretariat Awka, the Health Commissioner assured that no Anambra Child will be missed as the effort is to protect them from the ravaging impact of polio virus.

According to him, poliovirus has no cure, causes lifelong paralysis and may lead to death in some cases, stating that the only solution against the disease is to give children two drops of the oral polio vaccine to protect them from the viral disease.

Dr Okpala explained that the vaccine is even more important at this time when three hundred and ninety-five cases of the Circulating Mutant Poliovirus type two have been reported across twenty-seven states and the Federal Capital Territory which were caused by immunity gaps in children.

The Health Commissioner said that those eligible for the Immunization are Children between zero to fifty-nine months irrespective of previous immunization status while outlining that other antigens that will be given according to schedule and status include HBV 0, BCG, Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Pentavalent vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Measles vaccine, Yellow fever vaccine, Meningitis vaccine, Vitamin A Supplementation, and  Tetanus Diphtheria which will be administered to  pregnant women and women of child bearing age.

Earlier in an opening remark, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu said that every child is targeted to be reached in the exercise and remphasized that no child is missed.

In their separate goodwill messages, a representative of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Obiora Agbakwuru and the Cluster Consultant of World Health Organization in Anambra State, Mrs Uju Orjiagu assured of the continued support of their agencies to the state government, saying the effective model which the state government has adopted in its Immunization strategy is commendable and should be adopted by other states while they also asked the media to continue to support in the effort to reach every child with the vaccine.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has urged people living with disabilities in Rivers State to embrace digital fluency.

Numbering 30, at the digital training, the federal agency wants participants to key into its drive to use creativity in Information Communications Technology (ICT) to grow the economy.

The Director-General of the NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by the acting Director, Corporate Planning Strategy, NITDA, Dr. Aristotle Onumo has encouraged trainees trained and equipped by the Federal Government’s agency in Rivers to embrace digital fluency in the 21^st century.

It was made known to 30 participants that digital literacy is the driving force of this century, as such, individuals must be armed with the necessary capacity skills.

Participants are urged to consolidate on the digital skills acquired and ensure they make their impact felt.

The ministry made the call through its agency, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), during the training of over 30 PLWDs in Rivers State on digital skills and innovations.

The participants, randomly selected from the South-South region, underwent five-day intensive digital training and were presented with laptop computers.

Speaking at the end of the training in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, the Director-General of the agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by the acting Director, Corporate Planning Strategy, NITDA, Dr. Aristotle Onumo encouraged participants to consolidate on the digital skills acquired and ensure they make their impact felt.

He said: “I know you have gone through five days of intensive practical exposure and digital skills and are also empowered mentally and socially to go out there to create your digital world.

“There is no limit to what digital technology can do for you. As leaders, part of our responsibility is to give you required digital skills and to ensure you to go out there and create your digital world so that you will create the required wealth and have your prosperity.”

In his speech, Austin Dimpka, one of the resource persons and Head, Technical & Operation, ICT Department, Rivers State, said: “As an ICT person, I have not got any other job since I finished from the university till now, and I know how far I have gone. “

If you can double the effort I am putting in, you will be gaining millions of dollars. The first steps to greatness are in the ICT industry; just key in, the oil will finish before you know it.”

Aminu Tambuwal, the Sokoto state governor, has declared his intention to run for the highest political office, the presidency, in Nigeria come 2023.

Mr. Tambuwal would be seeking to realise his ambition under the Peoples Democratic Party.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives made this known this evening after a high-level stakeholder meeting in Sokoto.

Speaking at the declaration, Mr. Tambuwal said he is not only well prepared but also ready to fix the numerous problem of the country as President of Nigeria.

He said he has distinguished himself not only as governor but as a Speaker of the House of Reps without any blemish or corruption tag.

Mr Tambuwal joins other PDP presidential aspirants including a journalist, Dele Momodu, Gov Mohammed Bala who have declared their presidential ambition.

Recall that Governor Tambuwal came second to former vice-President Atiku Abubakar at the PDP Presidential primary in 2018.

As part of giving back to society, Nigerian-American rapper, King Joel has awarded participants of the maiden edition of the Lagos State Inter-Secondary School debate held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

With the theme “Building a better Nigeria: The Responsibility of the Parents or The Government,” the competition saw six schools including Agnus Dei of Little Francis, Alakoto High school, Great Trinity College, Anikeola Comprehensive School, Body of Christ and Victory Progressive International School battle for the ultimate prize of N500,000.

Speaking on the reason for sponsoring the debate competition, King Joel disclosed that having lived a better part of his life in Lagos, Nigeria before relocating to the US, he saw the values attached to being educated in Nigeria and as such this prompted to need to sponsor a debate competition that would see the intending future leaders of tomorrow defend our country.

After a thorough battle and highlighting of keen points, Agnus Dei of Little Francis school emerged the ultimate winner as Great Trinity College, Alakoto High School & Body of Christ Comprehensive Secondary School emerged first and second runner-up respectively.

Other special rewards were awarded to the excellent performer at the debate; Aninneji Esther Nmasichukwu took home a cash amount of N400,000 while Ajagu Favour Onyedikachukwu got N100,000 as a cash gift from the convener.

The runner up school Igedi Oluwatoyin 200,000 and her partner Chukwukere Esther got N100,000

However, the third-place position was a tie between Great Trinity College and Anikeola Comprehensive School; with all the participants that including Obisanya Lucia, James Edinyanga, Adekanbi Wasilat and Alli Temilola getting a cash prize of N100,000 each. While other competitors got N50,000 each; seven random kids were picked by King Joel in the crowd with a cash gift of N50,000 each.

On why widows, persons with disabilities and the vulnerable were gifted gifts and cash amounts; the project coordinator, Chiori Daniel Cole, disclosed that as an organization that believes in equality, it was thoughtful of us to reach out to those categories of people.

He said: “It will amaze you that we were able to put a smile on the faces of over 400 vulnerable people that cut across widows we get less support, physically challenged by gifting them with food items and the cash amount. We hope to continue on these strides in years to come.”

A man have been left in shock after his girlfriend rejected his marriage proposal in front of church members.

The man identified as Bro John had earlier informed his pastor that he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, sister Favour during service on the church alter in front of congregations.

Upon bringing out the ring to propose to the said Favour, she was shocked and immediately ran out of the church without accepting the proposal.

Consequently, the said Bro John fainted but was later revived by church members.

HGS Media Plus learned that Bro John had suggested that he and his girlfriend, sister Favour wear the same outfit to church because of the engagement plan he had in mind.