The Benue SEMA Executive Secretary and his team at the flag-off of food distribution to IDPs.

The Benue state government is putting modalities in place to ensure the safe return of the over 1.5million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the state to their ancestral homes.

The Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Dr. Emmanuel Shior made this known Thursday during the flag off of the distribution of essential food items to IDPs in the state for the month of February.

While explaining that the government was ready to collaborate with both local and foreign humanitarian partners to actualize the resettlement of the IDPs, Dr. Shior appealed to Federal Government to fulfill its pledge of ensuring the return of the IDPs to their communities.

He said: “Benue state government was ready even before now to return the IDPs to their ancestral homes because you do not keep IDPs in the camps forever.

“We recall that around last June, Governor Samuel Ortom invited groups and humanitarian partners including the media where he shared his concern about the IDPs situation in the state and directed SEMA to work out a plan to return the IDPs to their ancestral homes.

“But when we shared that idea with CSOs and other partners it was agreed that the time was not ripe for that. Indeed attacks had continued more and more and people were killed. It was within that time that the Abagena IDPs camp was attacked by Fulani herdsmen. So it was risky to try to return the IDPs.

“But the plan is there, we hope that when we put that plan together with the Benue State Humanitarian Response Plan, HRP, that we have shared with the Federal Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Humanitarian Partners as well as domestic partners, we would soon come up with an arrangement to return the IDPs.”

The Executive Secretary who decried the neglect of Benue IDPs by the Federal Government said it was unfair for the government to turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis in Benue state while the North East was getting all the attention of the government.

“The Federal Government is certainly not doing enough to address the humanitarian crisis in Benue state. It is unfair to leave the state government with the burden of over a 1.5million IDPs; the state government is overwhelmed and the Federal Government should show more concern to the situation in Benue state because we are all Nigerians,” Dr. Shior said.

Dr. Shior explained that aside from the 1,000 cartons of canned meat donated by the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency, the state government was distributing bags of beans, rice, noodles and tubers of yam to official and unofficial IDPs camps across the state.

A British passenger was said to have forced the woman to have sex while others slept on the flight from Newark, New Jersey, to London, IgbereTV reports.

His alleged victim complained to United Airlines cabin staff during the flight and they called ahead to report the allegations to police.

Met officers boarded the jet at Heathrow Terminal 2 at 6.30 am on Monday, Jan 31.

The 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and led off the plane.

He was taken into custody at Heathrow police station, where his dabs, mugshot and a DNA saliva sample were taken.

Officers carried out a full forensic search of the luxury cabin. The man was later released under investigation pending further inquiries.

The woman, also 40 and British, was taken to a rape counselling suite and interviewed by specialist officers. The Sun reports.

A Met Police spokesman confirmed the arrest and investigation.

It is understood the pair were in separate rows in business class, but had earlier been chatting and drinking with each other in a lounge area.

A source told the publication: “The woman said she was raped by the passenger during the flight while others were asleep.

“She was distraught and reported it to cabin staff who radioed ahead to police, who were waiting as the plane came in to land.

“The parties were apparently unknown to each other beforehand but had apparently been seen talking to each other and drinking before and during the flight.

“She alleged that he then raped her and was said to have been very distressed.

“Police took it very seriously and forensic officers carried out a thorough examination of the area of the plane where it was said to have happened.

“Officers went on board the plane and detained the man before taking him away.”

The Islamic Society of Eggon in Nasarawa State has offered free eye treatment to 1,509 beneficiaries.

This was disclosed on Saturday by Umar Abdullah Galle, Secretary-General of Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE).

He disclosed that the increasing cases of sight ranging from cataracts, glaucoma necessitate the association to help the less privileged in the society who cannot afford proper medication and prevent them from losing their sight.

He expressed delight over the mass turn out of people in the four centers namely general hospital Nasarawa Eggon with a total of over 600 patients, Mada station with a total of 290, Primary Health Care (PHC) Akpata with 330 persons screened, and PHC Bakyano with 333.

Gale expressed satisfaction with facilities available at all the four centers, saying ISE will extend her olive branches to another part of the state for the sake of humanity.

He however commended the medical team for working as a team during the exercise, he also appreciates the press forgiven the movement adequate coverage.

While shedding more light on the activities of ISE, the Head of the medical team, Dr. Murtala Mohammed Umar, an ophthalmologist from the national eye centre, Kaduna said that the activities begin with an awareness campaign, disbursement of eyeglasses.

He however added that over 1000 people with sight-related ailments were screened by the Islamic Society of Nigeria (ISE), of which 400 were given reading glasses.

He explained that majority of people with sight problems emanated from cataracts, stating that the World Bank is working assiduously with other related organisations to kick eye-related ailments out.

The permanent secretary ministry of health, Dr. Phoebe Angbazo appreciate the organisers of the free eye surgery, calling on other charity organization and spirited individual to imitate Islamic Society of Eggonland for conducting free eye surgery.

The permanent secretary explained that the state government has done a lot in the area of free medicare in the last two and half years.

Calling on the affluent in the society to support those in need of health assistance, saying especially at this critical time of need.

Also, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the State Hospital Management Board (NSHMB) lauded ISE for the choice of their facilities, adding that the board was going round to monitor the utilization of their facilities.

Dr. Edegba Edego, the CMD expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of surgeries which he said was devoid of casualties.

Ibrahim Adamu lauded the organisers of the free eye surgery, stating that the treatment was coming at a time that people are leaving from hand to mouth.

Also speaking, Felicia Namo thanked the Islamic Society of Eggonland for the show of humanity, adding that both Muslims and Christians benefited from the gesture.

The Bayelsa-born Ikiotere Ayebatonye who made was all over the internet after photos from his graduation were shared online has once again created a buzz online.

After sharing a photo of himself in his NYSC uniform saluting like a gallant officer on his official Facebook page, a lot of top blogs across the country has shared the picture congratulating him for his latest feat.

The Management department (Bus Admin) graduate is currently serving at the Ministry of Trade and Investment office
Bayelsa State

See more:. https://www.facebook.com/108748748202292/posts/151805163896650/?substory_index=0&app=fbl

Mr Olumide Akpata, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Tuesday has inaugurated a Lawyers With Disabilities forum (LWDF).

Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, Akpata said the forum is aimed at engendering diversity and inclusion in the affairs of the bar as well as offering the educational and networking resources that the members need.

He also said the forum is poised to cater for the distinctiveness of the Lawyers with Disability group and promote their general professional wellbeing.

“It is better late than never to have the forum inaugurated and for the committee to swing into action immediately for the betterment of the association and the public.

“Today is the day many of us in this room have been waiting for. We at the NBA are extremely delighted that we are able to formally inaugurate this forum.

“The NBA has several sections, various committees and forums, but this is essential to us because when I was campaigning for this position as president.

“I made inclusivity a cardinal point of my vow and that is why I have prepared this bridge for lawyers with disability in government, in commercial practice,our women and all lawyers with disabilities to enjoy inclusivity,” he said.

Akpata said that he identified with the fact that many lawyers with disability had long felt alienated in their struggle and that was why the forum had now been put in place to champions it course.

He urged the committee to ensure it delivers on its mandate to educate, sensitize and bridge the gap in practice amongst lawyers with disabilities and their fellows.

Mrs Asia Ahmed-El-Rufai, the Chairman of the forum lauded the NBA president for the initiative to put in place a forum to enhance inclusive practice amongst lawyers.

Ahmed-El-Rufai said that the forum would do its best to ensure that its responsibilities are effectively carried out.

“The LWDF has been saddled with responsibilities beyond legal practice and we would not let the NBA down.

“Part of our mandates includes to enlighten and sensitize the elites and the society at large, as well as give lawyers with disabilities the voice they need.

“Very importantly also is that we would work towards gathering the data of lawyers with disabilities across the country.

“This would help us plan better and we assure that the voices of lawyers with disabilities would be heard far and near, especially in policies and decision making,” she said.

Mrs Patience Etumudum, the Secretary of the forum, commended the NBA for identifying with the struggles of lawyers with disabilities and for inaugurating the forum to bridge the gap in practice.

“It is a great day in the history of the legal profession im the country to have a forum for lawyers with disabilities.

“We are glad that the forum has come to pass and we hope that the impact of the forum would be felt in the profession,” she said.

She said that the forum would boost entry of potential lawyers with disabilities into the noble profession in the future.

The members of the inaugurated forum committee includes, Asia Ahmad-El-Rufai, Chairman, Patience Etumudun, Secretary.

Other members are, Kassim Lawal, Florence Marcus, Ikem Uchegbulam, Dunk Prosphen, Daniel Onwe, L.A Archibong, Rex Erameh, and Emmanuel Ufio.

On his part, Mr Daniel Onwe, the President of Association of Lawyers with Disabilities (ALDIN) lauded the historic step by the NBA to inaugurate the forum.

Onwe in a press conference held after the inauguration ceremony said that it was a historic milestone in the Nigerian legal profession.

“The Olumide Akpata-led NBA, in response to ALDIN’s strategic and constructive advocacy for a level playing field for persons with disabilities in the NBA has constitutionally established the NBA Lawyers with Disabilities Forum.

“This is the very first of its kind in the history of the NBA, and the first among the bar associations across the continent of Africa.

“NBA President is indeed fulfilling his campaign promise of making the bar work for all and we pray that the forum will work in synergy,” he said.

Onwe said that while the forum would be dedicated to making the NBA space enabling for persons with disabilities, ALDIN would be focused on providing the much-needed legal solution to the plights of PWDs in the larger society.

He called on all lawyers with disability to get involved in the affairs of the NBA, especially at the branch level and also for the NBA branch to replicate the disability forum.

Onwe appreciated the Disabilities Right Funds (DRF) for its support and called for more support to further boost advocacy and enhance both the living condition and practice of lawyers with disability across board.

The first new 5G phone from Infinix is out now in the market, you can get the phone from any retail outlets close to you.

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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.