Humanitarian Minister Breaks Ground for 40 State-of-the-Art Toilets Catering to Persons With Disabilities in Yangoji, Abuja.

Humanitarian Minister Breaks Ground for 40 State-of-the-Art Toilets Catering to Persons With Disabilities in Yangoji, Abuja.

Nigeria's Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,Dr Betta Edu has laid the foundation stone for the construction of  40  units of modern toilets for Alheri Leprosy Colony in Yangoji Kwali Area Council, of the federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The construction was in fulfilment of the Promise made to the community in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. Edu who was represented by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Olanrewaju described the President as a man ready to sacrifice all for the well-being of the disabilities community, stating that the President does not in any way see them as persons with disabilities but "persons with special abilities".

She stressed that the days of total neglect of the disabled community in Nigeria were gone for good.The Minister reiterated  President Tinubu's resolve to make persons with disabilities contribute immensely to the development of society.

Dr. Edu assured the PWD community that the  Ministry has approved 10 percent of all social interventions programmes for persons with disabilities as beneficiaries, saying that PLWDs are part of the society and should not suffer discrimination of any kind. According to Dr. Edu, she was eager to see the project completed and commissioned in a record time.

In his remarks,  the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. James David  Lalu assured that the project would be completed in two months and asked the contractor to put all machinery in place to ensure the project was completed in time.

He thanked President Tinubu for fulfilling the promise he made to Alheri Leprosy Colony during the electioneering campaign, saying the Alheri community and persons with disabilities contributed to his victory.

The Executive Secretary said that with the help of Dr. Edu as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, he was sure that the Alheri Leprosy Colony and other people with special needs would no longer be neglected, describing the Minister as one who shows much regard to those with disabilities and ready to resuscitate all the rehabilitation centers in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Disabilities, Alhaji Muhammed  Abah Isah described the occasion as remarkable and said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu was paying needed attention to persons with disabilities.

Isah emphasized that President Tinubu has no agenda of leaving people with special needs behind and frowned at the stigmatization of the disabled community by some members of the society.

On his part, the representative of the FCT Minister, Ibrahim Aminu Masari,  said Yangoji remains part of FCT and must not be abandoned.

Masari, who is the Mandate Secretary of Social Development, said  FCT under Nyesom Wike would not fail to include the community in the developmental agenda and applauded Dr Betta Edu for such laudable projects.he advised the community to see the project as their own and to ensure adequate protection from vandals.

Other speakers at the event include the Director Social Welfar FCT, Dr Sani Umar, Head of Alheri community Alhaji Dikko Dogo among others who commended President Tinubu and the Minister for fulfilling the Promise made, through the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Story Of The “Ghana Must Go” Bag.

Story Of The “Ghana Must Go” Bag.                    ......The Most Popular Bag in Africa but Most People Don’t Know The Story Behind It and How It Got The Name.

“ Ghana Must Go” bag is very popular in most parts of Africa. However, when you come to Ghana, it is known by many people as “Landlord Carry Me” which is translated in Twi as, “Efiewura Soame”.

But how did this common bag get its name Ghana Must Go ?, 

Under the “Ghana Aliens Compliance Order” law enacted by Ghana’s Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia in 1969, three million Nigerians and other African and non-African immigrants were asked to leave Ghana as they made up 20% of the country’s population at the time.

In January 1983, Nigerian President Shehu Shagari issued an executive order that expelled two million undocumented West African migrants, more than half of whom were from Ghana.

These West African immigrants had been attracted to Nigeria because of the 1970s oil boom, but by 1983, the economy had weakened, and it was an election year.

The Nigerian politicians hoped the expulsion would prove popular. Across Nigeria, up to two million migrants heard the warnings of arrest, prosecution, and forced deportation if they didn’t comply.

They packed what they could into trucks, cars, pick-ups, and taxis and tried to get out of the country. The primary route to Ghana was West wards, passing through Benin & Togo.

As a result of an attempted coup the previous year, President Jerry John Rawlings had closed Ghana’s main land border (Aflao) with Togo and to avoid a sudden influx of returnees, Togo then also shut its borders with Benin.

Consequently, once the returnees reached Benin, the way out was restricted, and they were forced to remain in the port of Cotonou, attempting to find a boat to Ghana.

Tens of thousands of refugees, mostly Ghanaians, were massed at the border of the two small African states of Benin and Togo.

After the returnees had been stranded for more than a week with many running out of money and going hungry, Ghana reopened its borders, causing Togo to do likewise so that Ghanaians could return home.

During the return to Ghana, a type of huge cheap matted woven nylon conquered bags used by the migrants to move their belongings, got the name “Ghana Must Go”. The bags are still very popular up to this day.

During the return to Ghana, a type of huge cheap matted woven nylon conquered bags used by the migrants to move their belongings, got the name “Ghana Must During the return to Ghana, a type of huge cheap matted woven nylon conquered bags used by the migrants to move their belongings, got the name “Ghana Must Go”. The bags are still very popular up to this day Go”. Thanks for reading.

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EKSG to leverage on livestock, crops production to create wealth, employment.

EKSG to leverage on livestock, crops production to create wealth, employment.                                    .…..As Oyebanji inaugurates L-PRES project steering committee.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has expressed his administration’s readiness to leverage on livestock and crop production to create wealth through sustainable job opportunities for the people of state.

The Governor disclosed this in Ado- Ekiti on Friday while inaugurating the Steering Committee of the Livestock Production and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project . He said government would maximize the opportunity of the project to improve productivity and commercialization of targeted livestock production systems and strengthen the resilience of livelihoods including those affected by farmer-herder conflicts.

Governor Oyebanji explained that L-PRES project, a World Bank assisted Project in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as  the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food  Security has become a feasible option to restructure and upgrade the poultry facilities at Livestock Development Centre (LDC) Erifun to a livestock agribusiness center that would accommodate various livestock value chain, upgrade the central abattoir and cattle market along Iworoko road to guarantee public health and safety.

The Governor also said the state’s veterinary hospitals will be renovated and equipped with modern disease diagnostic kits as well as establish a modern cattle market as a huge source of revenue generation and job creation opportunities in the state. 

He added that his government is supporting the implementation of the project for its potential in enhancing the already existing livestock value chains in the State.

Maintaining that the project would not only transform the agricultural land scape of the state, but would also improve the livelihoods of farmers, the Governor said his administration has developed a strategy aimed at positioning the State as a viable investment destination for agro-investors and foreign direct investment.

He said Ekiti Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) was established to serve as a catalyst for economic growth and give investment opportunities in the state a facelift,  adding that his administration has made tremendous efforts and rendered services that has laid a good foundation for livestock businesses to thrive profitably in the State.

While charging the Committee to provide policy guidelines, strategic orientation and direction for the project in the State, the Governor implore individuals, groups, cooperative societies and investors along the livestock value chain development in the State to capitalize on the project and make use of this great opportunity

“Ekiti  State will leverage strategically on L-PRES to build strong institutions around agro -economic development, conflict resolution and grievances redress, capacity building, massive extension services, construction/renovation of livestock infrastructures and help to facilitate working capital to investors. 

"L-PRES project has become a feasible option to restructure and upgrade the poultry facilities at Livestock Development Centre (LDC) Erifun to a livestock agribusiness centre that will accommodate various livestock value chain, upgrade the central abattoir and cattle market along Iworoko road to guarantee public health and safety”, the Governor asserted.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Boluwade Ebenezer, who appreciated the Governor for his commitment to the development of a sustainable commercial animal agriculture in the State through key intervention programme such as Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES), expressed his delight that Ekiti State was selected among other States in Nigeria to enlist in the project.

Boluwade said Ekiti State expressed interest to participate in the project because it's a strategic input to the State’s long-term approach and desire of developing and transforming the livestock sub-sector. 

He added that the State has all the preliminary conditions adding that its profile was rated as one of the best among the participating States.

Sexual Exploitation, Abuse And Violence Must Be Stopped In Africa — Says First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Sexual Exploitation, Abuse And Violence Must Be Stopped In Africa — Says First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.                                                         .....As she commemorates UN Day in Sierra Leone.

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON has emphasized the need for women and girls to speak up when sexually exploited, abused or violated as this will not only help them access help and heal, but give others the confidence to speak up.

She was speaking at the special prayers organized by the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr Fatima Madda Bio in honour of survivors of sexual exploitation, abuse and violence.

This was part of activities marking the United Nations Day of Prevention of, and Healing from Child Exploitation, Abuse and Violence.

“Women, speak up because your voice can help others”.

“When women stand together in freedom and speak their minds, they would remember that Fatima Madda Bio walked this path”.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu pointed out that the commemoration of the UN Day is not just a day of freedom for only Sierra Leone but Africa as a whole. 

She commended the First Lady of Sierra Leone for the commitment, dedication and hard work she put into seeing that the day is a reality.

Earlier in her remarks, the host, Dr Fatima Madda Bio pointed out that abusing women and girls is cowardly and should be eliminated using all possible legal and legislative means.

“As First Lady, I do not work for politics, but humanity, to give our best and we want to be remembered as those who changed the narrative in Sierra Leone”.

The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Madda Bio assured that his country remains committed to eliminating all barriers being faced by girls and women so they can actualize their potentials.

EKSG Proactive Measures Prevented NIMET/NEMA Predicted Flood Disasters In Ekiti – Olatunbosun.

EKSG Proactive Measures Prevented NIMET/NEMA Predicted Flood Disasters In Ekiti – Olatunbosun.

 

Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has attributed the successful prevention of flooding in Ado Ekiti as predicted in January this year by Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to the proactive measures taken by the State Government to keep the State clean, safe and flood-free.

Speaking during a tour of dredging and de-siltation works of waterways, gutters and drains in Ado Ekiti, Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun who was conducted round the sites by his counterpart in charge of Environment and Natural Resources, Chief (Mrs.) Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko, noted that over 40 kilometers of river channels have already been dredged while 23 kilometers of drainages and culverts desilted across the state capital.

The Commissioners assured that the current exercise which is in two phases, would not only be continuous but would be extended to other parts of the State with similar ecological challenges.

Olatunbosun reiterated the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to the safety of lives and property of residents of the State, adding that no stone would be left unturned towards making the environment clean, healthy and safe.

He recalled that the Governor recently approved the purchase of three 4X2 Hook Arm Garbage trucks and 20 single CBM bins as parts of efforts at maintaining environmental cleanliness in the State.

 

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Chief (Mrs.) Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe highlighted areas captured under the ongoing dredging and de-siltation exercise to include Balemo/Adehun/Carwash/Elemi/ Afao road; Mojere Market/Nova Junction/CrownBiz/Iworoko road axis, Odo-Ado/Ureje Poly road axis.

Assuring that the exercise would be continuous, Chief Aluko however stressed the need for residents to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse and erection of physical structure on waterways.

Quoting Governor Oyebanji, Mrs. Aluko said that “Government would rather spend so much on dredging and de-siltation to prevent flood than distributing relief materials and evacuation of residents from disaster areas into Internally Displaced Peoples’ camps”.

She said that residents would be thoroughly sensitized on environmental issues and preservations adding that recalcitrant people would however be subsequently prosecuted under relevant environmental laws including the prohibition of construction of structures within 30 feet from waterways.

The General Manager of State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Mr. Kayode Adunmo said his agency would embark on massive sensitization of the people not to dump refuse in drains and waterways as well as strictly observing the planning law which prohibits the construction of structures within 30 feet from waterways.

Ekiti First Lady Surprises Aged Widow With Cash Gift, Food Items.

Ekiti First Lady Surprises Aged Widow With Cash Gift, Food Items.                                                 .......WAOH Beneficiaries putting empowerment materials to use.

Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has paid a surprise visit to an aged widow, Madam Alake Ayodele, in Otun Ekiti in Moba Local Government donating food items and cash gift the the old woman.

The widow, who is about 90 years of age, was one of the beneficiaries captured for assistance under Dr. Oyebanji's pet project, Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH) Project but she was unable to attend the unveiling of the project held on October 19 in Ado Ekiti to personally receive the materials due to her health status.

Madam Ayodele's inability to attend the WAOH unveiling held in Ado Ekiti necessitated the decision to visit her in her residence and some beneficiaries of WAOH in Otun Ekiti and other communities in Moba Local Government to see how they are putting the empowerment materials received under the project into to use.

A good number of the beneficiaries who received empowerment materials like grinding machines and using them to earn a living and contributing to the grassroots economy hailed the First Lady for giving them a lift and adding value to their lives.

The nonagenarian who had lost her two children, was full of prayers for Dr. Oyebanji saying she was surprised by the gift of a bag which contained various food items and the financial largesse from the First Lady.

A neighbour to Mama Ayodele, Madam Omoladun Bamiteko, who was not one of the beneficiaries intended for the visit and other aged widows received cash gifts from the First Lady.

The First Lady who was represented by the WAOH Coordinator/Program Officer, Mrs. Oluwakemi Dairo, said WAOH was established to give succour to widows and orphans and make life easier for the vulnerable segment of the population.

She said the state government is determined to make impact in the lives of the less privileged especially widows by giving them necessary support and saving them from the claws of poverty, want and misery.

"WAOH was targeted at the poor widows and orphans to give them the succour they need. We won't relent in paying visits to all nooks and crannies of the state to ascertain the level of their wellbeing so as to give them more support in the areas where they need such," she said.

Dr. Oyebanji however assured that those who have not benefited or captured in the first phase of the distribution of empowerment materials would be assisted in subsequent ones because the the materials are being distributed in batches.

The First Lady therefore used the opportunity of the visit to move round the shops and houses of other beneficiaries most of whom got grinding machines to know how they have been making judicious use of the facilities.

The Governor's wife urged the beneficiaries to develop a maintenance culture while using the machines so that it would last long.

Apparently impressed by the gesture, Madam Ayodele prayed for the prosperity and successful tenure of the Biodun Oyebanji administration which she described masses-friendly.

Others including Mrs Elizabeth Morenikeji Famiroti in Osan Ekiti, Mrs Felicia Atolagbe, Mrs Florence Tinuola Oloyede, Madam Folasayo Agnes Babalola who received feeding allowances thanked the Governor's wife for assisting the needy.

Kano Guber Dispute: Appeal Court Sacks Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Affirms APC's Gawuna.

Kano Guber Dispute: Appeal Court Sacks Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Affirms APC's Gawuna.

The Court of  Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.

The panel upheld the verdict of the tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay which sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023.

The lower court had declared 165,663 votes of Yusuf, who contested under the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), invalid on the grounds that they were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The governor’s votes were then reduced to 853,939 while those of Nasir Ganuwa, his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, remained at 890,705.

Yusuf had rejected the tribunal verdict, which he described as “unfair” and “a miscarriage of justice”, and headed to the appeal court.

At the court, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, lead for Yusuf, asked that the judgement of the tribunal be set aside.

Kicking against the ruling on ballot papers, the senior lawyer said that was the first time in the history that a tribunal would annul an election over non-signing of the back of ballot papers.

He had said the tribunal erred, arguing further that, that was the first time that a political party would file a matter without joining its candidate as a party in the petition and the candidate would declared winner of the polls. 

But Akin Olujimi SAN, counsel for APC, countered him saying the Appeal Court stated emphatically that the non-signing of ballots amounted to electoral malpractice.