By Ahmed Ubandoma

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), has expressed its readiness to partner with the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), for effective distribution of membership certificates to Persons with Disability (PWDs).

Dr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of the commission, said this on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Postmaster General, Tola Odeyemi, in her office in Abuja.

Lalu, who was at the NIPOST to solicit for partnership, said the commission would liaise with the Postmaster General, to ensure the distribution of the certificates to PWDs across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.

“I believe you will play a key role in ensuring that persons with disabilities get their certificates using the NIPOST digital platform because your offices are located in all the 774 LGAs and beyond.

“We want to leverage on this wider network coverage to distribute these certificates because PWDs resides in rural communities across the country.

“So partnering with Institutions like this will assist us in distributing those certificates” he said.

The Executive Secretary also used the opportunity to inform the Postmaster General on the existence of disability laws.

According to him, the enforcement of discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Prohibition Act 2018 will commence soon.

He, therefore, urged the Postmaster General to ensure that NIPOST complied with the relevant disability laws.

“Part of the provisions of the law was that in every employment opportunities undertaken by a public establishment, five per cent must be reserved for PWDs.

”Though,  many people will still claim ignorance of the discrimination against Persons with Disabilities law but, when it is taken to them, there will not be excuse anymore” he said.

Lalu told the Postmaster General that the five years moratorium earlier announced by the federal government on the enforcement of discrimination against PWDs laws had elapsed in January 2024.

According to him, this gives room for full compliance and prosecution of anyone who infringes on the law.

He, however, said the penalties would be reviewed by the National Assembly in due time in order to serve as punitive measures.

“The entire part of the law is explicit about the provisions of access to public infrastructure and buildings in the specific mode and measurements” lalu said.

On her part, the Postmaster General said, NIPOST would play a critical role in ensuring that it provided a platform for promoting inclusivity for PWDs.

Odeyemi assured the commission of her determination to assist them in fulfilling their mandate.

She expressed readiness to support efforts towards advocating for the enforcement of the rights of PWDs.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Maureen Okon/Funmilayo Adeyemi

Care International, Nigeria, an NGO has urged the Federal Government to establish a policy framework that will encourage people, especially women, to embrace a saving culture.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, at the 2024 National Savings Group Conference, with the theme, “Accelerating Financial and Economic Inclusion: The Pivotal Role of Savings Group in Nigeria”, the Country Director of the NGO, Dr Hussaini Abdul, said doing so would reduce poverty, especially in rural communities.

Abdul underscored the need to strengthen the process of the saving groups to encourage more participation from all parts of the country.

“For anyone who knows the political economy of this country, poverty is deeply entrenched in the country and it is even more entrenched in the rural areas.

“One of the drivers of poverty in the rural areas is the lack of basic social services. Among these services are financial services.

“But we also know that in the rural communities, people have reacted to those conditions by creating certain cultures that support their financial needs whether you call it “esusu”, “ajo” or “adashi”.

“Over the years, international organisations and local groups have learned to support those mechanisms through a stronger system that allows for better coordination, management, and accountability.

“So we think that it is important for government at all levels to pick a significant interest in what is going on, develop a better policy framework that supports the process of the institutionalisation of this mechanism,” he said.

According to him, the conference will provide a harmonised atmosphere for engagement and collaboration on the pivotal role of savings groups in driving financial inclusion in the country.

Dr Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Financial Inclusion, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima, pledged to review the policy framework to make the environment conducive for savings groups.

“At the moment, about 26 per cent of Nigerians are financially excluded and again we have about 36 per cent of Nigerians that are currently unbanked meaning that the inclusion constitutes about 10 per cent of that from the informal sector.

“Based on the records, we also have a large chunk of Nigerians as multidimensionally poor, and security challenge is associated with this.

“President Bola Tinubu understands this problem and the renewed hope agenda attached important role of financial inclusion,” he said .

NAN reports that Plan International, ActionAid, Mercy Corps, USAID, GIZ, The World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations are some of the implementing partners in the scheme. (NAN) (www.nan.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Maureen Okon

The Governor of Benue, Rev. Hyacinth Alia says justice is vital to restoration of sustainable peace and stability in Nigeria.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Mr Samuel Ode, made this known at the Mercy Corps Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) National close out and dissemination event, on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-year CIPP programme, funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in six states, has come to an end.

The states were Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Kogi and Plateau.

The intervention was done in 24 LGAs in these states.

Alia said that there was a close relationship between a peaceful society and the delivery of justice in countries across the globe.

“Benue Government is conscious of the fact that CIPP intervention is transit, and we cannot continue to rely on only this intervention for peace keeping within our communities.

“I want to pay a special tribute to the government of the United States of America through USAID for the peace building efforts and generally for helping this great country Nigeria, in deepening democracy and other aspect of our national lives.

“I think that there’s a close nexus between peace in our society and justice, conversations around peace all over the world has established that there’s a nexus between a peaceful society and the delivery of justice,’’ he said.

He lauded the Chief Judge of Katsina State and his counterparts across the country for the elaborate work they are putting in place to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

The USAID Mission Director, Ms Melissa Jones, lauded Mercy Corps for being at the forefront of promoting peace in Nigerian communities.

She said that USAID was a small part in actualising the joinery of peace in some communities in Nigeria.

Jones said politician, faith and traditional leaders should strive to deepen peace building efforts across Nigeria.

“It is in your hands that peace is possible. USA government is pleased to be a small part of this incredible journey,” the director added.

She said that peace building was important to any nation’s progress and development.

“Let me reflect on the realities of violence. Violence destroys lives, children, marriages and our communities and violence in many instances has destroyed many nations, but peace heals, and it is eternal as all the great prophets talk about peace.

“The greatest politicians are known and are remembered for peace.

“Martins Luther King said that, the ark of morality is long and its bends towards justice; at the end of the day we all strive for peace, so why is it so hard to obtain or for us to come together to cross lines to be close?”

She said that the CIPP intervention had demonstrated “something extraordinary”.

“It shows that a small and definite peace can yield remarkable results and individual training in conflict mediations skills has helped to resolve 100 of disputes before they are escalated further,’’ Jones added.

Mr Ndubisi Anyanwu, Mercy Corps Country Director, said that as CIPP was rounding up, it has brought about hope to a region grappling with complex challenges.

“We all know the narrative; violence fueled by competition for dwindling resources, climate change, and political tensions.

“These conflicts have devastated communities in the North West states of Kano, Kaduna and Katsina and North central states of Plateau, Benue and Kogi.

“Villages burned, livelihoods destroyed, lives tragically lost – the human cost has been immense,” he added.

Anyawu said that the intervention was to empower communities to become architects of their own peace.

“Alongside our partners we embarked on a transformative journey. We empowered communities to become architects of their peace and resilience.

“CIPP was not about imposing solutions. It was about equipping community leaders, religious leaders, women, youth, and government officials with the tools they needed to resolve disputes peacefully.

“We provide training in conflict management, negotiation, mediation, and early warning systems and responses.

“We fostered dialogue, reconciliation, and economic interdependence,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the USAID-funded CIPP programme worked with communities to address the root causes of conflict and build sustainable peace structures.

Mercy Corps, a leading global organisation, works in more than 40 countries around the world powered by the belief that a better world is possible. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The group of leaders newly appointed to steer affairs at the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PENOP) has been described as putting round pegs in round holes.

This is contained in a statement by Caroline Lucas, Director Special Projects of the United Kingdom based leadership development organisation TEXEM UK, on its website www.texem.co.uk.

“In Nigeria’s pension landscape, where pedigree and reliability are the cornerstones, recent leadership appointments within the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PENOP) have the potential to mark the dawn of a new era,” Lucas said.

Among the new leaders are Mr. Umar Mairami, the Managing Director/CEO of Premium Pension Ltd, who is now PENOP President.

Mr Godson Ukpevo of Veritas Glanvills Pensions Limited, is re-elected as the Head of the Legal Committee.

Mr Peters Eledu of Zenith Pensions Custodians Limited is the new association’s Treasurer.

Mr Donald Onuoha, MD/CEO of Fidelity Pension Managers Limited, is the PENOP head of Media, branding, and communication.

Joy Ojokovo, General Manager, Progress Trust Closed Pension Fund Administrator is re-elected Vice President.

Lucas said the appointments signify not just individual achievements but a steadfast dedication to uplifting Nigeria’s insurance industry standards amid dynamic challenges.

She said the commitment of the PENOP executives to continuous learning is exemplified by their active participation in TEXEM UK’s programmes, and it underscores their pursuit of personal and professional growth.

“Mr Mairami’s presidency promises to infuse fresh energy and new insights into PENOP’s growth agenda, leveraging his proven expertise to propel the association to unparalleled prominence and sustainability.

“With a distinguished educational background and membership in professional bodies, Mr Mairami embodies the leadership calibre needed to propel PENOP and Nigeria’s pension industry to new levels of success and resilience.

“His participation in TEXEM’s executive development programmes further underscores his commitment to staying abreast of modern governance practices,” Lucas said.

She said Mairami’s visionary direction promises to align PENOP’s mission with national development goals.

Lucas added that it would also channel pension funds into projects that contribute to economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs.

“Mr Mairami’s elevation to the presidency highlights his proactive mindset and strategic foresight, which are essential for steering PENOP to new heights.

“His tenure at Premium Pensions Limited has been marked by remarkable milestones, including exponential growth in Assets under Management (AuM)

“He also nurtured a growth mindset, apart from attaining two International Standards Organization (ISO) certifications,” she said.

Lucas said the President is a TEXEM alumnus, as he attended TEXEM’s executive development programme on effective governance in a digital age for sustainable outcomes in the pension industry in 2019.

TEXEM’s founder, Dr Alim Abubakre, also spoke on the new appointments.

”In the strategic leadership journey, we honour those who tirelessly pursue knowledge, uphold integrity, and champion progress.

“Congratulations to the distinguished executives of PENOP, whose commitment to continuous learning and excellence serves as a beacon of inspiration.

“As you embark on this transformative journey, may your vision illuminate pathways to prosperity and your actions shape a future of inclusivity and resilience for Nigeria’s pension sector,” Abubakre said.

He said that vibrant and strategic leadership within PENOP is instrumental in driving sustainable growth, fostering social impact, and advancing the development agenda of Nigeria’s pension sector.

Abubakre said by aligning with national priorities, engaging stakeholders, embracing innovation, and upholding ethical standards, PENOP can significantly contribute to nation-building efforts and promote inclusive socioeconomic development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi