By Angela Atabo

Stakeholders in the correctional sector have called on state governments to formulate and implement laws to aid decongesting the prisons.

The stakeholders made the call at a National Dialogue on Enlisting State Corrections in Nigeria organised in collaboration with Hope Behind Bars Africa, USAID, Legend Golden Care Foundation and Palladium in Abuja.

According to Mrs Funke Adeoye , Executive Director, Hope Behind Bars Africa, most criminal laws in Nigeria are state laws and which create more offenders than congest prisons thereby making the Federal Government spend more to cater for inmates.

Adeoye said that these laws could be corrected when states are made to set up their own facilities.

She said most laws are similar to increased custodial measures, adding that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act creates room for alternatives to incarceration known as non-custodial sanctions.

“We have a large number of awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria, about 70 per cent of people in prison are awaiting trial and we also have a data that 90 per cent of people we find in our facilities are actually state offenders.

“That is because most of the criminal laws are state laws and so this is an issue that needs to be addressed because we cannot have the Federal Government just taking care or feeding people that are incarcerated, even though many of them are state offenders.

“ I think there is also data to show that billions of Naira is being spent by the Federal Government on feeding these inmates.

“So we are hopeful that at the end of this conversation today, we will have a trajectory as to where to go in terms of the management of state corrections in Nigeria,” she said.

Adeoye said that there were so many things needed to be done with respect to state laws and conversations had started in terms of looking at alternatives to incarceration.

She said that the administration of criminal justice also creates room for local and state sanctions and it was important that states begin to include some of these sanctions in their laws.

“Some states have non-custodial sanctions, but the challenge has been with implementation, meaning working with the other arms of the criminal justice system to ensure it is in front of alternatives to incarceration.

“So we need to begin to invite measures like restorative justice, measures that would divert cases that should not enter the criminal justice system away from the system,” she said.

The Controller-General of Corrections (CGC), Haliru Nababa, who was represented by the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in Charge of Custody, Manu Dunbulwa, commended the initiative of the dialogue.
Nababa said the best solution to decongesting prisons remain quick dispensation of justice.

“The state offences are mostly ordinary theft, but those ones that keep people in custody for long is culpable homicide punishable with death.

“State Attorneys General and Commissioner for justice will have to chip in to see how they can tackle all this particular problem.

“If somebody has committed a crime and is taken into custody, let him be prosecuted urgently. If he is found guilty, let him be sentenced, if not, let him just be released.

“However , if someone is accused of committing an offence and it is not established, let the prosecutor, the police, the state justice, the chief judge and the other stakeholders do the needful.F

“For him now to stay long is what brings about this delay in dispensation of justice,” he said.

Mr Lazarus Apir, Advocacy Manager, Strengthening Civic and Local Engagement (SCALE), a Project supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said having the correctional service on the exclusive list for a long time is a disadvantage.

“So with the amendment to the constitution, getting the states involved in correctional services is of course the way to go.

“So we felt the need that this kind of conversation needs to happen because it’s new to the states,’’he said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Diana Omueza

The Global Awareness for Public Safety (GAPS) Foundation has called for the establishment of safety departments in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to safeguard against unforseen disasters.

Dr Chuks Alozie, the Director-General of the group, made the call in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

He also called on the National Assembly to strengthen and expand the scope of its oversight functions to cover issues of safety in MDAs.

“The measures have become necessary following the recent fire outbrake that destroyed the offices of three Justices at the Supreme court complex in Abuja,” he said.

“Government needs to create safety departments across various MDAs, especially where such units or departments doesn’t exist for safety of the staff and public property, ” he added.

“These departments should comprise of personnel from related professional bodies with cognate knowledge on safety measures application.”

He called on the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency, enact laws strengthening the operations of safety measures that would help to save lives, secure properties in the MDAs.

“This will help in ascertaining the safety and level of preparedness against dangers as well as prevent instances of disasters that could claim lives and properties,” he said.

Alozie attributed the rampant instances of fire outbrakes to lack of safety measures, awareness and guidelines in most public institutions, adding it could have adverse effects in cases of emergencies.

He reiterated the group’s commitments to partner with the government to embark on safety awareness campaigns on the imperative of adoption and restoring safety measures in public institutions across the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Idris Abdulrahman

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Mr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has threatened to seal off any facilities that do not comply with the commission’s accessibility laws.

Lalu said, the law mandates organisations and other business premises to make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

”Failure to comply, the law also mandated us to seal the organisations through law enforcement agencies.

He was speaking on Wednesday when he received the Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, in Abuja.

” It is no longer an option for organisations to  comply with the accessibility laws because we would enforce it.

”Though, the law provides a transition period of five years, that is from January 2019 to January 2024.

Lalu said, the law provided for a national regulation on accessibility in Nigeria to every public building by January 2024 to make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities

”Anything in short of that, we are mandated by law to go and seal up any facilities that do not comply with the law.

Lalu however, NAPTIP is a critical partner towards achieving Nigeria’s desire for equal opportunities for the disability community in Nigeria.

“This is evident in the agency’s conversion of its policy documents into assistive devices especially for blind to enable them gets acquainted with the workings of the agency, he said.

He also commended the commitment of the NAPTIP boss towards providing the relevant laws that ensures access to justice for the disability community.

”We remain very grateful to you and we are committed to sanitise the system to gurantee better future for Persons With Disabilities ” he said.

In her response, Prof. Waziri-Azi, expressed the deliberate attempt by NAPTIP towards disability inclusion.

She said the agency is determined to ensure effective mainstreaming of the issues of visibility of persons with disabilities into the running of the organisation.

”We are very deliberate about disability inclusivity and about issues of visibility into our everyday work into our everyday processes and also across our five strategic prevention protection competition partnership” she said.

Waziri-Azi said the agency had already make their facilities accessible to persons with disabilities in the last five years.

She said in addition to that, the agency allocated five percent employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in the agency.

”I have the drafting team that came up with that and in the past few years we have been able to make our building at the headquarters accessible.

”We have ramps just at the main entrance into the NAPTIP office, we also have ramps in the main Building and our rapid response code at the back has also been fitted with a ramp” she said.

She therefore assured the commission of her readiness for partnership to ensure mutual benefit for the two organisations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the event featured presentation of some official documents called NAPTIP Red Card, NAPTIP Act, NAPTIP Violence against Persons Prohibition Act.

NAN also reports that, the documents was all converted into a readable format for the blind community in Nigeria (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Angela Atabo

The North East Development Association (NEDA) has called on stakeholders in the Northeast especially Vice President Kashim Shettima , Governors and legislators to come up with sustainable innovations for the restoration of the region.

The Secretary General of NEDA, Bitako Umar, made the call on behalf of the association during a news conference tagged` `Conference on Politics and Development in the Northeast Sub-region on Tuesday in Abuja.

Umar said that NEDA as an advocacy and socio-cultural group serving as the mouth piece of the sub-region, met and reviewed the political trends and developmental activities in the sub-region.

He said the association therefore, decided to draw the attention of critical stakeholders on issues on ground with the view to strengthen the path towards the recovery of the region from the devastations experienced due to insurgency, conflicts and other related criminal tendencies.

“The Association resolves as follows: That, it is pertinent for critical stakeholders of the sub-region to constantly bear in mind that the region was a big hub for agricultural and business activities.

“This was before the advent of the so-called Boko-Haram, communal and ethical clashes that befell the region.

“Hence, the dare need for collective and supportive collaboration in bringing back the lost glory of the region, bearing in mind the fight towards the restoration of peace and security of all forms in the region.

“To achieve the above, political and traditional leaders most agree to come together, work together and establish the political will, coupled with sincerity of purpose, devoid of political, religious affiliations and ethnic backgrounds.’’

According to Umar, by so doing, institutions, policies and programs of government would be implemented without hitches.

He said the association also resolved that the people and leaders of the region should recognise and fully support the Vice President, Kashim Shettima as the Political leader in the sub-region and in extension Northern Nigeria to succeed.

He said that NEDA is also reminding the good people of the region that North East Development Commission (NEDC) had recently launched massive developmental programs in the six states of the Sub-region.

He listed the activities to include palliative items to capital projects and distributed to all the six state governments ,18 Senatorial Districts, 48 Federal Constituencies as well as the six State Houses of Assembly.

Umar said the Commission was equally constructing the 22.5 Km Jere Bow road networks and other critical roads in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States respectively.

He said that all these would enhance security and facilitate free movement of goods, services of the people.

“In view of the above, NEDA is appealing to VP Kashim Shettima , the six State Governors of North East Region, Traditional Fathers, Senators and Members ,House of Representatives among others in the region to as a matter of patriotism help and support the Commission.

“This is in implementing its programs devoid of distraction and cheap blackmail.’’

Umar said in the same vein, NEDA is urging the Commission to fully implement their educational endowment program enacted to cater for less privileged students, especially those at IDP Camps.

He said that the NEDA also called on the commission to complete, equip and put into use their Special Mega Science Secondary Schools under construction in all the six states of the region.

He said that NEDA appealed to the North East Governors to be proactive in the discharge of their responsibilities and fulfill their campaign promises.

Umar said that was the only way they would earn the respect and confidence of the electorates.

He said that NEDA also urged the prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and other wages because it would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the masses in the Sub-Region.

He said that NEDA called on the Management team of NEDC to always adhere and strictly operate within the acts that established the Commission, while, encouraging them to be proactive in their operations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has felicitated with Muslim faithful as they mark the Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

In a message on Wednesday in Abuja, Maikalangu said that it was important to reinforce the values of peaceful coexistence which had been the hallmark of ‘AMAC’s citizens’.

He urged that all the Muslim faithful and other residents of the council should use the occasion to deeply reflect on the role they can play individually and collectively to build a nation they can be proud of.

Maikalangu said: “We must love people no matter our political, religious and tribal differences and we should in no way resort to violence or promotion of anarchy in settling our differences.

“Therefore, there is the need for us to imbibe the true meaning and virtues of sacrifice, patience, tolerance and fellowship in our relationships and dealings with fellow residents and all Nigerians.

“Always embrace dialogue in settling differences and reject attempts by unpatriotic individuals or groups to incite unrest which is always counter-productive.

“The Federal Capital Territory was built on a foundation of unity and tolerance for all Nigerians, therefore residents are obliged to imbibe and practice these principles._

The council boss also restated the commitment of his administration to provide adequate security during the celebration and beyond.

He called on the residents to always cooperate with the security agencies by providing credible  information that would assist them in the discharge of their responsibilities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ruth Oketunde

The Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with its Impact Partner Organisations (IPOs), has trained 11 young Nigerians on monitoring and evaluation practices to enhance positive growth in the sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IPOs included Preston Associates for International Development (PAID), Cloneshouse, ITAD, and Global Integrity.

Dr Nkemdilim Ene, Chief Executive Officer, Preston Associates for International Development (PAID), said this at the graduation ceremony for the Youth Impact Associates Cohort 1, in Abuja.

She explained that the foundation and its implementing partners saw the need to build the capacities of young people in the country hence the training.

She said that using a multidimensional approach to the various aspects of monitoring and evaluation, the effects of various policies on Nigerians would be known.

“The young graduates have been clear as to where they are going; they are focused on what the immediate future holds, and the alumni platform, which will be launched today, is another platform to make their contributions more cohesively noticed,” she said.

She added that the beneficiaries had in the last twelve months been prepared on how to engage with Nigeria and the continent on how to look at evidence differently.

According to her, Nigerians are always talking about policies, but interpreting those policies into evidence has continued to be a significant struggle in this country.

“We want to see those beautifully crafted policies become real strategies that will unfold in the communities that the government is serving,” she said.

Similarly, the Country Director, Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Rosy Fynn, said the event wasn’t just a graduation but a testament to the power of young minds to shaping the future.

“Through dedication, learning, and collaboration, these young men and women have embraced the challenge of improving monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices in Nigeria and together with other young impact associates in different countries across Africa.

“They have harnessed fresh knowledge and transformed it into actionable solutions, lighting the way for a brighter continent,” she said.

In the same vein, Mr Oludotun Babayemi, Chief Executive Officer, Cloneshouse, said that the project focused on providing technical knowledge on monitoring and evaluation for young people between the ages of 25 and 35.

He said that the project aimed at creating opportunities to access decent jobs for young people and set them up for leadership positions in the field of evaluation.

“The field of monitoring and evaluation is relatively new and growing in Nigeria, therefore, what it means is that there is need for more people to be able to drive change within the evaluation community,” he said.

He lauded the new legal framework for monitoring and evaluation in the country, adding that it would help strengthen policies at several levels.

“These young people will be the drivers of Nigeria’s evaluation and monitoring policy because once we can monitor, then we can evaluate the programmes, policies, and projects better,” he added.

One of the graduates, Mr Emeka Nwankwo, appreciated the IPOs for the privilege, adding that the exercise had increased his confidence in the monitoring and evaluation space.

“We understand the need in Africa’s evaluation space, and we want to carry this knowledge into society to promote indigenous ways of monitoring and evaluation,” Nwankwo said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Sadiya Hamza