By Angela Atabo

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), A Non-governmental organization, (NGO) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intensify training of electoral officers on use of voting materials for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Ms Grace Jerry, Executive Director, IFA and Convener, of the IFA Vote-Ability Campaign made the call at a news conference while presenting  the findings from the observation of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Jerry also called on INEC to continue to gather data on PWDs in a disaggregated format to improve the deployment of assistive materials during elections.

She said that IFA, through the Vote-Ability Campaign, deployed 250 PWDs election observers across 21 states and the six  geopolitical zones of the federation.

She said that the objective was  to measure the deployment and usage of PWD assistive materials, the accessibility of polling units to PWDs, and the internal layout of polling units, among others.

“IFA observed that 22 per cent  of Polling Units (PUs)were stationed around corridors and steps; 12 per cent  have uneven surfaces and sand piles that make PWD accessibility difficult and impossible in some instances.

” IFA observers reported that 71 per cent  of PUs observed had no ramp or handrails for use by PWDs.

“IFA observers reported that 65 per cent  of PUs had no suitable voting cubicles for PWDs on wheelchairs, persons of short stature, and persons on roller skates.”

Jerry said that  IFA observers reported that 74 per cent  of PUs positioning and situating of the ballot box was accessible for PWDs on wheelchairs.

She said that 60 per cent  of PUs reported had no braille ballot guide for blind voters who could read and understand braille to cast their vote.

She said that in 76 per cent of PUs observed, IFA observers reported the non-deployment of magnifying glasses for voters with albinism and low vision.

She said that IFA observed that 61 per cent of PUs had the INEC form EC30E election guide posters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Jerry said that  IFA observed that there  was  an increase and more robust improvement in PWD political participation.

She said that this was  because, beyond participating as electorates, PWDs were seen to serve as party agents.

“The observation mission of IFA saw the engagement of PWDs by INEC to serve as ad hoc staff.

” This satisfies the IFA’s demand while also meeting the requirements of Section 29 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Act (2018).”

Jerry  commended INEC and urged the commission   to ensure that voting cubicles were designed to enable voters with disabilities to cast their ballots confidentially in subsequent elections.

She also called on INEC  to  ensure ballot boxes are placed in areas that allow voters with disabilities to vote independently.

She said that INEC should continue to engage and consult with the disability community, including IFA, to identify areas to be improved for more inclusive electoral processes.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The first lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Thursday described the victory of APC’s Sen. Bola Tinubu in the just concluded Presidential Election as the will of God.

Mrs Buhari said this when she received the wife of the President-Elect, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the Wife of the Vice President-Elect, Hajiya Nana Shettima, on a thank you visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said: “ Regardless of our interests and diversity, we should all accept it as a will of Almighty God; we wouldn’t have done it without his grace.

“It is a victory for all Nigerians. I am optimistic that the President-Elect will not betray the trust and confidence that Nigerians reposed in him.

”It is now time to move on and focus on the path of `a renewed hope’ for Nigerian women and youths.

“ So, my sister we count on your experience and interest in promoting the cause of women, youths and girl-child education,” she said.

She however reminded the wife of the president-elect of the challenges ahead and prayed for God`s guidance and direction as she prepare to take over the affairs of the Office of First Lady of Nigeria.

“The task is arduous but with your determination I believe is surmountable.  I pray that come May 29, your position as first lady will be marked with joy and continued success.

“We look forward to the advancement of Nigerian women and their inclusion in the affairs of our nation`s development,” Mrs Buhari said.

Sen. Oluremi Tinubu had earlier informed the gathering that they were at the Presidential Villa on a thank you visit to appreciate the support and wise counselling of the first lady towards the success of APC at the presidential election.

“We want to thank you sincerely for how you’ve been able to bring us together as a campaign team for the APC, especially the women presidential campaign team.

”You really showed a lot of wisdom, dexterity and courage in the way you put us together” she said.

“I remember coming here to ask for your permission and also to solicit for support when we are about to begin campaign,” she said.

While acknowledging the motherly role of the first lady, Mrs Tinubu prayed for good health and divine intervention in the affairs of the firstlady.

“As you’ve come here safely, you will live to your home in good health, divine health and whatever you decide to do; God will be there with you, thank you so much for the love you have shown to us,” Mrs Tinubu prayed.

The meeting was attended by the wives of some APC governors and associates of the first lady. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Yamusa III, has urged the Senator-elect of Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Wadada to redouble efforts in rendering selfless service to humanity.

The traditional ruler gave the advice on Friday in Keffi when Wadada led a delegation of his campaign council to seek royal blessings of the Emir, following his victory at the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Emir also advised the Senator-elect to shun wealth accumulation and continue to channel his resources towards improving the living conditions of his constituents especially the less privileged ones.

Yamus said: ” I want to use this medium to advise you to continue to shoulder the responsibilities of providing for your people. Don’t focus on wealth accumulation as you are going to the Senate.

” You are a man of the people and you are known to be generous to your people.

“I urge you to sustain that you are known for and continue to hold your people by the grace of God, the sky will be your beginning.

” I also want to encourage you to reward the people that stood by you throughout the period of electioneering. Don’t neglect them, try as much as you can to reward them handsomely.”

Earlier, Wadada in his remarks, said he was at the Emir’s Palace to seek for his royal blessings, adding that he holds Yamusa in high esteem.

The SDP Senator-elect thanked the Emir for his tremendous support to his family and political struggle since he ventured into politics.

Wadada said: ” I have no place or home that I am proud of better than Keffi. Keffi has done everything for me and my extended family.

” Since after INEC declared me as the winner of the election, I have made up my mind that this Palace is the first place that I will visit to seek for royal blessings before I visit any other place.

” I will forever remain grateful to the Keffi Emirate Council and the entire people of Keffi for the overwhelming support given to me in the just- concluded elections.”

In attendance were: the Chairman, Advisory Council of Wadada Campaign Organisation, Prof. Silas Gyar, its Director-General, Alhaji Bello Zakari and former Commissioner of Environment Nasarawa State, Danladi Madaki, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Olukayode Babalola

The Nasarawa West Senator-Elect, Ahmed Wadada, has promised to sponsor a bill aimed at exploring Lithium in the state.

Wadada made the pledge in an interview with newsmen in Keffi local government area of the state on Wednesday shortly after receiving numerous guests who came to congratulate him on his victory at the polls.

According to Wadada, lithium is in high abundance in the district, hence his desire to sponsor a bill for the exploration of the solid mineral after the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

He said exploration and exploitation of lithium in the area will go a long way in providing jobs for people of the area and also generating revenue for the federal, state and local government areas in possession of the solid mineral in the zone.

“It is our duty as legislators to make laws that will see to the betterment of our society. For Nasarawa West Senatorial District, we are endowed.

“That is why today, you see Chinese nationals all around the district because of lithium and a quite a number of natural resources in the district.

“Lithium is a very sensitive and important natural resource and we have it here and so it is for us to see how best we can put laws in place that will exploit, explore and unfold this natural resource and other potentials for the good of the people,” he said.

Wadada said aside the bill, he would be very responsive to other needs of his people in a bid to give them quality representation at the Senate.

“All I will tell the electorate is that those qualities of mine that they had experienced in the past during my sojourn at the national assembly for eight years is what they should expect and even beyond.

“From 2011 that I left the National Assembly till now, the dynamics have changed and so I am very responsive and will only respond to those changes and see how best we can use them for the betterment of our people,” he said.

Wadada, who described his victory at the polls as the Will of God, pledged to cooperate and work with opposition parties to offer the best representation to the people of Nasarawa West Senatorial District.

“I am a team player, so we will work with relevant people and synergize and make live much easier for our people,” he said.

The Nasarawa West Senatorial District Senator-Elect also called on politicians to rebrand themselves for the people they want to serve if they want to emerge victorious at the polls.

He called on the electorate to vote for candidates who they think are suited for the position they are vying regardless of their political platform or parties.

“The era of adhering or getting magnetized to a political platform or party because you belong to a political party is gone. We can clearly see what happened in Nasarawa state.

“Today, Nasarawa state has no Senator-Elect of All Progressives Congress (APC) extraction because the people have shined their eyes. So let everybody shine his or her eyes for the good of the state,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wadada, under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), defeated the candidates of the ruling APC, and other parties at the just concluded National Assembly elections to emerge the Senator Elect.

Nasarawa West Senatorial District consists of Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Nasarawa and Toto local government areas. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi