The Evergreen G6 Club with the children  at Rachel’s Home for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children  Kurudu, Abuja

By Gregory Mmaduakolam

The Evergreen G6 Club, a Non-Governmental Organisaion (NGO) has donated  some food items worth N300,000 to Rachel’s Home for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children  Kurudu, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Bamidele  Olujobi,  the President of the Club, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Olujobi , represented by the Secretary of the club, Mr Philip  Akpa, said that the items donated to the orphanage home included bags of  rice, cartons of indomie noodles and  cartons of spaghetti

Other food items  are yams, toiletries, bags of salt, kegs of groundnut oil, palm oil, bags of beans and beverages.

According to Olujobi, needs of the vulnerable and orphans should not be left for only the governments and the owners of the organisations.

He said God Almighty had blessed the members of the organisation and they were now giving back to the society.

“Some of these homes like Rachel’s Home for Orphans and Vulnerable Children provided the opportunity for us to give back to the needy and the vulnerable in the society.

“Particularly this period every member  of this club, who is a Christian, is celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ which is Easter and this is the period, where every child will need a touch of a parent and need for somebody to celebrate with them.

“So, we said we should come here to celebrate Easter with them in  a way they will not feel the absence of their biological parents , as we  are standing in as their parents today,” he said.

Olujobi, said the club had given scholarships to several vulnerable and indigents students up to university level, adding that eight students were recently registered for WAEC and NECO exams by the organisation.

He explained that the club had previously visited the Old Peoples Home in Kardo, FCT and Apo Mechanic Village as well as the orphanage home in Masaka in the Nasarawa State.

He said the club has annual projects it carries out every year in order to assist the vulnerable and the needy and had donated item like braille for the school of blind.

He urged the Federal Government to pay more attention on supervision and monitoring of the orphanage homes and schools for the vulnerable in order to check the incidence of child’s trafficking and kidnapping.

Olujobi, also advised the governments to establish vocation facilities such as tailoring, mason, carpentry and barbing salon where these vulnerable and needy children could be trained as well as paying of school fees for them.

He also called on the Federal Government to reduce the issues of banditry and terrorism which always gave rise to orphans and vulnerable children who lost their parents as a result of these factors.

Dr Oladele Oluayinka, Chairman, Project Committee of the club, said the club had 30 financial members who had the passion  to help the need and vulnerable, “hence they came together to form the club in order to assist them”.

Oluayinka,  said since the establishment of the  club in 2011, it had spent over N5 million in order to provide succour for the needy and vulnerable children.

Earlier, Mr Pedro Odewu, Admin Director, of the orphanage home, thanked the club and expressed satisfaction for the food items it gifted to the home.

He urged the federal and state governments to come to their aid; as they have over 83 children; infants and adolescent who required a lot of monies and personnel to take care of them.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Sunday in Abuja called on the Sokoto State government and security agencies to stop alleged killings of innocent pastoralists in the state.

Its National Secretary, Malam Bello Aliyu-Gotomo, stated that wanton killing of innocent pastoralists was going on in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of the state.

“The killings, which started about a week ago, have continued unabated and more than 16 pastoralists have been killed by members of an outlawed vigilance group.

“ Reports reaching MACBAN headquarters in Abuja indicate that the killings are continuing around Tsola Bale village and its surrounding areas.

“Five pastoralists have been held hostage by the vigilance group in the last one month and all efforts to free them had been resisted,’’ he stated.

He alleged that pastoralist communities were recently attacked by bandits in the area and four pastoralists were killed, making the communities vulnerable to activities of bandits and the vigilantes.

“We alert the state government that activities of the vigilantes in the past had only resulted in heightened reprisals from bandits who have been unleashing terror in the surrounding areas.

“Security agencies in charge of these areas should do more to protect innocent people who are continuously harassed by the criminal vigilantes or rural bandits.

“We believe the security agencies have the wherewithal to put a stop to this dastardly act of cowardice against unarmed civilians,’’ Aliyu-Gotomo added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the 2023 Hajj carriers to brace ensure quality and timely transportation of intending pilgrims.

Ibrahim Muhammed, IHR national coordinator, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

IHR is a civil society organization that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

He said transportation of pilgrims differs from the routine international or local flights by the Airliners especially the new entrants – Air Peace, Aero Contractors and Value Jet.

‘’Hajj is tied to the day of Arafat and the day of is not amenable to change like other worldly events that can be delayed or postponed.

‘’Airlift of Pilgrims forms the core aspect of hajj operations because Hajj takes place in Saudi Arabia as such all registered intending pilgrims must be flown to the holy land to performs the spiritual exercise,’’ Muhammed said.

He urged the selected Airliners to realise that delays would amount to denying the intending pilgrims the opportunity to perform rituals of the hajj as and when due.

He called on NAHCON to ensure full implementations of all the service agreements with the airliners, adding that plans should be on ground to replace erring airliners.

‘’NAHCON should understand that Nigerians and Hajj stakeholders will hold them responsible if they failed to act when service providers fail in delivering their assigned responsibilities,’’ he said.

Muhammed also called on the traditional Air Carriers to avoid using one plane in carrying intending pilgrims from two or three countries during hajj operations.

‘’They should know that no one benefits when the order of the day is cutting corners, struggling to ferry Tour Operators pilgrims within the allotted time granted to Hajj participating countries.’’

He commended NAHCON for increasing the numbers of hajj carriers for states Pilgrims and also adding a different set of airliners to ferry Tour operators’ pilgrims.

‘’Such move will create an environment for healthy competition that will be in the interests of timely airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 2023 hajj exercises.

‘’However, NAHCON, States Muslim Pilgrims Boards and Hajj and Umrah Operators should work together in order to streamline the airlift operations to avoid the confused mode of airlift witnessed in 2022 hajj,’’ he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

From Left Mr David Okon, Chairman, Education Committee for the Blind, President NAB Mr Adamu Ishiyaku, ES, NCPWD, Mr James Lalu, DG, NCC Dr John Asein, others are members of blind community

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government has called on authors and publishers to produce “born accessible’’ books to accommodate visually impaired persons.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr James Lalu, gave the task at a news conference in Abuja.

Lalu spoke on the domestication (signing of the Copyright Act) and initiation of the the implementation process of the Marrakesh Treaty.

He noted the challenges faced by the blind, people with low vision and print disabled, calling for the production of books in worldwide accessible formats such as braille, audio, e-text and large print to address their challenges.

“We cannot talk about inclusive education without providing learning materials in accessible formats. In our determination and commitment, we will make sure we make it accessible for the blind community,’’ he said.

According to him, the commission has a mini printing press to produce any braille educational materials for free to ensure an inclusive environment for all persons regardless of their disabilities.

He said: “We are inviting the public to make sure they use this printing press and every services they will get are absolutely free.

“ We call on all organisations that any programe that you are doing and will be inviting PWDs, make sure you provide them at an accessible formats because we are here at your service and will provide it for free.’’

He added that plans were on ground by the commission to revive the existing braille printing press in Lagos for the production and distribution of free braille school books for pupils in primary and secondary schools.

The Executive Secretary also called on prospective investors to establish braille printing press to carter to the needs of visually impaired persons.

“ We are calling on the general public, anyone interested in establishing a braille printing press, the NCPWD will provide appropriate license for the printing press.

“And we will work closely with them to ensure that we maintain the standard and quality of documents to be produced to improve service delivery for our pupils to ensure education is accessible for disability community, the blind community.”

Dr John Asein, the Director General, Nigerian Copyright Commission(NCC), stressed the need for accessible educational materials for visually impaired to reduce rates of blind beggars on the street.

“When you tell blind children to leave the street and go to school, and they get to schools and don’t find their own books in those schools, they will go back to the streets.

“Books should be made available to everyone in the manner, way and platform that can be used to learn.

“And for the blind, that means providing the books in accessible formats and copies,’’ he said.

Asein added that as strategy to implement the Marrakesh Treaty, NCC would collaborate with other stakeholders to make the Copyright Act, other funded government books in braille and other accessible formats.

“Everytime government sponsors or funds the production of any book, it will be available in accessible formats because tax payers include both the blind and the sighted, as the blind are part of this nation, so should reap from the national resource,’’ he said.

Mr Adamu Ishiyaku, the National President, Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), said the implementation of the National Copyright bill into law will ensure access to printed materials for visually impaired persons.

“We urge all these partners to continue to partner with NAB and other stakeholders to ensure implementation of this act.

“Particularly Section 26 of the National Copyright Law is successful and realistic for the visually impaired and otherwise print disabled,’’ he said.

On his part, Mr David Okon, thevChairman, Education Committee for the Blind, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the copyright act and other policies affecting PWDs in Nigeria.

Okon, however, urged incoming governments to implement the Act to enable PWD gain necessary knowledge and literacy that will enable them contribute to national development.

He said: “We should not go into retrospect, but we should progress. We are appealing that the new administration should take it up from there.

“They should implement this act and other provisions that will make equality and equitability in the Nigerian society for PWDs. We want equal rights and equity.’’

Sightsavers Country Director, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, said the signing into law of the copyright act, 2022, and implementation of the Marrakesh treaty would promote greater cultural participation, education and social inclusion for PWDs.

Isiyaku, represented by Ms Esther Angulu, the Programme Manager, Social Inclusion, said: “It is not enough for us to keep talking if we are not out there pushing and ensuring that this is done.

“We will continue to support with the work NAB have started and also support to ensure that the bill is implemented.’’

He reiterated their commitment to partner stakeholders in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of the society, including education, employment and community life. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Imelda Osayande

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II on Friday in Benin felicitated with Christians on the celebration of the 2023 Easter season.

He urged Christians to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ and pray for forgiveness of sins and also pray for the country.

“I pray that the Grace and the goodness of God be upon our dear country, Nigeria,’’ the oba said in a statement issued by the palace. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called on Nigerians to disregard recruitment notice circulating online.

The NCS Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Maiwada described the notice as fake, noting that the NCS was not recruiting at the moment.

“The notice is the handiwork of unscrupulous element and an attempt to defraud Nigerians.

“The recruitment notice with the link https://recruitmentfile.net/nigeria-customs-recruitment/ is fake and should be disregarded.

“There are lots of indices to show that the notice is not from Customs, particularly the domain.

“Our Website is www.customs.gov.ng. We do not use .net, so it is totally fake.

“Customs is currently not recruiting and if it is doing so, it will be on the official website only,” he said.

The spokesperson said that those involved in such act should desist, adding that it was evil. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Joseph Edeh

Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has called on Christian faithful and Nigerians to take the opportunity of the Easter celebrations to pursue peace with one another.

Agba, in a goodwill message on Good Friday in Abuja, also urged Nigerians to love one another.

He pointed out that Christ’s love, which made Him surrender His life on the cross at Calvary for the remission of sin of man, was the essence of the season.

He said it was only in the atmosphere of peace and love, which the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ represented that “we can unleash our creative potential for the development of our nation.”

Agba urged Nigerians to “focus more on issues that unite rather than divide us as a nation.”

According to him, there is no limit to the amount of collective good that can accrue to a united nation. I urge us to be united in focus and in pupose.

“I wish all of us a momentous Good Friday and celebratory Easter Sunday and Monday in the abundance of love, peace, and unity.”(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Grace Alegba and Joan Odafe

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said that the proposed jetty project in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government (AOLG) area would create several opportunities when actualised.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Gaji Omobolaji, said this at a meeting with stakeholders on the proposed construction of a Barge Jetty and Stacking Bay at Beachland Estate in Amuwo-Odofin.

He said the Barge/ Container Terminal would improve connectivity, create jobs, enhance commerce, decongest existing ports, increase government revenue and boost infrastructure development in the area.

The permanent secretary, represented by Mr Lasisi Adedoyin, a Deputy Director, said the project being handled by Beachland Consilium Ltd was to develop a Barge/Bonded Container Terminal at Beachland Estate, Ibafon.

He said an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been conducted and the meeting was to seek the input and support of the community toward the project.

Omobolaji said the meeting was organised by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to create awareness on the EIA report and encourage participation of the host community and the public on location of the project.

He said that the meeting was also to document concerns and observations of the communities and relevant stakeholders.

“This is to assess the potential impacts of the project and to put in place measures to mitigate them as a way of ensuring that the project is implemented in a sustainable manner,” he said.

The permanent secretary said the site is bordered to the west by Kirikiri Creek while to the south are Rhamaniya storage facility and Lagos Lagoon, and the project will occupy 342 hectares of land.

He said the project would ensure faster evacuation, storage, transfer of imports, exports and also act as an empty return holding bay for containers to/fro the Lagos Lagoon while also listing anticipated negative consequences.

“The proposed Beachland barge terminal/integrated logistics park when operational will help minimise use of road transportation and decongest the existing Apapa roads by making use of inland waterways which offers faster delivery time to the various industrial and commercial hubs in Alaba, Tradefair complex and Agbara,” he said.

The Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Mr Valentine Buraimoh, said the terminal would boost development and help decongest the roads within the community.

Buraimoh, who was represented by the Chief of Staff of the Council, Mr Segun Idris, said the project would also help reduce security risks in the community.

“It will reduce the congestion on our roads and the lifespan will be increased.

“We are not happy with the issue of tank farm; so if there is another way to convey petrol to various fuelling stations, we are happy with it,” he said.

Mr Ajasa Oluwa, a representative of the Oluwa family – landowners of the area where the terminal will be situated – said the project was a welcome development to the community.

He, however urged the ministry of environment to ensure that members of the community got a good representation when staff were being recruited during and after the project.

Oluwa also urged the ministry to put the traders along the route of the project into consideration, so they don’t lose their source of livelihood.

Another member of the family, Mr Oyebowale Oluwa, said the family would welcome the terminal, as long as the ministry followed through all proper and legal steps necessary for the project. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle