By Talatu Maiwada

The Adamawa People with Disabilities and Vulnerable Support Initiative (ADPWDVSI), a non-governmental organisation, has called for greater inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.

Mrs Salamatu Abdullahi, Executive Director of ADPWDVSI, made the call on Thursday in Yola during the close-out of a project implemented in the two LGAs.

She said the initiative titled, “The Empowerment of Women and Girls with Disabilities Towards Full and Effective Participation and Gender Equality,” ran from Sept. 2024 to May 2025.

Abdullahi said the programme was supported by the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and implemented in partnership with UN Women.

According to Abdullahi, the project aims to eliminate violence against women and girls with disabilities, promote their economic independence, and ensure their active participation in community decision-making processes.

“The project’s primary objective is to foster an environment where women and girls with disabilities can live free from violence, attain economic autonomy, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

“Key components of the project included community sensitisation on disability inclusion, capacity building for local stakeholders, development of inclusive protection mechanisms, and advocacy for the domestication of disability rights laws in Adamawa.

“We have been advocating for the domestication of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act in Adamawa, but the law is yet to be passed. That remains a major challenge,” Abdullahi noted.

She added that beneficiaries received vocational training in areas such as tailoring, poultry farming, backyard gardening, rice processing, shoemaking, and small livestock management.

Abdullahi also highlighted the project’s success in community engagement, noting that traditional and community leaders were involved from the outset to ensure ownership and sustainability.

“For the first time, we did proper community entry. The project had buy-in from community leaders, everyone is aware of the programme and is committed to its continuity,” she said.

Mr Abraham Iliya, a participant from Michika, shared how the training changed his outlook and strengthened his relationship with his community.

“This project has impacted my life. I’ve always believed that persons with disabilities should be recognised.

“I bond more with my workers and community members now,” he said.

Dr Olaniyi Aderibigbe, Project Analyst with UN Women, emphasised the initiative’s role in promoting dignity and economic resilience for women and girls with disabilities.

Aderibigbe said the project was aimed at breaking barriers, increasing access, and promoting both protection and dignity.

“The vocational training and start-up kits are designed to ensure beneficiaries are financially independent and resilient,” Aderibigbe said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Ikenna Osuoha

The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has suspended the quarry operations of Arab contractors for non compliance with operational rules of engagement.

The Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi, representing Karu/Kokona, Nasarawa, said this during a meeting with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja on Thursday.

Gbefwi who decried the mode of operations of Arab contractors, said it was not only injurious to the host community but disastrous to health.

He said the suspension would be sustained, pending when the company relocated to a new quarry site, safe for blasting.

“Arab Contractors’ blast with a distance of 431 meters, is a contravention of the rule of engagement and threat to people’s safety,” he said.

The lawmaker warned that all quarry operations ought to be in compliance with the rules of engagement and the Nigerian law.

He reaffirmed the resolve of the house to always uphold safety and defence of the Nigerian people, especially host communities.

According to him, as representatives of the people, it is their duty to ensure that the host communities benefitted from their resources, so that they don’t see it as curse but blessing.

Gbefwi wondered how some companies would be operating without compliance with the extant laws in the country.

He threatened to withdraw the license of such companies if found culpable.

“Nigeria is not a banana republic; it is a country with spelt out laws and rules that govern it.”

Responding, the Director, Mining, Extraction and Compliance (MEC), Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ms Vivian Okono, said that many of the operating companies defied compliance.

Okono, who absolved the ministry from complicates, said that she had written Arab Contractors on compliance.

She said that her department had continued to ensure that host communities benefits were given them by advising the operating companies not to shortchange them.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Christian Njoku

Gov. Bassey Otu has disclosed that he would not judge past administrations in the state because his coming as governor was to build on the gains of the past.

Otu made the assertion on Thursday in Calabar during the inauguration of the newly remodelled Governor’s Office.

It would be recalled that the office constructed in 1968 by the then military administrator of the state, Brig. Gen. U. J. Esuene last underwent minor renovations over 20 years ago and had been in bad shape.

According to the governor, this building stands as a signpost for Cross River and after eight years, I will leave and support the next person that will take over.

“We used austere finances to deliver the project and nobody will believe that the finance is meagre.

“We looked at its impact on the society and decided to renovate, remodel and turn this place around to a smart office that matches the 21st century,” he said.

He added that the whole essence was for service and that the people that would occupy the new office would have to work.

“They should know that they don’t leave until I leave office daily,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to the Governor, said the governor’s office had been standing for about 58 years and needed to be remodelled and renovated to fit into the current realities.

According to him, the inauguration on May 29 meant double celebration as the achievements of the governor in different sectors could be seen.

He asserted that the governor’s transformative approach to governance was a welcome development and the state was proud and lucky to have him as a governor.

“You have worked from a temporary office in two years and have performed very well in infrastructural development that is changing the fortunes of the state,” he said.

On his part, Mr Edem Bassey, Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Governor’s Office, said on resumption of office, the governor saw that the then office was not a conducive place to work from.

He added that the office had been left to dilapidate by previous administrations in the state, adding that renovating it was a morale booster for every resident of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otu also used the opportunity to inaugurate the remodelled Office of the Wife of the Governor in commemoration of his two years in office. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

By Alex Enebeli

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State says the cargo terminal of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport as well as the international wings of the cargo terminal would soon be ready for operation.

Mbah disclosed this during the celebration to mark his two years in office held at the Okpara Square, Enugu on Thursday.

“Our airport will soon become operational. That way, we can move cargo from Enugu across the entire world.

“What that means is that our tech-enabled logistics and trading dream will come true to every Igbo businessman,” he added.

The governor said his administration had constructed over 800 kilometres of road in two years aimed at opening the state.

He said the roads cut across urban and rural communities and had opened access to markets, industries, schools and hospitals.

According to him, no community is being left behind as they built the system that powered them.

“In our first road project, we flagged off 71 urban roads and 20 rural road projects, connecting our people and reviving our local economies.

“In our first 180 days, we restored clean water to parts of Enugu metropolis by activating the Ninth Mile Water Scheme.

“We brought back school feeding programme so that our children could learn on full stomach. We also launched a digital business portal, cutting registration,” Mbah said.

He disclosed that his administration began civil service reforms, using digital verification by ensuring that public offices serve real workers and not ghost names.

On security, the governor said his government deployed a Distress Response Squad (DRS) and installed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-embedded security surveillance system that now helped in reducing urban crime by up to 80 per cent.

“In just two years, we have begun to rewire the foundation of Enugu State for future promise. We have delivered five ultra-modern terminals across the state.

“The Holy Ghost Terminal one for interstate travel with a sky bridge linking you to Terminal two which connects the terminal for intra-city transport.

“Gariki, Abakpa, Nsukka terminals all are ready for commissioning. We have also allocated 33 per cent of our budget to education alone, surpassing even the global benchmark,” he said.

The governor added that soon, the state would begin the rollout of 260 Smart Green Schools across the state, revealing they would be equipped with digital whiteboards, science labs and solar power.

According to him, the schools will aid experiential learning, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics and mechatronics.

“These spaces are where our children will no longer dream of opportunities, but they will grow, learning how to create the opportunities.

“Alongside this, we are building 260 primary health care centres across the entire state,” Mbah said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maureen Atuonwu

By Okon Okon

A former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has called on state governors to develop their capital cities into economic hubs, capable of driving regional development.

Maku made the call in Makurdi during a tour of ongoing projects initiated by Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tour is organised to mark Alia’s administration’s second anniversary, assess the impact of his projects on the people and evaluate the administration’s delivery of democratic dividends.

The tour is led by Maku and a former Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Mike Omeri, in company of selected journalists.

Maku commended the governor’s efforts in infrastructural development, particularly in the health and road sectors, which he described as critical to urban renewal.

“From what I have seen today, the teaching hospital, the pharmacology and therapeutic centres, and other key health projects, it is clear that Gov. Alia has made decisive interventions, especially in Makurdi,” he said.

The former minister noted that many of the road projects in the state capital had already been completed, describing the pace of work as commendable.

“This is what urban renewal looks like. Every one of our 36 state capitals should serve as a nucleus of economic development for surrounding regions,” he said.

Maku cited Makurdi, Kaduna, Ibadan, and Enugu as among the few cities in Nigeria that were well-planned from colonial times, adding that Makurdi, in particular, had the potential to attract investment, if development continues.

“Development follows cities across the world. We cannot rely solely on Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, or Onitsha. Each state capital must evolve into an economic nexus,” he said.

Maku urged contractors and supervising technical staff members to ensure the timely delivery of projects so that successive administrations could build on existing foundations.

Also speaking, Omeri, described the developmental initiatives in Benue as interconnected and strategically planned.

“The linking of the road infrastructure to health, education and agriculture sectors is a consolidation of development, with a clear futuristic outlook,” he said.

Mr Tiza Imojime, Commissioner for Works, Housing and Urban Development, said the government’s vision was to transform Makurdi from a glorified town into a true metropolis.

He said the transformation of the high-level roundabout area into a Central Business District (CBD) was already underway, with major institutions and businesses situated in the zone.

“We have banks, IBB Square, JS Tarka Foundation, and the main market all around this route. This is the heart of the town, and our aim is to make it the CBD of the state,” Imojime said.

He assured that all ongoing infrastructure projects would be completed.

“The governor was elected to work while we were appointed to support him. We are committed to delivering 100 per cent on these projects,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects inspected were, Benue Links Motor Park, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, brewery, Benue Investment and Property Company, water factory, state agric Business/mechanisation centre.

Others were Benue Fashion Hub, Benue Printing Press, juice processing factory, bakery factory, Bureau for Education Quality Assurance Agency and community healthcare clinic. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Thompson Yamput

In a significant stride toward universal health coverage, the Kogi State Government has revealed that 220,495 citizens are now enrolled in its Health Insurance Scheme.

This landmark achievement aims to make healthcare more accessible and affordable across the state.

The Information Commissioner, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said the scheme, driven by the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA) under the leadership of Dr Kunle Aledare, reflected Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s administration’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the people.

He explained that the health insurance initiative enrolled not only civil servants and their dependents but also members of the public, aiming to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on families.

“The health insurance scheme is inclusive and pro-poor. Students in tertiary institutions can access a full year of healthcare for as low as N2,000.

“Children under five, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups enjoy completely free coverage under the government’s BelloCare initiative.

“We are intensifying awareness campaigns to draw more residents, particularly those in the informal sector, into the insurance net,” he said.

According to Fanwo, Kogi is currently ranked 14th nationwide in terms of the number of people enrolled in a state-managed health insurance scheme.

The commissioner urged corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to leverage the scheme by sponsoring the less privileged, stressing that improved healthcare access was collective responsibility.

He added that the state government was determined to leave no one behind in its push to improve healthcare across Kogi.

“This is because we are building a system where no citizen will be denied quality healthcare due to financial constraints.

“This is the essence of the Governor’s people-first approach to governance,” he said.

Fanwo encouraged families to enrol their loved ones, stressing that the initiative was not just a policy but a life-saving intervention that aligned with Ododo’s broader vision of a healthier and more productive population.

As the state consolidates its achievements in the health sector, the commissioner reaffirmed that the government would continue to work toward expanding coverage and improving service delivery.

He emphasised the commitment to ensuring that every Kogi citizen had access to quality medical care, regardless of social or economic status.

 “One of the areas we are excelling in the health sector is Health Insurance,” he said, describing the health insurance agency as one of the most effective and efficient in Nigeria today.

Fanwo also commended the immediate former Governor of the state for starting the scheme, which the present administration had since expanded. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru