NGO - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Mon, 2024

NGO donates foodstuffs, toiletries to female inmates

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Olukayode Babalola

Wise Women With Initiative (WWWI), a non-governmental organisation, on Sunday donated toiletries and foodstuffs to 43 women inmates in Keffi Old Medium Security Custodial Centre.

Mrs Chinyere Francis, Founder and President of the NGO, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi shortly after concluding it’s outreach at the custodial centre.

She said the NGO also counselled the inmates on the need to avoid gender-based violence (GBV).

According to Francis, the gesture was part of activities to mark the end of the 2024 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).

“We decided to end our 16 days of activism here in prison to talk to women inmates on violence and how to avoid being a victim and instigator of violence,” she said.

She said the gesture was also aimed at showing the inmates love and motivating them to be positive in spite of their current situation.

According to her, they could still make meaning of their lives and impact the society positively after their release.

“We have former inmates who have impacted the world positively and also succeeded in life after their release. So we urged them not to see their current situation as the end of the world.

“We also gave each one of them basic personal needs like sanitary pads, toothpaste, bathing soaps, washing soaps, other toiletries and various foodstuffs like garri and so on.

“This is our own little way of showing them that the society has not forgotten them and they should be positive because they can still live fulfilled lives whenever they get out,” she said.

She advised the inmates to see their current predicament as a learning phase aimed at transforming and making them better people when they were released from the custodial centre.

Francis thanked the management of the custodial centre for taking care of the inmates and urged well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts geared toward making inmates across the country live decently.

WWWI is a female-focused NGO that attends to the needs of the girl child while also promoting the needs of the boy child. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Philip Daniel Yatai
Dec, Sat, 2024

General News

Foundation urges increased awareness on rights, welfare of PWDs

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By Ahmed Musa

Dr Susan Ake, the Managing Director of Lifesquare Leadership Initiative (LLI), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called for increased awareness on rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

She made the call while fielding questions from journalists during distribution of food items organised by LLI, in collaboration with AIB Adekoya Foundation at the Karon-Majiji Disability Colony, Airport Road, Abuja.

She said that the food items distribution was part of the foundation’s activities to mark the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IDPD is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.

Annually marked on Dec. 3 around the world, the theme for this year is “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’’, aimed at promoting understanding of disability issues and mobilising support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

According to her, issues of disability inclusion remain a focal point of LLI’s drive to actualise its dreams of service to humanity.

She advocated the need to stop the discrimination against PWDs, saying that doing so negates the provisions of Article 18, Sub Section 4 of the African Charter which emphasise protection of peoples’ rights, including PWDs.

“So, the fact that they are disabled does not mean they should be discriminated against.

“As a foundation, we always put PWDs into consideration in whatever we are doing; one of the areas we want the government to advance inclusive development for PWDs is policies that promote accessibility.

“We must also appreciate the government’s efforts toward building schools for PWDs.”

Dr Mfon Gift Ayira, the Regional Manager of AIB Adekoya Foundation, said that the group chose to celebrate 2024 IDPD with the community so as to identify with them and the most vulnerable groups.

Ayira explained that “we decided to celebrate with you because we believe that service to humanity is an act of worship, especially at this critical moment.

“We urge other wealthy individuals to replicate what we are doing here because this disability community needs this kind gesture and that is why we are here to show them love.”

Mr Mohammed Dantani, a beneficiary and Secretary of the disability community who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the donors for identifying with them.

Dantani promised to utilise the items for the purpose it was meant for.

NAN reports that a cheque flag of N500,000 was presented to the leader of the community, in addition to distribution of packs of milk, sugar, cassava flour, among others. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Wed, 2024

General News

NGO commends Tinubu for release of detained minors

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By Daniel Obaje

Mr Babatunde Kayode, Executive Director, Restore Hope for the Boy Child Initiative, has commended President Bola Tinubu for ordering the release of minors detained over the #EndBadGovernance protests.

Kayode stated this during a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the President’s decision is a “victory for human rights” and a significant step towards justice.

Kayode described the action as a “swift intervention” by the President, adding that the release aligns with human rights standards which demonstrate a commitment to the welfare of Nigeria’s vulnerable youth.

“President Tinubu’s leadership sets a positive precedent for future actions, this will bring hope and relief to affected families and communities,’’ he said.

Kayode emphasised the importance of protecting minors’ rights and addressing the grievances that fueled the protests.

He reaffirmed the group`s commitment to advocate for justice for young boys and girls across the country, while applauding the President for his decisive action, compassion and empathy toward the affected families.

The Restore Hope for the Boy Child Initiative is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that focuses on the emotional, physical, and psychological well-being of male children.

The organisation’s mission is to highlight the challenges and pressures boys face and to advocate for their needs.(NAN) (www.newsnews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Wed, 2024

Health

Nasarawa public health legal assessment tool excites NCDC, RTSL

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By Angela Atabo/Aderogba George

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), an NGO, have lauded the Nasarawa State Government for embracing the public health legal assessment system tool.

This commendation was made at a four-day workshop in Nasarawa, aimed at bolstering the state’s public health legal framework to effectively respond to public health emergencies.

Amira Abubakar, Assistant Legal Adviser at NCDC, noted that the workshop united key government stakeholders, legal experts, and public health professionals to assess the state’s existing public health laws.

The workshop is part of the Public Health Legal Reform Project, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Nasarawa State, Orixine Consulting, and RTSL.

Abubakar highlighted that NCDC, the developer of the assessment tool, was leading the evaluation to enhance Nasarawa’s public health laws.

“This move is crucial, as insufficient funding has weakened the state’s health system, with only 64 per cent of the population having access to health facilities.

“The state’s health sector is also vulnerable to environmental sanitation issues, posing threats to health and environmental conditions.

“The adoption of the public health legal assessment system tool demonstrates Nasarawa State’s commitment to prioritising health, which is part of its 13-point agenda.

“”This is by strengthening its public health legal framework, the state aims to better respond to emergencies and improve the overall well-being of its citizens.”

Mr Emem Udoh, Senior Legal Advisor at Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), stated that the global health organisation was committed to enhancing health security through financial and technical support for the workshop.

Udoh expressed pride in RTSL’s partnership with Nasarawa State, anticipating the positive impact of the reform on the state’s health security.

“Nasarawa State is leading the way in utilising this innovative tool to identify gaps, weaknesses, and opportunities for strengthening its public health laws,” Udoh noted.

“The assessment will provide a critical analysis of how well the current legal framework meets the state’s health security needs.”

Arome Audu, Executive Director of Orixine Consulting, expressed pride in collaborating with partners to make Nasarawa State the pioneer in conducting the workshop, utilising the newly approved NCDC subnational legal assessment tools.

Prof. Abdulkarim Kana, Commissioner for Justice, Nasarawa State, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing the state as a model of public health security through a strengthened legal framework.

Represented by Alhassan Sabo, Director, Public Defender, Ministry of Justice, Kana commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his maximum cooperation in achieving the project’s purpose.

Gaza Shekwonugaza, Commissioner of Health, Nasarawa State, represented by Dr Danjuma Oyinaka, Director, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, noted that adopting the public health tool marked the beginning of a journey towards a more resilient public health system.

“This initiative aligns with the Nasarawa State Government’s agenda, addressing current challenges and ensuring the state’s preparedness for future health threats.”(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru