The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Group seeks women’s input in community agenda

    A group, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEH-RD), has canvassed for women’s  participation in oil community agenda because they suffer more from environmental despoilation.

    This is contained in a commu-niqué issued by CEHRD, civil society organisations and the media at the end of a forum on “Human Rights and the Environment in the Niger Delta” held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The forum, which was orgainsed by CEHRD with the theme “Feeling the Pulse of Communities: Oil Corporations and Human Rights Violations in the Niger Delta” also resolved that women are the integral part of society and therefore their interests must be protected, especially as they are the most impacted by oil activities.

    In the communiqué signed on behalf of the group by the Head of Governance, CEHRD Mr. Lawrence, it was also advocated that women be included in community decision-making and constitution drafting for elections to be democratic.

    While advising that communities be sensitised to the rights of women, the forum also urged women to be more organised.

    The forum also stated that for there to be a harmonious working relationship between the oil companies, regulatory agencies and oil communities, the “Petroleum Industry Bill should be passed into law in order to give NOSDRA the needed muscle to do its work.”

    Oil-impacted communities were also advised to begin to look beyond the usual corporate social responsibility projects such as roads, schools, scholarships and demand equity shares in in-coming oil companies to their areas.

    While urging civil society organisations to sensitise communities for awareness on the divestments springing up in the region, the media was enjoined to “inform the public on divestment, protect public interest and work with civil society to enthrone respect for human rights and environment in the Niger Delta.”

  • Imo community elects new youth leaders

    Imo community elects new youth leaders

    Elections into leadership positions in youth organi-sations are often fiercely contested with its attendant challenges. So, there is always the air of apprehension and anxiety whenever these elections are scheduled to hold. The reasons for this are the youths’ exuberance and the interference of those willing to have control of the youth body for obvious political reasons.

    But surprisingly, this was not the case during the election of Ama Imo Youths Association (AYA) in Umukabia community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The election conducted at the Eke Umuodu-Ama Imo field by the officials of the Youth Department of the Ministry of Youths and Sports, was not only transparent but was also peaceful; devoid of the usual skirmishes and violence that often characterise youth elections.

    There was adequate security and the turnout was impressive, irrespective of reported threats by a section of the youth who could not meet up the requirements to qualify for the election.

    Prominent indigenes of the community, including the Bayelsa State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Desmond Agu, witnessed the election, aside from other observer groups, which included non-governmental organisations and representatives of various youth’s groups across the state.

    Akin to every other election, the photographs of the candidates were pasted at strategic locations in the hilly community, especially around the market square and around the venue of the election, a confirmation of thorough campaigning by the candidates.

    At the venue of the election, it was taxing for security operatives, made up of the police and NSCDC officials, to control the large number of youths who thronged the venue of the election to cast their votes.

    Reading out the guidelines for the election shortly before the voting began, the Presiding Officer and the leader of the team from the ministry, Mr. Kelvin Ekeh, warned that any candidate who violates the rules will be disqualified. He assured that the election would be conducted in a transparent manner in order to produce a genuine winner.

    He urged the candidates to accept the result of the election in good fate, adding that, “in every election, there are bound to be winners and losers but my advice is that, as brothers, we should accept the outcome of the election with candour.  We are here to ensure that the right things are done. We have no preferred candidates; our business is to conduct a free-and-fair election that will usher in a new and acceptable leadership for the youth organisation”.

    Continuing, Ekeh said: “Today’s exercise is very important to the Ministry of Youths and Sports because it will engender peace among the youth of this community and give them a sense of leadership, which will encourage and attract youth empowerment programmes that will meaningfully engage the youth and keep them away from crimes.”

    Also in his address, the NSCDC boss said the election was a collective resolution to elect a formidable and functional executive that will pilot the affairs of the Ama-Imo Umukabia Youth Association, which he said will be critical to the development of the community.

    According to him, the Youth Association in the first place, was conceived to energise the youth to key into the youth initiative and development programme of the State and Federal Governments.

    While commending the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha for his efforts in ensuring that the youth are carried along in the scheme of things, Agu, said the need for the Youth Association to have elected executive members was to pilot, facilitate and attract youth empowerment programme of the state government to the community.

    He said: “The organisational structure and integration of youth movement of this calibre is not an easy task. Therefore, those of you who will be elected and inaugurated as leaders of the association would have to see yourselves as been opportune to serve your people and to bring your experiences to bear in reforming, rebranding, re-orienting and restoring the glory and dignity of Umukabia Youths.

    “Similarly, I urge those of you who will be elected officers of the youth association to partner with the state government and other relevant stakeholders in youth matters to attract development to the community. You should not use the office to fight against government or witch hunt anyone in the community. I further urge you to display high sense of maturity, candour, honesty, humility, brevity and above all, the fear of God.”

    Also commending the exercise, the President-General of Amaimo Umukabia community, Mr. Fortunatus Madu, said the emergence of the new leadership of the youth association will complement the efforts of the Town Union in tackling the numerous challenges confronting the community.

    He advised the youth association not to see itself as a parallel organisation with Town Union but should collaborate with it in order to be properly guided in the overall interest of the community.

    One of the observers and the Executive Director of the Human Security and Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, Mr. Taritein Boco, commended the organisers for the peaceful conduct of the election.

    He noted that the emergence of the youth leadership will help coordinate efforts to develop the youth of the community by collaborating with the government and other relevant agencies and stakeholders.

    Those who emerged to lead the association for the next three years after the keenly contested election were, Alaegbu Louis (President), Madu Bernerth (Vice-President), Egwim Chinedu (Secretary) and Okezie Johnson (Financial Secretary), among others.

    In his acceptance speech, the newly elected President promised to carry every youth in the community along, irrespective of political or religious differences.  He appealed to those that lost the elections to join hands with the new leadership to move the community forward.

    He also solicited the support of well-meaning indigenes of the community to assist the youth through scholarships and other youth empowerment programmes, assuring that his team will work closely with the state government and other related agencies to improve the fortune of youths in the community.

    He said: “We are going to use this youth platform first and foremost to bring the attention of the state government to the many challenges facing our community, which include dilapidated roads, lack of water and electrify, among other problems that have made life in our community a nightmare.”

  • Group seeks women’s input in community agenda

    A group, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEH-RD), has canvassed for women’s  participation in oil community agenda because they suffer more from environmental despoilation.

    This is contained in a commu-niqué issued by CEHRD, civil society organisations and the media at the end of a forum on “Human Rights and the Environment in the Niger Delta” held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The forum, which was orgainsed by CEHRD with the theme “Feeling the Pulse of Communities: Oil Corporations and Human Rights Violations in the Niger Delta” also resolved that women are the integral part of society and therefore their interests must be protected, especially as they are the most impacted by oil activities.

    In the communiqué signed on behalf of the group by the Head of Governance, CEHRD Mr. Lawrence, it was also advocated that women be included in community decision-making and constitution drafting for elections to be democratic.

    While advising that communities be sensitised to the rights of women, the forum also urged women to be more organised.

    The forum also stated that for there to be a harmonious working relationship between the oil companies, regulatory agencies and oil communities, the “Petroleum Industry Bill should be passed into law in order to give NOSDRA the needed muscle to do its work.”

    Oil-impacted communities were also advised to begin to look beyond the usual corporate social responsibility projects such as roads, schools, scholarships and demand equity shares in in-coming oil companies to their areas.

    While urging civil society organisations to sensitise communities for awareness on the divestments springing up in the region, the media was enjoined to “inform the public on divestment, protect public interest and work with civil society to enthrone respect for human rights and environment in the Niger Delta.”

  • A community’s health challenge

    A community’s health challenge

    In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), there are communities where untrained traditional birth attendants deliver women of their babies. TONY AKOWE reports that the situation results from lack of health care centres to take care of the people’s health needs

    Residents of Yimitu community in Kabusa Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are still grappling with lack of health care centres where women could be delivered of their babies. As a result of this, their women are delivered of their babies at home by untrained birth attendants.

    The husbands of expectant mothers secure the services of these untrained traditional birth attendants as the last resort; because they lack health facilities. The requisite experience of these birth attendants are being grandmothers and, perhaps, having carried out the exercise for several years. A piece of cloth which they spread on the floor, a small stool which the elderly woman seats on while holding the woman in labour, hot water and a new razor blade serve as their “labour room” equipment.

    If an expectant mother dies in the process of being delivered of her baby, they believe it is an act of God.

    If the woman bleeds during or after delivery, they give her local concoctions which they believe will stop the bleeding. They boast of recording huge successes in carrying out this exercise.

    It was also discovered that many women in the community which is located close to the city centre still give birth at home with the aid of elderly women who serve as traditional birth attendants.

    However, some of them attributed the situation to lack of health care facility in the community and the long distance to the closest health care centre.

    One of the traditional birth attendants, Laraba Danjuma, told North Report that she has been assisting women to deliver their babies for several years.

    She said: “When a woman is in labour, I sit on a small stool behind her. I always have hot water standby and when the baby comes out, I will tie the placenta before cutting it. We give the woman the hot water to drink, press her stomach with it and apply it to the navel of the baby.”

    She said she delivers at least two women of their babies in a month. While admitting that many of the women in the community currently go to the hospital to give birth to their babies, she revealed that “when a woman gives birth and begins to bleed, we have one native drug which the woman will be given and once she drinks it, the bleeding will stop. No woman or child has died during delivery in my care”.

    Residents of the community are angry with successive administrations in the FCT. It is not only lack of health care facilities that residents have to contend with. Their roads are impassable. They said they had made several efforts to make successive area councils and the FCT Administration to consider their plight and help them. To access health care, especially for expectant mothers, residents of the community travel to the nearest health care centre located at Waru.

    The Village Head of Yimitu, Dauda Hassan, told North Report that they had made several appeals to the FCT Administration and authorities of the Abuja Municipal Area Council to come to their aid by establishing a clinic for them.

    He regretted that expectant mothers in the area have to make the long trip on the bumpy road to either Waru which is the closest health care centre to them and about 30 minutes drive on a motorbike or they go to Kabusa Health Centre which is about one hour drive. Some have to go to the health centre at Garki for their medical needs.

    He said: “From here, we take them to Kabusa, Waru or Garki. From here to Kabusa is about 30 minutes ride on motorbike, 15 minutes to Waru and almost one hour to Garki. We have the old women who usually assist expectant mothers to deliver them of their babies. No woman has died as a result of pregnancy in the village.

    “We appeal to the government to establish a primary health care centre for us, repair our road and build a primary school. We will be happy if the government can do these for us and make us feel that we are part of those they govern.”

    Narrating the ordeal women in the community has to pass through, Rahila Danjuma, a mother of six who had to deliver most of her children outside the community said it was unfortunate that successive administrations in the FCT left them to their fate.

    She said: “I delivered three of my children at Area 3 Hospital and in 2007; I delivered one at Kabusa General Hospital. I delivered my last baby at home at in Figbasama alone.

    “Our problems here are lack of a clinic, good road, water and school. Four of my children of school age are not going to school.”

    Happiness Sabastine is not happy that she has to pay so much to access medical services. She wished the government will come to their aid.

    She said: “I want the government to come to our aid by building a health care centre in our community. Our road is also not good. But we want the government to also help us repair the road. We will not be suffering so much if we have a clinic here.”

  • Edo APC chieftain seeks enhanced community policing

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called for the strengthening of local security outfits, popularly called vigilantes across the state.

    This followed the recent twin bank robbery at Igarra, Edo State.

    In his New Year message to Edo State residents, the politician noted that for the police to effectively protect the people, there should be a collaboration between the communities and the police.

    He cited the case of the Igarra and Makeke vigilance groups, which successfully foiled the twin bank robbery in Igarra.

    Obaseki said, in line with APC’s manifesto, the design of an enduring community policing strategy would secure the lives and property of the residents from Gelegele to Somorika.

    The governorship aspirant urged the people to always support the police with information that could help in the fight against insecurity.

    Also, Obaseki pledged to deploy his goodwill in the private sector within and outside Nigeria to encourage the sector to show interest in the Gelegele-Atlantic Ocean link Port.

    The politician said it has the capacity to open up the state’s economy to other parts of Nigeria and the world.

    He added that as a Financial Management expert, he would not allow Edo State economy, with its potential, to be less than 10 in the ranking of Nigerian states, especially in doing business and youth employment.

    Obaseki said Edo State would continue to leverage on its strategic location in Nigeria as an artery to push its economy to greater heights for the benefits of the people.

  • Community honours UI valedictorian

    Nothing could be a better reward for hard work than to be recognised by one’s community.  This was what happened to veterinary doctor, Sodiq Olamide Olayinka, last week at Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State for graduating as the overall best from the prestigious University of Ibadan during this year’s convocation of the institution last month.

    The 23-year-old won eight out of 11 possible prizes, setting a record in his faculty.  He won 31 prizes at the convocation. Sodiq’s performance was one he had maintained since primary school.

    When the news of Sodiq’s academic achievement reached Iragbiji, the people of the community, led by their monarch, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, organised a reception for him and his family.

    Flanked by his father, Prince Abimbola Ishaq Olayinka, and mother, Alhaja Folashade Olayinka, he was received by hundreds of people of the town at the sprawling Oba Olabomi’s Pavillion.

    The Aragbiji, who could not hide his joy, said Sodiq had done the community’s proud and would remain a source of inspiration to many youths of the town and beyond. Everyone at the reception took turn to take picture with Sodiq and his parents.

    After the reception, the Aragbiji took Sodiq to meet the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, at the Government House in Osogbo, the state capital.

    Congratulating the recipient, Aregbesola called on youths not to perceive excellence as mysterious but a result of determination and deep commitment.

    He described Sodiq as a shining example and worthy role model for any serious minded student.

    “You are a brand new academic giant and setting a record in the life of the existence of the University of Ibadan, eight distinctions is an indication that nothing is impossible for a determined personality. Dr Sodiq Olayinka’s rare feat is by all intent an inspiration to all students in Iragbiji his home town, state of Osun and Nigeria,” he said.

    Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, who hails from Iragbiji, also had kind words for Sodiq.

    “Your recognition and feat as the 2015 best graduating student of the University of Ibadan came at a time when some students have gone astray at a tender age, some disgracefully impregnated putting a stop to their academic pursuit. I congratulate you.”

    In his remarks, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji Oba Abdul Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi applauded the progressive steps of Governor Aregbesola in all sectors, assuring that posterity will place him on the positive side of history.

    The honoree, who expressed appreciation to the governor for receiving him and for the honour, assured of his readiness to contribute his own quota to the development of the state of Osun.

    He urged his colleagues that with determination,  prayers and fear of God, the sky is the beginning for serious-minded people.

  • How community media can aid growth, by Ambode’s aide

    Community media will drive grassroots development, if properly harnessed, Special Adviser to Lagos State on Communications Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan has said.

    Bamigbetan spoke at a workshop for community media practitioners at Ikeja.

    The event tagged Community media: Tool for vibrant democratic governance, was attended by practitioners of community journalism in the print, electronic and social media.

    It was held in collaboration with GEMS3, a tax consultancy firm.

    Bamigbetan said a vibrant community media could drive developmental programmes.

    According to him, it is the community media that really connect with the masses and masses’ expectation from government at the council level can easily be communicated.

    He urged community media practitioners to always monitor activities of local government administrators especially in the area of budget implementation.

    “Community media draw attention of people in governance to what is missing at the grassroots; they relay the opinion of people to governments and public institutions. They also create and mould the perception of the people in the community about corporate organisations and government. So, they are so important to development and our plan is to try and bring them back. Community media drove developmental projects during the colonial days,” he said.

    According to him, community media are germane to achieving the mega-city status.

    He said: “We need to bring back the community media to make our democracy vibrant and effective to the man on the street. Our role is to create the conducive environment for community media practitioners to do business.

    “Most importantly, we are talking of a system where people at the grassroots are carried along and understand their roles in achieving the Lagos of our dream.”

  • Community honours leaders

    Community honours leaders

    Former Secretary to Lagos State Government and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olorunfunmi Basorun has received a merit award from the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) for his immense contributions to the development of Ikorodu community, Lagos.

    Other outstanding community leaders were also honoured.

    Speaking during the occasion, Basorun urged notable indigenes of Ikorodu not to relent in contributing their quota to make life better for the less-privileged persons, stressing that they would be honoured in due course.

    Basorun said the honour bestowed on him did not come as a surprise; noting that he and other politicians have been at the forefront of attracting development to Ikorodu.

    He added that Ikorodu and Lagos State entirely will make tremendous progress under the present APC-led Federal Government, urging the people to support and participate in government’s programmes.

    “Our people should support this government that is working relentlessly to develop the state. We should have faith in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his team.

    “I feel honoured by this award. In the Bible, it said a prophet is not honoured at home. I am grateful to my people for deeming it fit to give me this merit award.

    “It is a call to service; it is a call not to relent in what I do for my people and I am not going to look back. I will always make myself available to the people. Our people should take part in the politics and support the ruling party. They should make themselves available the same way I serve them.”

    Also speaking, the Ayangburem of Ikorodu HRM Oba Adewale Shotobi commended the APC chieftain on his efforts, adding that the politician has been a dependable leader.

    He said the merit award was to put on records that no sacrifice made on behalf of one’s community is in vain. He called on other indigenes to emulate the sterling qualities of Basorun.

    “Basorun, you have done well to make Ikorodu great. You are one of the few leaders who serve this community with dedication. Your political sagacity is well recognised and had attracted many developments to Ikorodu.

  • Oil firm organises medical outreach for community

    To ensure a healthy life for the people of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, the management of NNPC/ Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited organised a three-day Free Medical Outreach on Cancer and Tuberculosis (TB) Awareness Campaign for the community.

    Speaking to flag off the campaign, the General Manager, Public/Government Affairs of MNP, Mr Paul Arinze, said the medical awareness which included testing for these two killer diseases was meant to draw the people’s attention to them.

    Arinze, who was represented by the Manager, Field Public and Government Affairs Operations of MPN, Mr Yemi Fakayejo, explained that while Nigeria ranks number four in the world for reported cases of death caused by breast cancer and number 11 for prostrate cancer, the country also ranks 38 of 172 countries in the world for TB.

    The MPN chief lamented that while cancer has no cure, TB is curable but “both diseases continue to take a toll on the human race, more particularly in developing countries such as ours, where access to quality medical care and information remains a challenge.”

    He also said to bridge the information gap on these diseases, his company sponsored two notable non-governmental organisations (NGOs) namely: Divine Health and Good Society Foundation (DHAGS) and Universal Basic Development Centre (UBDC) to enlighten the people on how these diseases are contacted, prevented, controlled and treated, hoping that the event would make a positive impact on the over all wellbeing of the people of the locality.

    He said the cost of sponsoring the two health projects and the bus which MPN also donated to Ogu/Bolo youths at the occasion is over N22 million and urged the youths to ensure that the vehicle is used for their civic responsibilities and not for political party rallies.

    The Executive Director of DHAGS, Dr Chijioke Mbaelu, enlightened the people on causes and prevention of many communicable diseases like TB, hepatitis B, scabies, malaria and cholera, stressing on the importance clean environment and hand-washing.

    The Executive Director of UBDC, Dr Marcelina Okereke, enlightened the people on the signs to look out for on their bodies to prevent breast and prostrate cancer.

    The representative of Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Golden Ovunda, commended MPN for its interest in the state noting that “it is rare to see corporate organisations putting back to the society what it has gained.”

    Ovunda, who stated that “an investment in health is an investment in wealth”, also expressed the hope that the medical outreach programme should not be a one-off thing but should rather be sustained.

    The programme, which lined up 21 medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and lab technicians, treated about 2000 persons of various ailments. It attracted many goodwill messages from the Chiefs Council of Ogu/Bolo, the lawmaker representing the constituency in the state assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi, the local government council and other groups.

  • Jigawa community decries school’s state

    THE Community of Sankara village of Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State is not happy about the lack of learning facilities at the 63-year old primary school in the village.

    Chairman of the Sankara Community Development Association, Alhassan Bello Sankara, voiced their concern during the inauguration of toilet facilities constructed at the Sankara Primary School by the association in collaboration with a DFID funded programme known as M4D.

    He said the school, built in 1952, presently has 1,144 pupils – most of whom take lessons on a floor because there is no classroom furniture.

    He lamented that the situation is worsened by the fact that the school has only 10 classrooms to accommodate the large population of pupils – resulting in overpopulation, which makes learning difficult.

    Despite its large population, Alhassan said that only seven teachers, one of them on study leave, teach in the school.

    Urging the state government to intervene, Alhassan said the school’s pathetic situation was worsening the out-of-school situation in the north.

    “Due to the unfavourable learning atmosphere in the school, many parents in the community are not willing to send their children to the only primary school we have and as I am talking over 30 percent of our children are out of the school.

    “I am using this opportunity to call on all the authority concerned to intervene and rescue the community from losing its main source of education,” he said.

    The chairman said the association constructed the toilets to tackle the menace of open defecation and improve hygiene.

    He added that the association had also embarked on an enlightenment campaign against open defecation around all the communities in Sankara area.