Educational institutions run by churches and other faith-based organisations should never collect tuition, the general overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has declared.
He slammed churches for starting schools with offerings contributed by members only to price them beyond their capacity.
Chinyere spoke last week in Port-Harcourt at the launch of a free lunch scheme for over 200 students in OPM Free Nursery and Primary School.
He said it is not only wicked but also devilish to start schools with offerings and slash members with unaffordable tuitions.
“This is what church offerings are meant to be used for. Not building a school with the offering from the church and put the school fees high. Church schools must be free,” he declared.
He said students in the school will henceforth enjoy free meals to enable them study better.
The gesture, he said, was to complement the free tuition, uniforms and sandals policy of the school.
According to him: “Our drive is to demonstrate that free education is possible and every child is entitled to it.
“We have four of these kinds of schools in the nation where nobody pays a dime to enroll and learn. They get free tuition, scandals, bags, books and now meals.
“If we can do this, we believe government can do much more and bigger churches have no excuse at all.”
The school, which is equipped with air condition and modern facilities, is exclusively for downtrodden pupils.
“Only those who parents cannot afford the fees are here. We select children based on their poor background across all religions and tribes,” he further explained.
He challenged other churches to emulate the tuition-free policy of the school, saying they should add values to lives and not focus on materialism.
OPM Free Nursery and Primary School, he said, provides free books, free sandals and free four pairs of different uniforms to boost the morale of the poor kids.
“We want them to overcome poverty and be educated in a serene environment. That is what we are doing. We only do this from the offerings we collect.
“There is no international donor or collaboration anywhere. Every kobo we spend on the project is from this church. If others join us, we will educate thousands of poor children across this nation,” he stated.
Demonstrating that they are indeed friends with the public, the police have provided free eye checks in Enugu State.
The medical unit of the command held a one day free eye check to mark the 2015 World Sight Day.
No fewer than 500 members of the public were attended to. Police officers and men as well as their relations were also administered.
According to the coordinating police medical Unit optometrist Dr. Ituko Ogie, the programme which took place at the police Headquarters Enugu was an annual event celebrated every October 8.
The exercise was aimed at creating awareness on blindness and vision impairment, she explained, adding that the theme for this year’s celebration is Vision for All.
She further maintained that this year’s exercise was unprecedented as it was the first of its kind in the history of the command by reaching out to the members of the public as a way of community service.
The state commissioner of police, Abubakar Adamu Mohammed told participants that the programme was amongst the laudable programmes of the Inspector General of police, Solomon E. Arase to reach out to the members of the public by way of community service through the Force medical services Unit Under AIG Dr. Grace Okudo.
He enjoined all and sundry to make effective use of the one day free eye check to discover the status of their eye since it is an important organ of the body.
Some of the participants who spoke , expressed joy and satisfaction in the programme.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Martha Amah pointed out that the gesture by the Nigeria Police Force was the first of its kind where police eye doctors will examine patients medically and give proffer solutions.
She was optimistic that this would go a long. Way to prevent sudden blindness as well as other eye related problems.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State Wing, has criticised the state’s free education policy for not being backed by sufficient funds.
The NUT Chairman, Mr. Etim Ukpong, who described the scheme as unrealistic, lamented that for more than one academic session head teachers were forced to buy chalk and consumables for science practicals from their salaries.
Speaking during World Teachers’ Day celebration on Monday, he said: “This situation where for more than one academic session now, head teachers are made to bear the brunt of buying chalk, tend to teachers who fall sick, buy pens for teachers, pay for extra security, bear the costs of science practical, students and pupils participation in inter-school programmed as their peers in private schools, etc from their salaries is not only unrealistic but dishonest and unacceptable.”
Ukpong also said teachers in primary and post primary schools are sad and angry over unfavourable government policies in the state and may go on strike if their concerns are not addressed.
Ukpong, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Union Congress (NLC) in the state, said some pending issues the teachers want addressed include non-refund of 71/2 per cent contributory pensions’ deductions in full to all teachers; non-payment of subventions; examination registrations and science practical grants to all school heads; non-payment of 2013 leave allowance to primary school teachers are some of the issues at stake.
He listed others as non-payment of 2011 promotion arrears to primary school teachers; non-implementation of 2012 promotions for primary school teachers, and non-payment of gratuities to retired primary school teachers for many years.
Ukpong warned that the growing tension among the teachers might get to a level that the NUT may not be able to control the hungry, frustrated and angry teachers any more.
“All the teachers, primary and post primary schools are very sad and angry at this situation in the primary school sector. Injury to one is injury to all. There is intense anger in the land. The growing tension might soon boil,” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari is free to pick his ministers, his party said yesterday.
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the party trusts the President’s judgment.
Buhari is expected to send the names of his ministers to the Senate for confirmation latest tomorrow. Speaking after a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, Odigie-Oyegun said: ”We know that the President will do what he needs to do. What happened or did not happen between us and the President is a matter for the party as a family. It is a family affair, but he will do what he needs to do, when he needs to do it. You can trust him on that.”
He also promised that the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) would soon be inaugurated. “You know that we have been pretty busy, but I want to assure you that it will soon be inaugurated.”
Odigie-Oyegun announced the decision to fix another Bayelsa State governorship primary for today in Yenagoa.
He spoke to reporters after the meeting which was briefed by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the chair of the panel that organised last week’s primary, which was cancelled.
With Odigie-Oyegun at the briefing were Deputy Chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu, Deputy Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Primce Hillaard Etta, National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed and National Women Leader Hajia Ramatu Tijanni Ali
The chairman said: “The main issue that occupied us today at the NWC meeting has to do with the Bayelsa governorship primary. We want to make it very clear that as a party, the APC guides very jealously its record of free and fair primary.
“The NWC sees it as a duty to provide a level playing ground for all those who aspire to offices in this party. Unfortunately, in Bayelsa State, we had serious security challenges and so, the process could not meet the standard which this party has set for itself.
“So, we had no alternative than to stop the process by ensuring that the chairman of the panel is effectively moved out of the venue with the help of security agencies. We decided thereafter that there should be a proper fresh primary.
“So today, the party decided and we have written to INEC appropriately that the party has decided to conduct fresh primary for the Bayelsa governorship election, beginning tomorrow. So, the process for fresh primary will begin tomorrow.
“We are getting in touch with the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to please assist us by ensuring effective security.
“Let me make one thing clear. The issue of who is candidate or not is not the issue here. That is not what is in consideration because it can be any of the 19 aspirants that obtained the form to contest that election.
“But for the APC, the party of change, it is essential that in party processes, elections within the party are also seen to be free, fair, totally above board and without any form of force. That is what we hope to achieve beginning from tomorrow. The venue remains Yenagoa because by law, you cannot change the venue because that is part of the electoral Act.”
On whether the party plan to discipline members who announced the result of the primary in disregard of the guideline, the chairman said. “We sent people to do a job and it got to a situation where they had reasons to fear for their safety – rightly or wrongly. Anything that anybody does in such a situation to keep body and soul in one piece is welcome.”
On the alleged plan by Timiprieye Silva to challenge the decision of the party in court and the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, Odigie-Oyegun said: “That is what the courts are for. We will cross that bridge when we get there. The Saraki issue is in court and I will not want to say one word about it”
Speaking on security for the fresh primary, the chairman said: “They say once beaten, twice shy. I am not a security man; I am not a security expert. But I am sure that the IGP is fully abreast with with what happened that day as well as what can be done and need to be done to avoid a repetition and we trust his judgement.”
MTN has announced free incoming calls and SMS while roaming in 15 countries across the world.
The countries are: United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Netherlands and Belgium.
Others are: Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kenya and Ghana.
Announcing the offer, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge, said the offer is an affirmation of MTN’s leadership in innovative provisions that aptly satisfy the need of its subscribers anywhere across the globe.
‘’This new offer which allows for free incoming calls, is a solution introduced to address issues of high cost of receiving calls whenever our esteemed subscribers travel out of the country. Driven by world class technology, this package will afford our subscribers an opportunity to constantly communicate with friends, families and business associates whenever they are on international trips, ‘’ he said.
[ad id=”403656″]According to him, this service requires no registration as the customers’ MTN SIM connects when they switch on their phones at any selected destinations, if they have phones and gadgets that allow roaming.
To benefit from the offering, he said MTN customers were expected to recharge with a minimum of N2000 (cumulatively or as a single recharge) within the same month of travel or spend N2000 or more the previous month before travelling. Post-paid customers, who have a credit limit of N2, 000 and above, will automatically enjoy the offer.
While the new package will afford subscribers on the MTN network an opportunity to enjoy free incoming calls and SMS in 15 selected countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, subscribers will also be able to make calls for as low as N60 per minute whenever they are in these selected countries.
Over the years, MTN has being at the forefront of seeking innovative ways of meeting its subscribers’ needs to enable them stay connected to their friends
Barely two weeks after several communities were treated free by some Anambra State indigenes based overseas, four more settlements have benefited from a similar outreach, NWANOSIKE ONU reports
It was good two weeks ago; now things are getting even better. Barely 14 days earlier residents of six communities in Anambra State were diagnosed and treated free for various ailments. Their benefactors were kith and kin living overseas who came home with a shipment of medicaments. They treated people in Oko in Orumba North, Abagana in Njikoka and Obosi in Idemili North council areas. Also attended to, were patients in Ihembosi and Ozubulu in Ekwusigo as well as Oba in Idemili South local government areas. The beneficiaries loved every bit of it.
Now another batch of medical personnel has visited the state, zeroing in on four communities and treating their ailing residents. The medical missionaries from Italy worked for nine days in Nanka in Orumba North, Ogidi in Idemili North, Umuleri and Aguleri in Anambra East councils.
The group, called Opera Don Bonifacio Azione Verde, was led by Rev. Fr. Boniface Duru, who hails from Imo State, on the invitation of the Anambra State government.
It was tagged Viaggio Della Speranza (meaning journey of hope).
The group, according to the founder and president, Rev Fr Boniface Duru, has about 400 children also on scholarship in Imo.
The children were adopted by the group to give hope to the hopeless, while some of them had graduated from different universities, few others are still in primary, secondary and tertiary school in Imo state according to the group.
On the whole, about one thousand patients were treated by the group for various ailments in the four communities, especially for diabetes and hypertension.
Speaking with TheNation on their mission, Rev Fr Duru lamented that the two ailments diabetes and hypertension were on the rise in the communities, adding that people should take serious precaution.
However, he said that the group was willing to collaborate with the state government in getting it right and help to better the lives of the sick people of the state through their humble mission.
He said: “The government cannot do all, we help the governments reach the grass roots, touch the sick and the down trodden.”
“The question of the grassroots is a central issue in governance and any government capable of reaching the grass roots in its activities has succeeded, people in the periphery need the assistance of humanitarian organisations”
One of the patients suffering from diabetes, Martha Okonkwo, from Ogidi, told The Nation that the group gave her some drugs to help in alleviating her sufferings, because she had nobody to carter for her.
The diabetic patient further said that the aliment had been with her for the past six years, adding that she had got a little bit relived as a result of the drugs given to her by the medical missionaries.
Another patient from Aguleri, the community where Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano hails from, Mr. Cyprian Ogbuefi told the Nation that the mission of the group had really given him some relief.
On why the invitation to the medical missionaries, the coordinator of the group, Sister Fausta Manafa, told the Nation that it was to help the less privileged and the needy in rural areas, who had no person to carter for them.
She said the state government would equally extend such invitation to other groups like this, which according to her, had been the wish of Governor Willie Obiano to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the state.
Total of 490 persons including vulnerable children from 10 years and above in Tunga Maje, Gwagwalada area council have received free testing and vaccination against Hepatitis B and C organised by a civil society organisation, Elohim Foundation, under its free medical outreach programme.
Speaking during the event, the Project Director of the organization, Julius Ibecheole stated that the exercise which is part of the activities marking this year’s 2015 World Hepatitis Day, marked globally every July 28.
He further added that this year’s event is aimed at creating the needed awareness on the increasing spread of Viral Hepatitis in Nigeria, which currently has an infected population of about 20 million Nigeria.
Ibecheole called on the Nigerian government to provide access to treatment and support for infected persons as the cost associated with obtaining the treatment from the very few available specialist centres in the country is very high.
He further called on development agencies and pharmaceutical groups to support hepatitis treatment in Nigeria as the burden of Hepatitis is astronomically far higher than that of HIV and the infection more deadly than HIV.
Beneficiaries of the screening who tested negative were given free vaccination while those that tested positive were referred to Bwari and Asokoro General Hospital.
“These hospitals have specialist to handle the needed treatment while organization follows up the patient through linkage to her support group mechanism to enable them access behavior change communication, treatment literacy education, treatment support and adherence counselling services.
“This is in-addition to the follow-up with the non-positives who through the issuance of a vaccination card and text messages are reminded of the need to complete their vaccination does appropriately,” he said.
Ibecheole however decried the low level of awareness of the disease and its treatment among the rural residents of the FCT, blaming it to non-inclusion of other stakeholders particularly the Civil Society groups.
One of the beneficiaries, Esther Jacob expressed appreciation to the organization for the kind gesture, pledging to take advantage of screening and vaccination.
Also during the event,cassava stems and special brand of potatoes called orange flavoured sweet potatoes rich with vitamin A were distributed to the community as part of the deliverables under a USAID funded CRS project called SMILE.
The Ondo State government will celebrate the third anniversary of its Free School Bus Shuttle initiative on Friday.
The celebration coincides with the annual marking of the annulled June12, 1993 presidential election.
Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade said the take-off of the programme three years ago was deliberately planned as part of activities marking the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He said the scheme, which has put the state on world map,has been adjudged one of the Mimiko-led administration’s programmes, which exposes it as a progressive government.
“This programme is the first of its kind in Africa and it has really gone a long way to register that the government is responsible for pupils’ well being
“The parents too can also identify with some of the projects government is spending their tax money on.
“The evaluation of the scheme has shown that pupils are more punctual and jobs have been created.”
It is meant to serve the poor. Can the pro-bono legal service introduced by the Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP), in conjuction with the government said to have achieved its aim? Stakeholders gathered in Lagos last week to review the initiative, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA
Thirty months ago, Lagos Public Interest Law Part-nership (LPILP) and the government introduced free legal services for the indigent.
Lastweek in Lagos, stakeholders gathered to take stock of the pro-boro services, two- and-a-half-years after.
The 2nd Annual Stakeholders Conference was held at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos with the theme: Developing the Culture of Pro-Bono in Nigeria. Moderators at the conference included Professor of Law, Lanre Fagbohun (SAN) of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS); Ore Olajide, partner in Olaniwun Ajayi LP and Coordinator, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi. Speakers, who were carefully selected from various sections of the Justice sector, included Justice Atinuke Oluyemi of the High Court of Lagos State; Director, Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy (PRAI), Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem; Rotimi Oladokun, a legal practitioner in the Nigerian Prison Service in Lagos; chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Alex Mouka; Director of Academics, Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Gbemisola Odusote; a partner in Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Dr. Khrushchev Ekwueme; Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Sterling Bank, Justina Lewa.Others were Legal Counsel(East & West Africa) Hewlett Packard, Eno Ebong; Commercial Legal Manager, MTN, Abi Ahmed Haruna; a Corporate Governance Trainer, Dr. Nkechi Ezeako; Director, Citizen’s Right of the state Ministry of Justice, Clara Ibirogba; Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Omotola Rotimi; Executive Director, Partnership for Justice, Itoro Eze Anaba; Executive Director, Women’s Right and Health Project, Bose Ironsi and CSP Monday Agbonika of the Nigerian Police.
• From left: Justice Doris Okuwobi, Ipaye, Justice Abidemi Okikiolu-Ighile
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye set the tone for discussion. He disclosed that in spite of the position of Lagos State as number one state in Citizens’ Rights initiatives, a 2014 Needs Assessment Survey commissioned by the state and some of her technical partners revealed a shocking 80 percent of the respondents not being able to receive pro-bono legal services from formal structures put in place by the Lagos State government simply because they could not get access to justice. He said this development makes it imperative for them to keep exploring innovative ideas with which to close this obvious justice gap.
“ One can infer based on the statistics obtained from the US and the UK that we are not alone when it comes to the issue of a gap in access to justice. We are, however, particularly disadvantaged because even educated citizens are helpless in understanding and navigating our borrowed legal system. With language, logic and philosophical barriers, self-representation is just not a fair option for the average Nigerian”, he said.
The Commissioner for Justice emphasised that the desire to provide access to justice to those in need remains a policy thrust of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and that Lagos State Government, under the current administration, conceived and inaugurated the Lagos State Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP) in November, 2012 for this purpose.
He said the LPILP functions as a platform where the state partners with private law firms and NGOs to enhance the avenues for accessing justice for the disadvantaged in the state.
According to Ipaye, a variety of sources lend credence to the fundamental importance of adequate and effective access to justice in Nigeria. He said the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, section 36 provides for the fundamental right to fair hearing. He cited a 1987 Nigerian Supreme Court case of Adigun v. Attorney-General of Oyo State to buttress his view onthe right to fair hearing and ability to obtain professional assistance. He explained further that Rule 38 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 also provides that “a lawyer assigned to defend an indigent prisoner shall not ask to be excused except for substantial reason, but shall exert his best effort in the defence of the accused”.
He reminded stakeholders that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also on January 1, 2009 adopted a pro-bono declaration which stated that members of the NBA have a responsibility to provide pro-bono legal services and explained that the responsibility stemmed from the profession’s role and purpose in society, and from its implicit commitment to a fair and equitable legal system, adding that Law faculties and Law schools in the country, having regard to recent inclusion of clinical studies in their curricula, are also encouraged to carry out pro-bono work”.
He said when compared to the history of legal aid and the provision of pro-bono legal services in a number of countries, Lagos State is relatively new. This, he said, means that there are opportunities to consider the various schemes utilised in several parts of the world and create a module that we believe is most suitable for us. He said this was why the Lagos State government decided it was necessary to explore opportunities outside state-funded free legal assistance, adding that it was this development that led to the policy of developing a pro-bono culture in the state.
Although, he admitted that many legal practitioners and law firms have already devoted a substantial proportion of their resources to providing free or almost free services to the indigent in the society, he noted that these services are usually done on an ad hoc basis and that it is only the particular beneficiaries that are aware of what has been done.
With the implementation of a policy like the LPILP, he reasoned that law firms can now look at government as a key stakeholder of their operational structures and become more aware of the public sector’s efforts to promote pro-bono services stressing, “by engaging with governments, law firms can increase the impact of their pro-bono strategy and improve the sustainability of their own programmes.
The LPILP model will also provide opportunities for legal practitioners working in different capacities to gain valuable experience in vast fields while providing a medium whereby lawyers in the public sector work with their counterparts in the private sector, gaining valuable exposure and experience in the process.
“Indeed, the situation in Lagos is a promising one and is one that can be replicated in other states of the country as early indicators show that the scheme is proving to be a success. With over 558 indigent persons provided with legal representation by private legal practitioners, free of charge, it is no doubt that the LPILP was the focus of a panel of discussion at the most recent European Pro Bono Conference which held in London, UK in November 2014”, he added.
• From left: Prof. Fagbohun, Justice Oluyemi and Mouka.
Prof. Fagbohungbe set the tone for discussion on the topic: Pro-Bono Legal Service and Nigerian Society: Bridging the Justice Gap. Activist Adetola-Kazeem identified funds and illiteracy as part of the factors militating against effective pro-bono services in the society. According to him, most people couldn’t access justice because they are poor. He said some others are not knowledgeable of the laws, adding that that a number of suspects are convicted of offences they know nothing about because police tricked them into pleading guilty when they should have pleaded otherwise. He suggested a lot of education for the masses by both the government and NGOs to reverse the trend.
Oladokun aligned himself with the submission of Adetola-Kazeem but also added ignorance as a factor militating against access to justice. He however blamed legal practitioners for not being responsive enough to pro-bono services.
To encourage more participation of lawyers, Mouka said the NBA at the narional level has mandated legal practitioners to take up at least five pro-bono cases per year.’ He said this would be in addition to whatever is recommended by the LPILP. Mouka stated further that a meeting of the association has been scheduled to hold soon in Sokoto to roll out guidelines to deepen the culture of pro-bono among legal practitioners.
Odusote, aside from aligning with the plans of the of the NBA, also suggested a-catch-them-young approach for law students. He said they should be made to start giving pro-bono services during holidays. He noted in addition that only lawyers who are comfortable are in good stead to offer pro-bono services compared to those struggling in the practice.
To fund pro-bono services, he alongside Adetola-Kazeem suggested that the NBA should mandate members to contribute to funds set aside to promote the service; that the association should set aside a percentage of money realised from its conferences to prosecute pro-bono services while the private sector should be approached to contribute to a trust fund for pro-bono as they do for security fund.
Federal Commissioner for Lagos State, National Complaints Commission, Funso Olukoga suggested that in-house counsels should work towards ensuring that corporate organisations made provision for pro-bono services in their yearly budget as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. He submitted that pro-bono services would be better delivered with the support and participation of corporate organisations.
Justice Oluyemi, in her contribution, explained that judges are beginning to realise the need for everybody who comes to court to have legal representation. She said that judges have not allowed their oath of office to tie their hands in ensuring that everyone who comes to court gets justice. She denied that judges delay dispensation of cases but that they are being careful and cautious in speeding up cases to avoid miscarriage of justice.
Olajide prepared the stage for discussion on whether or not in-house counsels should engage in pro-bono. To Ebong, the objective was for them to render 15 pro-bono cases per annum. She claimed to have done a lot of pro-bono work for indigent persons and researches for NGOs for free.
Haruna aligned with Ebong when he supported more participation of in-house counsels in the service, which he said should not be limited to criminal matters alone but to include civil, marital and other issues.
Dr. Nkechi argued that there other ways of providing pro-bono services other than court appearances, by in-house counsels. She cited United Kingdom where she said a robust environment was provided for them to handle probate matters, for instance, for indigent persons. She said the environment is such that they engage in many areas of legal matters at no cost to the beneficiaries. “We need to enhance the law to support in-house counsel to do more in area of pro-bono. They can for instance choose to work with law firms and NGOs”, she said.
Lewa said the purpose of getting involved in the service should be for the common good and not for the benefit that would accrue to the practitioner.
To make the service effective, Dr. Ekwueme said those engaged in it should not discriminate on who benefits from it.
Ebong supported his position and added that benefits of rendering pro-bono service cannot be quantified, stressing that there is satisfaction in helping another.
Vivour-Adeniyi, who led discussion on how to deploy pro-bono services to stem sexual and gender base violence and other societal ills, sees the issue as part of the contributions legal practitioners owes the society to make it a better place to live.
Chief Superintendent of Police(CSP) Monday Agbonika said that the force has taken it as a challenge to train some selected officers on issues of sexual and domestic violence. Agbonika said that apart from Ilupeju and Adeniji-Adele Police stations, there are plans to set up more desks in other stations to handle incidences of such crime. He said that contrary to what obtained in the past, some lawyers have been scheduled to pay regular visits to police stations and ensure that the rights of victims are not in any way infringed upon. He said the lawyers are given access to suspects and victims alike and that they advise Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) where legal representation is required.
Rotimi lamented that most victims of sexual and gender based violence are prevented from seeking redress in court when they are threatened. She said they, in the OPD, took it upon themselves to embolden the victims and ensure that trial goes on where they are involved. This, she said, explained why they removed victims to safe houses to free them of psychological influences and thereby ensure diligent prosecution. She said that her department rehabilitates victims after trial as provided for in the Child Rights Act that the interest of the child should be paramount in all given situation. She also said that her department has taken steps to preserve evidences where they are available to ensure successful prosecution.
Ibirogba urges lawyers to take up cases on behalf of victims especially where assailants want to pervert the cause of justice through financial inducement to victims. Ibirogba who stated that she interacts with the NGOs daily, lamented their deficiencies in funds to fight violent cases in court. “Even where we are able to get matters to court, we have to ensure that the case does not suffer long adjournments and prosecution does not get tired of coming to court by providing transport expenses to ensure diligent prosecution”.
Ironsi also regretted the lack of knowledge of the law of the people at the community level. She said the situation requires lawyers to be very knowledgeable in family laws and Child Rights Act to complement their activities.
She noted however that the Lagos State law against domestic violence and child abuse has helped tremendously to reduce such incidences. She noted that most states put similar laws in place but lack enforcement, thus encouraging prevalence of sexual and domestic violence and child abuse in such places.
Eze Anaba lamented that victims suffer undue pressure from communities pressurising them to drop cases against their assailants for paltry sum as low as N100,000. ‘’We need a lawyer experienced enough to make them realise the consequences of their action. We need lawyers that would make them realise that when you rape a child, that child lives with the consequencies of that rape for the rest of her life”.
Ibirogba, Rotimi, Eze Anaba and Ironsi were on the same page on their need for experienced and sympathetic pro-bono lawyers who can draw out victims from their shell so that they could speak out, thereby making Lagos safe.
Internet service provider, Spectranet 4G LTE has launched a partnership with iROKOtv.com to provide customers free movie.To celebrate this, Spectranet is giving the gift of 30 days free iROKOtv.com to existing customers who renew their Spectranet account.
The partnership will give Spectranet’s customers the opportunity to access a wide variety of movies and TV shows for free, including blockbusters such as ‘30 days in Atlanta’, ‘Festac Town’, ‘Poisoned Bait’ and ‘The Antique’, for 30 days. With iROKOtv.com, customers can instantly watch as many TV programmes and films as they want, as often as they want, and on the move.
Spectranet’s customers can access iROKOtv.com by visiting www.irokotv.com on a web browser, or downloading the Android app through the Google Play Store. They will be able to use their smartphones, tablets, laptops or smart TVs to watch an ever growing selection of titles, with new movies added weekly, and the flexibility to stream or download.
Head of Marketing, Spectranet, Mr Mike Ogor, said this is part of Spectranet4G LTE’s value-added-services mapped out to enable subscribers to enjoy its reliable, affordable and high speed internet service.
He said: “The partnership between Spectranet and iROKOtv.com gives Spectranet subscribers access to watch movies on iROKOtv.com for 30 days free. This is just one of the ways Spectranet is bringing more value to its customers. Once subscribers renew their accounts, a voucher that enables them watch all their movies free for 30 days is emailed to them. With the Voucher Code, subscribers just log onto irokotv.com, register their details and enter the code to enjoy 30 days unlimited access to watch new and interesting movies.”
