THE Worldwide Isese Agbaye Community, the umbrella body of all indigenous and traditional religion people, has expressed its support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its president-general, Dr. Adebayo Olusina Adekoya (Erinsiba 1), said the members were supporting the APC’s candidate because of his magnanimity.
Adekoya praised members for complying with the directive to ensure they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“The report reaching me that you have all refused to sell your PVCs is very laudable, commendable and has made all of us proud and giving us joy,” he said.
The group’s president-general said the body had made several attempt to seek audience with the Presidency, but met with brick-walls.
The group said it decided to support APC because of its programme.
Yoruba Ronu, a socio-political group has warned the Federal Government against doing anything that will harm the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Bola Ahmed and his family.
The group said in a statement signed by its national president, Prince ‘Diran Iyantan that it was disturbed by the report that the government in collaboration with some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are planning to eliminate the APC leader who is seen as a stumbling block to perpetrate themselves in power.
The statement reads in part: “Any threat to this man naturally translate into challenging the Yorubas to a duel. It is an undisputable fact that by providence and political evolution Asiwaju Tinubu remains the leader of the Yoruba race, his unquantifiable contributions to the sustenance of the primordial role and relevance of the race in the national polity is an attestation to this assertion. Hence any uncivilized and unorthodox attack on Tinubu is by extention a disrespect and attack on the Yoruba race.
“It is unwholesome and melancholic for Asiwaju Tinubu to be singled out for unwarranted attack amongst the leaders of the ethnic nationalities that have political inclinations. The PDP coordinated disparaging and defamatory assault on Asiwaju Tinubu the leader of the Yorubas who promote peace, civility and harmonious living in the country is seen as a flagrant provocation of the very peaceful, accomodating and reticent Yorubas.
“All the uncouth language employed against our leader who is not contesting any election justifies our fear for his safety. We the Yoruba Ronu Group admonish politicians not to overheat the polity with inflamatory statements and attack on personalities instead they should engage in issue-based discourse. For example the unethical and Machiavellian AIT documentary on Asiwaju Tinubu is at best a national embarrassment and the highest level of impunity and lawlessness that is only a re-enactment of an animal kingdom documentary, which can only be found in the jungle that PDP is building out of Nigeria.”
A group, Okowa Renaissance Group in Diaspora, has urged the people of Delta State to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
Its Coordinator, Mr. Esoswo Imagoro, said that Deltans need a man who understands the needs of the people. He said Senator Okowa is the most qualified among the governorship candidates to take over from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
He said: “The onerous task of leading a state, such as Delta, with its ethnic diversity and political sophistication, requires a man with the experience, humility, and grassroots reach of Senator Okowa, who sincerely knows, understands and is ready to give the people of Delta State the much desired leadership; without any argument, Okowa is, indeed, the right man and the choice of Deltans.”
Imagoro said the increasing support for Senator Okowa was an indication of the acceptance of his candidature and that this was shown during Okowa’s state campaign rallies, which he said were graced by crowds at every local government area they visited.
He said the decision of the group to support Senator Okowa was taken after an appraisal of all the governorship candidates in the state, and that they found the PDP candidate better equipped to rule the state.
In its determination to achieve its corporate social responsibility, the Tempo Group, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organisation at the weekend joined forces with Orange Drugs Limited to deliver value towards their host communities in Lagos.
Justifying the need for the collaboration with Orange Drugs, Tempo Group, which is passionate about women and children, through its Country Manager, Johannes Goenawan, said the organisation teamed up with Orange Drugs in order to deliver real value to its host communities.
Specifically, Goenawan said the aim and objective of the exercise was to achieve total well-being for women and children, considering their high level of vulnerability.
Some of the highlights of activities carried out by the group include a health walk. Speaking on the highpoint of the occasion, Goenawan said: “The Sudrex tablet for headache and fever is the brand that is supporting the event. It is manufactured by PT Tempo Scan Pacific in Indonesia and our sole distributor is Orange Drugs Limited .This is the fifth annual health walk organised by the Lagos State women council of the Ansar Ud Deen Society. It is very good and we are proud to be part of it.”
Goenawen adds that: “It is a great initiative from a volunteer organisation and these women’s campaign would reach to a larger audience. It would be a good idea if things like this are organised regularly to produce a very healthy nation. For the period that I have been in Nigeria.”
A group, Okowa Renaissance Group in Diaspora, has urged the people of Delta State to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
Its Coordinator, Mr. Esoswo Imagoro, said that Deltans need a man who understands the needs of the people. He said Senator Okowa is the most qualified among the governorship candidates to take over from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
He said: “The onerous task of leading a state, such as Delta, with its ethnic diversity and political sophistication, requires a man with the experience, humility, and grassroots reach of Senator Okowa, who sincerely knows, understands and is ready to give the people of Delta State the much desired leadership; without any argument, Okowa is, indeed, the right man and the choice of Deltans.”
Imagoro said the increasing support for Senator Okowa was an indication of the acceptance of his candidature and that this was shown during Okowa’s state campaign rallies, which he said were graced by crowds at every local government area they visited.
He said the decision of the group to support Senator Okowa was taken after an appraisal of all the governorship candidates in the state, and that they found the PDP candidate better equipped to rule the state.
A group known as ‘The Democratic Dividend Initiative’(DDI), has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs no campaign in Lagos due to its outstanding achievements in provision of dividends of democracy to the people.
The group’s President Hon Paul Eze, who spoke yesterday in Lagos at a news conference, said in a democratic setting, the only yardstick to measure good governance is nothing but presence of democratic dividends which include good roads, good health care delivery and improved education system which are bound in Lagos.
Eze, who enjoined the people of Lagos to shun all the sugar- coated mouth politicians who are parading themselves around in the state without any record of achievement whether in their private lives or in their previous public service.
“Some years back motor parks and under the bridge which usually serves as the den of area boys are today a beauty to behold with good nurtured lawn and beautiful gardens replacing it. All eyes can see how the transport system in the state has been turned to not only as a veritable economic hub but as a recipe to transport agony of the past.”
The group assured Lagosians that the APC candidate Mr. Akinwumi Ambode will pick the baton of success from the outgoing governor Babatunde Fashola and take the state to the next level.
President Goodluck Jonathan has not assented to the Disability Bill passed by the National Assembly 30 days ago, it has been learnt.
•Director, Drac, Irene Patrick-Ogbogu
Executive Director of Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC), Irene Patrick-Ogbogu who briefed reporters on the development, said: “It is also pertinent to note that it is approximately 14 years since the struggle for a legal framework to protect the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs) began in Nigeria. This is also the second time this bill is coming to President Goodluck Jonathan’s table and the third time persons with disabilities are pleading with him to sign it.
“We hereby call on President Goodluck Jonathan to give his assent to the Bill recently passed by the National Assembly without delay so as to reduce the pain and exclusion suffered by Nigerians living with disabilities. We believe that President Jonathan, under whose watch the Health Bill and the Freedom of Information Bill became law will further cement his legacy as a humanitarian President if he makes the Disability Act a reality.
“This is because the sad condition of the more than 19 million Nigerians who are living with different forms of disability is a blot on the collective conscience of the nation.
“Over 60 per cent of Nigerians living with disabilities are 18 years and above with more than 80 per cent of them living in the rural areas with minimal access to social infrastructures. More than 50 per cent of Nigerians with disabilities are women with no access to health care, resulting in increases in maternal and child mortality in the community.
“This bill provides for prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities, right to access to public premises, accessibility provisions in public buildings, provision for situation of risk and humanitarian emergencies, service at queues, prohibition of use of persons with disabilities in attendant penalties, freedom and movement, access to comprehensive health care, right to inclusive education, free education, special education, personnel, participation in politics, and establishment of a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, among others.
•Another disabled woman
“If assented to, the bill will lead to marked improvements in the quality of life of PWDs and a departure from stereotypical and harmful ways of approaching disability issues, putting forms of institutional, attitudinal environmental barriers experienced by citizens with disabilities to rest.
“Examples of anticipated improvements include: it will become illegal to erect buildings and structures that deny access to PWDs, those responsible for approving building codes will begin to ensure that a standard building plan is one that provides accessibility considerations, such as ramps, lifts, audio-visual signage and accessible restrooms, among other; thus enhancing access to buildings and the physical improvements in access to health care for PWDs generally; but especially for women with disabilities; a situation where disability needs will reflect in the planning of our health policies and programmes will be the order of the day. Service delivery will improve through the training and deployment of auxiliary personnel in health facilities.
“Accessible equipment will also be provided. Sexual and reproductive health needs of young persons with disabilities will also be mainstreamed into programmes for adolescent. It will become a crime to use PWDs to solicit for alms and for sexual and other forms of exploitation, making it an offense that attracts a stiff penalty. “This will lead to a marked reduction in crimes against PWDs and an increase in rehabilitation facilities to absorb the teeming population, inclusive and accessible education will guarantee children with disabilities to develop intellectually and socially at the same pace/level with their non-disabled counterparts, thus ensuring their effective integration into mainstream society and improving their social interactions and opportunities, including those for the job market.
“It will become illegal for employers and would-be employers to discriminate against anyone on the basis of disability with regard to hiring, firing, pay and promotion, among others. It will also ensure that employers provide reasonable accommodation (workplace accessibility) for workers with disabilities.
“Many more are some of the intrinsic benefits that will accrue to persons with disabilities, their caregivers and society as a whole when this Bill becomes law.
DRAC is a non-governmental, non-profit making organisation that works to promote the human rights of persons with disabilities.
It also facilitates development agenda and increase awareness about the situation of women with disabilities in Nigeria.
“DRAC is borne out of the personal experience of the founder who lives with a disability as well as from an in-depth analysis of PWDs where environment, poverty, pervasive exclusion and social injustice pervade.
“Our vision is a just world devoid of poverty and intolerant of all forms of injustice.
DRAC is currently enjoying support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for advocacy and civic engagement for social inclusion of persons with disabilities and access to health for women with disabilities in Nigeria,” she said.
A group, the Grassroots Mobilisation for Muhammadu Buhari, has berated the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose over his recent uncouth statements against the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr Remi Oyebamiji, the group said Fayose exhibited lack of depth in his contribution at the interaction with civil right activities in Lagos.
He said: “Mr. Ayo Fayose, the audacious and uncouthed Governor of Ekiti State exhibited lack of depth in his contribution at the interaction with civil right activities. In his trademark of abuse, disrespect, crude and uncivilised comments on Gen. Buhari (rtd) APC flag bearer, he described him as old, physically unfit and mentally incapable of leading the country.
“We need to ask Mr. Ayo Fayose the credentials he parades academically and intellectually that can compare him with Gen. Buhari’s astuteness, brilliance, mental alertness. Even Fayose’s principal cannot stand, Gen Buhari in mental, alertness, intellectual depth in good governance. Just recently the symbol of CHANGE and BRAND Gen Buhari (rtd) received a standing ovation at Chatham House, London U.K after a brilliant presentation and question and answer sessions on issues that bother on governance.”
According to Oyebamiji, Fayose’s myopic opinion that the North should wait until 2019 for the Presidency, has reduced Nigeria to a banana republic at the expense of the clueless leadership PDP offers.
He said Fayose’s remarks about Governor Fashola’s performance is nothing but hypocrisy and distaste for good governance. Oyebamiji said Lagos State has become the standard for which other states including Federal Government are measured in terms of dividend of democracy and good governance.
He urged Ekiti people to call a family meeting on Fayose and take concrete decision on the bad conduct and demeanour has brought shame to the integrity and wellbeing of Ekiti people.
Oyebamiji added: “Ekiti State stands out among the states of Nigeria with indigenes that have distinguished themselves in all areas of human endeavour. The state has assemblage of best brains any nation can be proud of. Here is a Governor whose antecedent speaks nothing but mediocracy, brigandage, impunity, indiscipline and fraud.
“The Yoruba nation also needs to be on the alert. It is one servant that makes others to be despised. Like the bird “Elulu” calling for rain when the rains will come, the flood will sweep away everybody and everything on its part.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been accused of deliberate attempt to scuttle due process in the prosecution of former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu in an alleged embezzlement charge.
The group cited an alleged refusal of EFCC witnesses to appear in court to testify against Audu, said to have been a a victim of serial attacks and arraignments by the anti-graft agency since 2006.
The group, known as Prince Audu Support Group (PASU) said the unwarranted snapshot saga involving the former government and EFCC staff 10 days ago in an Abuja court room was a vindication of its assertion.
It however expressed belief that Audu would be victorious from all the politically motivated attacks.
The statement reads: “It was a dramatic irony that unfolded during last week’s re-opened hearing in the law suit instituted against Prince Abubakar Audu by the Nigerian anti-graft agency, the EFCC when the so called principal prosecution witnesses declined appearance in the court to substantiate their interstellar supposed earlier submissions.
“It will be recalled that Prince Audu a former Governor of Kogi state was alleged to have embezzled over N10b of state funds and has since 2006 been a victim of serial attacks and arraignments by the EFCC.
“The EFCC case against Audu is indeed a practical demonstration of forum-shopping for a guilty as charged verdict that must be had.
“In the case believed to be set against the background of political motivation, prosecution has acted out its vested interest in a desperate back and forth forum-shopping, ridiculous production of witnesses and irresponsible provocation of the person of Prince Audu as typified in an EFCC operative attempt to take an unwarranted shot of the man during the court session.
“The attempt by the EFCC official to take a snapshot of Audu led to a serious distraction of proceeding and it was a wise, decisive action by the presiding judge in the Abuja High court that got the situation under control.
“Prince Audu, through pragmatism and uncommon political acumen has left indelible marks on Nigeria political space, giving the citizens of Kogi state a sort of halcyon days that they recall with nostalgia as the years go by.
“He has built a warm image of achievement in the minds of the people, many of whom are yearning for his return to the Lugard House in Kogi once again.
“The particularity of the timelines of the supposed lawful assault and the sordidness of the manner of the attack on Audu betrays the EFCC as working for the purpose of causing him political harm.
“Following the confession of one of the prosecution witness, Iriye Fidelis and their subsequent refusal to attend sessions during recent sittings, prosecution in its desperation to ensnare Audu surfaced a new witness out of the blues, a scenario which amply showed a naked partisan lawsuit which can best be described as a judicially enforced political theatre.
“Finally, while we remain confident that Prince Audu will eventually come out of this frivolous political stunt stronger, we hold a high opinion of our judicial system and trust that truth will prevail.
“It is our earnest hope, therefore, that the EFCC will be able to impress upon itself such phrases as human rights, and the right to association”.
The Programme Manager, Positive Action for Treatment Access, Francis Umoh, has called for the decentralisation of the voluntary and counselling and treatment centre (VCT) to rural areas. This is to increase the awareness and access to treatment of HIV and AIDS by youths.
Umoh spoke at the health seminar and free medical fair organised by E-Hon for Health Initiative (EHI), a sub-project of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI). It is an initiative established by the United States Consulate, Lagos organised for over 500 students drawn three education districts in Lagos.
The programme featured seminar talk on drug abuse, HIV and AIDS awareness, free medical test and distribution of school books, mathematical sets and counselling session from young leaders.
According to him, the only way to identify new cases of HIV infection and provide the needed support at the grassroot particularly among youths is the decentralisaton of (VCT) centres in rural areas where we have high cases of infection.
Umoh said although there are comprehensive care services for HIV and AIDS patients in secondary and tertiary hospitals, “The promotion of VCT at the primary healthcare centre is the entry point for the reduction of HIV and AIDS infection. The first point of call is to promote VCT for HIV patient at the primary health centre because it is the first call of entry of HIV infection and we have to reach the youth wherever they are”, he said.
He cited a recent research conducted by PATA in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and UNICEF, stating that many HIV positive secondary school students are dropping out of the treatment circle because of the challenge of transportation, and structure created around the VCT that is not friendly to them”.
In her words, the team leader of the fair, Kikilope Olarore said that the project was established to provide an interactive e-Health information dissemination platform that will enlighten and engage at least 5,000 adolescents in Lagos on adolescent-relevant healthcare issues through SMS social media, radio drama and a concluding Medical Fair.
She said that the project which started officially with support and authorisation from the Lagos State Ministry of Education in July 2014 is currently engaging at least 2,500 adolescents and secondary school students through SMS and social media across 11 schools in the 6 Education Districts in Lagos. The Health information sent through SMS and social media platforms (especially Facebook and 2go) is based on sexual reproductive health, substance abuse and general hygiene.
“The secondary schools are also visited periodically for further engagement with students, advocacy and counseling as required’, she said.
