The Nation Newspaper

Tag: non-governmental organisation

  • NGO urges Ebonyi residents to pursue environment-friendly activities

    NGO urges Ebonyi residents to pursue environment-friendly activities

    An Abakaliki-based Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), City Cleaners International, has urged residents of Ebonyi to pursue activities that would protect the environment from pollution and degradation.
    The Executive Director, Mr James Aja, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abakaliki, described the environment as one of man’s greatest gift from God.

    According to him, the organisation is committed to enhancing cleanliness through regular clean-up exercises in major towns and communities across the state.
    Aja explained that the initiative was to complement the state government’s efforts in ensuring clean and disease-free environment.
    He appealed to residents of the state to join in the crusade against unhygienic environment by cleaning their surroundings regularly.
    ‘‘The environment is man’s greatest gift from God and all our activities take place within our environment, hence conscious effort must be geared toward making it healthy for our habitation.
    ‘‘Again, what we do is to use our activities to complement the efforts of government, because the task of environmental cleanliness and protection should not be left to government alone.
    ‘‘We have identified and clean-up no fewer than 40 blocked water drainages in Abakaliki and other parts of the state, including clearing of bushes along major highways and streets in the state.
    ‘‘The organisation is also assisting government in clearing refuse dump sites and engages in other activities that promote the beauty and aesthetics of the city environment,’’ he added.
    Aja appealed to wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to assist the NGO by donating fund to enhance its operations, noting that the organisation was being sponsored through contributions from members.

  • NGO tasks stakeholders on speedy dispensation of justice

    Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, a Non-Governmental Organisation, on Friday urged stakeholders in the judicial sector to ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the country’s legal system.

    The call was contained in a communiqué signed by Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George at the end of the 3-day Judicial Colloquium on the 2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in Abuja.

    According to the communiqué, the stakeholders have roles to play to ensure that the intent of the Act was realised.

    “The Chief Judge and the Attorney-General as critical stakeholders must therefore assist to ensure that the intents and purpose of the ACJA is realised.

    “The objective of the Act is to promote speedy dispensation of justice, protect the rights and interests of the defendant and victims.

    “Part of the objective is to encourage restorative justice and modernises criminal justice tools ’’ the communiqué said.

    The communiqué also urged stakeholders to ensure that public confidence was reposed on the judicial system and through effective functioning of the Act.

    It called on states yet to adopt the Act to do so to protect the rights of citizens and increase oversight of state leadership of criminal justice institutions.

    The communiqué also called for harmonisation of rules and procedure for criminal cases across courts and across states.

    Akinseye-George had on Wednesday in his speech during the opening ceremony called for domestication of the Act by all states of the federation.

    According to him, such law was necessary as it was one of the pillars of the legal system in any civilised society.

     

     

  • Minister urges Nigerians to engage in volunteerism

    Minister urges Nigerians to engage in volunteerism

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has urged Nigerians to show interest and commitment to volunteer services for the development of the country.

    The minister stated this on Thursday in Abuja when a delegation of Senior Citizens Advocacy Network of Nigeria paid a courtesy visit to his office.

    According to him, volunteerism is lacking in the country whereas most countries thrived because of commitment of their citizens to voluntary services to their nations.

    The minister commended the group for its commitment to issues of senior citizens and the plan to engage them for volunteer services.

    He noted that rather than sitting down and waiting for death after retirement, the senior citizens should be better engaged in volunteer services, particularly in the areas of their field to inculcate their knowledge on younger ones.

    Lai-Mohammed-2Mohammed said the senior citizens would be more useful in their country homes where they retired to in this regard of volunteer services.

    He noted that in the developed world, senior citizens contributed immensely to security because they offered intelligence information on where they live to relevant authorities.

    The minister commended the group for its willingness to assist the government in the implementation of cultural reorientation campaign, “Change Begins With Me’’.

    Earlier, the National Chairman of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Dallatu Ayuba said they were registered to promote care and enhancement of quality of life of older persons.

    He said they believed that both the old and the young generation was the pride of a country and none should be neglected.

    Ayuba said that the old generation as the custodian of culture and heritage would be useful in imparting them on the younger ones.

    For easy accessibility in volunteer services, he said the organisation would be compiling a compendium of its professionals.

  • ‘Co-joined Ayeni twins separated without charge’

    A Non-Governmental Organisation, Linking Hands Foundation (LHF), Tuesday announced the successful separation of conjoined twin girls, Miracle and Testimony Ayeni.

    They were separated after a surgery at the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

    A statement by the foundation’s Founder, Mrs Efe Farinre, said the highly complex and extremely risky procedure took 18 hours to perform and was done free of charge (pro bono).

    She said the girls would require further surgeries.

    The Ayeni twins were fused together at the lower half of the body, a condition which medical experts say occurs in only 1one in 200,000 live births.

    The conjoined twins were born in Enugu State last November 16. The Father, Samuel Ayeni is a building supervisor; the mother, Mary, is a fulltime house wife.

    Through the Foundation, two Nigerian volunteer medical advisors Dr Opesanmi Esan and Dr Uzoma Ben Gbulie facilitated a contact with the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, which eventually agreed to carry out the operation pro bono in May.

    The Foundation said the Kogi State Government donated N3million for the twins’ upkeep while the surgery lasted; Arik Air offered free return tickets to the children and their parents in order to facilitate their travels to the United States of America.

    The foundation praised the generous compassion and professionalism of the President of the Le Bonheur Children Hospital, Ms Meri Amour, and the surgical team, led by Dr Max Langham.

    Speaking after the successful separation of the twins, the father, Samuel Ayeni, was quoted as saying: “Without faith things wouldn’t have worked out. When you give everything to God and believe, He will give you peace. I have the faith that He is helping us, and we are giving all of this to Him.”

    The foundation added: “The linking Hands Foundation expresses hope that the ‘testimony’ of this ‘miracle’ encourages and provokes Nigeria to take decisive action towards world-class medical competency, as well as improved health care for all Nigerian children, regardless of class, tribe or status.”

    Mrs Farinre said the successful separation of the Ayeni twins is a demonstration of what organisations and individuals can do together in furtherance of corporate social responsibilities in the overall interests of less-privileged members of the society.

  • Witness support unit will help decongest prisons – PRAWA

    The Prisoners Rehabilitation and Work Action (PRAWA), a non-governmental organisation, on Monday said that the witness support unit would help to decongest the prisons.

    Mr Yinka Lawal, Acting Executive Director of PRAWA told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that it was an avenue through which the prisons in the could be congested.

    Lawal said that Enugu and FCT were the two states which PRAWA was using as pilot states for the programme.

    “The witness support unit is an initiative borne out of consultation with stakeholders in relation to the gap identified in the criminal justice system, concerning the speed of criminal justice delivery in Nigeria.

    `So many witnesses that could not navigate correctly in the court system are assisted and of course those that are not acquitted with the proceedings of the court are also assisted to know the proceedings.

    “The bottom line is that so many people are in prison beyond the capacity of the prison and if you really and critically look at the demography of those in prison, you discover that so many of them are awaiting trial.

    “So, one of the ways of decongesting the prison is to bring those people who are not supposed to be in prison out of prison,”  he said.

    Lawal said that the prison should serve the purpose for which it was established, namely to reform inmates.

    “So, let the prison be for those who are convicted and expected to serve a term so that prison authorities can also focus on their mandate that is reforming the offenders to make our society a better place.

    “Then the prison authorities can take care of those that are serving terms through reformative programmess in one way or the other depending on their area of interest.

    “Ultimately they should come out better informed and empowered for the development of our society,” he said.

    Lawal said that from time0-to-time PRAMA visits the prisons the platform of various projects, including the witness support unit supported by DFID.

    “Both projects are initiatives under a sub project called enhancing the attendance of witnesses in criminal trials, the project is supported by the justice for all, which is a programme of the DFID.

    “So, we work with stakeholders to identify the gap in the criminal justice system and to develop solution to addressing these problems.” .

    He also said that they are working on data recording system that would help the prisons have proper recording system.

    “ There is an aspect of it that works directly with the prison to build the capacity in terms of their processes and procedure.

    “This will help us also to alternate their recording system by providing a computer based management system for them both in the prison and of course in the headquarters.

    “ As people are admitted into the prison, they are documented automatically and then of course their data also is being received at the headquarters.

    “ So every point in time a pilot state has up to date information regarding the prison under each state“ Lawal said.

    He said that PRAWA also works with Justice for All (J4A) Programme and Legal Aid Council of Nigeria

    “In connection with prison inmates as well we have another project initiative which deals with the issue of providing support now in the form of legal assistance for inmates in the prison that do not have lawyers.

    “ We have the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria whose duty is to provide legal assistance to those who need it; we instituted under this project what we call a clearing house system.

    “ what that does automatically in simple language is to identify inmates in prison custody who are in need of legal assistance and then document them in a computer based data system at the clearing house.

    “ So what the clearing house does is to match counsel that are able to provide the pro bono services to inmates in prison who are in need of these services “ he said.

    NAN reports that PRAWA established 22 years ago, promotes reforms in both the security and judiciary sector in Nigeria.

     

  •  Earth tremor: National disaster looms in Nigeria if….AWDROP warns

    Nigeria may witness earthquake and sea intrusion in different part of the country if the state government does not partner with relevant agencies to curb indiscriminate drilling and drill borehole in line with code of practice.

    The National President, Association of Water-well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Michael Ale gave this warning in a communique issued in Ibadan on Monday.

    He noted that the earth tremor which occurred in Saki was as a result of illegal drilling, warning that if the issue is not well managed it may eventually lead to natural disaster such as earthquake.

    “AWDROP has observed indiscriminate drilling practice persistence in all nooks and crannies of the country and the industry is being turned into an all comers affairs. AWDROP is set to enforce the power vested on the it by the National Council of Water Resources to partner with state government on the rejuvenation and revitalisation of abandoned borehole and the application and enforcement of code of practice on borehole drilling among drilling practitioners.

    “AWDROP hereby direct all its state chapters to partner with their respective state government to ensure the implementation of Code of Practice in borehole drilling, using best subjected practice judgment. Indication is that all Borehole Drilling Contractors must be registered by States Agencies in their respective state, pay their registration fees and obtain a drilling permit before any drilling operation. Borehole projects are to be strictly supervised by a Comeg registered Geologist or Hydro geologist” Ale said

    He observed that the activities of the Federal Government, Non Governmental Organisation, development partners and the private sector in the industry is strained, because of lack of proper coordination of activities by the Ministry of Water resources.

    According to the AWDROP boss, many borehole projects do not last more than a year after commissioning because they are not designed to meet with the current standards and adaptive nature of the needs of the beneficiary community.

    Ale urged the federal ministry of water resources to shop for qualified companies that meet up the professional standard of bidding, especially human capacity, equipment and experience so as to record success in this year project execution with the ministry.

    He noted that the association is aware of the water intrusion along the land ocean boundaries in shorelines areas like Lagos, Porthacourt, Warri, Bayelsa, and Cross river, adding that AWDROP is ready to assist the government to manage expenditure on the provision of portable drinking water in those States.

  • NGO, TY Danjuma foundation donate relief materials to IDPs camp

    NGO, TY Danjuma foundation donate relief materials to IDPs camp

    A non-governmental organisation, Chagro Care Trust, and TY Danjuma Foundation have donated relief materials to the internally displaced persons.

    The relief materials were donated to displaced persons from Goza in Borno being camped in Mansutu village of Ardo Kola Local Government Area of Taraba.

    The Programme Officer of Chagro care Trust, Miss Rijimra Ande, distributed the items directly to the IDPs.

    Ande said the IDPs had stayed in the rural community for three years before they were discovered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR).

    She said the UN agency drew the organisation’s attention to the camp which it responded immediately with a need assessment visit to the rural community.

    The programme officer called on the government, organisations and well meaning individuals to identify with the plight of the IDPs to make life more meaningful for them.

    “To be honest, when we came for need assessment, we were tempted not to come back due to complete lack of access road to the community.

    “But the condition we saw you compelled us to find a way of bringing the intervention to you,’’ she said.

    Ande noted that the organisation would soon return to the community for medical intervention for the IDPs.

    On her part, Miss Janet Ajala, the Taraba Coordinator of TY Danjuma Foundation, decried the condition of IDPs and lack of access road to camps.

    She, however, thanked Chagro Care Trust for taking the pains to ensure that intervention reached out to the people that were not discovered by any emergency agency for over three years of their stay.

    Ajala told the IDPs that the Chairman of the foundation, retired Gen. Theophilous Danjuma, wanted them to stay at peace with their host community and support government efforts at ending insurgency in the country.

    Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Mr Sunday Andraus, thanked the organisations for coming to their aide at their time of need.

    Andraus said they had been staying at the camp for a long time but only the local branch of the Baptist Church that had assisted them with some food items.

    He thanked the host community for providing them with portions of land to carry out farming activities to feed their families over the period.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items donated include 12 bags of rice, 58 pieces of mosquito nets, 48 jerry cans, 48 cooking pots, sanitary pads, bathing soap, among others.

  • Don’t sell your equipment – Agagu wife to Physically challenged

    The Wife to the former Governor Ondo State, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu has expressed concerned over the rates at which physical challenged people sell their empowerment tools for instant money gains.
    Mrs. Agagu stated this at the Handicapped Education Foundation (HANDEF) 10th empowerment programme held in Akure, the State Capital.
    She noted that rather than establishing themselves after receiving the equipment free of charge, some of them preferred to sell the goods and later return to the street as beggars.
    In the event this year, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), owned by the former first lady graduated 17 disables trained in various fields.
    The NGO, which had been existing for the past 12 years ago, trained the less-priviledged in knitting, ICT and bead making.
    The graduands were also empowered with various equipment that would enable them establish themselves.
    Agagu urged parents of the disables to co-operate with the foundation in order to ensure that the beneficiaries do not sell their tools again.
    She recalled that since 2008 till date, the foundation has graduated 56 people in ICT, 29 in fashion designing, hat  making, knitting and bead making and also given tools of their trades to free of charge.
    The former first lady said “I am proud to say that some of our products even own two or three cafes.
    “However, it has come to our knowledge that some of our graduates sell their tools of empowerment programmes.
    “Please note that the essence of training and empowering you is for you to have a means of livelihood so that you can be self sufficient ultimately not the immediate monetary gains. We plead with parents to co-operate with us in this regard.
    “HANDEF has continue to partner with various organisation’s locally and internationally to bring awareness to the plight of people with disability.we encourage them to be their own men and women by organizing seminars and workshops on different aspect of life from health issues to business and entrepreneurship”.
    She also lamented over the poor usage of the Library constructed in the HANDEF Centre, saying the foundation is making effort to partner with some tertiary institutions in the south west to see how it can be reverse.
    Agagu, however  people with different disabilities are part and parcel of our society and they deserve recognition and pride of place not pity or discrimination.

  • NGO urges youths to be self-reliant

    The Organisation for Truthful Rebirth (OTR), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has advised youths to be self-reliant in order to reduce dependency on government.

    The National Coordinator of the group Mr. Eben Akinyemi gave the advice while briefing newsmen in Abuja on the state of the nation.

    Akinyemi decried a situation in which people, mostly youths, depend on people in power and the government for employment and income.

    He said the youth could achieve self reliance through value orientation, adding that the habit of living within their means would earn them dignity before the elite.

    Akinyemi also argued that corruption was not the major cause of underdevelopment in the country as believed by many people. He rather blamed the development on lack of good ideas that could bring the desired development in the country.

    His words: “Our youths need to be remodeled to attain greatness in all aspects of life.

    “We need more ideas than money to be able to develop Nigeria, because the developed world used sound ideas and not money to be where they are.

    “To me, corruption is only part of our problems. It is not our total problem.’’

    The OTR National Coordinator also cautioned the elite against selfishness and accumulation of the country’s resources, adding that the act of looting at the expense of youth empowerment would turn against them in the near future.

    He said: “The risk of developing only oneself is inimical to his existence because when others are not empowered, all asset acquired by the wealthy becomes vulnerable and could be destroyed by the idle ones.”

    Akinyemi, however, insisted that there were some good Nigerians who have good vision for the country.

    “I still believe that there are some good people in this country; we should not continue to think that every Nigerian is bad.

    “We have good ones that still think well about the future of this country. Our NGO is out to create talent warehouse where these talents can be harnessed for a better Nigeria. ORT will continue to preach the gospel of a new Nigeria, where citizens will be judged on the strength of their character and not on the strength of their wealth,” he said.

    OTR is a new NGO which has the objective of inculcating good moral values that will be translated into a better Nigeria where things are properly done.

    The NGO is to achieve its aims through promoting societal development through funding of immediate and affordable community needs.