The Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) has called for increased budgetary allocation to improve
access to information and education materials for visually-impaired persons, in line with the Marakesh Treaty.

The association made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting on the status of the implementation of the Marakesh Treaty
in Nigeria.

Report says that the Marrakesh Treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013 in Marrakesh, Morocco, to form part
of the international copyright treaties administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

The goal of the treaty is to create a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired, and otherwise print
disabled (VIPs).

It is also to ensure that books are made available globally in accessible formats, such as Braille, audio and large print, and DAISY1 formats, as well as

facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled.

The former President of NAB, Dr Ishaku Adamu, therefore, explained that the treaty is an agreement signed by the Federal Government
to improve access to published works for people with print disabilities.

Adamu added that the treaty seeks to remove all legislative barriers that prevent access to those materials, whether across national and
international borders, which Nigeria has domesticated and ratified.

He, however, said that less than one per cent of national budget was allocated for the provision of accessible education materials for visually impaired students.

According to him, poor implementation of the treaty has further affected access to education, level of participation and exclusion from information for visually impaired persons.

He said “we should be able to engage these agencies to set aside certain percentage of their budget, Federal Ministry of Education and other key ministries to ensure that those books are being provided in accessible format.

“Less than one per cent of such materials is accessible to our people, affecting the level of our education, the level of our participation and other things.

“So, it is very critical for us to engage because we know that government is budgeting, but we want to know what they can do to ensure our people have access to these materials.”

He said the stakeholders meeting was to strategise on improved access to information not only in braille, but also in soft copy, audio, large print and other version, media space, as well as employment opportunities for visually impaired persons.

Earlier, the NAB President, Mr Stanley Onyebuchi, said the engagement would enable stakeholders to review the implementation of the Marakesh treaty and proffer action plans that would enhance implementation.

Onyebuchi said “this treaty is key to those of us that are print disabled, that is those of us that are blind to access publications that will enhance our education, research and others.”

On the implementation of the treaty, he said “I don’t think Nigeria has gone far in implementing this treaty because some of the websites of many organisations, even the government agencies, are not even accessible.

“Although the Nigerian Copyright Commission has done a lot and has been part of this struggle for the domestication of this treaty in Nigeria, other government agencies have not done much
in that regard.”

Also, Mr Abdrahman Auwal, the National PRO of NBA, stressed the need to create awareness about the importance of the treaty.

He said “a lot of people don’t even know about it, so, a lot of publishers are there and still stick to their previous copyright law, not knowing that it has been amended.

“We need the media to propagate this in the news to stimulate questions and people will learn about it, which will all be transformed.”

Dr David Okon, a resource person and Consultant, said the meeting was to ensure full implementation of the treaty for the benefit of persons with reading disabilities.

Okon, who is the Executive Director, Total Inclusion, an NGO said “knowledge is acquired through information. And if we are not going to be informed, we are deprived of information, then it means we are deprived of knowledge.

“It also means that we are deprived of literacy and the power to make wealth, power to recreate ourselves and other things.”

Report says that in attendance at the stakeholders meeting were representatives of various disability groups, NGOs, CSOs, among others, to suggest ways toward
full implementation of the Marakesh Treaty.(NAN)

The Nigerian Army has presented houses to 20 wounded in action soldiers in Abuja in continuation of efforts to advance the welfare of its Personnel.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, presented the keys to the beneficiaries on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Nigerian Army Housing Units under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme.

In his remarks, the CDS charged other services to key into the project and provided housing units to all ratings and airmen.

Musa described the project as a true testament to the untiring efforts of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, who had continuously advanced the welfare of army personnel.

He commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for continuing with the scheme, ensuring that more houses will be built for interested subscribers.

“The importance of owning a decent shelter in a soldiers’ life cannot be overstated as it promises stability, security and peace of mind, enabling them to focus fully on their duties,” he said.

Musa said the project aligns with the vision of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Scheme of the President Bola Tinubu that every citizen deserves a home, adding that the military personnel must not be left out.

He urged the Nigerian army to embark on more projects of this kind in the FCT and other parts of the country, adding that such projects would foster overall development, enhance security and bring socio-economic benefits to the residents.

“Initiatives like this, does not only improve the welfare of personnel but also strengthen the bond between the military and the civilian population.

“By prioritising infrastructure and development, the Nigerian army continues to play a pivotal role in nation building.

“May I at this juncture, recognize and thank the governors of Akwa Ibom and Edo State for allocating land in their states for the scheme.

“I also want to on behalf of the NA solicit all other governors to allocate land to the Nigerian Army to build houses for soldiers as land in Abuja will not be sufficient to build for all the personnel,” he added.

In his remarks, the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, said the project was initiated by the late COAS Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja as part of his sound administrations philosophy.

He said that the late army chief believed strongly that soldiers were the bedrock of the army, made soldier the foundation of his command philosophy and prioritised the completion of the project.

Oluyede said the project represented a landmark achievement in service’s ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare and well-being of soldiers and their families.

He said the Idu Abuja phase 1 of the AHOOAS project is a pilot project and it took only 15 months of direct labor to complete.

“The objective is primarily to support the dream of every soldier to acquire suitable and befitting post-service living accommodation in their location of choice from the available site options.

“It is believed that the affordable home ownership option for all soldiers will eventually alleviate the housing challenges of our soldiers.

“The phase one of this project will house 400 subscribers and their families.

“I am committed to driving the process for the immediate completion of the subsequent phases of this development in Idu, Benin City, Ibadon, and Uyo to deliver on our promises to our soldiers,” he said. (NAN)

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Principal and Chief Executive of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta, Dr Samuel Onoji has urged students of the institute to explore the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Onoji gave the advice recently when the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr and his team paid him a courtesy visit in Effurun.

He said that the gesture would help the students to ease off their financial needs.

“NELFUND is established to provide financial assistance to students nationwide hence the need for our students to take advantage of the opportunity,” Onoji said.

Earlier, Sawyerr told the students that NELFUND, an initiative of the Federal Government, was opened for both new and existing students in the tertiary institutions in the country.

He said that the agency would disburse the money within reasonable days of successful applications.

The managing director explained that the loan amongst others provides financial support to qualified Nigerian students for tuition fees and other charges.

“NELFUND is an intervention agency set up by the Federal Government to support qualified Nigeria students in the tertiary institutions.

“The loan provides financial support to qualified Nigerian students for tuition fees and other charges.

“And for their upkeep during their studies in approved tertiary academic institutions and/or vocational and skills acquisition institutions within Nigeria,” he said.

Sawyerr averred that beneficiaries of the student’s loans may hit an estimated 2.1 million

He added that the body had since inception, disbursed over N104 billion to 613,734 students from Nigerian tertiary institutions.

“We have about 417,000 students who have registered on our portals and about 328,000 who have actually applied.

“Some have been processed, many have been looked at and most of them will get the loan,” he disclosed.

The managing director said that the agency was responsible for students in the government-owned tertiary institutions such as polytechnics where PTI is classified, universities and colleges of education.

According to him, the disbursed funds included institutional fees paid directly to the institutions of applicants and upkeep loans paid directly to the account number provided by the applicants.

He said that the loan scheme was strictly for students in tertiary institutions in line with the building principles and law.

The managing director, however, urged students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by NELFUND to improve their well-being while in school.