From Francis Sadhere, Delta

Tragedy has once again struck the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as Hon. Obukoadata Aghoghofia, the Councillor representing Evwreni Ward 8, slumped and died while participating in a football competition in his hometown.

Hon. Aghoghofia’s untimely death comes barely two months after the demise of another serving councillor, Hon. Agent Friday Ohwoevworuemu, who represented Uwheru Ward 16. Hon. Ohwoevworuemu died on April 23, 2025, following a brief illness.Eyewitnesses at the event recounted the shocking moment when Hon. Aghoghofia collapsed during the match. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. The cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed.This latest loss marks the third death of a sitting councillor in Delta State within just over nine months, with a previous casualty also recorded in Emede Ward 5, Isoko South LGA. The string of deaths has left many in the state shaken and mourning.In his reaction to the heartbreaking news, Ughelli North Local Government Council Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, expressed profound sorrow. In an emotional tribute shared via his Facebook page, Egbo wrote:“I am not one given to emotional fits, but your sudden departure just three hours after we sat in my office, shared laughter and joked together, is a tragedy too painful to bear.“You were an accomplished legislator whose unwavering dedication to public service and commitment to the development of his ward left an indelible mark on the current 8th Assembly.“You may have gone the way of all mortals, Hon. Obukoadata Aghoghofia, but that moment of joy we shared remains a sad reminder of how fleeting and ephemeral life truly is.“On behalf of the government and the good people of Ughelli North Local Government Area, I mourn the loss of a brother, a friend, and an exceptional politician. His absence will be deeply felt.”Aghoghofia was widely regarded as a devoted public servant, actively engaged in legislative activities up until his death. His passing has cast a dark cloud over the local government and rekindled calls for health screenings and wellness checks for public office holders.Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.

From Chidi precious, Umuahia

In a celebration pulsing with joy, colour and resilience, children with cerebral palsy received long-awaited gifts of mobility aids, including wheelchair and CP table, at a Special Children’s Day event held on May 31, 2025, at the BCA Field, Umuahia organized by the Straight Child Foundation (TSCF), the event brought renewed hope to families who have battled despair in silence for years.

For mothers like Ihefor Chinyere and Iheme Ngozi Amarachi, who received a wheelchair and a CP chair respectively for their children living with cerebral palsy, the day was nothing short of miraculous. “This gift is more than a chair, it is freedom for my child, and relief for me as a mother,” said a teary-eyed Mrs. Ihefor, her gratitude echoed in the clapping crowd.The event, tagged the Special Children’s Day Celebration for Children with Cerebral Palsy, Clubfoot, and Other Disabilities, was a vibrant festival of inclusion featuring dances, sack races, and a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony. It was designed not just to celebrate children, but to underscore their equal right to joy, dignity, and support.The highlight of the day came when two children with cerebral palsy were gifted mobility aids — life-altering interventions for children whose families have struggled with both financial and emotional challenges. The gifts were presented by TSCF with support from partners including the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (Abia State chapter), reaffirming a joint commitment to sustained care.Obinna Uzuegbu, who represented the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix, praised the initiative, noting the state’s alignment with inclusive policies under Governor Alex Otti’s administration.“Under Governor Otti’s leadership, we are committed to ensuring no child is left behind,” Felix said. “Today is not just about celebration; it’s about showing that love, inclusion, and support are the rights of every child, regardless of their ability.”Also present was the Chairman of the Abia State Disability Commission, Mr. David Anyaele, who emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy on bullying and pledged continued advocacy for children with special needs.“Every child here is a future leader. We must ensure no obstacle, physical or social, keeps them from fulfilling that potential,” Anyaele affirmed.Children with disabilities in Nigeria often face extreme marginalization, with limited access to education, mobility tools, or healthcare. The symbolic and practical gifts given during this event were more than charitable handouts; they were affirmations of dignity and equal rights.Dr. Peace Amaraegbulam, CEO of TSCF and the driving force behind the event, recounted moments of discouragement in the organization’s early days, yet pointed to today’s celebration as proof that persistence and faith yield transformation.“There were times we questioned if our efforts mattered,” she admitted. “But days like this remind us: progress may be slow, but it is real. We’re building a future where no child is forgotten.”The event buzzed with inclusive activities, from a Dance Rumble to a Tag-Team Sack Race, and Tug of War, allowing all children, regardless of ability, to participate.Very Rev. Vincent Isiocha of the Methodist Church Nigeria led a heartfelt invocation, encouraging children and parents alike to remain steadfast in faith and hope.The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), led by Dr Chizoba Achor, pledged to continue its partnership with TSCF, offering support through health initiatives and community outreach.The TSCF Children’s Day event in Umuahia was more than a ceremony, it was a declaration that children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities belong in the heart of society. Through the tangible gifts of wheelchair, CP table and the intangible power of community, hope was not only alive but dancing.As the sun set over BCA Field, children laughed, mothers smiled through tears, and a community stepped a little closer to equity and inclusion.“Today,” Mrs. Iheme whispered, clutching her son’s new CP chair, “hope finally came home.”

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday said that the level of public funds Mismanagement in the country was too alarming and unacceptable.The House said that said that the 2020/2021 Auditor General of the Federation’s reports revealed that over a quarter-trillion Naira public expenditures remained unaccounted for with high incidents of unauthorised virements, growing number of audit queries every fiscal year and reported cases of more than 60% of MDAs persistently failing to comply with financial regulations.

Chairman, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House, Hon. Bamidele Salam, gave the position while briefing House of Representatives Correspondents, ahead of the upcoming National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance (NCPAFG).Salam said the trends, if left unchecked, will continue to erode public trust, undermine sustainable national development, and weaken democratic institutions.He said, “If Nigeria is to reap optimally the full benefits of the ongoing fiscal governance reforms initiated by the Tinubu-led administration, then we must seize the opportunity of this conference as a platform for high-level national policy dialogue for galvanization of stakeholders’ commitment.“We strongly believe as important stakeholders that it is imperative for us to leverage the opportunity of this unique conference to deepen collaboration among Public Accounts Committees, especially at the sub-national levels, Audit Institutions, Regulatory Bodies, and Anti-Corruption Agencies.”Salam disclosed that the event scheduled to hold from July 6 to July 10, 2025, will be graced by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, FCT minister, Nyesom Wike; director general, inter-governmental action group against money laundering in West Africa, Edwin Harris, amongst others.He said the conference which would serve as a prelude to the Annual Conference of the West African Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAPAC) later in the year following Nigeria’s emergence as the winner of the hosting rights for 2025 edition, had been deliberately structured to deliver strong institutional value.Salam said the conference has specific objectives of building institutional and human capacity, strengthening audit implementation frameworks, harmonising national and sub-national laws and PAC’s practice direction.He identified others as fostering broad stakeholder commitment to transparency and accountability, promoting post-legislative scrutiny and enhanced sub-national accountability as well as exploring global best practices in digital governance and anti-corruption.“At the end of the conference, we expect tangible outcomes, including but not limited to achieving – significant reduction in unaccounted expenditures from over N300 billion to less than N1 billion in the next fiscal year 2026. A drop in the number of audit queries and rate of non-compliance with financial regulations from over 60% to less than double digit at 9% through rigorous capacity building development.“A measurable significant improvement in Nigeria’s Fiscal Governance Health Index (FGHI) across all levels of government through enhanced transparency measures using digital technology tools for sustainable national development.“Issue a High-Level Broad Stakeholders’ Communique that will outline actionable policy, legislative and institutional recommendations required to chart a new course for fiscal transparency and sustainable development,” the PAC chairman added.