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.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Acting State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, George Turnah has disclosed that the party would soon embark on a thank you tour across the 105 political wards in the state to thank the people on the re-election of Governor Douye Diri.

According to Turnah, the initiative is intended to express gratitude to the people for their support, loyalty, and commitment to the PDP during the 2023 gubernatorial campaign and elections, which resulted in the successful re-election of Governor Douye Diri for a second term in office. The acting chairman of the party, who spoke to journalists at the protocol lounge of the Port Harcourt International Airport, highlighted the significance of the November 11th governorship election in the State, describing Diri’s victory as a resounding referendum on the party by the people of Bayelsa State.Turnah emphasized the deep commitment demonstrated by indigenes and non-indigenes alike, which ultimately secured Diri’s second term and reflected the party’s continued popularity in the State.”We are immensely grateful to our people who stood by the party, showing their solidarity and commitment to our vision for Bayelsa State. Our thank-you tour will allow us to connect with our supporters in every corner of the state, ensuring that they know their voices were heard and their votes counted.‘’The tour will also provide an opportunity for the PDP leadership to discuss plans and initiatives aimed at furthering development in Bayelsa State,’’ he said.Turnah confirmed that details of the tour will be made public in the coming weeks, allowing party members and supporters to participate actively.He declared that as PDP moves forward, the party remains focused on delivering on its promises and enhancing the quality of life for all Bayelsans.Turnah reassured Bayelsans of the party’s commitment to transparency, good governance, and grassroots engagement.