Metro
FG Seeks More Stakeholders’ Support for PWDs
In commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IPWDs), the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, has said that it needs more support and collaboration of stakeholders in order to achieve its mandate of catering for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Speaking Monday in Abuja, at a conference organized by the ministry to commemorate the day, Farouq, who was represented by the national coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Dr Umar Bindir, said that the Federal Government will continue to be disability sensitive, to enable them live a fulfilled live and make meaningful contribution to societal growth and development, in line with the implementation of the 2030 Development Agenda.
She said it is only when people are empowered, involved and included that they can better be prepared to take advantage of opportunities, “they become agents of change and are more available to embrace their civic responsibilities.”
She said: “Nigeria as a Member Nation of the UN joins the comity of nations to mark this day in line with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3 of October 14th, 1992 which proclaimed 3rd December of every year as “International Day of Persons with Disabilities”. This is to achieve the aims of awakening the consciousness of all Member States towards encouraging and promoting activities that will bring issues of disability in the front burner in both national and international circles, as well as celebrating Persons with Disabilities.
“The annual observance of the Day aims at promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilizing supports for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, as well as serving as a wake-up call to all stakeholders on the needs of persons with disabilities, in order to intensify efforts towards improving their situations. As a country, we have been celebrating this Day since 1994.
“It is pertinent to note that following Mr. President’s assent to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, a lot has changed regarding issues of disability in the country. These have helped in no small measure in promoting the participation of Persons with Disabilities in all aspects of life and their aspiring to leadership and decision making positions.
“It is worthy of note equally that a lot of states have equally followed suite to domesticate the Act into laws in their various states. Recently, Abia, Edo and Kano states passed their own laws. However, a lot still need to be done towards the effective implementation of the provisions of the Act, especially in the areas of accessibility, advocacy and sensitization among others.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development recognizes that we as Government cannot achieve these alone, hence the collaboration with various stakeholders and partners. It is on this note that we appreciate all our stakeholders and partners, for their usual cooperation and support to the Ministry. We will continue to count on you for more reliable collaboration towards achieving our common goal.
“The Federal Government will continue to be disability sensitive in supporting and providing a conducive environment towards promoting the participation of Persons with Disabilities and their leadership for the realization of their potentials, to enable them live a fulfilled live and make meaningful contribution to societal growth and development. This will be in line with the implementation of the 2030 Development Agenda. It is only when people are empowered, involved and included that they can better be prepared to take advantage of opportunities: they become agents of change and are more available to embrace their civic responsibilities.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, who was represented by the director of humanitarian affairs, Alhaji Ali Grema, said the objectives of the Conference was to provide a platform to show-case the achievements of the Ministry in the area of disability, celebrate millions of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and world over as well as to provide an avenue for an interactive session with the media.
The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The Head of the Civilo Service, Dr Udo Atang, said at the commencement of the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, that the move was to ensure accurate data of all staff.
Atang described the regularisation as a “critical” exercise, which forms the bedrock of the new FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC).
He pointed out that all the staff were holding letters of appointments from various agencies, departments, area councils, and the defunct Ministry of FCT and FCDA among others.
The holders of these letters, he said, have been raising issues of discrimination based on letters of appointment.
According to him, the exercise and the gazette by the commission that will come thereafter, will give all staff a sense of identity.
“The essence of this regularisation is to ensure that staff are properly documented.
“You will now have letters that will now qualify you as a bonafide staff of the FCT Civil Service Commission.”
The head of service, who appealed for full cooperation of the workers, directed that a list of all staff on course, study leave, leave of absence and other related permissions be compiled and submitted.
He added that the list should be compiled with grade level, designation and record of service, including approvals.
Atang commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for his doggedness and commitment in implementing the provisions of the FCT CSC Act, 2018.
Noting Wike’s support and love for the FCT workers, the head of service urged the workers to reciprocate the minister’s uncommon gesture, by being dedicated and committed to their respective duties.
Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT CSC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, stressed that part of the responsibilities of the commission was in the appointment, promotion and discipline of all FCTA and FCDA workers.
Ezeh also stressed the need for the workers to be more committed in the discharge of their responsibilities. (NAN)
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON) has organized a trauma healing session for survivors of the Jos Saint Academy School collapse alongside parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident.The National President of the organization, Dame Mary Gonzum noted that the effort was part of their psychosocial support and counseling services for victims of the school building collapse as a follow-up to the assessment of the condition of the victims during their visit.
Gonzum speaking during a one day trauma session held at the Secretariat of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese located along Zaria Road in Jos the Plateau State capital said the trauma healing session was in continuation of their intervention to students who experienced the building collapsed.”Today, a trauma healing session was flagged off with a seminar on how to go about handling the trauma that victims of the Saint Academy School Busa Buji in Jos are passing through.”We will later select those that are so traumatic and need help to continue with the process of healing because it is not something that will end in a day or two but will need sometime.”The surviving students who experienced the building collapsed, parents of the students are all here because some parents are so traumatic, we have one other woman that lost two children”This trauma became necessary because when we went visiting in the hospitals, we observed that some of them are really traumatic. Like the other boy, his mother said up till today he kept telling his mother that he is seeing dead bodies, and anybody he sees he will say is his classmate.”Some of the affected parents while sharing their encounters after the incident said they hardly sleep in the day or night time. Some manage to sleep for two hours and they’re awake, and from the little lectures we received today it is clear that there is a problem,” She noted.The President calls on the government to ensure that those saddled with the responsibility of approving, inspecting and supervising structures are meant to do their job with all diligence to avert future happenings again.Some of the affected parents including; Hasana Suleman Sale who lost two of her children recalled with pains the unfortunate development that claimed the lives of her two children. She expressed gratitude for the trauma healing session which she said came as a means of consolation and strength for her to overcome the trauma she is passing through.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has welcomed the newly-appointed Apostolic to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty.
Crotty, an Irish, was appointed by the Vatican.
He will oversee the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the church in Nigeria.
The position, an ambassadorial status, advances cohesion in the body of Christ.
In his welcome message for Crotty on Tuesday, the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, said that the Church was glad to receive him.
The CBCN president, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, said,” With joy and gratitude to God, I extend a hearty welcome to Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, clergy, religious and lay faithful in Nigeria.
“We are thankful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.
“His appointment is a testament to the strong spiritual bond between our countries,” he said.
He said that although Crotty was the first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland to serve in Nigeria, many Irish missionaries had played significant roles in spreading the gospel in Nigeria.
“We appreciate Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
“We pray for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for our excellency,” he added. (NAN)
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