NEWS
HAPI Urges State Assembly to Hasten Passage of Disability Bill in Benue
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
A non-governmental organisation, Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI), has appealed to the Benue State House of Assembly to give priority attention to disability matters and hasten the passage of the disability bill before it.
The Executive Director of Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI), Avir Akighir said not more than 15 percent of People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Benue State stand to benefit immensely if the State House of Assembly fast-tracks the passage of the disability bill currently before it.
The administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia had recently approved the bill which has been sent to the Assembly for legislative action.
Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi at the weekend, Avir Akighir called on the Assembly to prioritise the bill, stating that the law, once enacted, would empower PWDs to play an active role in Benue State’s socioeconomic development.
“The Disability Bill holds the potential to provide a robust framework that guarantees the rights, dignity and full participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life, including education, employment, healthcare and public infrastructure.
“We urge the House of Assembly to prioritise the disability bill, recognising its transformative impact on over 15 percent of the state’s population of persons with disabilities.
“Speedy enactment and implementation of the Disability Law will not only align Benue state with national and international standards but will also serve as a beacon of hope for marginalised communities,” Akighir said.
The Executive Director disclosed that HAPI with support from Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF) works in Benue to ensure the enactment of the bill in the state.
He commended Governor Alia for forwarding the bill to the Assembly for passage and acknowledged the governor’s efforts towards upliftment of people with disability.
Earlier, the Benue State Chairman of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) thanked the governor for his commitment to the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities in his government.
He promised that PWD would continue to remain supportive of Alia administration and also appealed to the state assembly to do the needful by giving speedy consideration to the bill before it.
NEWS
FRSC Targets Over Loading, Dangerous Driving During Yuletide Travels in Katsina
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Katsina Command says it is targeting drivers who are in the habit of over loading and dangerous driving during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The state FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Aliyu Ma’aji, made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Katsina.
Ma’aji said that the command was out to ensure zero road traffic deaths and crash-free during the festive period.
He said that the command had organised series of activities at motor parks, Mosques and Churches to enlighten motorists on the risks associated with dangerous driving and over loading.
Ma’aji also reminded prospective
passengers to always speak up against violations of traffic rules, dangerous driving and speeding by drivers in order to save their lives.
“Data indicated more passengers lost their lives than drivers during accidents,” the sector commander said.
He urged prospective passengers to always use faster channels to report road crashes and obstruction to the FRSC for possible rescuing without delay.
According to him, the command light tow truck had been strategically positioned in the event of any unforeseen eventuality.
He also announced that a mobile Court had also been set up for possible prosecution of traffic offenders on the spot.
Ma’aji, however, advised motorists to desist from mixing of goods and passengers in their vehicles, among other traffic violations. (NAN)
NEWS
FCTA to Ensure Effective Utilisation of Operational Vehicles by Security Agencies
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has taken steps to ensure effective utilisation of the 100 operational vehicles donated to security agencies in the FCT.
Mr Adamu Gwary, Director of the Security Service Department, FCTA, stated this during the department’s end-of-year news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike had in July donated 50 operational vehicles, equipped with communication gadgets to security agencies.
On Dec. 12, the minister donated additional 50 new operational vehicles to security agencies, totalling 100 vehicles so far distributed.
Gwary, a fellow of the National Defence College, said that the vehicles were marked to ensure that the FCT Administration gets value for the support given to the security agencies.
“Just yesterday we had a meeting with a service provider, who, through the Presidency, provided a reporting platform of crime statistics format in all our police divisions.
“We looked at it beyond just getting information on crime statistics. We expanded it to cover other components of the FCT Administration’s support to security agencies.
“This will give us a platform to ensure that whatever the administration has provided, particularly vehicular assets to help security agencies to perform optimally, are equally monitored.
“We will put our eyes and ears on those vehicles because they were given to them for the purpose of improving and enhancing the security situation in the FCT,” he said.
He added that when there was a need for the vehicles to be used outside the FCT, it must be connected to security issues affecting the territory, especially cross-border crime.
As Christians around the world prepare for Christmas and new year celebrations, the director called on FCT residents to support and cooperate with security agencies.
He said, “when you see something, say something and we will do something.” (NAN)
NEWS
Police Arrest Man for Allegedly Raping 5-yr-old girl in Gombe
The Nigeria Police, Gombe State Command, says it has arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl in Pindiga community in Akko Local Government of the state.
ASP Buhari Abdullahi, the police’s spokesperson in the state said this on Tuesday in Gombe while parading the suspect and others.
Abdullahi said that the suspect had lured the victim to his parlour where he allegedly committed the crime.
He said that the victim was taken to the hospital for medical treatment where doctor also confirmed that she had been violated.
He said the matter was reported Dec. 15 about 8.30am against the suspect at Pingiga police station.
He said that the suspect (names withheld) had lured the 5-year-old to his home and allegedly had sexual intercourse with her.
“However, upon receipt of the complaint the above mentioned suspect was arrested.
“The victim was rushed to cottage hospital for medical treatment and for doctor’s confirmation,” he said.
Abdullahi stated that during the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to the alleged crime and would be charged to court for prosecution.
Besides, the command spokesman paraded 15 other suspects for various crimes ranging from criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, possession of counterfeit Naira notes, amongst others,
Abdullahi restated the command’s commitment to tackling crimes in the state.(NAN)