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Inclusive Friends Demand Domestication of National Disabilities Act in Benue

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From Attah Ede, Makurdi

A Non-governmental organisation, Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) in collaboration with National Endowment for Democracy (NED), on Tuesday called on the Benue State Government to show serious concern by immediately adopting the National Disability Act and send it to the Benue State House of Assembly for domestication.

The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry made the call during an advocacy meeting with members of the Benue State House of Assembly, held at Batoha Hotels in Makurdi.
According to them, they intended to achieve disability inclusion in the Imo state government ahead of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s appointment of commissioners for his second term in office.
She explained that the aim of the advocacy is to have a round table discussion with members of the House to highlight key demands and expectations of persons with disabilities from the Benue State government.Mrs. Jerry stated that the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in democratic governance on equal basis with other citizens in Benue State is achievable, stressing PWDs have suffered different forms of discrimination in the State due to the non-domestication of the act in the State.She appealed to members of the state assembly to hasten governor Alia to adopt the National Disability Act and immediately send it to the State House of Assembly for Domestication for passage.”Benue is the only state in the north central region that has not domesticated the National Disability Act that was passed into in 2018 and assented by the president in 2019.”This delay has left persons with disabilities in Benue without the legal protections and support that are essential to their inclusion and participation in society.”We believe that if the Act is domesticated in Benúe State, it is expected that Persons with Disabilities would be given 5% of political appointments cutting across positions such as Commissioners, Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant positions among others.”Furthermore, a quota system for legislative seats in Benue State would also improve disability representation in legislation. The Government would work closely with party leaders in removing all barriers.”A commitment from the speaker and the House of Assembly to prioritise the domestication of the Disability Act in Benue State account for this meeting.”The Act has provided a robust framework for ensuring access to public service, protecting against discrimination, and creating better opportunities for persons with disabilities,” Jerry stated.The executive director however disclosed that the organisation had already sent a draft of the Act to the State Attorney General and commissioner for justice and public order for onward submission to the governor.Some of the House members including Cephas Dykor representing Konshisha state Constituency commended the Inclusive Friends Association for their efforts towards drawing the attention of government to the Act.He advised that the bill for domestication of the National Disability Act should be privately sponsored rather than waiting for the executive governor to transmit it to the house.According to him, the executive bill demands so much commitment and resources to be able to scale the three stages of law making in the house and assured that the house is adequately ready to collaborate with IFA to ensure that the Act is domesticated in Benúe State.

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Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona

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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.

While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.
I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”

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Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution

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By David Torough, Abuja

About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.

The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review.
The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.
The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.

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Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm

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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.

It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.

Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.

But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.

It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.

Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.

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