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Ministerial nominations: Persons with disabilities protest non-inclusion
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), have protested the non-inclusion of members of its community in the ministerial appointment list of President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing a media conference under the aegis of Community of PWDs on Tuesday in Abuja, the group said that the omission of PWDs was not in accordance with the Discrimination Against PWDs Prohibition Act, 2018.
According to the group, the Act calls for the inclusion of at least five per cent of PWDs in public office appointments.
The Chief Executive Officer, The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa, Mr Jake Epelle, said that the current lack of representation in the Federal Executive Council list marked a missed opportunity to advance equality and justice for PWDs in Nigeria.
He said prior to the establishment of the cabinet, PWDs, their representative organisations and the House of Representatives had lobbied for the allocation of 10 per cent of ministerial positions to individuals with disabilities.
“Regrettable, in spite of this concerted effort and appeal, the new cabinet list presented to the senate for screening and approval includes no ministers identifying as PWDs.”
Epelle said that several organisations of PWDs alongside other political leaders including the international community had previously called upon Tinubu to appoint PWDs as ministers.
He added that there was even a discussion about the possible creation of a dedicated ministry for disability affairs.
He, however, said that the absence of members of the group in the new cabinet list deflated the hope and anticipation fostered by these discussions.
Ms Grace Jerry of Inclusive Friends Association said if the president identified with the community, it was time to share the agenda of the community of PWDs with him.
“If at this point there are 48 nominees, it means that more allowances can still be created to bring in more PWDs on board.
“We are calling on this government. There is something that can still be done, adjustments can still be made and more identified and active qualified PWDs can still take these ministerial roles.”
She also said that the community was demanding the enforcement of Section 29 of the Discrimination Against PWDs Prohibition Act, 2018.
According to her, the Act provides to the effect that a minimum of five per cent appointment quota for PWDs at all levels including states.
“A constructive and inclusive dialogue with President Tinubu and relevant governmental authorities to discuss the concerns and aspirations of PWDs.
“This is to ensure the inclusion of PWDs in decision-making processes concerning policies that directly or indirectly affect them.”
She added that the community was presenting a seven-day timeline to address the enumerated concerns or it would be compelled to amplify advocacy efforts.
“These might encompass peaceful assemblies, exploring legal avenues in alignment with the Discrimination Against PWDs Prohibition Act, 2018.
“And fostering conversations with both local and global media partners to emphasise the importance of disability representation in governance.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PWDs had at different times advocated for the inclusion of PWDs in the governance process in Nigeria and appointment of PWDs into ministerial and commissioner positions is one of their demands.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major security breakthrough with the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists across the state, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition.According to a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, the arrests were made through a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out by various tactical units within the Command.
In a major crackdown on kidnapping, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) arrested three suspected members of an interstate kidnapping syndicate on May 16 and 17. The suspects — Idirisu Yakubu (21), Bello Amodu (40), and Umar Mohammed Beto (38) — were apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The gang is believed to have been responsible for kidnappings in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states. Following their arrest, the suspects led police to a bush along the Ughelli-Ozoro Road in Delta State where officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump-action shotgun with seven live cartridges. Investigations into the syndicate’s operations are ongoing.In another operation, the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based in Ughelli arrested a 53-year-old suspect, Benjamin Benemor, in Warri South Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, officers searched his residence and uncovered a deadly arsenal which included one English Beretta pistol with magazine, an English double-barrel pump-action gun, an English single-barrel gun, two locally made firearms, and a battle axe. Fifteen live cartridges were also seized from the scene.Further demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive policing, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intercepted a Jetta vehicle along the Asaba-Benin Expressway on May 15. Two suspects — Blessing Ngbajime (49) and Okpako Oghenhovo (27) — were arrested, and one fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from the latter. Investigations are currently underway.Reacting to the successful operations, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended the officers for their professionalism and dedication.He reiterated the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across Delta State.“These achievements demonstrate our readiness to confront all forms of criminality head-on. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information that can assist in maintaining peace and order,” Olufemi stated.The arrests and weapon seizures come as part of the Command’s intensified efforts to rid the state of criminal syndicates and maintain law and order.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Chairman of Agatu Local government area of Benue State, Melvin Ejeh yesterday raised the alarm that criminal herders are bent on causing a crisis in his domain despite the painstaking efforts by his administration to restore permanent peace in Agatu land.The chairman, who raised the alarm in a press statement in Makurdi, lamented over the tragic attack on some innocent citizens who were returning from the market around Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities by a group of criminal herders resulting in the loss of six lives.
According to him, ‘the report that reached me indicated that the victims who were traders returning from Oweto Market in Agatu to their various villages were ambushed by their attackers.”It is sad and highly regrettable that some criminal herders are bent on causing yet another crisis despite all efforts we are making to restore peace in the area.”This barbaric, criminal, and heinous crime is condemnable in its entirety. The perpetrators and their sponsors must not go unpunished. They must be fished out from their hideout to answer for their evil act”.Ejeh who is also the Deputy Chairman, ALGON said the police, military, DSS, and other security agencies have begun action with a view to apprehending those involved.Said he, “I wish to allay the fears of citizens in the Council and appeal that they should continue with their normal activities.”The local government will work with all the security agencies to uproot the criminals from their hideout to face the wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed. Anybody who is found to be aiding and abetting criminality in the local government area will be dealt with according to the law.”I call on every citizen to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or movements to security agencies in the local government”.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
A Prof. of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Portharcourt, Prof. A.W. Obianime has said that the prospect for the future of Ijaw Nation looks good but will require a broad review of the people’s emotional and psychological state.
He said there should be a reorientation of the people, saying the need for environmental and social Justice is paramount and to enshrine corporate and environmental responsibility is an aspect they need to pursue and promote. Obianime handed down this during a Public Lecture/Dinner organized to mark the 2025 Isaac Boro Day celebration at the state Banquet Hall Government House Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capitalAccording to him, the existing lawsuit and social campaign should be used for the development of the people and the region. “We must change the erroneous narrative by people who mean us no good and present us as aliens, senseless Agitators or militants, not as educated people seeking their rights, justice and Fairness”.In a lecture titled: The Ijaw Struggle for Self Determination: Challenges, New Frontiers and Prospect, Prof. Obianime said, “Politics and the allure of monetary gains and their supposed benefits have disunited our people and therefore there is no more Ijawness in our daily operations”. Rather than ljaw, we talk along party lines (PDP VS APC).”The build-up to 2027 is more important than the jaw National and ancestral interest. Peace building, Dialogue and constructive engagement between the Ijaw nation, the federal government, oil companies, and civil society are key to lasting peace and mutual development.”The Ijaws as an ethnic nationality must take action, their cause must be given the needed global outlook. Our message must be well packaged and placed on the front burners of international human rights platforms, environmental courts, and policy institutions.”Our youths are our future and empowering them with the right information via formal and non-formal education, global exposure and leadership training will sustain the desire for a better future, keep alive the struggle and secure the dream.”We must begin to learn to accommodate and network our interests. We must purposefully go out to make new friends, establish new relationships and begin a new phase of what I consider a high-powered PR activity.”Finally, the new frontiers are not about bullets and guns, it is about brains and brawn. The Ijaws must rise above petty educational pursuits but seek education that is liberating and fair. Therefore brethren, if we must establish the concept of fairness and justice as it concerns the ljaws people, we must also preach it as a national ethos because injury to one is an injury to all” , he said.While acknowledging some challenges said, theater and the complexities/complexion of the war or survival in the Nigerian political space have changed. Saying the physical environment has changed due to environmental degradation and toxicity.In his closing remark, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei said, the younger generations should emulate what Issac Adaka Boro stood for during his lifetime.According to him, Boro’s struggle contributed to the creation of the old Rivers state and now Bayelsa state too was created. “Our politicians, youths and all stakeholders in Ijaw Nation should see the interest of Ijaw man above their personal interest “.
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