Metro
NGO, Fetes 200 Households in FCT Rural Community
By Tony Obiechina Abuja
A non governmental organisation, Initiative for the Alleviation of Vulnerable Persons from Poverty (IAVPP) at the weekend stormed Ruga, an Abuja rural community and provided palliatives to about 200 households to cushion the adverse effects of the economy. Working in partnership with Beacon Consulting, DME Group andWomenovate, the NGO donated food items including rice, spaghetti, noodles, tomato pastes, maggi, salt, among others to the inhabitants. In a statement by the group, Action for the Vulnerable is a development organization that is working with vulnerable communities in Nigeria to end extreme poverty, adding that “We believe poverty is one of the root causes of crime, violence, sicknesses, poor education, discrimination, and death, which is prevalent in developing countries such as Nigeria” It further stated that, “We aim to aid the vulnerable – men, women, and children to achieve their full potential, live productive lives and make an impact in the world. We aspire to eliminate the injustice of poverty and give the vulnerable a chance at living!”In her remarks, Executive Director of IAVPP, Juliana Okoro said, “There is a high prevalence of hunger in Nigeria, according to the UN, 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger and this is a projected increase from the estimated 17 millionbpeople currently at risk of food insecurity. There is an urgent need to take immediate action.“World Food Day which was celebrated on October 16th, calls attention to the critical issues of global hunger. By organizing this food drive during this time, we aim to emphasize that our actions, no matter how small, contribute to the global efforts to achieve Zero Hunger.“Our goal is not only to address immediate needs within our community but also toemphasise our commitment to the broader vision of achieving Zero Hunger globally:’Also commenting Chairperson of IAVPP, Juliet Odogwu noted, “The issue of food security and access to nutritious meals remains an escalating concern in many communities in Nigeria. With our mission deeply rooted in eradicating hunger, ActionFor the Vulnerable is commemorating World Food Day in a meaningful way by launching abFood Drive project in Ruga Community, FCT.“I believe it is our collective obligation to contribute to underserved communities around us and ensure that no one should go to bed hungry“In the past, IAVPP has visited four communities around the FCT and distributed over 950 relief materials to aid the underserved. Our mission is to keep doing this and empower people and communities with the resources to enable them to live better lives and end extreme poverty. The statement explained that the primary objective of a food drive to feed 200 households is to provide essential sustenance to those in need within the community, addressing food insecurity and alleviating hunger. According to the statement, by distributing food to 200 households, the drive aims to ensure that vulnerable families have access to nutritious meals and can meet their basic nutritional requirements. “This charitable effort not only offers immediate relief but also fosters a sense of community, empathy, and support, helping to create a stronger, more compassionate society that takes care of its most vulnerable members”, it added.
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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