By Collins Nnabuife – Abuja

One of the major financiers of Kick Polio Out of Nigeria, Sir Emeka Offor has congratulated Nigeria as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declares the country polio-free.

In a congratulatory message, Emeka Offor who is the founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation said more work is still needed to be done. Fellow Nigerians and dear friends,

The message reads: “I am delighted with the great news of Nigeria’s claim of Wild polio-free status being accepted by Africa’s Regional Certification Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO). I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating this great achievement.

“For more than a century, Polio has continued to ravage the whole world. In 1988 alone, about 350,000 cases of polio were estimated in 125 countries. Today, History has been made in our Country, with this pronouncement.

“In 2013, I pledged to continue the work of Polio Eradication till Nigeria and the world is Polio-free. I am happy to see that this promise is beginning to materialise.

“At the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, we have made concerted efforts in partnership with Rotary International to drive public awareness campaigns, immunisation outreaches, advocacy and successful fundraising within Nigeria and abroad, for polio eradication.

“My Foundation has equally committed financial interventions of over 10 million USD with matching grants from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, towards this great fight.

“We are grateful to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Nigerian Government for their leadership roles.

“We specially appreciate our great partners, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Andrew Young Foundation, the Traditional Institution especially His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto; the Nigerian Rotary Family, all Health workers, volunteers and supporters of this commendable cause.

“In conclusion, as the Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, I ask that the main job starts now. While we rejoice, we must continue surveillance, advocacy, routine immunisation, field supervision, and maintenance of personal hygiene.

“Notwithstanding the COVID-19 Pandemic, we must do our best to sustain the momentum and Keep Polio at Zero, as we await the regional certification of Africa in August 2020”.

A 34-year-old man identified as Samson Eze has been arrested for allegedly raping a deaf minor in Galambi village of Gwaram local government area in Jigawa State.

This was contained in a press statement issued, signed and made available to newsmen in Dutse capital city of Jigawa state by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Audu Jinjiri. According to the statement, “there was a complaint to the Police in Gwaram LGA that one Samson Eze ‘M 34 year old lured a deaf of the same address and had intercourse with her.”

According to the statement: “As soon as the case was reported, Police arrested the suspect and rushed the victim to hospital for medical examination.”

The Police spokesperson added that “however, investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) revealed that the man had the same affair with the girl two times on different occasions.”

The statement further stated that the suspect will be charged to court after police investigations based on provisions of Section 285 of the code.

The Initiative for Disability Empowerment with Accessibility and Support (IDEAS) on Friday distributed palliatives to Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in Benin City, Edo.

Mr Mohammed  Afegbua, Chairperson, IDEAS, told the News Agency of Nigeria   that  the gesture was to cushion the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic.

IDEAS, is an NGO set to assist, empower and contribute to alleviating the sufferings of Persons with Disabilities.

According to Afegbua, the efforts of governments at the various levels to provide for persons disabilities need to be complemented as government alone cannot do it .

The chairperson reiterated the fact that COVID-19 is real and has affected our ways of life as well as the educational systems , both conventional and vocational.

He  counseled the beneficiaries on the need to be mindful of their vulnerabilities and ensure they maintain good hygiene, particularly with regard to the use of aids and appliances for their daily living.

He gave an instance of an infected person transmitting the COVID-19 to a visually impaired person by touching their guide-canes.

Afegbua urged  them to ensure they washed their hands with soap and water regularly, use sanitisers, nose masks and maintain physical  distancing to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus.

He thanked donors who in their magnanimity contributed immensely to the successful distribution of  the palliatives.

He also commended members of the Board of Trustees of IDEAS,  friends, well – wishers and members of the media  for their support and encouragement that aided the success of the programme.

NAN reports that the programme targeted  the  distribution  of various items to 100 beneficiaries.

The  palliatives were  presented to  groups/clusters of beneficiaries  including the   Hearing Impaired,  Visually Impaired ,  Physically Challenged, and  Children living with Disability.

However, the  children were not allowed to attend the event but their mothers were on ground to collect the palliatives on their behalf.

Also, other members form sister  NGO’s were on ground to collect palliatives on behalf of their members.

The beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the palliatives and hoped for the sustenance of the programme.

Edited By: Vivian Ihechu/Ekemini Ladejobi (NAN)

By CHIBUZOR OKOYE

As part of efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, the Obi Jackson Foundation has donated one hundred bags of 25kg rice, ten cartons of sachet tomato paste as well as five bags of salt to persons with disabilities in Anambra state.

Handing over the items to persons with disabilities in Awka, the representative of the foundation, Mr. Chukwudi Enukoha said that the items were part of their COVID-19 palliative to the association, as government alone cannot carter for their needs and urged them to always adhere strictly to all the preventive guidelines stipulated by the World Health Organisation and Anambra state government.

Receiving the items on behalf of the association, the Special Adviser to the governor on disability matters, Barr. Chuks Ezewuzie thanked the foundation for their magnanimity and assured that all the items donated will be judiciously utilized.

The State chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities(JONAPWD), Anambra state chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, the Special Assistant to governor Willie Obiano on Sign Language Communications, Mr. Collins Joseph among others were present during the presentation.

by Ugo Onwuaso,

Softcom, a company dedicated to connecting people and business through meaningful innovation, in partnership with Deloitte, MTN, Ernst &Young, Banwo&Ighodalo, GTBank, Future Africa, Providus Bank, John Ashley Foundation, Wildreams, Lagos State Government and other corporate organizations have launched a new initiative – HelpNow, to support Lagos residents in need due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic via a platform set up to pair donors with beneficiaries who require support.

HelpNow, an initiative of Softcom, is a private sector led collaboration in response to the debilitating effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the income and livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

The objective is to provide support to at least 2 million vulnerable people in Lagos through a crowdfunding model that rallies the support of well-meaning individuals and corporates.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. BabajideSanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State noted that ‘the role of technology in addressing the socio-economic challenges of the modern world is not only important, but also incontrovertible.

“This consciousness is the reason why technology is a critical component of the THEMES Agenda of our government”.

“We are determined to leverage technology and its associated innovations to make governance easier and transform our State.

“However, like the experience in other megacities in the world, COVID-19 outbreak has shown the fragility of our societies and the need to seek innovative ways for addressing some of our immediate challenges has become more important”.

“With the launch of HelpNow today, we now have a platform that aggregates support for government’s efforts at alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in our society.

“Government alone cannot address the socio-economic problems of any society. It needs the support of well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations to cater for the needy amongst us”.

“Before now, there was no platform such as HelpNow that allows effortless intervention in the lives of millions from anywhere and anonymously. For creating a platform that encourages collaboration and speedily mobilizes succour for the needy and vulnerable, I commend Softcom Limited and its partners.

“The people of Lagos State appreciate your ingenuity and thoughtfulness”, concluded the Governor.

Yomi Adedeji, ceo, Softcom Limited and convener, HelpNow initiative, said “We believe that while the pandemic affects everyone, the impact is not the same across the board.

“With limitations to economic activities, a good number of Lagosians are vulnerable and have a tough time taking care of themselves and their families. They need our help now to get back on their feet.

“Softcom is working with the Bank of Industry, Telco’s, and LASG to organize the records of vulnerable Nigerians covering people with disabilities, the poorest households and the aged, for this purpose.

“These records reduce guesses or duplication of efforts. It ensures that more people are reached, and no individual or family benefits more than once.”

Also, to ensure the credibility and transparency of the initiative, Deloitte and Ernst &Young will provide audit, governance and operational risk support, ensuring every Naira donated gets to a beneficiary as promised.

Adedeji encouraged corporates and private individuals in Nigeria and worldwide to support the initiative by visiting theHelpnow.ng website to donate, saying no amount is too small to help those in need.

He said donors will be able to view the impact of their giving on the website coupled with testimonials of the beneficiaries.

He noted that HelpNow partners are committed to achieving the SDG Agenda 2030 on ending poverty, ensuring zero hunger, and ultimately improving the quality of life and wellbeing of all.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria free of wild polio, following the completion of documentation for the free status.

The UN health agency disclosed this on its regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, official twitter account @WHOAFRO.

“Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for Wild Polio virus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).

“It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme,’’ WHO said.

Meanwhile, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a tweet at @drfaisalshuaib described the documentation as historical.

“Amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by (ARCC); the Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.

“Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts.

“I look back at the incredible leadership that has brought us here.

“Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr Aliko Dangote and Mr Bill Gates.

“Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria,’’ he said.

Over 80 persons with disabilities in Jonapwd Edo state received food items and cash presents in Benin city, the Edo State Capital from Edo Development Aid, a UK based NGO.

According to the representatives of the group, the gesture was to ameliorate the plight of PWDs in the state who are undergoing a lot of sufferings occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chairman, Jonapwd Edo State , Mr. Ebose Henry in a speech released to The Qualitative Magazine said that he is very grateful to Edo Development Aid for the gesture because it will go a long way to cushion the effect of COVID-19 lockdown of the beneficiaries. He pleaded to other members of public to come to the aid of persons with disabilities because a good number of PWDs in the state are still going through a lot of hardship at this time.

The Board Of Trustee of JONAPWD should make good its promise of bringing peace back to the association.

The suit involving Stanley Onyebuchi and 4 other members of state chapters of the joint national association of persons with disabilities (hereinafter called “our clients”) came up today for ruling on their application for withdrawal which was heard on 18th  February, 2020.

Recall that  on 29^th January, 2019 our clients had approached the high court of the federal capital territory sitting in Bwari, FCT to challenge the unconstitutional conducts of the BOT, the chairman of the convention planning committee, the chairman of the electoral committee, Ekaete Umoh and Yusuf Iyodo.

Specifically, our clients were aggrieved with the setting up of the electoral committee in violation of JONAPWD’s constitution, the convention planning and the electoral committees for conducting sham elections that produced no results, hence winners, and Ekaete and Iyodo for constituting themselves, in kangaroo manners, as presidents of the association, in spite of the botched elections.

It is also imperative to categorically state here that amidst the imbroglio in JONAPWD, the BOT, in his letter of 20th November, 2018 cancelled the entire process which culminated in the leadership crisis and directed all the warring parties (Ekaete and Iyodo) to shield their swords and submit properties, including documents, of the association in their possessions. The directive, however, fell on their deaf ears, hence the commencement of this suit.

Upon an application for order of interim injunction filed by our clients, the honourable court, in its ruling of 19^th march, 2019, restrained both Ekaete and Iyodo for further parading themselves as presidents of the association and directed the BOT to continue to manage the affairs of the association.

Due to the hues and cries that trailed the action of our clients for approaching the court for resolution of the dispute and the plea of the BOT to withdraw the suit, our client, in November 2019, filed a notice of discontinuance and subsequently an application for leave of the court to discontinue/withdraw the matter. The ruling on the application was handed down today, the 17^th day of June, 2020

So, the court, presided over by Hon. O.A Musa, granted the application as prayed (i.e. struck out the matter).

However, the trial judge, in his wisdom, awarded a cost of fifty thousand Naira in Favour of the 8th defendant (Ekaete), her counsel having earlier sought an award of the sum of three hundred thousand Naira cost which we vehemently opposed.

We therefore call on the BOT to, in the interest of understanding between it and our clients and in the overall interest of peace in JONAPWD, should do the needful to permanently bring an end to the impasse.

In other words, the withdrawal/discontinuance and the consequent striking out of the suit today paves the way for the BOT to assume its constitutional responsibility of managing and conducting the affairs of association until a permanent solution to bring an end to the leadership crisis is attained.

SGD

Kassim Olalekan Lawal, ESQ.,

Counsel for the Claimants.

Below are letters from The BOT cancelling the leadership of the two warring parties

There is some feeling of relief among the persons with disabilities community as from Monday, June 15, provisions have been made for children with disabilities to access the Lagos State Government E-Learning programs.

Announcing the development, Chairman of the Education Committee of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Lagos Chapter, Mrs Rita Boyo, said the development was made possible through its collaboration with Festus Fajemilo Foundation and Daughters of Charity Nigeria, with funding support from Lilian Foundation.

The Association urged its members to sensitize parents of children with disabilities so as to ensure effective participation of their children.

“We will also appeal to you our leaders and members to kindly monitor these programs and feel free to give us feedbacks which we shall pass-on to the relevant Authorities,” Mrs. Boyo said.

The E-Learning programs, according to her comes up weekly on Lagos Television, DSTV Channel 256, with lessons for pupils in Primary 4-6 on Monday – English, Mathematics & General Studies between 5pm -6pm; Tuesday – English, Mathematics & General Studies between 4:30pm – 5:30pm; Thursday – English, Mathematics & General Studies between 5pm-6:00pm

She said it can also be followed on Startimes Channel 113, Gotv Channel 90 as well as on Instagram: lagos_subeb, Facebook: Lagos subeb and on YouTube: Lagos subeb.

Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti state and candidate for Governor of the people’s Democratic party (PDP) in the 2018 state gubernatorial election, Professor Kolapo Olusola Eleka distributed palliatives to 11 wards in Ikere Ekiti, his hometown, to alleviate the effects of the blockage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The former Deputy Governor, while distributing palliatives, said they must comply with the rules of the Nigerian Center for disease control (NCDC) to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Eleka said it would be appropriate to reach out to people, especially to the less privileged of his party, the PDP.

He said the virus is real, adding that neither the rich nor the poor know the virus is better prevented than being treated.

Professor Olusola ordered the ward chairmen to ensure that food was distributed equally in their wards.

“By the special grace of God, this will be the third phase of palliative sharing since the block was introduced.

“The first phase was divided between our religious leaders in the state and Ondo through expansion, while the second beneficiaries were people with disabilities.” Rice, beans, Gaari, Semovita and spaghetti were distributed.

Source: Global Gist