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5% employment for PWDs now mandatory across 36 States says FG

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***Insists its criminal to deny them opportunity to work

The Federal Government on Thursday has announced that it is now mandatory for the provision of 5% employment opportunity for persons with disabilities spread across the 36 States of the federation through the operationalization of Federal Character.
“This makes it criminal for any Ministry, Extra Ministerial -Department and Agencies of government to deny persons with disabilities the opportunity to work provided they have the requisite skills.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure on the occasion of the International Day/National summit of Persons With Disabilities which took place on Thursday in Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of special Duties, Senator George Akume, the Vice President noted With regret the post COVID- 19 era which is impacting so negatively on the Nigerian society with more adverse effects on the community of persons with disabilities.
He said, “With a population of over 31 million persons, the community keeps growing larger by the day and as such, we must plan in that geometry.
“This factor necessitated a quick intervention of Conditional Cash Transfer to persons with disabilities so as to alleviate economic challenges.”
“Again, our sports women and men at the recent Paralympics held in Korea did exceptionally well with several gold medals and other Awards in many categories, a feat that puts the Nation’s flag at an enviable state.”
This he said has no doubt proven the strength that abounds in the disability community.
“Today’s International disability Summit provides the platform to bringing together Advocates, Comrades, support groups, Scientists, and Experts in technology to brainstorm on the struggles, challenges and achievements recorded in the community of persons with disabilities.
He said the journey started long ago in the history of the country through several dispensations since the return to democracy in Nigeria.
“But at this point, may I draw your attention to the fact that dreams are aborted when vision is absent.”
According to him, “President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated his undaunting passion and love for Persons with Disabilities when he vowed to change the narrative by creating the office to cater for this unique class of Persons.
“The creation of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian, Disaster Management and Social Development precisely on the 21st August, 2019 marked the beginning of a new dawn for community of Persons with disabilities.
“This entity was a product of the vision by the President to give voice to the voiceless, and provide succor to the hopeless in our society. This did not end there.
“The Minister was further directed to specifically inaugurate a Commission that will be solely responsible for the overall welfare of Persons with disabilities.

The vice president explained that the National Commission for Persons with disabilities is mandated to handle all issues relating to the welfare and inclusion of Persons with disabilities. “The Federal government has also directed the Executive Secretary of the Commission Mr. James David Lalu to come up with strategies that will alleviate the sufferings of PWDs, especially to disengage those who are into street begging.
“In fulfilment of the Present administration’s commitment to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in a very near future and to provide mass and affordable housing for Nigerians, Persons with disabilities have been given the platform to signify their interest in the available housing units which will be customized in an accessible structure for easy accessibility.”
In addition he said, the Federal government is working assiduously to modify the National Health Insurance Scheme in order to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. “This will enable the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria (MRTB), the National Orthopedics Hospital, and other health agencies that provide services key into the scheme.
“At this juncture, we cannot afford not to yield to the call for Assistive Technology where there are professionals in the field of physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Speech therapists, Chiropractic, Audiology, Prosthetics and so on.
“All over the world, technology is being employed to aid communication by persons with various forms of disabilities. The government has gone ahead to revise the National policy on disability to develop the roadmap on local production of Assistive devices.”
Osinbajo indicated that the Executive arm of government in agreement with the Judiciary extended an avenue to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities is guaranteed by requesting for inputs from the community of PWDs in the process of Constitutional review.
May I also assure you that “We will definitely leave no one behind”.
“Furtherance to this is the recent formulation of National sign language module currently being harnessed to unify interpretation for a seamless communication in the Deaf community”
The minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajia Sadia Umar Farouk said her joy is growing by the day to see the Commission being nurtured through the stages of growth to fulfilling its mandate.
“This is in recognition of the promise made by the Commander- in- Chief of the Armed of forces to take 100 million Nigerians whose population belong to the clusters PWDs during his swearing- in ceremony.
“As the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari is being crystalized, over Thirty- One million persons with disabilities are beginning to have the visibility and the inclusivity that the community has long awaited.
“Today, hope is rekindled in the disability community about their identity and the protection of the rights of PWDs against any form of discrimination or abuse.”

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CUPP lampoon Reps over move to investigate Ugochinyere, others for visit to Fubara

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**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.

The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..

Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.

But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit

However, the chairman,

Media Committee of the

Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate. 

“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.

“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively. 

“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP),  hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public. 

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Kano Police counter reports that Emir Bayero will lead Jumma’t prayer

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the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024

The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.

2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.

3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.

4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.

SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.

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Royal turbulence gets messier as emirs Sanusi II, Bayero move to hold prayer at Palace Mosque

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Dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II

As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.

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