I Focused More On Children, Women In Tackling Poverty In Osun - Aregbesola

Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP), Dr. Charles Akinola; Osun Governor-elect, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chief Bisi Akande; deputy Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye and the UNICEF Chief Social Policy, Mr Hamidou Poufon at the launching of Osun Social Protection Policy enacted into law in Osogbo, the state capital.

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has said that in his determination to tackle poverty in Osun, his administration focused more on children and women in its social protection policies.   

Speaking at the launch of some publications on the social protection policies of his administration held in Osogbo, capital, Aregbesola said many of the social protection programmes of his government were targeted at women and children.

Aregbesola said his administration also instituted a grooming programme at the grassroots under which women were trained in vocations and empowered to stand on their own.

The governor said “Our school feeding programme is basically a women empowerment programme. Under the school feeding programme, more than 250 million plates of food were served to 252,000 pupils daily at the cost of N70 per plate. We engaged the services of 3,007 community caterers to prepare the food for the pupils”.

“Each caterer was made to benefit from a government facilitated interest-free loan of N41,500 for the acquisition of cooking and other kitchen utensils. The loan repayment period is spread over 36 months, with N1,152.78 kobo deducted from their account every month.

“Our administration has provided more than N4billion as interest free loans in our micro-credit agency for micro, small and medium enterprises; majority of the beneficiaries are women.”

Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP), Dr. Charles Akinola highlighted the process that gave birth to the publications and the enactment of the Osun Social Protections Policies into law and commend UNICEF for its supports.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall while speaking at the launch of the publications on Aregbesola’s social protection policies in Osogbo, capital of Osun reiterated the commitment of UNICEF to continue to support the state for the wellbeing of the people of the state.

Speaking on behalf of Fall, UNICEF Chief Social Policy, Mr Hamidou Poufon said Osun has maintained a good lead in the implementation of social protection programmes and promised more support for the state.

He said Osun has a long-standing record of social development having outperformed all other states as per the Multidimensional Poverty Ranking report of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative 2018 that ranked Osun at first place nationwide.

He explained that social protection is increasingly viewed as an important policy component of sustainable development and has become a veritable tool for advancing the development agenda. He noted that Osun has maintained a good lead in the implementation of social protection programmes.

He said Social Protection provides support for particular social groups, reduce gender inequality and break intergenerational transmission of poverty if administered appropriately.

Among the notable personalities at the launch are former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande and the Governor-elect, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, deputy Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye and Osun deputy Governor-elect, Mr. Benedict Gboyega Alabi, the UNICEF Chief Social Policy, Mr Hamidou Poufon, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Ondo State, Mr Tejinder Sandhu and the UNICEF Communication Officer, Mrs Blessing Ejiofor.

Charlie Boy Storms Osun, Joins Activists To Demand Probe Of Osun Governorship Election

Popular musician and founder of Our Mumu Don Do, Charles Oputa, and several other activists have called for a probe of the last governorship election in Osun state to forestall incidents of inducements,  voters harassment and manipulation of figures which were recorded during the supplementary election held on the 27th of September. 

The activists spoke at a Colloquium organised by the Oodua Youth Development Initiative and the Virtues Unlimited Restorative Justice Initiative in Osogbo on Monday. 

Speakers at the event identified lack of transparency, harassment of observers and Media Men, failure of card readers as some of the incidents which marred the exercise declared to have been won by the All Progressive Congress candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

While reviewing the last election, Mr Oputa said Nigerians owe it a duty to the next generation to make sure that elections reflect the true wishes of the people and that citizens rise up to resist manipulations by electoral umpire.

He charged youths in Nigeria to rise up in Defence of true democracy, selfless leadership  and natural  justice without which no country can truly progress.

Other Speakers at the event include representatives of the Coalition in Defence of Nigeria's democracy and constitutio, Dare Ariyo; Democracy and Good governance Department of the Justice and Peace Makers Centre, Festus Ojewunmi and Wole Oladapo of the Virtues Restorative Justice Initiative.

Citing various reports of observer groups including the Nigeria Bar Association, Centre for Democracy and Development, UK, US and EU missions,speakers at the colloquium described  the Osun governorship election as falling short of standards  of credibility and neutrality in an electoral contest.

They called on the judiciary to be above board in handling the various petitions arising from the governorship election in order to retain public confidence in the judicial system as the last hope of the common man.

The colloquium was also attended by leaders  of 9 political parties who spoke on the need for the International community to pay closer attention to the 2019 general elections in view of the experiences of the Osun poll.

Representative of the People's Democratic Party, Dr Lere Oyewunmi accused the Independent National  Electoral Commission of conniving with the APC to tamper with card readers deployed to many local governments during the election. 

He said the card readers were preloaded with accreditation while features that identify the genuineness of voters cards were disabled ahead of the election. 

Oyewumi called for public  vigilance ahead of the 2019 general elections while also advising political parties to engage well educated and politically motivated persons as Party agents.

Masari Condoles Nigerian Army Over Loss

The Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari had earlier today condoled the Nigerian Army over the lost of over 40 of its personnel at the theatre against Boko Haram.

Katsina Media and Publicity reports that the Governor delivered this message when he received the staff and students of the Armed Forces Command of Senior Staff College (Jaji) on a courtesy visit earlier today at the Muhammadu Buhari House, the seat of Katsina State Government.

The staff and students who were in Katsina for the 41st Annual study tour of the college themed "Education and National Development, A Case Study of Katsina State" under the Command of Brigadier General, O.R. Adenuga.

Adenuga who was pleased with the warm reception and the logistics provided by the State Government commended the hospitable nature of the good people of Katsina State.

@katgovmedia reports that while responding, the Governor extensively traced the historical development of Education in Katsina State citing the first post primary school in the North was located in Katsina, the Gobarau Minaret which has been in place for hundreds of years as an institution of higher learning.

Masari who is happy to receive the galant forces and also cautioned them to be more professional, giving them his word that personally, he have so much respect for someone that sacrifices his joy to defend and protect the sovereignty and integrity of Nigeria.

He urged them to remain firm in the war against terror more especially in the north east and pray for Nigeria's peace and Unity .

Highlight of the courtesy visit was presentation of plaque, souvenir and a group photograph.

Violence Against Women Has Reached Damaging Heights - Iryn Omorogiuwa

The Edo State Chapter of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, joins the rest of the World  to mark United Nations 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25th Nov. to 10th Dec. 2018). The theme for this year's International  Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls is; Orange the World:#HearMeToo.

The Chairperson Iryn Omorogiuwa stated that over the years  all forms of violence against women girls have been at play but now it has reached damaging heights as worldwide records show that one in every three women worldwide experiences gender based violence.

Sexual violence,trafficking of the female gender, female genital mutilation, inhuman treatment of widows,harmful tradition practices, forced child marriages are all forms of gender based violence.

She further explained that gender based violence has become a global pandemic and a moral affront to all women and girls. 

She decried the fact that most acts of violence against women and girls are largely unreported due to the impunity of the perpetrators,silence and fear of victims due to the stigma and shame from the society.

The Edo State FIDA Chairperson stated that the theme of this year's Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls campaign is aimed at calling upon victims to speak out and be heard.She further asked all persons to listen to and believe victims and survivors and she called upon all persons to end the culture of silencing survivors  but instead put the survivors at the centre of the response. The focus must change from questioning the credibility of the victim, to pursuing the accountability of the perpetrator.

She further called upon the Commissioner  of Police Edo State to establish specialised victim support desks in all police stations within Edo state to help attend to survivors of such gender based violence.

She further called on the Edo State lawmakers to expedite actions to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act into  law which would serve as a veritable tool to protect women and girls against violence.

Umahi Is A Divine Tool For A Greater Ebonyi State - Monica

…. Umahi Is A Divine Tool For A Greater Ebonyi State - Monica

The Founder and President of David Umahi Nweze Akubuoraha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda (DUNAETA) Monica Chidinma Ada Eze has described Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State as a divine tool in God's hands for the emancipation and greatness of Ebonyi State.

Lady Monica Eze who made the assertion in a press statement issued on Sunday after monitoring the testimony by Governor Umahi during the Night of Testimony and dinner organised by Christ the Redeemer's International (CRFI on 23rd November, 2018 at Akani Ibiam International Conference Centre in Abakaliki.

The event that witnessed the assemblage of who is who in Ebony State including Dr David Nweze Umahi, Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, his wife, Chief Mrs. Rachael U. Umahi, Mrs. Nnenna Ethel Igwe, wife of the Deputy Governor, Pst. General Abel Obi Umahi, Executive Secretary, CRFI National, 

  members of the State Executive Council, Service Chiefs, Pst. E. A. Daramola, AGO incharge of RCCG SE/SS District, Prof Sunday Adeeoye, Bishops and leaders of various churches in Ebonyi State, members of Ebonyi Traditional Rulers Council, Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Capitals of Industries and business outlets, saw seasoned Christian Gospel Musicians performing. 

Governor Umahi who was both the Chief Guest of honour and Chief Testifier for the day kept the audience in suspense, dancing, celebrating and thanking God with series of songs he rendered coupled with touchy testimonies of the miraculous hand of God in his life.

The Governor who was a Scripture Union leader during his days in Secondary School gave account of his covenant with God that made him use the first profit he got from a contract he executed immediately after his National Youth service Corps (NYSC) to build a church in honour of his dear mother, Madam Margaret Umahi in his home town, Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government of Ebonyi State. This act of embarking on God's works and denying himself of any luxury has influenced God to pick special interest in whatever he does. 

The Governor further gave account on how he single handedly built and equipped the Embassy church auditorium in Abakalki the biggest and best in Nigeria and how as Governor he is constructing an ecumenical center that will be the largest and best in Nigeria. 

Lady Monica Ada Eze Aka Ada Ebonyi quoted Governor Umahi as saying, "I pity those undermining, betraying and plotting against me not knowing that, I am a sacrifice for God and those in this group are not fighting against me but God who have decided to adopt me as his special child.

He stated that he never fights or holds grudges against anybody as my act of forgiveness is one of the sources of my success and prosperity but those who wants to undermine me neither succeeds or progress in life."

He lamented that he nurtured PDP in Ebonyi State as its State Chairman for four good years and constructed the best party secretariat in Nigeria but when the party was to assist me all members of the Exco of the party denied me except one person Mrs. Euphemia Nwali who is now the commissioner of Water Resources in the State  

Umahi further stated that God is the force behind the success we are recording in Ebonyi and it is an undeniable fact that it is only in Ebonyi that you can drive for three hours without meeting any road pothole.

He described his administration as agents of light through which Ebonyi have become the land of Nazareth and we have every good reason to give God thanks as the state have come of age.

He concluded his testimony by challenging the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to sanitize the Christians to eliminate the bad eggs amongst them. 

Lady Monica who is also the Technical Adviser (TA) on Media to Governor Umahi recalled that Umahi stands out as the only Governor in Nigeria to have empowered over 2,500 Pastors in a single event and over 5,000 widows in the State. She further highlighted with such a leader who is so much involved in God's activities and plight of the indigent people, one can understand where he derives his wisdom that made Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State to declare him as the wisest Governor in Nigeria. 

Pastor General Abel Obi Umahi the Executive Secretary of CRFI, National who was the Chief Host of the epochal event gave a brief history of how CRFI came into existence through the vision given to Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye the General Overseer of RCCG by God on how the organization should be used to reach the high echelon of the society. 

Monica pleaded with all Ebonyians to rally round Governor Umahi to actualise the prophesy of  Apostle Olatunde Adekunle Jonathan who stated that the reelection of Governor Umahi  in 2019 poll is already settled case in heaven.

PDP, IPOB, Boko Haram, All Three Acting A Script To Disrupt 2019 Elections— Group

A group, Patriotic Front of Nigeria has accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of working with terrorists and separatist groups to disrupt the 2019 General Elections,  saying that this strategy marks a new low for even the former ruling party, which it will seek to compel the courts to ban should it persists in undermining the nation.

National Coordinator of Patriotic Front of Nigeria, Dr. Rabiu Usman who spoke in Abuja on Sunday specifically alleged that the PDP has working relationship with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and top Boko Haram terrorists commanders to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in order to discourage people from exercising their franchise.

Dr. Usman said it is no coincidence that the PDP is always ready with a response within minutes of Boko Haram attacks noting that only people that have pre-arranged deals with the terrorists to carry out attacks could respond with such speed and that the kind of reaction from the party indicate more of an organization that is gloating over the killing of Nigerians as opposed to one that identify with bereaved families.

He pointed out that “It is glaring that what the PDP is doing is nothing but shedding crocodile tears because whatever is happening today in terms of terrorism has the foundation laid in the 16 years that the one-time  ruling party was in power. It is convenient to shift the blame to a party that has been in office for a little over three years but the reality is that PDP owns the responsibility for what is happening in Nigeria.

“A situation where the PDP presidential candidate, Mr Atiku Abubakar, own up to knowing how Boko Haram started and he has not been censured is most ridiculous. If we look at it critically, he is the most senior politician in his party and he admitted that he and his fellow politicians started Boko Haram by using extremist youths for political thuggery. If the PDP politicians started Boko Haram then they apparently still control this satanic group and they have mobilized Boko Haram to do damage ahead of the elections for which President Muhammadu Buhari can easily blamed.” He explained.

The PFN National Coordinator further accused the PDP of activating IPOB to frustrate the elections saying the separatist group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, whose whereabouts were previously unknown for over a year, suddenly surfaced the moment, Mr. Peter Obi from the same ethnic group was announced as Mr. Atiku’s running mate.

According to Usman, “the original plot was for Nnamdi Kanu to openly drum support for the PDP candidate but this was plan was suspended and ultimately reversed when it became apparent that a growing section of the population felt insulted by Kanu’s betrayal when he was reported to have been killed by security forces only for them to discover that he went into hiding while leaving them with a worthless cause.

“Kanu’s continued insistence that there will be no election if there was no referendum to decide the fate of the defunct Biafra was part of a larger scheme to make people believe he is still the separatist leader they used to know. In fact there was the alternate rendering of the event, which has it that Kanu was working for President Buhari and that was like bonus for the PDP since it was able to shift attention away from itself by having people accuse Kanu of working for Buhari.” Dr. Usman stated.

He expressed dismay that the PDP is dwelling on the falsehood generated from the activities of Boko Haram to denigrate the Buhari Presidency while noting that this strategy has never won elections for anyone in the world.

Usman hereby puts PDP on notice that Nigerians will hold it accountable for any degeneration in the security situation in the country if it continues to deploy Boko Haram and IPOB to undermine the safety of Nigerians in order to have incidents it will use to campaign against President Buhari. We will be compelled to resort to legal means to deal with the PDP if it continues to undermine security in Nigeria, which would include approaching the courts to ban the party a recognized entity in Nigeria,” He warned.

Delta PDP Condemns Gruesome Murder Of Elozino Ogege

...........Calls On Police, Security Agencies To Banish ‘Yahoo Boys”, Ritual Killers From Delta State

The Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned in very strong terms, the recent gruesome and dastardly killing of Miss Elozino Joshuala Ogege, a 300 level student of Mass Communication Delta State University, (DELSU), Abraka and called on the Nigerian Police, as well as all relevant security agencies to live up to their responsibilities not only in  completely unravelling the perpetrators of this terrible act and bringing them to book, but to also ensure that adequate effective measures are put in place henceforth, to rid the entire Delta State of the evil menace of ritual killers and other disciples of the dark arts operating anywhere in the State.

A statement issued by Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, the State Publicity Secretary, Delta State PDP, which expressed the heartfelt condolences of the Party to the family of the late Miss Elozino Ogege, also noted with concern and worry, the disturbing presence and seemingly uncontrollable activities of suspected ritual killers and criminally inclined individuals, whose ostentatious and extravagant escapades are becoming more pronounced not only in the University town of Abraka, but across many emerging urban towns in Delta State.

Dr. Osuoza said: “It is with a heavy heart that we express our deep sympathy and condole with the family of Miss Elozino Joshuala Ogege, a 300 level student of Mass Communication, Delta State University, (DELSU), Abraka, whose life was snuffed out by suspected ritual killers, in the school environment considered secure and most safe from the wicked machinations of these agents of evil.

“We have also observed with great concern in recent times, a disturbing trend of an unprecedented influx into many of our urban

cities, of strange individuals and groups of young people, described as “Yahoo boys”, who pose as tourists wishing to enjoy the serene,

pastoral ambiance and sundry attractions of towns like the University community of Abraka, displaying ostentatious yet questionable wealth, extravagance and opulence that defies legitimate explanations.

“The brazen way and manner surrounding the abduction and subsequent murder of Miss Ogege and the subsequent discovery of her mutilated and decomposing remains, suggests that a throbbing yet frightening cartel of ritual killers and diabolic groups of cultist, is possibly thriving and operating unhindered and with conniving complicity of the townsfolks of the communities, which has led to reported disappearances of unsuspecting victims, observed with alarming frequency, since the arrival of these “Yahoo Boys” in many parts of Delta State, the latest of which is the tragic episode of the young

DELSU undergraduate in Abraka town.

“While not accusing anybody or group of people as being responsible for the sinister occurrence in Abraka town, we wish to remind one and all of the sanctity of life and state categorically that every Delta life matters. The murder of Miss Elozino Ogege, cut down so heartlessly at such a young age, is, therefore, a clarion call to arms for appropriate justice to be done in unravelling and exposing her killers.

“We commend the spirited efforts of the police in the investigations that led to the discovery of the crime and urge all law enforcement agencies not just to relent in their efforts once this case is solved, but to beam their critical searchlight with greater concentration not only on the University town of Abraka, but  across Delta State as a whole, in a committed approach to rid our State of these criminal elements described as “Yahoo boys”, ritual killers and their ilk, in order to secure the lives of our people, which is the sacrosanct duty of every government, and save the lives of more young people from being snared and snuffed out by these disciples of Satan.

“We deeply sympathise with the people of Isoko nation over this painful and undeserved tragedy that has cast a sad dark cloud of

sadness over the land and pray the good Lord to grant the Ogege family the strength and fortitude to bear this monumental loss of their

beloved daughter.

“May the gentle, innocent soul of Miss Elozino Joshuala Ogege, find peace and eternal rest in the warm and comforting bosom of God Almighty, Amen”.