News
US Govt Drums Support For Physically- Challenged …Promotes Social Inclusion In Nigeria
With the screening of a 15-minute documentary highlighting the discrimination and social exclusion experienced by persons living with disabilities, a 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) alumna, Ms. Ejiro Sharon Okotie, has challenged policymakers and employers of labour on the need to integrate physically challenged persons into the Nigerian labour market.
Titled, “Changing the Dialogue”, the documentary, sponsored by the United States Mission in Nigeria, was produced by Sharon Okotie, a young leader living with her own disability.
A statement by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, made available to The Tide, indicated that “Changing the Dialogue” features persons living with disabilities, including award-winning music producer, Cobhams Asuquo; 2015 MWF alumna cum disability-rights activist, Grace Alache Jerry; journalist and news producer, Michael Fadeyi, and a development consultant, Dr. Adebayo Adebukola.
Speaking during the September 8 screening, Public Affairs Officer, Darcy Zotter, stated that removing barriers and creating a world in which physically challenged persons enjoy dignity will bring about their full inclusion in the society.
According to Zotter, “The United States is committed to creating accessible environments for people with disabilities so that they may be better included in society.
“The United States Government encourages and assists governments and civil society organizations to learn about the development and effective implementation of laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities,” the public affairs officer added.
Explaining the motivation behind the production of the documentary, Okotie said, “I believe it is important to show everyone that disabled people who are ready to work do not need pity or handouts.
“That is why I decided to work with my partners to produce this documentary, featuring successful, inspiring people living with disabilities,” she added.
The Tide learnt that distinguished guests who attended the event include, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Yetunde Odejayi.
Other attendees were policymakers, corporate executives, human resource managers, as well as members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JNAPWD).
News
I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
News
RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
News
Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
-
Business2 days ago
CRG Partner JR Farms To Plant 30m Coffee Seedlings
-
Foods/Drinks2 days ago
What To Know About Your Menu
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
NDLEA Intercepts 584.171kg Hard Drugs In Bayelsa … Arrests 559 Suspects
-
Rivers2 days ago
Four Internet Fraudstars Get Different Jail Terms In PH
-
Business2 days ago
Food Security: NDDC Pays Counterpart Fund For LIFE-ND Project
-
Business2 days ago
PH Women Plan Alternative Stew, Shun Tomato High Prices
-
Sports2 days ago
Nigerian Athletes Serving Doping Bans
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Ex-IYC President Lampoons Atiku’s Presidential Ambition … Declares It Negative Impact On N’Delta