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Disabled Persons Protest Lack Of Empowerment
Barely a week after the Delta State Government set aside five percent of vacancies in recruitment exercise for disabled persons, a group under the aegis of Delta State Physically Challenged in Oil and Gas Producing Communities has protested over lack of empowerment from the government.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, as part of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of persons in that category has at the 2009 International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Asaba announced that the Delta State Government has reserved five percent of vacancies in any recruitment exercise into the state’s public service for qualified disabled persons.
The people from Warri, numbering more than 60 had in anger the previous day, gone to the entrance gate of the State Government House, along Anwai Road , asking to see the State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to lay their complaints to him , but they were refused entry, and at the State House of Assembly, the protesters blocked the gate , preventing vehicles from either going in or coming out of the complex. At a point, while many of them were trying to cross the road to gather at the Assembly gate, they caused an obstruction which affected other road users.
According to their leader and Spokesman , Mr. Daniel Ogor, “We were stranded.
We came to the government House at 1.00pm yesterday . We waited and had to stay their in front of the government house gate till this morning when we decided to come(here) to the State House of Assembly in a peaceful protest to let the lawmakers know our problem.”
Asked what their problems are, Mr. Ogor who said they came from Warri area of the State, said,” we need empowerment from the government , our hospital bills which government promised to pay, have not been paid for long, as a result, we are no longer receiving treatment at Rafa Specialist Hospital, Warri .
According to the group, “we had written series of proposals for the government to engage us in Skills Acquisition , but nothing has been done to that effect.
The Spokesman further said that the government has denied them their monthly allowances for some time , a reason for which they were protesting also.
To crown their requests, the disabled people also slammed the government for not listening to their request , that the Special Assistant to the Governor on the Physically Challenged, should be a physically challenged person, one of their own.
They decried a situation where the position is given to an able bodied person who does not know and feel the pains of physical disability, as is the case presently.
While the people are yet to have the above requests granted, they are also asking that government should also do something good for them to enable them celebrate the Christmas happily with their families.” We want them to make sure that they give us something for us to celebrate Christmas with our families. Let government celebrate our Christmas by giving us things to make our families enjoy with us”
To assuage the anger of the group, a lawmaker, Honourable Victor Ochei spoke to them imploring them to take it easy as government will address their problems and asked them to come back, Thursday this week.
On his part, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Publicity, Honourable Abel Oshevire said that they physically challenged have every right like any of us as contained in the Constitution , stressing that it is unfortunate they are in that condition, , . He however advised them to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters ,”and I believe that the government would address their issues accordingly.” The House during its sitting , amongst other things, screened and confirmed members of the local government pensions board.
Meanwhile, during the 2009 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held last week in Asaba, the governor represented by his deputy, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), explained that “Since the inception of this administration, concerted efforts have been made to improve the living condition of persons with disabilities in the state though several programmes.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.