Nation

Election Duty: INEC Assures Corps Members On Security

Published

1 year ago

January 11, 2023

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has said the commission would continue to place premium on the security of corps members on election duty.
Yakubu gave the assurance during a Courtesy Visit of the Commission’s Management Staff on the Acting Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Christy Uba, recently.
Describing the role of corps members as the most critical in the election process, Yakubu said the corps members operate at the most important level of election, which is the polling unit, the only level where citizens actually vote.
“So, for that reason, we will also extend insurance cover in case of injury or other emergencies to all corps members involved in election duty.
“Working with the security agencies, we will also extend protection and security to the youth corps members’ lodges when they are deployed to the field on election days.
“This is because we have had some unhappy experiences before, when some hoodlums raided the corps members’ lodges in some places, while they were on election duty.
“So, we will continue to take whatever step that is necessary to protect and guarantee the security and welfare of the corps members,’’ Mr Yakubu assured.
The INEC Chairman said the commission would continually operate within the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the commission and the NYSC.
He assured the training and retraining of the ad hoc staff, majority of who are youth corps members, in the handling of election technology.
“They will be responsible for the management of the polling units, management of elections resources, including sensitive materials, accreditation of voters, using the Bimodal Voter Registration System (BVRS) on election days”, he said.
According to Yakubu, the corps members are more involved immediately the voting processes are over.
“They record the results on the result sheets.
“When all the party agents have signed, then, they will be responsible for snapping the result at that level, using the BVRS, and transmitting same in real time.’’
Mr Yakubu said the commission was fully ready for the forthcoming general elections.
The Chairman said INEC would ensure that all materials and staff got to their respective places of assignment on time, and that the polling units, too, would open promptly.
Responding, Mrs Uba expressed the NYSC’s continued readiness to partner with the commission, adding that a lot had been achieved over time.
According to her, regarding the forthcoming election, the corps members are eager, as the youth are very interested in it, and will make sure that they work hard to make things right.
She, however, said the scheme and the commission were expected to play their roles.

“On the preparation for the 2023 general elections, we have directed state coordinators to encourage corps members to register on the INEC portal, and I believe they have done that.

“Corps’ Welfare and Service Department is expected to visit states to assure corps members and staff of the commitment of INEC and NYSC, of their safety while on election duties.

“This is to further encourage them, given the situation we have found ourselves. They need to be assured that their security is being taken care of”, she said.

Uba continued that state coordinators had been directed to combine names and phone numbers of key security personnel in the states and local government areas for dissemination to corps members who wish to participate in the exercise.

She said all state coordinators had also been directed to liaise with all State Security Services (SSS) and other security agencies to identify crisis-prone areas in the state.

According to her, such volatile areas will be forwarded to the NYSC headquarters for monitoring.

Uba said in view of the number of corps members that would be required by INEC, the scheme had concluded plans to hold the 2023 Batch A Stream One course in

Nation

VCDF in Partnership with LDSVA Sensitise Women on Gender Equality, Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Women, the pillars of our society, are resilient and determined as they play essential roles in nurturing families and leading businesses. Despite facing challenges like limited financial resources and unequal opportunities, they persist, inspiring generations and driving positive change.

In honour of Women’s History Month, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), in collaboration with Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd. (SEEPCO) and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LDSVA), embarked on a transformative journey to empower 100 community women, focusing on sexual and domestic violence prevention, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, on March 27, 2024, in Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State.

When women are empowered, they become catalysts for progress, influencing not only their own lives but also the lives of their families and those around them. The programme gave the women the opportunity to acquire knowledge on tools that can help their businesses grow, also providing a safe space for women to learn and connect with others, making them feel more confident and capable in making decisions for their businesses.

Distinguished guests present at the event were Mrs. Bello Oluwakemi, Head of the Field Operations Department, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LDSVA), Chief Mrs. Eletu-Odibo Wasilat, Community Development Committee Chairman of Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State, and Mrs. Adenike Akintoye, Head of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Unit, Eti Osa LGA.

While giving her feedback, Chief Mrs. Eletu-Odibo Wasilat said, “community-driven efforts like this initiative are instrumental in driving sustainable change and enabling women to realise their full potential.”

Mrs. Bello Oluwakemi noted during her closing remark, “training women in our communities will improve their livelihoods and contribute to household income, thereby leading to better standards of living.”

This collaborative initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), which aim to ensure everyone is treated equally and reduce differences between people.

VCDF will continue to educate and empower women for a greater inclusion in society, supporting their advancement and ensuring their meaningful participation in all spheres of life. Together, let us continue to champion the cause of women, celebrate their achievements, and pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Nation

Ibom Developers Supports 160 Women with Skill Acquisition Training in Akwa Ibom

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Empowering women with vocational skills is a vital step towards fostering gender equality and inclusive growth in society. This effort involves equipping women with practical expertise that can be applied across various aspects of life, including professional, personal, and entrepreneurial settings. Ibom Developers’ recent initiatives to provide skill acquisition training to women in its host communities aim to help them thrive in society.

On April 8, 2024, Ibom Developers commenced its ongoing skill acquisition training programme, themed ‘Virtuous Women’ in Egwenwe and Okoroinyong communities.
Dignitaries, including His Royal Highness Chief Johnson J. Osiba (Ijongo IV), the Okaama of Egwenwe Community; Mr. Warribo Isaiah, Community Development Chairman, Egwenwe Community; Pastor Johnson Christian Ubulom, Youth President, Egwenwe Community; Mrs. Catherine Monday Ogbofork, Women Leader of Egwenwe Community; Mrs. Sarah Evans Nfeija, Health Officer, Egwenwe Community; and representatives from Okoroinyong community, were present at the inaugural event.

This skill acquisition programme aims to empower 160 women in these communities with expertise in catering, packaging, hairdressing, wigging, ventilation, and styling. The program took place from April 8 to April 20, 2024, at Egwenwe Town Hall and Okoroinyong Town Hall in Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, imparting essential entrepreneurial skills to the women in the communities.

During the inaugural event, Chief Johnson J. Osiba (Ijongo IV), the Okaama of Egwenwe Community, expressed, ‘‘This empowerment initiative will provide our women with the autonomy and decision-making power they need to become self-sufficient contributors to the growth and development of our community.’’

The participation of women in several economic activities makes their upliftment a potent strategy for economic growth. Their involvement expands the workforce, cultivating heightened innovation and efficiency within the community.

Mrs. Catherine Monday Ogbofork, Women Leader of Egwenwe Community, emphasised, “Access to training tailored to the needs of women allow them to develop specialised skills. I am glad that this programme has offered options that suit our women’s preferences and goals.’’

Acquiring skills for livelihood elevates family status and unlocks entrepreneurial avenues. Ibom Developers is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship among women and supporting socio-economic empowerment in local communities.