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FAECARE Champions Disability Rights In Rivers

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2 years ago

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In a bid to further push for the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities, (PWDs) and implementation of extant disability laws, especially in Rivers State, the Freky Andrew-Essien Care Foundation, widely known as FAECARE Foundation has called for the establishment of key offices or bodies, particularly, Councils and Committees with the mandate to focus on the rights, welfare and inclusion of PWDs at various levels, the state, local government and government parastatals.
In fact, the foundation called on the present administration to establish an Office of Disability Rights to be charged with safeguarding PWDs from discrimination and rights violations, with a focus on receiving and prosecuting complaints of rights infringement.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, the Executive Director of the foundation, Ndifreke Andrew-Essien noted with regret that despite existing conventions and legislations on the rights of PWDs, especially, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the Nigerian Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2019 and the Rivers State Persons with Disabilities Welfare (Enhancement) Law of 2012, the implementation of such rights, inclusiveness and accessibility to PWDs in the state has not been up to expectation.
According to her, “We must acknowledge the existence of the disability welfare (enhancement) law in the state, but our audit has revealed its limited impact, largely tied to an inactive council”. That is why, she said, it has become imperative to champion the implementation of disability rights in Rivers state. The foundation therefore, recommended among other things, the elevation of protection and advancement of Persons with Disabilities’ rights as a central concern within the state’s agenda, the domestication and implementation of the statutory provisions of the convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act (2018).
Also, the formulation of a better rights based law to genuinely advance the rights of PWDs, embedding inclusive budgeting to cater for the advancement of disability rights in different sectors of government, thereby fostering disability mainstreaming and inclusion for sustainable growth of the state, promotion of rights via proactive efforts by the Ministry of Social Welfare to ensure that disability issues transcend the charity or medical model, mainstreaming disability and accessibility enforcement by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to ensuring that public buildings and places should be universally accessible for an all inclusive society were recommended, among others.
Andrew-Essien said that the press briefing was part of activities of the foundation’s Disability Rights Initiative Project, DRIP, which is supported by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) and dedicated to advancing the rights of PWDs in the state has been ongoing for about a year now.
She further stated that the foundation, which vision is centred on enriching the lives of vulnerable groups within the society, has channeled efforts into bridging the gaps that these groups face. “since the inception of the ‘ DRIP’, we have successfully empowered over 30 PWDs, enhancing their understanding of disability rights and the legal frameworks designed to protect them, we have equipped them with skills to advocate for their own rights and those of fellow members within the disability community”.

By: Gabriel Nwanetanya

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Rivers

NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

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6 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.
Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.
Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.
The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.
Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.
This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the  induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.
 Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.
Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.
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VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

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6 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.
Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and  passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.
“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.
Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of  promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.
He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.
He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.
“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and  effective library.
She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.
Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.
High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.
Akujobi Amadi
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Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members

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6 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).

 

In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.

 

The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.

 

Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.

 

The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.

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