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Abati Vs Oshiomhole: When the Pen (Mouth) Provokes the Fist

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The Source
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Oshiomhole and Abati

By Valentine Obienyem

When Adams Oshiomhole challenged Reuben Abati to settle their disagreement “on the street,” it was more than a lapse in decorum – it was a reversion to primitive instinct. Stripped of political context, the challenge echoed an age-old pattern: the urge to resolve disputes not through dialogue or principle, but through confrontation and dominance. Far from being novel, it is the tragic survival of barbarism beneath the surface of civilisation.

At the mention of a street challenge, one’s mind is drawn to the ancient pankration – a brutal contest often decided only when one opponent died. Indeed, feuds of old were frequently resolved by one party killing the other. Ah yes, to settle disputes by killing one another is a solution so old that it precedes civilization; and so absurd that it survived civilization in people like Adams, as primitive as the old Adam.

Oshiomhole’s verbal aggression may not carry swords, but it echoes the same absurd impulse to trade reason for combat. What we witnessed was not strength, but the unmasking of how easily a man of public standing can discard civil discourse for primal theatre, appealing not to intellect, but to instincts best left behind.

Oshiomhole is, in many ways, a specimen of human  contradiction – unsteady from centre to circumference. At one moment, he praised Mr. Peter Obi as the best governor in Nigeria, declaring that other governors tried to emulate him. In another breath, he claimed Obi achieved nothing as governor. This pendulum of pronouncements reveals not political calculation but a deeper inconsistency – a restless mind that rarely holds a conviction long enough for it to mature into principle.

The man has really demonstrated to us that true civilisation is not measured by offices held or titles worn, but by consistency of conduct and clarity of thought. That Oshiomhole so easily abandons both only proves how fragile the facade of maturity can be, even in those who have once worn the garments of statesmanship.

Obienyem, a Lawyer, writes from Awka, Anambra State

Imo Arrests Fake Revenue Collector

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The Source
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Mr Moses - Fake Revenue Collector Arrested in Imo

The Imo State Government has apprehended a notorious fake revenue collector identified as Mr. Moses, an indigene of Ebonyi State, for impersonating multiple government agencies and carrying out illegal revenue collection operations across the State.

Mr. Moses was arrested by the Compliance and Monitoring Team of the State Government, under the directive and leadership of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri. He was caught red-handed while fraudulently enforcing revenue collection and issuing fake tickets within the Owerri metropolitan area.

According to reports, Mr. Moses had been operating around IMSU junction, Orji flyover, Amakohia flyover, and the Akwakuma axis, etc. He had created a network of criminal activities, falsely presenting himself as an agent of various government bodies such as the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), and the Imo State Waste Management Agency, among others.

He was also reported to be behind the illegal painting of commercial buses, known locally as busimo, using unauthorized colors and symbols in a bid to extort money from unsuspecting drivers and traders.

“This arrest is part of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s zero tolerance for fraud and criminality in the state,” said Nze Chinasa Nwaneri. “We are determined to sanitize the system and ensure that only authorized agents carry out government responsibilities.”

Mr. Moses has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.

The state government has advised residents and business owners to always verify the identity of individuals claiming to represent any government agency and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

Ogwuegbu, One Of Nigeria’s Brightest Legal Minds, Says Uzodimma

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The Source
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Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu and Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has described the late Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu as one of Nigeria’s greatest and brightest legal minds who impacted the society so much that it will be difficult to forget him.

The Governor said that the late Justice Ogwuegbu is an embodiment of courage, discipline, integrity, and a jurist with an uncommon brilliance in the  l50 years of his remarkable career.

The Governor spoke on Saturday at the funeral Mass of the late Justice Ogwuegbu at St. Theresa Chibugwumba Catholic Parish, Amainyi, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, where tributes also poured in from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Supreme Court, the Federal High Court, the National Assembly, Governors and other key figures from the country.

While President Tinubu commended Justice Ogwuegbu’s “unwavering commitment to justice, integrity, and rule of law,” Vice President Shettima noted that the late legal icon was not just a jurist,, but a “pillar of integrity and a beacon of justice whose work and contributions have left indelible mark on Nigeria’s evolving tradition of jurisprudence.”

Governor Uzodimma said that Justice Ogwuegbu did not just make Imo State where he issued from proud in all the assignments given to him, but served Nigeria and the world creditably, and by extension, served humanity and God.

Governor Uzodimma noted that Justice Ogwuegbu wrote his name in granite across the land scape of the Nigerian legal system, serving in the Supreme Court for many years and participating in landmark judgments on sensitive matters such as federalism, university autonomy, human rights, and banking regulations and acquitting himself credibly.

The Governor insisted that everyone is in agreement that Justice Ogwuegbu gave priority to his good name, above primitive acquisition of material things, a quality which is in short supply amongst today’s public servants.

Governor Uzodimma’s remarks read in full:

“Today, we have come to bid a final farewell to a great son of Nigeria of Imo State extraction. We have come to mourn one of the greatest and brightest legal minds that passed through our shores. We have come to pay deserving tributes to Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu, a jurist whose trademark was courage, integrity, and discipline.

“When it is said that a man lived a fulfilled life, it means that he did his duties to God and humanity to the best of his ability. When we say that a good name is better than riches, we have in mind what will be said about us when we finally depart this planet.

” As we gather here today to commit the remains of our illustrious brother, father, and grandfather, Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu, to his final resting place, all of us are agreed that he lived a fulfilled life and prioritised a good name over the acquisition of material wealth.

“Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu wrote his name in granite across the landscape of the Nigerian legal system.

His footprints remain indelible in our jurisprudence.

“Over two decades after he gracefully bowed out from the bench, his judgments still illuminate our courts. From the Borno High Court, where he sentenced the appellant Effiong, to landmark rulings on derivation and local government autonomy, his voice shaped constitutional jurisprudence. Each ruling bore his trademark clarity, precision, and moral courage.

“When our apex court faced complex questions on federalism, resource control, and democratic governance, they found in Ogwuegbu a voice of unflinching principle. His dissents proved as influential as his concurrences.

“As the Holy Scripture reminds us, “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Today, we mourn. Yet simultaneously, we express our deepest gratitude that such a man lived among us and that such wisdom guided our jurisprudence.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that ever since his passing, tributes upon tributes have poured in, eulogising his life of service and total commitment to justice. From President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to the least man in Amanyi, Nigerians have celebrated this jurist as an upright man whose integrity remains undented. It is for this reason that I stand here to celebrate Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu.

“This great son of Imo State reached the pinnacle of his career as a judge. He served in the Supreme Court for many years and participated in landmark judgements on sensitive matters such as federalism, university autonomy, human rights, and banking regulations. In all these, he acquitted himself creditably. For that reason, we also celebrate him.

“We also celebrate him for hoisting high the flag of Imo State when, in 1999, he was appointed Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry which investigated human rights abuses during the military regime. Yes, in the 50 years of his remarkable career, Justice Ogwuegbu embodied integrity and uncommon brilliance.

“I am indeed proud to say that this was a man synonymous with discipline, dedication, excellence, and honesty, a man who used the legal profession to serve both God and humanity.

“When we examine the life and service of this great jurist, including his time as President of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, one thing that stood out was patriotism. He loved Nigeria, he loved Imo State, and he loved his home and family.

“When I look around and behold his children, including a member of the Imo State Executive Council, I see a man who excelled in every area of human endeavour.

“His life is now a challenge not only to his immediate family but also to the people of Imo State. He has left a legacy of integrity and service, values now in short supply in our society. The only way we can truly immortalise him is by living out those values for the good of society.

“On behalf of my family, the government, and the good people of Imo State, I sincerely condole with his immediate family on the loss of this great son of Imo State.

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“May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, continue to rest in peace.”

Earlier in his homily, Very Rev Fr. Chibuike Uke described the deceased as great mentor who denied himself a lot of comfort to bring up younger ones and challenged those in leadership positions to be good mentors to many youths for the good of society.

He lauded Justice Ogwuegbu for living a life worthy of emulation, and urged the faithful and the guests to work hard to ensure that when they exit this earth, the Almighty God will prepare a banquet for them in paradise.

The Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Solomon Amatu was ably represented by his Vicar One, Monsignor John Iwe.

One of the sons of the deceased, Dr. Emeka Ogwuegbu who paid tribute to his father on behalf of his family in his remarks described him as a legal luminary par excellence and a national icon and a community leader who demonstrated exemplary leadership.

He added that his late father led a fulfilled and exemplary life of great virtues and rare quality of integrity, humility, fairness, equity and justice.

Justice Ogwuegbu died at the ripe age of 91 years.

The funeral ceremony was attended by many dignitaries within and outside Imo State.

Kano Suspends Operations Of Event Centres, Activities Of DJs

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Governor Abba Yusuf

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With the dust raised by  the ban on live radio programmes yet to settle, the Kano State authorities on Saturday May 17, 2025 suspended   activities of event centres in the State.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Censorship Board, Abba El-Mustapha, the decision was informed by the need to halt the menace of Kauyawa Day Events, as well as uphold moral standards especially among the youth.

At a media briefing in Kano after an emergency meeting, the Board noted that its action is primarily aimed at arresting the growing erosion of society’s values and moral standards which the activities of the event centres have been promoting of recent.

According to El–Mustapha, the Board, in taking the decision was guided by the extant laws, as amended by the State House of Assembly in 2025.

He explained that the law empowers the Board to monitor and regulate the activities of disc junkies DJs and event centres across the state .

He, however, regretted that the activities of the event centres of late have become a serious embarrassment and threat to the moral health of the youth of the state.

“Consequently, all activities at event centres in the state are suspended until further notice . As from today ( Saturday May 17 2025 ) organizing any event under the name of Villagers Day Events ( Kauyawa) is deemed an offence”, El-Mustapha stated.

To this end, the Board urged security agencies ,including Hisbah ( shariah police ) ,vigilante groups ,community and religious leaders,and all other relevant stakeholders to work closely with the Censorship Board to enforce the suspension order.

The Source reports that penultimate week, the State  Government banned  all forms of live radio interviews and programmes ,Particularly the ones with political contents.

The policy ,as it were, has been receiving knocks from individuals and entities from across the country, including the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

Many of the criticisms centre on the perceived anti-freedom of speech and anti-democratic nature of the policy.

LAWMA Seals Donald Restaurant In Lekki Over Illegal Disposal Of Waste, Arrests Suspects

By
Akinwale Kasali
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LAWMA Seals Donald Restaurant In Lekki

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has reiterated its commitment to keeping Lagos clean and making it habitable for Lagosians as it has sealed the premises of DONALD’S restaurant.

DONALD’S Restaurant, a nightlife establishment in Lekki Phase 1, was sealed by the Lagos State agency for illegal Waste Disposal.

In a statement accompanied by a video on X.com Saturday, the State Commissioner for  Ministry of  Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed that the closure follows an incident where a white Ford van traced to the restaurant was caught dumping refuse along Durosimi-Etti Street.

He wrote, “In the early hours of Saturday, 17th May 2025, the Chairman of the Lekki Estate Residents Association (#Lekkiphase1_ ) alerted us to an incident involving the illegal dumping of refuse along Durosimi-Etti Street in Lekki Phase 1.

“A white Ford van with Abuja registration plates GWA 136E was caught in the act of indiscriminately discharging waste. The vehicle was traced to DONALD restaurant, a nightlife establishment located on Road 14 within the estate.

“The suspects were apprehended on the scene by LERA’s Chief Security Officer and taken into custody at the LERA Secretariat. It was reported that the individuals attempted to bribe the security team with ₦100,000—an offer that was firmly declined.”

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, was said to have deployed the Monitoring and Compliance team to the location.

The team reportedly took custody of the suspects and immediately sealed the premises of DONALD restaurant for gross environmental violations.

Wahab noted the incident highlights a broader issue of non-compliance among commercial operators in Lekki Phase 1, who have failed to register with assigned Private Sector Participant operators.

“Many of these facilities have been implicated in repeated acts of illegal dumping, particularly during off-peak hours.

“LAWMA’s partnership with LERA continues to deliver tangible results in identifying and sanctioning environmental defaulters. The Authority commends the swift and principled response of the LERA Exco and their security team,” he wrote.

He added that the suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law and urged residents and businesses to adhere strictly to proper waste management practices.

The team reportedly took custody of the suspects and immediately sealed the premises of DONALD restaurant for gross environmental violations.

APC North-west Endorses President Tinubu For Second Term Ahead 2027 Election

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu - President

By Akinwale Kasali

President Bola Tinubu has got the nod to continue in the saddle as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the All Progressives Congress from the North-West Zone.

The Zone  endorsed President Tinubu on Saturday ahead of the 2027 Presidential election.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abas, moved the motion for the endorsement of the President, while Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, seconded the motion, passing a vote of confidence in Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

Thereafter, a communique on behalf of stakeholders from the zone was read by Kaduna State Governor and APC North-West Co-ordinating Governor, Senator Uba Sani, to wrap up the meeting.

In return, all the APC governors in the North-West Zone were offered an automatic ticket for a second term in the 2027 governorship elections.

The party leaders, including the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, three Governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani, Jigawa, Namadi and Kebbi, Nasir and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abas, Ministers as well as party executives, overwhelmingly declared their support for the President during the APC North-West Zone Stakeholders Meeting in Kaduna on Saturday.

Governors of Katsina and Sokoto State sent their representatives.

Among other party faithful at the gathering were Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal.

Others are a former Speaker and Governor of Katsina, Bello Aminu Masari, former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial, Shehu Sani, former Gov of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, Chairmen of Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, former House of Representatives members from the zone, former governor of Zamfara, Mahmud Shinkafi, former governor of Kebbi, Senator Adamu Aliero.

South East Senators Warn Against A Repeat Of JAMB Glitches

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Prof Ishaq Oloyede -JAMB registrar
Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Former JAMB registrar

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The South East Caucus of the Senate on Saturday, May 17, 2025, warned against the future occurrence of the technical glitch, recently, admitted to  by the authorities of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, during the conduct of this year’s UTME examination.

The 2025 UTME was unprecedentedly characterized by mass failure and general poor performance by candidates.

However, despite the general poor performance recorded across the  country, the South East and Lagos were the most hard hit with the Board earlier in the week owing up to its errors as the major cause of the poor performances of the candidates, as well as other related hiccups that defined the examination this year.

Expectedly, a plethora of public flaks have been trailing the Board’s acceptance of  responsibility for the poor conduct of the  exercise, with not a few impugning some ulterior motives into the debacle.

But in a statement on Saturday issued by its Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the South-east caucus of the Senate noted that much as it would not want to join the  bandwagon in  ascribing hidden agendas to the unfortunate development, it nevertheless cautioned against a repeat occurrence in the future.

The caucus while expressing its readiness to remain alert, however strongly demanded a firm assurance from the JAMB authorities that such an ugly development will not repeat itself.

“The so-called glitch, as curious and suspicious as it were, is enough to erode confidence and dangerously lower national pride among the future generation.

“The relevant national education drivers must recognize the inherent danger of injecting hateful politics ,and narrow and parochial considerations into both policy enunciation and its implementations.

“That the glitch happened in the whole of South East raises pertinent questions that must be answered by JAMB to assuage the growing frustrations ,and fears among the people of the region ,particularly the children who are directly at the receiving end.

“We must pursue a Nigerian agenda and not a narrow one that will ultimately injure national unity”, Abaribe noted.

According to the Federal  Legislators, education is one of the  most important pillars of any societal development which must not be toyed with.

“Education is a major pivot that triggers national development. Every child is entitled to it. Therefore, we must not play roulette with it”, the Caucus declared.

While acknowledging and welcoming the open  and timely acceptance of responsibility for the  situation by the Registrar of JAMB Prof Ishaq Oloyede, the caucus, however, expessed the hope that it is not a ploy to mask some sinister plots aimed at undermining the educational attainment of the children of the South East geo-political Zone.

“I Will Rather Join Coalition To Defeat APC, Than Be Part Of Ruling Party” – Kwankwaso

By
Ayodele Oni
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Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

By Ayodele Oni

“Tinubu has been trying to convince me to decamp to APC”

Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and two time Governor of Kano state, Rabiu Kwankwaso has confirmed that there has been pressure on him to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kwankwaso, who also served as a Minister of Defence, vowed that he would rather quit politics entirely than return to the APC, a party that has inflicted immense hardship on Nigerians.

Kwankwaso, in a statement at the weekend, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has been interacting with him for sometime now all in a bid to join to join the SPC.

“I wish to state clearly and unequivocally that President Tinubu personally reached out to me on multiple occasions, urging me to return to the APC fold.

“He called me directly and made several overtures, both in private and through mutual contacts, in a bid to lure me back to a party that I once helped build but ultimately had to leave due to its departure from principle and justice.

“During one of our conversations, President Tinubu assured me that all conditions I may have for returning would be met without hesitation. He said, and I quote, ‘All terms will be fulfilled; all conditions will be like pupils in your hands.”

“Despite the flattering promises, I made it crystal clear to him that I would rather quit politics entirely than return to the APC, a party that has inflicted immense hardship on Nigerians.

“I am a man of conviction, and I do not take political decisions lightly. My refusal to rejoin APC is rooted in principle, patriotism, and the love I have for this country and its struggling citizens.

“The APC government, both under Buhari and now under Tinubu, has failed to address the core challenges confronting Nigerians: insecurity, hunger, youth unemployment, economic decay, and worsening corruption.

“Let me remind Nigerians that politics must never be about positions or power-sharing—it must be about service, integrity, and delivering real change.

“I cannot in good conscience return to a party whose ideology is now based on personal interest, betrayal of the masses, and governance by propaganda.

“As far as I am concerned, the APC has lost moral ground and historical relevance in rescuing Nigeria from its many woes.

“My political journey has never been about myself—it has always been about building a better future for all Nigerians, especially the youth and the downtrodden.

“That is why I am working closely with like-minded patriots across the country to form a broad-based political movement that will challenge the status quo in 2027.

“This movement will not just be about winning elections. It will be about uprooting the politics of deception and replacing it with one of hope, vision, and action.

“We shall galvanize Nigerians, especially the youth, into a united force that will peacefully and democratically bring an end to the Tinubu government through the ballot box.

“We will form a movement that transcends ethnicity, religion, and region—because the suffering of Nigerians knows no tribe or faith.

“Let me warn those in power today: Nigerians are watching. The suffering is real. The hunger is real. The insecurity is real. And in 2027, they will speak loud and clear.

“No amount of political maneuvering, propaganda, or elite bargains will stop the will of the people when the time comes.

“I encourage all those who believe in justice, equity, and competent leadership to prepare and join hands as we lay the foundation for a new Nigeria.

“Our goal is not just to defeat APC in 2027, but to rebuild Nigeria from the ruins it has been plunged into by years of failed leadership.

“To President Tinubu and those urging me to return to APC, I say thank you, but my loyalty is to Nigeria, not to political parties that have failed her. I remain committed to the cause of a better, stronger, and united Nigeria.”

Nigerian Army Dismisses Officer Aiding Armed Robbery Operations In Lagos

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lance Corporal Samuel Emmanuel

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Army has dismissed Lance Corporal Samuel Emmanuel after investigations revealed that he was involved in an armed robbery case in Lagos State.

Emmanuel was dismissed by the Nigerian Army after he was Court-Martialled at the 16 Brigade Garrison following his arrest for armed robbery in the State.

The dismissed soldier has been handed over to the Lagos State Police Command for prosecution in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.

A memo from the army on the dismissed soldier reads: “Lance Corporal Samuel Emmanuel, serving under the 16 Brigade Garrison, has been officially dismissed from the Nigerian Army following his involvement in a case of armed robbery.

“After a thorough investigation and military proceedings, he was found guilty and consequently discharged from the Regiment.

“The Nigerian Army maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline and criminal behaviour.

“All personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct, professionalism, and integrity — without exception”, the statement reads.

FCTA, Benue Mull Disability Bill As Figure Rises To 40 Million

By
Ayodele Oni
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Grace Jerry - Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association

By Ayodele Oni

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced processes toward the domestication and implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

This is just as it has been revealed that over 40 million Nigerians are living with disabilities.

The Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Grace Jerry, who disclosed this noted that the figure is a significant demographic that demands targeted legislative and policy attention.

FCTA Secretary, of women affairs,  Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, also disclosed this at a three-day workshop on rights-based approach to disability-inclusive development, government and public policy.

The workshop was organised in collaboration with the World Bank for management staff and stakeholders across all sectors and sections of the FCT.

Benjamins-Laniyi added that the workshop was also organised to develop the needed strategy toward establishment of FCT Disability Commission to ensure full implementation of the Act.

“Let us work together to ensure that the FCT becomes a model for disability inclusion and accessibility, and that persons with disabilities are empowered to reach their full potential.

“Nothing about persons with disabilities without them. We cannot make any decision that affects them without them being present.”

The Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Grace Jerry,  made her statement during a One-Day Technical Review Session on the Benue State Disability Bill, organized by IFA in collaboration with the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD) and the Benue State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.

Jerry emphasized the urgent need for a stand-alone Disability Bill in Benue State, similar to what is obtainable in other parts of the country.

“Persons with disabilities represent a large population — over 40 million people across Nigeria. It is therefore imperative that Benue State enacts a stand-alone Disability Bill to safeguard their rights and improve their quality of life.”

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