Niger Delta

Centre Trains 140 CSOs On Disability-Inclusive Programmes In Benin

Published

8 months ago

July 1, 2024

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) on Friday concluded a four-day training of 140 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Public Institutions officers on disability-inclusive programmes and practices.
The Tide’s source reports that the training for the officers from Edo and Abia Sttaes took place in Benin.
It was done in collaboration with Project Enable Africa with support from the US – Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund.
The theme of the training was: Promoting inclusive economic opportunities and community resilience for Persons with Disabilities.
The training, which was broken into two parts, also had Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) trained on Rights Advocacy and Advocacy Action Plan.
Speaking during the training, Mr David Anyaele, the Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on PWDs, said the centre had picked 70 CSOs each in Edo and Abia.
Anyaele, who is also the Director and Founder of CCD, said the capacity building for CSOs would help them know the key issues affecting persons with disabilities in their states.
“We recognized that Edo has passed disability law and for it to be implemented, the civil society must be in tune with the rules and how to go about helping the PWDs advocate for their rights.
“The disability community is made up of people who cannot walk, hear and see, therefore we are involving CSOs to appreciate the key issues concern in our efforts to promote inclusive economic opportunity and a community that is all inclusive.
“And to do this, we need to build the capacity of the CSOs. The response we have gotten from here shows that the civil society are really committed in ensuring that the vulnerable group are not left behind”, he said.
Speaking on the topic, Inclusive budgeting, Anyaele said government at all levels must take proactive measures to ensure that their budgeting process recognized the needs of vulnerable groups in the society.
“When we say inclusive budgeting, we are talking about a process of generating, interpreting, programming and designing budget that takes the critical importance of physical responsibility in government .
“What we are doing here today is to build the capacity of CSOs to champion inclusiveness of PWDs in budgetary allocations”, he said.
Also speaking, Ms. Florence Attah, the Programme officer of CCD, disclosed that over 29 million Nigerians live with one form of disability or the other.
The CCD Programme Officer, who quoted the 2018 World Bank statistics, noted that the figure might have increased.
She, however, lamented that the lack of comprehensive database of PWDs had made it impossible to get the accurate data of PWDs in the country.
The Acting Director of CCD, Mr. Godwin Unumeri took participants through policy analysis and engagement with a charge to the CSOs to ensure policies of government were all inclusive.
Comrade Bartholomew Okoudo, President, Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations CONGOS and Aliu Akokhia, Executive Director, Sustainable Health Family and Maternal Support Initiative commended the centre for the capacity building workshop.
They noted that the training was not just only a refresher course but impacted on them those things they were not conversant with, especially the Inclusive-budgeting for PWDs.

Niger Delta

Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday

Published

2 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.

Niger Delta

Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo

Published

2 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.

Niger Delta

Okpebholo’s Aides Lead Cancer Awareness Walk In Benin … Offers Free Screening

Published

2 days ago

February 19, 2025

The Tide

In a bid to promote cancer awareness and encourage early detection, officials of Edo State Government, last Thursday held a cancer awareness walk in Benin City.

The walk, led by Sally Suleiman, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was organised in commemoration of World Cancer Day.

The event also brought other health professionals, civil society groups, and residents to emphasise the importance of regular screenings, healthy lifestyles, and early diagnosis in reducing cancer-related deaths.

The notable stakeholders, include the Coordinator of the First Lady’s Office, Mrs. Edesili Anani; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole; and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Marie Bisi Idaomi.

Speaking at the event, Suleiman reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government to strengthening healthcare systems and to ensure that cancer awareness reached all corners of the state.

“Cancer remains a major public health challenge, but early detection can save lives.

“This walk is part of our efforts to educate residents on preventive measures and available healthcare services”, she said.

As part of the initiative, she said her office would be offering free mammograms and prostate screenings to encourage early detection.

“We are not just raising awareness; we are taking action. Early detection saves lives, and we want to ensure that more people get screened before it’s too late”, she added.

Suleiman expressed gratitude to all partners and urged continued collaboration in the fight against cancer.

“This is not just a one-day event. We must keep the conversation going and ensure that people have access to the healthcare they need”, she said.