National News
Society has further disabled us, laments Persons Living with Disability
Society has further disabled us, laments Persons Living with Disability
By: Michael Mike
Persons living with Disability have decried the conditions they have had to live with in Nigeria and other West African countries, insisting that there are so many physical and psychological hindrances that are present in the region to further incapacitate them and add to their disability.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the opening of a three day regional meeting of disability inclusion experts in West Africa, the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons’ with Disability, Mr. James Lalu called for removal of barriers hindering the inclusion of persons with disability in the scheme of things in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa region.
Persons with Disabilities are known to be faced with various social challenges including marginalisation in employments as well as discrimination by the society, and it is against this backdrop that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gathered experts from the sub- region to review disability inclusion laws, policies and programmes in it’s member states, and to identify gaps and levels of compliance with international standards.
Key findings of the study to be considered by the experts will provide evidence-based data for policy makers to utilises in mainstreaming disability issues into development policy and programming.
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Represented by his Technical Assistant Mr. Yusuf Iyodo the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons With Disabilities in the Sub- region, said they would now have a voice if the recommendations of the study are implemented.
ECOWAS commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, Dr. Siga Fatima Jagne said the Commission would continue to encourage member states to create an enabling environment under which the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities are addressed in every sector.
She said the number of persons with disabilities are dramatically increasing and this was due to demographic trends and increases in chronic health conditions, hence the need for the meeting.
She said: “ECOWAS recommends the development of a Regional framework for protection of persons with disability in ECOWAS region ; awareness-creation and sensitization on international and regional legal/policy frameworks protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and disability inclusion to be mainstreamed into development planning in the ECOWAS region.”
She lamented that: “Anecdotally, it is known that, when persons with disabilities access health care, they often experience stigma and discrimination, and sometimes receive poor quality services because of the stigma and misconceptions,” urging that: “There is an urgent need to scale up disability inclusion in all levels of the social systems- education, health, employment, recreation/sports, and others.”
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Dame Pauline Tallen encouraged Persons With Disabilities to always stand for their rights, assuring them of Federal Government’s support towards improving their welfare.
The country Director International Labour Organisation (ILO), represented by Dr. Runo Onosade disclosed that the ILO was working to increase the employability of people with disability through partnership with various stakeholders.
Fifty experts from government institutions, national associations of persons with disabilities, development partners and ECOWAS Institutions are participating at the three-day meeting.
Society has further disabled us, laments Persons Living with Disability
National News
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
By: Zagazola Makama
Three Chinese crew members who were abducted by pirates during an attack on a Ghanaian fishing vessel, MV Menhin-1, have been rescued in Nigeria, the Ghana Police Service has said.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra, The Director-General of the CID, COP, Lydia Yaako Donkor, said pirates, armed with AK-47 rifles, attacked the vessel on March 27, 2025, at about 1930 hours off Yenyano Waters near Tema, using outboard motor powered wooden canoes.
The attackers destroyed the vessel’s communication system before taking three Chinese crew members hostage, the police said.
The Marine Police Command in Tema received the complaint from the fishing company the following morning, on March 28, and immediately launched an investigation in collaboration with the Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, National Investigation Bureau, the Ghana Navy, and the Fisheries Observer.
According to the police, the pirates blindfolded the victims and transported them in speedboats for 24 hours to a marshy area later identified as the Delta region of Nigeria. From there, they were moved on motorcycles and taken on foot to a makeshift camp where they were held at gunpoint until April 25, when they were suddenly abandoned.
The victims managed to reach a nearby village where locals assisted them to make contact with the Chinese embassy in Lagos, Nigeria. The embassy confirmed the rescue on April 26 and handed them over to Ghanaian authorities at the Kotoka International Airport on April 27.
A debriefing was conducted at the Police Headquarters in Accra on April 28. While there were no visible signs of physical harm, the victims appeared traumatised and requested medical attention.
The Inspector General of Police engaged with the victims and expressed sympathy and support for their ordeal.
So far, the police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the case. Those arrested include Sueva Victor, Kojo Akweli, Eugene Chibuke, Mwonam, Chinese cook Zhao Lang Hao, and second engineer Zhao Hua. They have been arraigned before the Tema District Court as investigations continue.
Police commended all stakeholders involved in the multi-agency operation for their swift action and coordination that led to the rescue of the kidnapped crew members.
Three chinese crew members rescued in Nigeria after pirate attack on fishing vessel in ghanaian waters
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
A group of protesters on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration in Abuja demanding the release of social media influencer, Mr Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM), who was arrested on May 2 by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was gathered that the protest began around 9 a.m. at the GTBank branch located at Plot 1072 J.S. Tarka Street, off Faskari Street, Area 3 Garki, where VDM was arrested alongside one other individual.
The protest was sparked by public outcry on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, following the arrest.
Three men wearing T-shirts with the inscription ‘Free VDM’ were first seen at the bank premises before regrouping with over 100 individuals
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the influencer.
Police operatives from the Command’s State Intelligence Department (SID) and patrol teams were promptly deployed to the scene to ensure law and order.
The crowd was peacefully dispersed from the bank premises and proceeded to the EFCC Headquarters in continuation of their demonstration, reiterating their demands before moving on to Dantata Bridge along Airport Road, where they finally dispersed.
Police sources said “No untoward incident was recorded during the protest. The situation is under close monitoring,” the police added.
Police sources further assured that the deployment of anti-riot units to flashpoints, strategic locations, and government infrastructure within the FCT remains intact.
Protesters demand release of social media influencer in abuja
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of the country’s President-elect, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The Vice President left on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oligui Nguema, who had served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a decisive victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election.
Nigeria remains supportive of the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon and reaffirms the government’s broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja To Represent Nigeria At Inauguration Of Gabon’s President-elect
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