Some pilgrims at the wailing wal

By Bridget Ikyado

Rev. Peter Mutong, the spiritual leader of Nigerian Pilgrims currently in Jordan, has admonished Nigerians to let go of negativity for the good of the country.

Mutong made the appeal in Gedera, Jordan when he led the pilgrims in prayer during a tour of holy sites in that country.

He said it was important to shun negative spirits and embrace God for a new beginning in life as individuals and a country.

Quoting the Book of Matthew 8:28-34, he said Gedera was where Jesus cast out demons from two mad men who bowed to the power of God.

He said that the situation was akin to Nigerias present condition, which required all citizens to embrace God and work positively to overcome the countrys current challenges.

You can wake up today and say, I will shun corruption, do the right thing. And as you worship and pray, it will be done, Mutong added.

He urged Christians to pray and let go of negative spirits, as they would also be tired and bow to pressure as we pray and seek Gods help.

According to him, the scripture has a special purpose for Nigerians; as such all citizens must pray against spirits that cause confusion and wrong acts in the society.

Let us pray to have can-do spirit with positive mindset that will provoke us to do the right things, promote peace and unity, national development and uplift our religious lives.

I believe everyone can have a new beginning, and I hope that re-starting will help you to overcome any obstacle or dead-end you may be facing, Mutong said.

Meanwhile, one of the pilgrims from Kaduna State, Miss Oninye Mezie said that the pilgrimage was a spiritual reawakening for them.

According to her, many of the pilgrims have had their spiritual life uplifted and ready to impact others positively upon their return to Nigeria.

Mezie said, I realised that Jacobs river where Jacob had called his brother Esau for peace and reconciliation is the same place he encountered God.

Also, I learnt that it is good to forgive, as doing so draws us closer to God.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ninth batch of Christian pilgrims from Nigeria are currently in Jordan and will later proceed to Israel for visits to more holy sites.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

National Open University of Nigeria

By Emmanuel Afonne

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has introduced e-ticketing platform ahead of its 20th anniversary slated for March 25.

The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said in Abuja that the platform was introduced to resolve challenges encoutered by students real-time.

This helps us track the students challenges , he said.

Peters noted that the institution had achieved so much in ensuring that Nigerians irrespective of their tight schedule, obtain quality education.

He said that 28,740 students would be graduating on Saturday as part of activities for the anniversary.

The university want to use the opportunity to showcase what it has achieved especially its exploits during the COVID-19 era.

We have 21,339 undergraduates and 7,101 postgraduates students graduating.

Among this number are 58 inmates out of which seven are postgraduate graduands.

We have 14 centres in our prisons and we have been mandated to expand it.

In all, we have 28,740 students graduating during our 12th convocation, Peters said.

He disclosed that the graduating inmates were under scholarship adding that there were criteria to be among the beneficiaries.

Peters said the gesture was NOUNs own way of discharging its corporate social responsibilty to help the inmates lead a normal life after leaving the correctional centres.

He added that the first female Vice-chancellor of University of South Africa (UNISA), Prof. Puleng LenkaBula, would be attending the convocation as the guest lecturer.

Students of the five study centres in Abuja, first class and Masters students will come to the headquarters for the convocation, while others outside Abuja will join from the study centres in their various states.

We have 141,000 active students and about 250,000, when you combine active and inactive students with 118 study centres nationwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Hoodlums set court ablaze in Ebonyi

By Christian Ogbonna

Hoodlums suspected to be political thugs have set ablaze a state High Court in Owutu-Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

Mrs Oluchi Uduma, the Registrar of the court confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owutu-Edda on Tuesday.

She said that the hoodlums invaded the court on Tuesday and set the building ablaze.

Uduma explained that the court building, documents and other valuables were completely burnt.

The Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Mr Chima Nkama also confirmed the incident, adding that the matter was reported to the police. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has stressed the need for peace and justice to prevail over the governorship election in Adamawa State.
The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau, made the call on Monday at a news briefing in Abuja.
Adamu-Lau urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the Adamawa state governorship result and ensure that the will of the people prevailed.
She said that the call became necessary to ease tension that was currently building in the state.
We want the umpire to uphold the election guidelines and do everything possible to ensure that the result is not manipulated.
The people have spoken through their votes, it should be allowed to stand, she said.
She said the council was monitoring the progress and know that the exercise was postponed to enable verification of the results from Fufore Local Government Area.
We want INEC to do the needful and release the result for peace to prevail in the state.
I urged INEC to ensure justice in collating the results before the declaration, she said.
Lami said that the Nigerian Women still had faith in INEC to do the needful and and ensure that justice prevailed.
Also speaking, Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, stressed the need to end all forms of injustices, violence against women and rape to the Nation s democracy.
Tallen, represented by the Senior Special Assistant, Technical, Mrs. Jummai Idomije, said: We must get it right this time.
Enough is enough. Nigerian women believe in the capability of INEC to release a just result so that Nigerian women can have a voice in national development.
NAN reports that various women groups were in attendance to show solidarity to the APC Adamawa State governorship candidate, Sen. Aisha Binani. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Ben Ezugwu/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

Electricity power station

By Constance Athekame

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it is working with stakeholders to restore power supply to Bwari and environs.

The Management of AEDC, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the power outage, currently being experienced in Bwari and environs, was due to technical fault on the feeder serving the area.

The management of AEDC wishes to notify its esteemed customers in Abuja, Bwari Town, Ushafa Town, Dutse, Jigo, Kuduru, Kuchiko, Bmuko, Garam, Kogo., Veritas University and environs that the power outage they are currently experiencing is due to a technical fault on the feeder serving their areas.

All responsible stakeholders are currently working hard to restore the power supply soonest, it said.

The company said that it regret any inconveniences caused by the outrage. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Some of the children with special needs

Parents, teachers and the burden of children with special needs

By Aderogba George, News Agency of Nigeria

As the world marks the 2023 World Down Syndrome Day, many parents are encumbered with how to tackle the challenges of children with special needs.

According the United Nations (UN) estimates that globally the incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide

A UN report furthers says that yearly, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.

It is against this background that in December 2011, the UN General Assembly declared that with effect from March 21 it will mark the World Down Syndrome Day.

The aim is to raise public awareness of Down syndrome and galvanise international organisations, governments and the civil society to address the challenges of those suffering from the syndrome.

The joy of every parent is to see his/her child compete favorably with other children either in school, sporting activities or any other activities that could make them feel fulfilled.

Teachers on the other hand derive satisfaction in putting in their best to ensure they do not only meet the expectations of parents but also bring out the best in the child.

Teachers unlike parents are usually saddled with the responsibility of seeing the needs of children and being able to tackle such pronto.

This is why children with special challenges or children with special needs are often at the receiving end of parents getting to understand their plight and the appropriate measure to address such need.

Children with such special needs include; Down syndrome, Autism, Cerebral palsy and learning disability which are categorised as neuro-divergent children, while the non-challenged are neuro-typical children.

The confusion of where to place these children with such challenges is often a recurring decimal among parents, who lack the requisite sensitivity to understand how to address such needs with the necessary school environment.

Mr Philip Akpa, Chairman, Parents Teachers Progressive Forum, Safehost International Academic, Kurudu, Abuja said some proprietresses have taken up such challenges of creating the right environment to meet the social and educational needs of such children.

He said instead of locking up their children with special needs in rooms, parents should find the appropriate place that could help confront such challenges develop mentally and academically.

Akpa, said Safehost International Academy is one of the schools addressing the need by providing the right atmosphere for the children to compete with other children in the conventional school.

He said the proprietress thought it wise to have a school where children with neuro-divergent childrens needs could particularly melt.

According to him, the children are taught according to their needs, adding that the idea was to encourage inclusiveness, including the deaf and dumb and other disabilities.

There are courses for you, there are sign languages that they teach them there and other languages they communicate with these children and they understand, he said.

He enjoined parents to always ensure that experts handled their wards with special needs.

Ngozi Belolisa, Executive Director of the school, the society should embrace advocacy and inclusiveness for children with special needs.

Advocacy is talking about what the typical children can do and what the divergent children can do vis-a-vis with their strength and what they can handle, she said.

Some of the school had always encouraged the students to take sports as they help to develop their mental abilities.

The synchronisation of sporting activities in the school is actually deliberate, this is to help them to retain, as they are learning they are looking, Belolisa said.

Mrs Biboara Yinkere, Convener of the Engraced Ones, an NGO, that caters for children with special needs said with the right education and parenting, such children could become productive members of the society.

Yinkere, who is also the Director of School of Grace, a special needs school and the Gracelane Miracle Inclusive School, also in Kurudu, said she disability should not be seen as an encumbrance to productivity.

People with disabilities can thrive, we know of the Paralympians in Nigeria that are doing very well. Here, the neuro-typical children are brought together in a bid to help strengthen their resolve.

We also bring them together to foster friendship, to break down the wall of discrimination and segregation, she said.

The Federal Government said it is aware of the plight of children with special needs and will do everything it can to help them develop into citizens that will contribute their quota to the development of the country.

Now more than ever, we need to come together to support each other, and remember our most vulnerable populations, Malam Muhammad Musa the minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT said.

He spoke during a visit to Brain Bloom Centre, Abuja which is dedicated to the care of children with special needs.

As the world once again marks this years edition of the day of down syndrome, experts urge the authorities and every stakeholder to match words with action and fast-track efforts towards making life more enjoyable and meaning for children with special needs. (NANFeatures) (www.nannews.ng)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

Chellaz Schools on Monday celebrated Mothering Sunday, commending mothers for their efforts toward societal development and nation building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mothering Sunday is usually celebrated every March 19 every year.

It is a celebration honouring the mothers of the family, motherhood, maternal bonds as well as their influence on the society.

Speaking during the celebration in Lagos, Mrs Adenike Johnson, Proprietress of the school, said mothers have been able to position themselves as great pillars of support to their wards.

She appreciated their various contributions to the growth of their children which are rubbing off positively on societal development.

She advised mothers on healthy living and regular checkup as they advance in age.

We want to appreciate our mothers, here present. You have been great sources of inspiration to these children and we appreciate this as a school that is interested in raising healthy and responsible children.

We appreciate your timely response to their needs.

I want us to pay attention to healthy living and take regular checkup seriously. We all need these so that we can keep being healthy to raise these children as well as enjoy our health, she said.

Also, Mrs Modupe Lawal, one of the parents, urged mothers to always cultivate the habit of making their children their confidants.
Lawal spoke on the need for mothers to communicate, effectively, with their children which also entailed giving absolute attention to them while they speak.

She commended the school for the systematic way in which knowledge and discipline were instilled on the pupils.

Lawal also advised the school management on ensuring the children were taught the African culture of respect.

Another parent, Mrs Arinola Fowowe, a businesswoman, advised mothers not to relent in their responsibility of engaging their wards on sex education early enough.

Fowowe noted that this would guide them against molestation so as not to truncate their bright future. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Source: NAN News

Sumaila Ogbaje

Arise Monalisa Foundation (AMF) an NGO, says all is set to celebrate female entrepreneurs, who are breaking forth in a male dominated industry from diverse fields, to mark the 2023 International Womens Day.

Founder of AMF, Monalisa Chinda, who said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, added that the foundation would be celebrating achievements and contributions of women to the country development.

Chinda said that other activities planned for the celebration of the IWD included reaching out to the less privileged ones and equally celebrating men folks who supported women agenda.

She said that the foundation had rolled out an event Tagged Equity versus Equality, Redefining Gender Roles, to celebrate the history of women in the society.

According to her, the event which will take place on Sunday, March 26, is billed to celebrate 2023 IWD, and also Womens History Month.

She said with the sub theme Embracing Equity (Empower One Woman Empower Generations), preceding the event was a Green Carpet session, followed by the main event at the Envoy Hotel Abuja.

Highlights of the event will include Networking Session, Charity Event, and Product Showcase and services.

This significant occasion will be celebrating female entrepreneurs from diverse fields who are breaking forth in a male dominated industry.

However, theres a twist to this remarkable event as it will also celebrate male folks, she said.

According to her, the foundation will also be celebrating men who have embraced their feminism sides and are proudly strutting their stuff in otherwise female dominated industries.

And, at the end of this event, we will be reaching out to the less privileged ones.

We are banking on the support of the friends and stakeholders of the foundation to donate food items, money, clothing, books and anything that you have that you are no longer using, she said.

Chinda said that IWD had occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people.

acco4ding to her, today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organisation specific.

Arise Monalisa Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded by veteran multi award-winning actress, TV Show Host and Humanist, Monalisa Chinda.

Its mission is to inspire hope, promote creativity and create opportunities. It has over the years, actively worked in association with other well-meaning organisations to provide empowerment initiatives for indigent women, youths and children in Nigeria.(NAN) ()

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

Six persons are allegedly feared missing when unknown gunmen attacked six Hummer Buses carrying INEC officials in Kogi in the early hours of Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Sunday that the incident, which occurred around 2 a.m of March 19 at Abajana, left several officials with gun shot wounds including policemen and drivers.

The six missing persons include two serving NYSC corps members and four ex- youth corps members.

The injured persons are already on admission at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), now Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.

Mr Salisu Ibrahim, one of the bus drivers, who was shot on his right leg, and recuperating at the hospital, told NAN that the attackers took them by surprise.

We were on our way back to Lokoja from Abujor RAC with the results of the House of Assembly election held there, when we were attacked by some people.

All the six buses moving in a convoy were attacked and in the process many of us sustained injuries.

Thank God, none of us died in the process but I learnt some youth corps members are missing during the attack on us this early morning, Ibrahim narrated.

Mr Dare Owofadaju, a youth corps member who was shot on his left thigh, said: It is only God that kept us alive considering the way and manner the gunmen attacked us.

Owofadaju said that the election was conducted peacefully and counting was completed, and it was when we were returning to Lokoja that we were attacked at Abajana.

Thank God some security operatives came to our rescue and rushed those of us injured to this Federal University Teaching Hospital Lokoja for immediate treatment, he narrated.

NAN also gathered that the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (CAR), Maj-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, Kogi INEC REC, Dr Hale Longpet, and the Kogi NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Mofoluwaso Williams, have visited the injured in the hospital.

The REC and the state NYSC coordinator declined to respond to NAN enquiries on the incident.

But the Spokesman of Kogi Police Command, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed the incident, saying that the police was on top of the situation.

We are aware of the sad incident and preparing to issue a statement on the attack, he said. (NAN)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

By David Adeoye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Gov. Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Oyo State.

Prof. Adebayo Bamire, the State Returning Officer, also the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, made the declaration on Sunday at the INEC State Headquarters in Ibadan.

Makinde floored his closet rival, a serving Senator, Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having won in 31 local government areas of the state, leaving only two to his opponents.

Bamire declared that Makinde polled 563,756 votes to defeat his closest rival, Folarin, who scored 256,685 votes.

The Returning Officer, declaring the final results, said, Seyi Makinde having polled the highest number of votes in the election, was returned elected as Governor of Oyo State.

He, also, said that the candidate of Accord, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, came third with 38,357 votes.

While Makinde won in 31 local government areas, Folarin won in Irepo and Orelope Local Governments.

In his reactions, Makinde said he was overwhelmed.

He, therefore, thanked the people of the state for the confidence reposed in his administration.

Makinde also thanked his friends, political associates and everyone that supported his aspiration in one way or the other.

He promised to work harder for the people of the state in his second tenure.

NAN reports that 16 registered political parties contested the governorship election in the state, some of the candidates, however, dropped their ambition few days to the election, to align with either of the three main contenders.

The margin of defeat is 307,071 votes.(NAN)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News