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Domesticate Disability Law Now, CDD Tells Osun Govt
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) as part of its advocacy in mainstreaming the rights of people with disabilities in the electoral process has called on the government of Osun State to sign into law and begin the immediate implementation of the National Disability Rights law.
This call was made at a one day virtual engagement in assessing INEC’s preparedness for the 2022 Osun guber elections as it relates to the rights of persons with disabilities in participating in the elections in the state with critical stakeholders in the Nigerian development space in attendance.
In his opening remarks the Executive Director of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, David Anyaele said part of the job of the organization is to monitor compliance of State institutions to relevant disability laws particularly the national Disability law, the Electoral Act, government policies as it relates to persons with disabilities and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Executive Director recalled that last month they made similar presentations in Ekiti State which led to massive reforms in the State gubernatorial elections vowing not to relent in their quest to ensure compliance with laws and policies that make life meaningful for persons with disabilities.
Contributing in the same vein Ugochukwu James co-Convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room hailed CCD for there efforts at issues concerning persons with disabilities, saying it was as a result of CCD’s efforts that the discriminations against person with disability (prohibitions) act was passed into law.
In her remarks Chief of Party SCALES Lydia Odeh stated that it is very important that inec rolls up it sleeves judging from the Ekiti State elections and make adequate improvements in Osun, saying there is the adequate legal framework but there is need for more advocacy.
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities called on the Osun State government to sign the National Disability law and on INEC this is to reduce the application of charity based approach in addressing disability issues:
To Take bold steps to improve on Accessibility of Polling units for PWDs in Osun State for all PWDs particularly for those on wheelchairs and crutches .as majority of facilities used for elections are State owned. This could be achieved through siting of Polling Units in accessible environments.
Make election materials and facilities accessible for all PWDs. This includes ensure the availability of Form EC40H at the Polling Units, and assistive resources such as sign language interpreters, tactile ballot jackets, braille ballot paper and magnifying lenses,
Train election day ad-hoc staff adequately to appreciate their roles and responsibilities to PWD Voters. Findings from previous election observations shows that an average INEC Adhoc staff don’t understand what assistive devices for PWDs means.
Ensure the mainstreaming of PWDs issues in public sensitizations to reverse negative public perceptions and attitudes towards them. The level of engagement of INEC with the disability community in the State is impressive. However, the general public needs to be carried along as well.
INEC to encourage deaf voters to come with personal sign language interpreters to the Polling Unit to minimize communication gap between the Adhoc Staff at the Polling Units and the Deaf voters.
INEC should mainstream issues of concern in the development of security architecture for the election. Sustain their collaboration with the security agencies to reassure the electorate of their safety and security, to down tension and brace up security challenges especially in some flashpoints to ensure accessible, credible, free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The Media houses in Osun State and other media election stakeholders should take appropriate measures to mainstream people with disabilities in their narratives on the election. This is to ensure inclusivity in media engagements on the elections
Support in raising awareness and public enlightenment on the National Disability act, INEC framework on persons with disabilities, the newly signed Electoral Act 2022 and promote the passage of the Disability Bill by the Osun State Government.
The Civil Society and the non governmental organizations should assist in extending voter’s education and capacity building for persons with disabilities
Collaborate with INEC and other stakeholders to support INEC-trained PWDs to step-down the training to their members in the rural areas to ensure no one is left behind in voter education,
Interface with PWD Opinion Leaders and leaders to step down information on voters’ education and training from INEC to their cluster members. This will ensure that no cluster is excluded in citizens mobilizations for the election.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has engaged in a high-level security meeting with a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced anti-terrorism and high-tech defence equipment, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The meeting, which took place in China, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the nation’s security apparatus to combat insurgency and other threats.
According to a statement signed by the minister’s Personal Assistant (Media), Ahmad Dan-Wudil, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the engagement focused on formalising a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s defence framework.
The MoU outlines a robust partnership, with the Chinese company committing to significant investments in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure.
According to the statement, Key components of the agreement include the transfer of cutting-edge defence technology, the establishment of local manufacturing capabilities for advanced military equipment, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical skills of Nigerian personnel.
“This move is seen as a step towards building a self-reliant and globally competitive military-industrial base.
Dr. Matawalle emphasised that the partnership represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda.
“This collaboration will not only strengthen our fight against terrorism but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in defence technology,” he stated.
The minister highlighted the government’s determination to leverage international partnerships to address the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Under the terms of the agreement, new production lines will be established for various ammunition types, including 7.62x51mm ball cartridges, 7.62x51mm blank cartridges, 9x19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun ammunition.
Additionally, manufacturing workshops and facilities will be set up in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, to produce essential defence components such as brass casings and bullet jackets.
The partnership extends beyond production, encompassing the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and the provision of military engineering services.
These efforts are expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, enabling them to respond more effectively to security threats within the country and across the region.
The minister’s visit to China follows a series of engagements with international partners, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
In a recent meeting with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dr. Matawalle called for increased support in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts, underscoring the need for global cooperation to tackle insecurity.
The agreement with the Chinese firm has been hailed as a critical step towards achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises security, economic development, and private-sector involvement.
The minister reiterated the government’s openness to foreign investment in critical sectors such as defence, steel, and energy to drive technological advancement and job creation.
Gamblers are staking millions of dollars to predict who will emerge as new pope as betting sites place odds on the candidates as the Catholic Church cardinals sweat to pick a new pontiff.
Polymarket, an American cryptocurrency-based betting site, has placed odds on candidates who will emerge.
Similarly, Kalshi, another American betting site, is coordinating predictions on who emerges as the new Catholic pope.
On Polymarket, over $21 million worth of bets have been staked in the conclave election, in which Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the leading candidates.
Mr Parolin leads with 27 per cent odds, while Mr Tagle comes second with 23 per cent odds. Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Peter Erdo came third, fourth and fifth with 11, 10 and 7 per cent odds, respectively.
On Kalshi, where over $8milliom has been staked, Mr Parolin leads with 29 per cent odds, followed by Mr Tagle’s 22 per cent odds and Mr Pizzaballa’s 10 per cent odds.
This comes as 133 cardinals from across the globe commenced a conclave to decide who would emerge as the new pope on Thursday.
Though conclave elections have been highly unpredictable for years, gamblers throw in thousands of dollars for a possible kill should their candidate emerge.
In 2013, contrary to projections on the possible emergence of Cardinal Angelo Scola, who was then regarded as the favourite, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, thick black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of the cardinals, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday. A new pope will poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process.
Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the formation of a Presidential Task Force aimed at eliminating numerous checkpoints that impede free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, revealed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are commencing with the Seme-Badagry Corridor. A committee has been established under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon begin addressing this matter.
“We have taken note of all the concerns raised, and I assure you that the Nigerian government will tackle the other issues mentioned subsequently.”
Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the excessive checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which adversely affect the seamless movement of individuals and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu emphasized, “This is the most trafficked border in West Africa regarding the flow of goods, people, and services. If free movement is to be effectively implemented in West Africa, it will be evident at this border.”
Motorists attending the meeting expressed their frustrations about the numerous checkpoints and the extortion practices by security personnel along the route.
In response, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that any fees paid by motorists should be accompanied by official receipts.
He expressed concern that the proliferation of checkpoints and the extortion of citizens within member states undermine ECOWAS’s goal of fostering a more integrated region.
“While we must inspect passengers and road users, we should move beyond arbitrary charges that lack receipts. If payments are necessary, they should be properly documented.
“It is one thing to request that someone open their bags for inspection, but it is entirely different to demand payment that is not receipted.”