News
Kenya Senator Push For Disability Rights In Nigeria
Kenyan Senator Crystal Asige has called on Nigeria to amend its constitution to ensure parliamentary representation for people with disabilities (PWDs), arguing that only those who experience such challenges firsthand can effectively advocate for their rights.
Speaking ahead of Haske Satumari Foundation Annual Colloquium 2025 taking place this Saturday, Asige emphasised the importance of inclusive governance.
The event, is scheduled to be held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, the Senator honoured philanthropist Kudla Satumari Haske for his contributions to social development.
With the theme, “Promoting Social Change and Development through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice”, the colloquium would be chaired by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, with Asige delivering the keynote address.
Other notable speakers included Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, BudgIT CEO Oluseun Onigbinde, and Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who would served as the chief host.
Asige, who holds one of Kenya’s designated Senate seats for PWDs, argued that representation in legislative bodies is crucial for meaningful advocacy.
“In the past, we have had non-disabled parliamentarians speaking on our issues, trying to legislate for us, but they are not persons with disabilities,” she said.
“I could not stand here and say I am going to solve the problems of men in Africa—I am not a man. The person wearing the shoe should be the one feeling the pain.”
Citing statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), Asige highlighted that approximately 15 percent of any country’s population lives with disabilities.
In Nigeria, with an estimated 230 million people, this equates to over 15 million individuals are people with disabilities whose voices are not heard in the parliament.
“If 15 million people with disabilities have the right to vote, shouldn’t they also have representation in Parliament? That is a significant voting bloc,” she said.
She explained that Kenya’s constitution mandates the inclusion of both male and female representatives for PWDs in the Senate, staying that Nigeria can also have such representation if the constitution is amended.
“My counterpart, from the ruling party, is a gentleman with clubfoot. This is something every parliament and jurisdiction should move towards,” she said.
Asige urged Nigerian lawmakers to consider constitutional amendments or alternative legislative measures to improve disability representation.
“In Kenya, constitutional amendments require a referendum. However, we have subsidiary laws such as the Persons with Disabilities Bill, which I am currently sponsoring. Perhaps Nigeria could explore similar reforms through its own disability or political party laws,” she suggested.
She also emphasised the political and economic implications of exclusion, arguing that ignoring the disability community means leaving millions of votes on the table.
“You cannot ignore such a huge minority group. Politicians who focus on this constituency stand to gain significantly,” she added.
Addressing issues of gender equity, Asige expressed support for Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has alleged sexual harassment.
“I think more people should stand behind her, especially because there is merit to the case she has presented,” Asige said.
“The fight for greater political space and equity, despite the harassment faced by women like Senator Natasha, must continue.”
Beyond governance, Asige underscored the economic importance of diversity and inclusion.
“Exclusion costs Africa billions. Statistics show that the Global South loses up to 10 percent of its annual GDP due to lack of inclusion,” she stated.
“This affects sectors like transport, healthcare, education, and employment. The more non-inclusive we are, the more we lose,” she added.
……URGES SUSTAINED WINNINGS
President of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria ( YSFON) Dr. Nasiru Gawuna has praised the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their impressive performance against their Rwandan counterparts in the 2026 world cup qualifiers in Kigali.
Nigeria defeated their Rwandan counterparts by two goals to nill.
Gawuna said in a statement after the match that the Nigerian lads have ignited the hopes of the citizens on their road to world cup 2026.
He praised the players and their handlers for the team spirit which he urged them to sustain.
Gawuna noted that sports remain a unifying factor in Nigeria, saying ‘ “at YSFON , we are determined to make sports the centre of attraction. We will meaningfully engage our youths through various sporting activities.
” Nigeria has enormous talents waiting to be harnessed into meaningful venture. Sports is the way to go”.
He also urged governments at all levels to be intentional and deliberate about sports development for the good of the nation.
Johnson Akinsehinwa,
Chairman, YSFON
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) .
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Between March 6 and 10 , 2025, the workaholic FCT Minister , Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike broke the yoke of public officials particularly at the Minister’s level in the FCT, when he made a maiden State visit to Lombardy, far away Italy to broker a global relationship that entangled both economic, social, agriculture among many other ties for the benefits of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory FCT and Italy .
Leading the potential team of Nigeria delegation from the nations city , Barrister Wike met with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, in Milan, Italy who was greatly impressed and excited on the first official tour of a sitting Minister from Nigeria, led by Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to Italy.
The weeklong visit attracted a lot of discussions, partnerships and expansion of protocol beyond synergising with the nations city administration alone , but the entire country in the area of farming , vocation , information and communication technology ICT among many other virgin areas .
Lombardy, a province located in the northern region of Italy with its bustling capital city Milan, pledged its support and cooperation with the Nigerian capital to establish a vocational training center in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) aimed at empowering the youth of Abuja.
Impressed by the Minister’s overture and initiative to be the first Nigeria’s top government officials who paid official visit on bilateral and other discussions that boardered on the progress and development of FCT, President Atilio Fontana used the occasion to sign many impactful agreement that will be beneficial to both nations .
Commending the administrative zeal and foresight of the FCT administration under Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike , President of Italy said the visit was a significant commitment made by the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, showcasing a strong bond between the two regions with the Ministers overture , the first in the history of Nigeria..
Milan, the vibrant capital of Lombardy, stands out as a global hub for fashion and finance, attracting visitors from all corners of the world including Nigeria led by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike .
The city adorned with architectural marvels like the awe-inspiring Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the historic Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, which houses the iconic masterpiece “The Last Supper”by Leonardo da Vinci. Moreover, just north of Milan lies the enchanting Lake Como, a picturesque alpine retreat offering stunning natural landscapes and tranquil surroundings.
During the recent visit to Milan, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike engaged in fruitful discussions with President Fontana, exploring avenues of collaboration beyond the vocational training and Agriculture.
President Fontana expressed a keen interest in partnering in the field of agriculture, especially focusing on modern farming techniques.
“This commitment was further reinforced by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, underscoring the importance of mutual cooperation.”
The dialogue between President Fontana and Minister Wike delved into various areas of potential collaboration, emphasizing the significance of agribusiness and vocational education.
The Minister , Wike highlighted the vast agricultural potential in the FCT, with vast expanses of land earmarked for farming activities.
“He stressed the importance of attracting agricultural investors to Abuja and receiving support in vocational training, particularly in cutting-edge fields like Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”
President Fontana, known for his forward-thinking approach, expressed readiness to embark on shaping the “education of the future,”highlighting Lombardy’s pivotal role in Italy’s technical education landscape.
He proposed a collaborative effort in vocational training and educational exchange between Lombardy and Nigeria, aiming to enrich both regions through knowledge sharing and skill development.
The President’s willingness to draft a Memorandum of Understanding MOU included Signing of documents signifies a concrete step towards solidifying this partnership for the benefit of both communities.
“The meeting also saw the presence of key figures like the FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, who further emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange between Lombardy and the FCT.
This strategic partnership holds immense potential for fostering growth, innovation, and mutual learning between the two regions, paving the way for a brighter future filled with opportunities for the youth and communities involved.”
Known for his proactiveness, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has promised different channels of collaboration including the modernisation and advancement of the Information and communication technology ICT facilities he recently launched in the nations city secondary schools including other potentials that will improve modernized and mechanised farming in
line with the global best practices.
The five days visit to Italy spanned from 6th of March , 2025 to 10th , March, 2025, saw alot of fulfilment on the part of both countries beyond key issues of vocational and farming to the commercial status of other areas to ensure continuous synergy, with a promise by the Italian counterpart to reciprocate similar diplomatic relationship and gesture.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Between March 6 and 10 , 2025, the workaholic FCT Minister , Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike broke the yoke of public officials particularly at the Minister’s level in the FCT, when he made a maiden State visit to Lombardy, far away Italy to broker a global relationship that entangled both economic, social, agriculture among many other ties for the benefits of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory FCT and Italy .
Leading the potential team of Nigeria delegation from the nations city , Barrister Wike met with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, in Milan, Italy who was greatly impressed and excited on the first official tour of a sitting Minister from Nigeria, led by Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to Italy.
The weeklong visit attracted a lot of discussions, partnerships and expansion of protocol beyond synergising with the nations city administration alone , but the entire country in the area of farming , vocation , information and communication technology ICT among many other virgin areas .
Lombardy, a province located in the northern region of Italy with its bustling capital city Milan, pledged its support and cooperation with the Nigerian capital to establish a vocational training center in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) aimed at empowering the youth of Abuja.
Impressed by the Minister’s overture and initiative to be the first Nigeria’s top government officials who paid official visit on bilateral and other discussions that boardered on the progress and development of FCT, President Atilio Fontana used the occasion to sign many impactful agreement that will be beneficial to both nations .
Commending the administrative zeal and foresight of the FCT administration under Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike , President of Italy said the visit was a significant commitment made by the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, showcasing a strong bond between the two regions with the Ministers overture , the first in the history of Nigeria..
Milan, the vibrant capital of Lombardy, stands out as a global hub for fashion and finance, attracting visitors from all corners of the world including Nigeria led by Nyesom Ezenwo Wike .
The city adorned with architectural marvels like the awe-inspiring Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the historic Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, which houses the iconic masterpiece “The Last Supper”by Leonardo da Vinci. Moreover, just north of Milan lies the enchanting Lake Como, a picturesque alpine retreat offering stunning natural landscapes and tranquil surroundings.
During the recent visit to Milan, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike engaged in fruitful discussions with President Fontana, exploring avenues of collaboration beyond the vocational training and Agriculture.
President Fontana expressed a keen interest in partnering in the field of agriculture, especially focusing on modern farming techniques.
“This commitment was further reinforced by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, underscoring the importance of mutual cooperation.”
The dialogue between President Fontana and Minister Wike delved into various areas of potential collaboration, emphasizing the significance of agribusiness and vocational education.
The Minister , Wike highlighted the vast agricultural potential in the FCT, with vast expanses of land earmarked for farming activities.
“He stressed the importance of attracting agricultural investors to Abuja and receiving support in vocational training, particularly in cutting-edge fields like Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”
President Fontana, known for his forward-thinking approach, expressed readiness to embark on shaping the “education of the future,”highlighting Lombardy’s pivotal role in Italy’s technical education landscape.
He proposed a collaborative effort in vocational training and educational exchange between Lombardy and Nigeria, aiming to enrich both regions through knowledge sharing and skill development.
The President’s willingness to draft a Memorandum of Understanding MOU included Signing of documents signifies a concrete step towards solidifying this partnership for the benefit of both communities.
“The meeting also saw the presence of key figures like the FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, who further emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange between Lombardy and the FCT.
This strategic partnership holds immense potential for fostering growth, innovation, and mutual learning between the two regions, paving the way for a brighter future filled with opportunities for the youth and communities involved.”
Known for his proactiveness, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has promised different channels of collaboration including the modernisation and advancement of the Information and communication technology ICT facilities he recently launched in the nations city secondary schools including other potentials that will improve modernized and mechanised farming in
line with the global best practices.
The five days visit to Italy spanned from 6th of March , 2025 to 10th , March, 2025, saw alot of fulfilment on the part of both countries beyond key issues of vocational and farming to the commercial status of other areas to ensure continuous synergy, with a promise by the Italian counterpart to reciprocate similar diplomatic relationship and gesture.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.