STAKEHOLDERS STEP UP CALL ON BENUE STATE GOV’T TO DOMESTICATE DISABILITY ACT.

The Stakeholders Consultative Forum put together by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) on domestication of the Disability Act in Benue State has been charged to draw inspiration from IFA’s success story in Abia State to map out the best strategy towards domesticating the Disability Act in Benue State, as well as mainstream the rights-based approach to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the State.

The Executive Director of I.F.A., Grace Jerry gave this charge while addressing the Forum as part of build-up towards domestication of the Disability Act in Benue State.

Jerry who was represented by the Programme Manager of IFA, Stephen Idoko maintained that “IFA, as a consistent leader in the disability community shared the concern of stakeholders on the absence of a rights-based disability law in most states of the country. In this regard, IFA has been working with partners to see to the domestication of Disability Act across Nigeria”.

Reviewing the draft disability bill with inputs from stakeholders, Barr. Sunday Sabeh explained that it is segmented into 17 parts and 59 sections which treat different key aspects ranging from compulsory provision of ramps, hand rails and other facilities to enable wheel chair access public buildings. Sabeh further highlighted sections of the bill that provided for the principle of gender and cluster parity to be adhered to. He said the Law, when passed, should positively affect lives.

Barr. Sunday Sabeh reviewing the draft Disability Bill.

Onah Adeyi & Benedicta Kave

Ex. Dir of HAPI, Aver Akighir (M), Ex. Sec, Benue Rehab Board, Alex Mbakindev (R) & Onah Adeyi

Group photo of participants at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum by IFA at the Benue Metropolitan Hotel, Makurdi, Benue State.

Making their inputs during a special panel session, various panelists made valuable inputs that pointed to their commitment to the cause of Persons with Disabilities in the State and called on the State Government to enact the Disability Law in the State. Personal Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Inclusion and Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Mr. Bem Anshe assured that the State Government would give the bill the needed attention upon presentation to the Governor.

On his part, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Rehabilitation Board, Mr. Alexander Mbakindev, pointed out that the domestication of the Act in Benue State would protect PWDs from the scourge of discrimination and enable them enjoy such benefits as employment and economic empowerment training among others.

Making his input, the Director General, Benue International Corporation and Development, Mr. Leo-Angelo Viashima, who was represented by the Programme Manager. Mr. John Akpusu said his agency would ensure capacity building for stakeholders and ensure proper synergy and harmonious relationship between the different groups involved in the advocacy.

On her part, Director General of the Benue State Social Investment Programme, Hon. Doris Iyo assured she would ensure inclusion of PwDs in the various areas of intervention such as Conditional Cash Transfer, School Feeding Programme whenever the programme resumes.

The stakeholders’ consultative forum is part of IFA’s Strengthening Equality and Inclusion of People with Disabilities (PWDs) Project targeted at domestication of the National Disability Law in States across Nigeria including Benue.

IFA, a disability inclusion organisation operates on the HEDGE thematic areas an acronym for Humanitarian Peace and Conflict, Economic Empowerment, Democracy and good governance, Gender and Education.

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SJN BENUE CANVASSES SUPPORT OF CORPORATE ORGANISATIONS FOR SARCS.

The Sexual and Gender Based Violence Justice Network (SJN) Cluster in Benue State has passionately appealed to corporate organisations and owners of business outfits to assist in providing much-needed resources to support the operation of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society.

The SJN Project Lead, Barr. Solumtochukwu Ozobulu who is leading this advocacy, made this appeal during an advocacy and sensitisation visit to the management of DeFudi, one of the leading fast-food restaurants in Makurdi, Benue State.

Solumtochukwu Ozobulu, Lead, SJN Cluster

Stressing the fierce urgency of the support for such a life-saving and noble cause, Barr. Ozobulu stressed the need for individuals and bodies in the society to support the smooth and uninterrupted operation of SARCs to ensure provision of all necessary medical, legal, psychosocial, shelter and other forms of support which survivors and victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) are in dire need of.  

Responding, the management of De Fudi expressed willingness to support survivors of domestic abuse and SGBV with skills acquisition training that would give them the necessary financial and economic basis as well as boost their employability status either working for others or themselves.

The SJN Cluster, led by Lawyers Alert Nigeria, has been in the vanguard of advocacy for the establishment and operationalization of SARCs and the current drive aims at encouraging corporate organisations to shift their CSR focus to give back to the society by providing succour and support to vulnerable and broken survivors of SGBV in dire need of a lifeline to bounce back from the torture and trauma of the scourge of SGBV.

NEFNAI FLAGS OFF SOCIAL WELFARE SCHEME…SAYS “BLOODLESS REVOLUTION” CAN CHANGE AFRICA…PLACE CONTINENT ON GLOBAL MAP.

The New Followership New Africa Initiative (NEFNAI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on reviving and instilling integrity and patriotic values in African citizens through civic education and other strategic means, has successfully launched a historic welfare scheme named the NEFNAI Special Welfare Scheme (NSEWS) during its 6^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to positively impact the lives of its members and others in the society.

Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT) of NEFNAI, Dr. Joseph Korave who, alongside the Executive Committee President, Mrs Vivian Ashami, launched the welfare scheme, said it would “provide succour for members and society in general”.

Unraveling the vision and mission of NEFNAI, Executive Director of the NGO, Mr. Daniel Aondona Seer, revealed that the organisation “envisions a new Africa where propriety, discipline and absolute patriotism will become the pride of every African as well as the passing of those values to generations yet unborn, thus making Africa an outstanding and shining example for the entire world”.

Seer disclosed that NEFNAI has been massively mobilizing citizens across Benue State and other parts of Nigeria to arise, take responsibility and be the solution to the many challenges bedevilling their various societies in order to save the African Continent from her many predicaments.

He noted that the NEFNAI mission is “to drive a bloodless revolution centred on reforming citizens towards absolute patriotism through massive enlightenment programs, campaigns, advocacies and creating a network of patriotic citizens”.

The Executive Director added that “NEFNAI would create a platform where all persons that genuinely desire a better society can come together and devoid of sentiments of tribe, gender, region or religion, always stand against unpatriotic and corrupt actions and at the same time stand for and promote patriotic behaviour in whatever they do, everywhere and at all times and never giving up until they create societies of their dream in states and countries of Africa”.

Presenting the Annual Report for 2023 on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Seer who doubles as Secretary of the BOT said the organisation had recorded several achievements in the year under review including the “inclusion and reformation of over 1,100 new members, strengthening of over 8000 old members, carried out strategic engagement with and bridged the gap between several government institutions such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Benue State House of Assembly, Nigeria Police Force and National Human Rights Commission” among others “to fix the trust deficit between them and promote programmes and practices that would strengthen society to be a better place for all”.

Other achievement he said included “seeking justice and compensation for the death of a member’s son, enrolment of members and non-members in health insurance, enrolment of 17 out-of-school children, observing of the 2023 general elections in 16 Local Government Areas in partnership with BENGONET and Civil Society and Legislative Action (CISLAC) as well as training of local government and ward coordinating teams among other.

Presenting the keynote address under the theme, “Only Together in true unity and patriotism, we can bring change in Benue and Nigeria”, Guest Speaker and Executive Director, Initiative for Women’s Health Development and Rights Protection (WRAHI) Nigeria, Dooshima Mary Agur advocated for Nigeria’s leaders to show commitment to unity and act in the best interest of the country. Agur who affirmed that the 4 pillars of Collaboration, Communication, Contribution and Commitment could help in team building, called for a change of mind-set for citizens to see the country’s diversity as a strength, embrace a shared identity and have cultural exchanges, national events and education to foster pride in the country.

Another Guest Speaker and renowned development consultant and activist, Mr. Peter Anchakor who demonstrated the power of unity of purpose expressed optimism that the NEFNAI struggle would take over Benue State and Nigeria in due course and flush out wrongdoings in the society.

Speaking on behalf of teams from the 23 Local Government Areas (L.G.A.) of the State, Coordinators of Gwer West, Ohimini, Obi, Ushongo and Guma LGAs expressed great joy and fulfilment for being part of NEFNAI which, they testified had inflamed in them a high level of patriotism, spurring them to be more intentional about acting for the common good of society.

Delivering a goodwill message, Chairman of BENGONET, Mr. Lazarus Mom categorically affirmed that NEFNAI’s citizenship reformation approach which he described as one of the best, gives him the hope of a better Benue and Nigeria and maintained that patriotic citizens that could be raised through this approach would produce good leaders who would drive the engine of change for a better and greater society.

Anchored on the solid rock of good character, sterling integrity, passionate patriotism among other positive values, the NGO, NEFNAI is perched on the vanguard to lead the African continent and its citizens into the league of leading nations of the world which had been shaped by the sheer strength of the values they hold, cherish, nurture and instil in their citizens that had empowered them to be global citizens tackling challenges at the world stage.

SJN CLUSTER STIRS SGBV DIALOGUE…GETS STAKEHOLDERS’ COMMITMENT TO ADOPT SGBV CURBING MEASURES.

Relevant stakeholders from government ministries, agencies and associations have pledged to uphold the community-led solutions proposed by various participants at a multi-stakeholders meeting on easy access to justice for survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

The stakeholders made this commitment during a one-day dialogue meeting which held in Makurdi, Benue State organised by the SGBV Justice Network Cluster with support from the USAID-SCALE Project.

While the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Joy Adole who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, promised that allocation of special fund would be included in the Ministry’s new budget line for survivors and victims of SGBV, the Ministry of Justice keyed into the all-important review of the Benue State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2019.

Earlier making a presentation, human rights activist and Senior Legal Advisor at Lawyers Alert Nigeria, Barr. Victor Eboh, beamed spotlight on impediments to accessing justice in Benue State which he noted included Stigma and Social Norms such as victim blaming, Lack of Awareness and Education due to low literacy rates and limited awareness, as well as Inadequate Legal Framework characterised by weak legal protections and legal loopholes: which could be exploited, allowing perpetrators to escape accountability (buttressing his assertion with Section 283(1) Penal Code of Benue State vis-à-vis Section 31 (1), 2, 3 Child Rights Act).

Other impediments he noted included Corruption and Impunity, Under-Reporting and Fear of Retaliation, Insufficient Support Services such as lack of counselling and inadequate shelter such as the well-secured witness protection scheme in the United States of America.

Participants on their part added that religion hinders, inadequate training for advocates of SGBV, shielding of perpetrators and the notorious Suspect Swap Syndrome (SSS) constitute palpable impediments clogging the wheel of access to justice for SGBV survivors and victims.

Making his input, Chairman of the network, BENGONET Rural Initiative, Mr. Lazarus Mom advocated that the private sector and donor agencies be lobbied to channel their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) resources to fund operationalization of the existing Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).

He pointed out the high prevalence of SGBV in the State with the most vulnerable people in the society being at the receiving end. Mom asserted that “helping victims and survivors to access justice is the summary of all advocacy on SGBV” and therefore, stressed the urgent need to swiftly activate and operationalise the existing SARC to rescue victims and survivors.

He said the SARC would be a One-Stop Shop providing free medical, legal and psychosocial support, economic and safe shelter services to survivors and victims including gathering of much-needed evidence for prosecution the absence of which could bungle a case like the heart-rending case of the late 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje where the main accused was let off the hook due to lack of “sufficient evidence” to prove her case beyond reasonable doubt.

The SJN Cluster is in the vanguard of advocacy for measures that would ensure that perpetrators of SGBV are served justice while survivors and victims get due justice and succour.

Nigeria Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement – Nigeria SCALE
League of Women Voters of Nigeria
League of Women Voters Nigeria Nilowv BENUE
Lawyers Alert Nigeria