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NGO urges FG to make policy decisions that will benefit older persons

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A group under the aegis of Greenlight Initiative has urged the Federal Government to understand that they need to start planning and incorporating decision that will further benefit and protect the lives of older persons.This is coming against the background that the Initiative embark on a 12 months research study on Mobility, Transport, and Ageing in Low and Middle-Income Countries with emphasis in Nigeria and Uganda.The Initiative which is non-profit organization that promotes good health and wellbeing; safe and sustainable transportation partnered with the Federal University of Technology Owerri and Makerere University, execute the 12 month study.According the executive Director of the Initiative Mr Simon Obi the study became imminent as available evidence suggested that not much work had been done regarding the mobility needs and safety of older persons which should compel urban developers and transport planners to put key and special consideration during designs.”Inclusive mobility is an important initiative to directly consider in the initial stages of designing and developing mobility services.

According to Mr Obi the twelve month indepth research was painstaking with series of interviews, surveys within the two countries.
“After a 12 months in-depth research study of the mobility pattern of the older people, GreenLight Initiative together with its organised a dissemination workshop for key stakeholders to review the research outcome.
“The research activities examined current transport preferences and policies affecting the mobility of the older persons and how they impact on, and are impacted by different factors, and took a broad, multidisciplinary view of these links.

“One thing we often say is that a lot of persons are too busy doing business in other fields of endeavour forgetting that they will get old one day This is one very important sector that is often neglected in the society.
“That is the rationale for us going into this research project. So in terms of policy, our research has shown that there are no much policies that support the right of older persons in the country.

“We all will get old one day. And we need to prepare for the future, and so there is need first, for government to rise to this challenge. Government must understand that they need to start planning and incorporating decision that will further benefit and protect the lives of older persons.
He also harped on the need for government to be bold enough to start investing in infrastructure that supports the rights of older persons “because our road designs, what we saw in these two countries indicated they do not support the right of the older persons.’

“So the government needs to invest in infrastructure, they also need to provide the enabling environment for these category of persons to thrive to make a meaningful life.

He said the lack of policies and lack of infrastructure are definitely affecting the older persons in Nigeria. “We don’t have structures and infrastructure that supports their wellbeing in our cities.

“The government has to come in and do something urgently because this is an emergency situation. We are losing our older persons and we all will get old one day.

He said the focus on Nigeria and Uganda drew from the fact that in low and middle income countries such as our country and Uganda, these things are not talked about.

According to him, other developed climes, have infrastructural things that support the older persons.
“The mobility system supports them. They have a community transportation system that supports the older persons. But in Africa especially Nigeria and Uganda, there are no policies and there are no transportation network that supports them.”
Obi explained that the dissemination symposium underscored their priority to not only promote safe and sustainable transportation but also inclusivity in mobility.
“It is my belief that this study would  knowledge and further assist policymakers, advocates, and transport stakeholders to make evidence-based decisions regarding mobility and access for older persons.
“We continue to thank Volvo Research and Educational Foundation (VREF) for its generous support which allows us to embark on this very important but often neglected area.

According to Dr. Chinebuli Uzondu, a Researcher/Lecturer from the Federal University of Technology Owerri: “It was such a pleasant surprise. I am so thrilled and honoured that we were announced as recipients of a grant from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundation (VREF).
“This grant has enabled us to work on a very important, yet often neglected issue. Our research has explored the mobility needs of older persons in Nigeria and Uganda, to understand their travel patterns, unravelled their travel patterns, transport options available to them, needs and barriers to active mobility.
“We identified country-specific challenges and have presented evidence-based strategies and recommendations to address and improve the condition.
“This research is very important to me because I feel that VREF acknowledges the importance of this research and how it will go on to address the issues around transport inequities and exclusions.

According to Dr. Paul I. Mukwaya, a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences,  Makerere University, Uganda: “For Makerere University, the grant is one of those which has opened up new opportunities, locally and internationally, as we build for the future. Most importantly the research has brought to the fore; not only,  the kind of transport inequalities that older persons experience to be more specific, but also the transport policy gaps that exist at city and/or national scale. 
“We have been able to  network with a number of national actors and a conversation on critical transport inequality issues across Kampala City.

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Plane Crash Averted Hours After Enenche’s Prophetic Warning at Prayer Session

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Dr. Paul Enenche

In a mindblowing prophetic insight, Senior Pastor Dr. Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre led prayers against an impending plane crash during his Commanding The Day Midnight Prayers on Thursday, which many believe averted a disaster just hours later.

During the early hours at the Glory Dome in Abuja, Dr. Enenche urged his congregation to pray fervently against a possible plane crash, asking for divine intervention to “cancel” any agenda of harm in the skies. “We must pray against a plane crash,” he declared, adding, “I stand anointed to cancel every agenda of the devil to cause any crash…it is canceled in the name of Jesus.”

Six hours after the prayer session, an incident involving an Air Peace flight traveling from Abuja to Lagos appeared to validate his warning.
As the flight was about to take off, a bird strike at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport forced the plane to halt immediately.
Passengers onboard, including Lagos-based lawyer Inibehe Effiong, were shaken as the aircraft came to a sudden stop. Effiong shared his experience on social media, expressing relief that the incident occurred before takeoff, which could have led to a graver situation. “Thankfully, it didn’t happen after takeoff. It would have been scarier,” Effiong wrote.

As a replacement aircraft was brought in and passengers reboarded, Effiong called for the adoption of bird detection radar technology to prevent similar incidents.

Dr. Enenche’s congregation took to social media to celebrate what they saw as divine intervention, expressing gratitude for his timely prayer, which they credit with averting a national tragedy.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual vigilance and has inspired many in the congregation to deepen their faith and remain steadfast in prayer.

A video of Dr. Enenche’s prophetic declaration is now being widely shared, with many inspired by his foresight and the significance of this near-miss event.

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ENSG Cracks Down on School Bullying, Orders Arrest of Culprits

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Peter Mba

The Enugu State Government (ENSG) has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of students involved in the bullying and physical assault of a fellow student at the Federal Government College, Enugu.
This is coming after a disturbing video of the incident surfaced on social media, sparking widespread condemnation.

In a statement, Commissioner for Education Prof. Ndubueze Mbah expressed deep concern, labeling the incident as “emotionally distressing” and underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance policy for bullying and abuse in schools.
He confirmed that the state government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that all those involved, including any school authorities who failed in their duties, face appropriate consequences.

“The safety and welfare of our students are paramount,” Prof. Mbah stated, pointing to the state’s significant investment in education under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration as evidence of its commitment to providing a safe learning environment.
He warned that acts of harassment, intimidation, and violence will be met with strict repercussions.

Meanwhile, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at FGC Enugu sought to clarify the situation, dispelling rumors of cult involvement.
PTA Chairman Dr. Chinedu Mba explained that the disturbance began when a student was found with Indian hemp.
He emphasized that parents should counsel their children on avoiding harmful behaviors and reassured the public of the PTA’s commitment to student safety.

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Group Calls for Suspension, Investigation, Prosecution of FERMA MD Over Alleged Corruption

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A group, Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has issued a formal plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Their call is coming amid series of damning allegations surrounding corruption, incompetence, and misuse of office.
The group who converged on Thursday morning at the Headquarters of the FERMA at the Wuse 11 in the Federal Capital Territory carried banners and placards with inscriptions calling for the investigation and possible sack of the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Emeka Agbasi.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President and Commader in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Three Arms Zone, and read by the National converner of the coalition Alhaji Ali Abacha, they outlined numerous accusations against the FERMA boss.
They accused him of gross mismanagement and criminal activity, which threaten to undermine the government’s anti-corruption drive. Key allegations include the sale of contracts for financial gain, abuse of Direct Labor Agencies for unauthorized projects, and financial irregularities involving the illegal virement and swapping of payments without due process.

According to the letter, the FERMA MD is also accused of laundering money through fronts operating via Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Zenith Bank, living lavishly in Abuja hotel suites such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd., and sidelining experienced contractors in favor of cronies.
Furthermore, the MD is being accused of ignoring directives from the Ministry of Works, acting independently and awarding contracts unrelated to federal road maintenance.

Abacha stressed the importance of suspending and investigating the official to maintain public trust and uphold the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to take immediate action.

The statement warned that allowing such actions to continue unaddressed would reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration, which has made fighting corruption a key priority. CNRR urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further damage to its image and credibility.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Presidency or FERMA regarding these allegations. The Nigerian public and stakeholders in the construction sector are closely watching for developments in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve in combating corruption.

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