Author: Editor
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Rights Activist, Chidinma Ajemba, has called for special consideration for women with disabilities to give them a sense of belonging and opportunities to prove their mettle. The accomplished journalist, and communication strategist, made the call while featuring on Ikengaonline townhall meeting. Ajemba who spoke on the theme, “Access and political participation of PWDs in the South-East”, said women with disabilities deserve special consideration because of the peculiar nature of their challenges first as women, and then as PWDs. According to her, women with disabilities suffer the worst of marginalisation from society, a situation, that imposes psychological trauma on…
By Godwin Onyeacholem Eighteen months on, still very little – if any – is heard from the Tinubu administration on the whistleblowing and whistleblower protection bill now said to be lying in the presidency and awaiting a re-transmission to the national assembly for passage into law hopefully, according to competent sources in the Federal Ministry of Finance, the institution managing Nigeria’s whistleblowing policy introduced since December 21, 2016, by the Buhari administration. The draft executive bill, titled whistleblowing and whistleblower protection act 2021, was projected to be a stand-alone protection law to replace the policy that was created through an…
By Johnson Agwu On 20 October 2024, I was gloomy. It was four years since the #EndSARS protests by Nigerian Youths against police brutality and the bloody reprisals that followed in its wake. I scrolled my phone with intention of exiting the #EndSARS sorrows. Instead, I scrolled unto premium tears. On Premium Times, I stumbled on an article headlined: “Theresa Chikeka: The retired judge who is chief judge of Imo State? By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu”. I take anything written by Prof Odinkalu seriously because he bears a torch in the dark times we find ourselves in this country. By his flint we hope to find guidance to…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the killing of one member of a secessionist group, rescue of a victim, and the recovery of firearms, vehicles, and other incriminating items. Spokesperson of the Police in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, said Police operatives from the Operations Department of the Command, attached to a VIP in the State, on 29/11/2024 at 8:30 pm, along Agulu/Nnobi Road, neutralised one of the criminal elements in the State. He said the operatives recovered one pump-action gun, five live cartridges, five machetes, two SUV jeeps, and two pairs of…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka No fewer than 600 residents of Ogbaru Local Government Area were treated of various ailments by the Naval Outpost in Onitsha, Anambra State. Ikengaonline learned that the exercise was part of efforts to foster cordial civil-military relations with host communities. The 2-day outreach, organised in collaboration with ACCU-Answer Limited and Chris Care Medical Services Limited include high blood pressure, high body temperature, high blood sugar, malaria, HIV, hepatitis B and C, uric acid levels, lipid profiles, prostate-specific antigen screening, free consultations and medications. Declaring the event open at Primary Healthcare Center, Odekpe, Commanding Officer of Naval Outpost…
Ugo Nosiri, Owerri Persons With Disabilities have called for the enforcement of the Disability Rights Law and legislations that address both physical and social barriers they face in their day to day activities. They also want public awareness campaigns to challenge the stigma surrounding disability and the promotion of the idea that PWDs are capable and should be included in political process. Executive Member, JONAPWD Anambra State Chapter, Ms Chidinma Ajemba made the call while speaking on the topic “Access and Political participation of PWDs in the South-East,” at the Ikengaonline virtual monthly townhall meeting. Ms Ajemba maintained that it…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), have advocated the inclusion of sign language interpretation in school curriculum. They also called for the engagement of sign language interpreters in hospitals to help attend to PWDs. PWDs made the advocacy when two of their members, Chidimma Ajemba, and Ugochukwu Okeke, featured on Ikengaonline monthly virtual townhall meeting held Thursday night. Comrade Okeke is the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State chapter; while Ajemba is an accomplished journalist, public relations executive, and communications strategist. The duo spoke on the theme: “Access and political participation of…
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka Two disability rights activists have voiced out against the continued political marginalisation and exclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in South-East Nigeria. The duo made their concerns known on Thursday during the Ikengaonline monthly townhall meeting themed: “Access and political participation of PWDs in the South-East.” In their presentations, they said some practices still pose barriers, preventing persons with disabilities from exercising their legal rights and participation in the political process as citizens of the country. One of the guest speakers, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Anambra State Chapter,…
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki The Abakaliki Division of the Federal High Court has affirmed the suspension of Ali Odefa from office as the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Odefa was suspended from the party on October 4, 2024, by the Executive committee of the party at his Oguduokwor Ward in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, for alleged anti-party activities. But Odefa, argued that the suspension is null and void as those who allegedly carried out the suspension were not bona-fide ward executives of the party. A member of the party, Herbert Ovuta, took the embattled…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has set up a committee to checkmate drug abuse among Abia youths. Speaking at the Banquet hall of Government House Umuahia where the committee was constituted, the Governor’s wife said the initiative marked a significant milestone in the fight against drug abuse and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. According to her the initiative underscored Government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of the people. “Drug abuse is a complex and multifaceted public health challenge, a monster that continues to destroy lives, impede personal growth, and foster…