Day: December 21, 2024

The Obijackson Foundation has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident that led to the death of scores of people in a stampede in Okija, Anambra State, on Saturday during its annual rice-sharing event. A statement from the foundation said that it plans to thoroughly investigate the incident to determine the cause of the stampede,
Anambra: Obijackson Foundation pledges to investigate cause of stampede, deaths at event

The Obijackson Foundation has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident that led to the death of scores of people in a stampede in Okija, Anambra State, on Saturday during its annual rice-sharing event.

A statement from the foundation said that it plans to thoroughly investigate the incident to determine the cause of the stampede, with the goal of preventing future occurrences.

“The event, a cherished tradition aimed at supporting the less privileged during the Yuletide season, turned sombre when an unfortunate stampede claimed lives and left several families grieving.

“The Annual Rice Sharing event is a labour of love, aimed at bringing joy and relief to those in need. That it resulted in such sorrow is devastating beyond words.”

“We pledge to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy thoroughly and to implement enhanced safety measures for future events.

“We humbly seek the understanding of our community as we reflect on this painful moment. This setback will not deter us from our mission to serve the vulnerable and uplift those in need. We will learn from this experience and strive to do better,” the statement read.

It added: “The tragedy has cast a shadow over what is usually a joyous season in Okija, but the Obijackson Foundation remains steadfast in its resolve to serve the less privileged.”

Anambra: Obijackson Foundation pledges to investigate cause of stampede, deaths at event

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja signalled the gravity and scale of economic distress in the country. Ezekwesili maintained that “Nigerians have become victims of widespread food poverty, especially among low and peripheral middle-income families.” The statement comes after DAILY POST reported that no
Oyo, FCT, Anambra stampede deaths show gravity of economic distress in Nigeria — Ezekwesili

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja signalled the gravity and scale of economic distress in the country.

Ezekwesili maintained that “Nigerians have become victims of widespread food poverty, especially among low and peripheral middle-income families.”

The statement comes after DAILY POST reported that no fewer than 20 residents of Okija community in Anambra State lost their lives in a stampede.

The stampede occurred on Saturday during an event for the distribution of rice.

On the same day, an unspecified number of people died following a stampede in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The unfortunate incident occurred when one of the Catholic churches in the FCT was distributing food items to vulnerable persons.

DAILY POST also reported that over 35 people, mostly children, died during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, a few days ago.

Ezekwesili, in a post on her X handle on Saturday, said: “The serial losses of several children who went in search of free food should send the strongest message yet to all self-indulgent ‘leaders’ in Nigeria’s public offices.

“My heart cries out for the families of the victims of the three stampedes that occurred during charity food distribution events in Ibadan, Okija in Anambra State, and Abuja.

“Nothing in recent times has signalled the gravity and scale of economic distress in our land more than these similar tragedies in a season of celebration.

“The fact that some like to deny is that Nigerians have become victims of widespread food poverty, especially among our low and peripheral middle-income families.

“I feel sad for the well-intended organizers of the three programs across the country who grossly underestimated the scale of beneficiaries that would show up in this season of famine in our land. And then, of course, our weak emergency response system that has often failed to mitigate tragedies.

“These serial losses of several of our children who went in search of free food should send the strongest message yet to all self-indulgent ‘leaders’ in Nigeria’s public offices. But will they hear?”

Oyo, FCT, Anambra stampede deaths show gravity of economic distress in Nigeria — Ezekwesili

Participants of a three-day programme on strengthening access to justice for all in Abia State have called for reforms and the enhanced implementation of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ACJL, 2017, emphasising that it would help protect citizens’ rights. Most of the participants, who spoke on Saturday in Umuahia during the concluding
Abia stakeholders call for reform of state’s criminal justice law administration

Participants of a three-day programme on strengthening access to justice for all in Abia State have called for reforms and the enhanced implementation of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ACJL, 2017, emphasising that it would help protect citizens’ rights.

Most of the participants, who spoke on Saturday in Umuahia during the concluding session of the programme organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, noted that the current criminal justice system in Abia State cannot achieve the desired outcomes if the actions of security agencies, judicial officials, community leaders, and local security personnel continue to infringe on citizens’ rights.

One of the speakers, Chidozie Nwosu, President General of the Ibeku Youths Association, called for stricter scrutiny during recruitment into the Nigerian Police Force.

According to Nwosu, the current system of open recruitment for youths may fail to guard against the enlistment of individuals with criminal tendencies who could exploit recruitment opportunities to join the police.

He expressed concern that employing individuals of questionable character in the armed forces could compromise the safety of those they are meant to protect.

Addressing allegations by some participants that the plea bargain system in the judiciary has become a loophole for wealthy individuals, the Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Justice, Chibuzor Ehiemere, dismissed such claims. Ehiemere clarified that poor offenders in the state are also eligible to apply for and benefit from plea bargains.

Earlier, Faith Nwadishi, the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, criticised the practice of denying women the right to bail their arrested relatives. She stressed that the centre is extending sensitisation efforts on access to justice to Abia’s rural areas, where human rights abuses are reportedly high.

Nwadishi also called for collaboration among all stakeholders to strengthen access to justice for all residents of Abia State.

Abia stakeholders call for reform of state’s criminal justice law administration

The wife of the former governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has challenged Nigerians to establish new values and create an enabling environment to address gender inequality. Erelu Fayemi issued the challenge while delivering a lecture titled “Breaking Barriers: Empowering the Next Generation of Nigerian Women in Business and Public Life” at the launch
Gender inequality: Bisi Fayemi tasks Nigerians with forging new values

The wife of the former governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has challenged Nigerians to establish new values and create an enabling environment to address gender inequality.

Erelu Fayemi issued the challenge while delivering a lecture titled “Breaking Barriers: Empowering the Next Generation of Nigerian Women in Business and Public Life” at the launch of the Titi Tomori-Ponnle Foundation in Osogbo on Saturday.

Fayemi, who noted that Nigeria ranks low on gender equality, emphasised that stakeholders must “prioritise legislative and policy frameworks to bridge the gender justice and equality gap, champion the Sexual Harassment Prohibition Bill at both the national and state levels, and ensure equal representation for women in appointments.”

She further advocated for sustainable partnerships between women and men, safe and less traumatic education for the girl child, and consistent investment in the girl child’s development.

Calling on men to be responsible and God-fearing providers for their families, Fayemi warned that meaningful progress cannot be achieved without the full participation of women.

“There should be gender-friendly legislation that provides an enabling environment for women to achieve their full potential in the country,” she said.

In her address, the former deputy governor and initiator of the foundation, Grace Titilayo Tomori-Ponnle, stated that the cornerstone of development and national progress is the empowerment of young people and women.

She disclosed that the concept for the foundation stemmed from a deep-seated vision to create a society where every youth and woman can reach their full potential, achieve economic independence, and actively participate in shaping their communities.

Tomori-Ponnle explained that the decision to launch the foundation was inspired by firsthand observation of the challenges faced by youths and women in society.

She said, “Their resilience, creativity, and unwavering spirit inspired the creation of this foundation.”

However, she lamented the lack of desired results from some empowerment programmes, noting that hardship had forced beneficiaries to sell off their tools of empowerment.

Tomori-Ponnle outlined the foundation’s four pillars of empowerment to include belief in the power of education as the greatest equaliser; commitment to comprehensive skills development; provision of microloans and grants, and partnerships with financial institutions to create sustainable pathways to economic independence; and recognition that health is wealth.

In his goodwill message, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, urged well-meaning Nigerians to invest in humanity through the promotion of skill acquisition initiatives, entrepreneurship, and human development programmes.

Oyetola emphasised that human capital development is essential for nation-building. He called on Nigerians to rise and support the national dream of actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Gender inequality: Bisi Fayemi tasks Nigerians with forging new values