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Economy: Provide Palliative Care For Persons With Disabilities, NGO Urges FG—-The Convener, Disability Inclusion Nigeria, Mr Jake Epelle, has urged the Federal Government to provide palliative care for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to help cushion the effect of the economic situation on them.

Epelle made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja in an open letter written to President Bola Tinubu titled “An Urgent Appeal to Address the Crippling Impact of the Economic Crisis on Vulnerable Nigerians, Particularly PWDs.

According to Epelle, the letter was written to the president, urging him to address the skyrocketing inflation rate which has severely eroded the purchasing power of Nigerians.

In the letter, he said that the inflation rate has also impeded access to necessities like affordable healthcare, education, transportation, and food, pushing countless Nigerians further into the abyss of poverty and despair.

“This crisis disproportionately affects PWDs, who already face significant barriers due to pre-existing societal and infrastructural challenges.

“The rising cost of essential medications, assistive devices, food items, and specialised care throws PWDs into a precarious situation, jeopardising there will-being and independence.

“The financial burden of education, compounded by transportation costs, threatens to exclude them from educational opportunities, further marginalising them and hindering their potential to contribute meaningfully to society.”

Epelle who is also the founder of The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa, said that palliative care could be provided by establishing stamps, preferably in the 774 local government areas or in the six geopolitical zones and encourage private sector participation in the initiative.

He also called for the allocation of additional resources to support inclusive education initiatives, including training teachers, providing assistive technologies, subsidising school fees, and generally creating accessible learning environments.

Other recommendations made includes that the Federal Government should prioritise the development and maintenance of affordable transportation infrastructure accessible to PWDs, ensuring their mobility and independence are not compromised due to economic constraints.

“Design and implement skills development programs tailored to the specific needs and abilities of PWDs, to equip them with relevant skills for the job market and encourage employability by the private sector.

“Implement tax breaks for manufacturers and distributors to make assistive technologies, such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and screen readers more affordable for PWDs.”

He added that though some of the recommendations may be implementable only in the mid to long-term, the president should take immediate and decisive action, especially on reasonable short-term steps, to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable Nigerians.

He also said that adopting the recommendations would greatly contribute and demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive governance and social justice.

Epelle, however, said that the organisation was ready and willing to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that no Nigerian, especially PWDs, is left behind in the journey towards economic recovery and social development.

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JUST IN: Kellyrae Wins BBNaija Season 9 No Loose Guard N100m Grand Prize [VIDEO]

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JUST IN: Kellyrae Wins BBNaija Season 9 No Loose Guard N100m Grand Prize [VIDEO]—-Kellyrae, Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ housemate, has been crowned winner of the season.

TCN reports that Kellyrae was announced with on the 71st day of the show.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, host of the show, Ebuka, announced the winner on Sunday.

The eight housemates who made it to the finals were Soj, Anita, Nelly, Onyeka, Wanni, Victoria and Ozee.

As the competition winner, Kellyrae goes home with N100m of prizes.

Watch the moment below

Click HERE to watch

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Bobrisky: NCoS Anticipate Investigation outcome, Clarifies Inmate Admission Process

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Bobrisky: NCoS Anticipate Investigation outcome, Clarifies Inmate Admission Process—-The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding convicted cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky’s accommodation, with findings pending.

Abubakar Umar, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Umar also highlighted the service’s commitment to rehabilitation and safety through its comprehensive inmate admission process.

NAN recalls that Bobrisky was convicted for mutilating the naira in April and was sentenced to six months in jail.

NAN also reports that Mr Vincent Otse, social media influencer and human rights activist known as Very Dark Man (VDM) published an audio recording which captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he spent his jail term in a private apartment.

The audio also captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he paid N15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop charges of money laundering against him.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, On Monday, Sept. 30,  inaugurated an independent investigative panel to prove allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the NCoS.

The Minister Of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee said that the committee must also look at the recent allegations that some correctional service personnel had provided alternative accomodation for Bobrisky.

Umar, however, explained that inmates undergo comprehensive assessments to determine security risks, needs, and responsivity issues when brought to custodial centres.

According to him, the admission board evaluates each inmate to ensure safe housing and effective rehabilitation.

Umar who, outlined the service’s rigorous admission process for inmates, added that adherence to human rights principles through the approach was also paramount.

“Well, upon conviction of every offender from court, either awaiting trial or convicted, once they are brought to our facility, there is a process they go through before and during admission.

“Let me say during admission, there is what we call admission board, which comprises the officer in charge, the second in command, the medical officer in charge of the custodial center, the record officer and other relevant officers.

“They will go through the information contained therein in the warrants, also, before he will be allocated cell, there is what we call, determination of security.

“Determination of security refers to one’s risk assessment. The person risks self harm, safety of other inmate and officers. We also have what we call needs assessment, which is focused on criminogenic need areas.

“These are behaviours that may cause, criminal behavioural and other criminological needs.These are the things that we look into before an inmate is allocated cell.

“Furthermore, we also look at what we refer to as responsivity issues. There are things that can affect his participation in intervention or make it difficult for him to adjust to custodial life.

“So, having worked all this in, then it will be determined which cell such inmates will be allocated to,”he maintained.

According to Umar, during Bobrisky’s court appearance and subsequent admission to our facility, he was asked to declare his gender and he identified himself as male, but do not forget that, there are some other features that are on him.

“So because of those determination, I mean, what I refer to as classification and also determination of security of the custodial center, he was given an appropriate cell where he was kept.

“This is to also ensure that, he is not under threat within our custodial centers and he is kept safe also.

“Well, one thing I want to say here is that, the Minister of interior, has set up a committee to investigate the said alleged Bobrisky staying outside our custodial center.

“So until the determination of such or the outcome of such investigations, I think we should let it rest.

“I am only telling you that once an inmate or people are convicted, or are brought to our custodial centres, we have a standard of treatment to them during admission.

“They will be put through checks and these checks guide us on determination of security of such person both to the person and to the custodial center.

“But as to whether he was kept in our custodial facilities or he was kept outside the facility, until the determination of the outcome of the investigation on the allegations, I won’t be able to speak further on that,”he maintained.

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