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FCT Aborigines Seek Platform For Sustaining, Promotion Of Cultural Heritage—-The indigenous inhabitants of Abuja have called on policy makers to provide them with a platform for the preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage.

They made the call during a public presentation of a book entitled, “Odyssey of A Rootsman: The Biography of Yunana Dawudu”, in Abuja on Sunday.

They argued that the platform would create opportunities for the Abuja indigenes to discuss their history, and cultural heritage, including threats and other burning issues that affect them.

This, according to them, would serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue, self-examination, and positive action in their collective journey toward progress and prosperity.

They added that the fora, devoid of any political and religious colouration, would focus on how to promote their values of hard work, patience, forthrightness, and integrity.

One of them, Mr Richard Daudu, said that in spite of the level of progress in the nation’s capital, the indigenous people were still faced with political and economic deprivations among other challenges.

Daudu emphasised the need for the indigenous people to be encouraged to tell their stories to prevent distortion of their history and legacies.

He described the book launch as one of the ways the people could tell their stories.

He said that the book transcends beyond a biography of the life and times of Yunana Dawudu to a testament of the enduring spirit of humanity and the power of perseverance.

“The biography paints a vivid picture of the environment and culture in which Dawudu and his contemporaries thrived, despite the challenges they faced.

“Our gathering today is not merely the presentation of a book; it is a celebration of heritage, a call to action, and testament to the importance of storytelling.

“As we navigate through the pages of Yunana Dawudu’s life, let us not only celebrate his legacy, but also reflect on our own journeys,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the event would elicit the interest of the older generation to tell their stories – the environment they lived in and the limited opportunities they had.

He added that it would also incite the younger ones to recognise the current opportunities in terms of education, business and other areas of life and harness them.

Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, while presenting the book, re-echoed the need for the indigenous people to preserve and showcase their cultural heritage.

Jisalo, however, expressed optimism that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration would give the people the needed “air to breathe”, as evident with his appointment as a member of Tinubu’s cabinet.

He urged his people to leverage on the constitutional amendment by the National Assembly to push for more legislative seats, which he described as crucial to their quest for improved inclusion in governance.

On his part, Sen. Philip Aduda, who represented the FCT in the ninth Senate, described the biography as an eye opener and a reference book for the younger generation to learn from the experience and exploits of the old.

Similarly, Mr Abdullahi Candido, the immediate past Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, described Dawudu as one of the connecting rods between the old and the new generations of FCT inhabitants.

Candido said that Dawudu agitated, promoted, and encouraged his people to be receptive to the different kinds of people flowing into Abuja, the new Nigeria and home to all.

He added that the celebrator was also among those who piloted the affairs of the FCT Administration, and among the champions of the political trajectory of the indigenous inhabitants of FCT.

The celebrant, Mr Dawudu, an octogenarian, described his biography, co-authored by Chukwuemeka Chukwudi and Mrs Msurshima Chenge as a masterpiece that would be of interest to students of social sciences and historians.

He said that the 168 pages biography chronicled his life, what it means to be born in a rural community, his experience of the development of Abuja into a capital city and the consequences on his people.

He urged young people to read and learn from his experience.

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

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Kellyrae

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

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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