​We’re doing our best to support 2million displaced Nigerians — FG

The Federal Government yesterday said that it was trying its best to ensure that over two million Nigerians displaced as a result of insurgency, communal clashes, armed banditry, among others were given support.

The government also assured those living with a disability that they would be given more political appointments in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to give them a sense of belonging.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk disclosed this when she led some members of people with disabilities on a thank-you visit to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said, “Today is s a very important day for us and the disability community. We are here on a thank-you visit to Mr President. First, for his support on the issues of persons with disabilities in this country.

“You may recall that in January 2019, Mr President assented to the bill on the prohibition and discrimination against persons with disabilities in this country. That was the first milestone. Mr President also graciously appointed the chairman, board members and the executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

“So, this is a visit to demonstrate our appreciation and our commitment to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Speaking on the key take aways from the visit, she said, “You may recall that APC (All Progressives Congress) is the first party to have made provisions for persons with disabilities in their ward, local government, state and national levels since inception.

“Also, that was followed by the fulfilment of Mr President’s campaign promise to the disabilities community, where he promised to sign the disabilities Act when he comes on board. That has been done and the commission has been created.

“So the next step is for Mr President to issue an executive order for compliance with this act, especially in the area of access, where most of our public and private buildings are not really friendly to persons with disabilities.

“So, this is an appeal we have made to Mr President and we are hopeful that he will direct both public and private buildings in this country should comply with this provision.

“Another issue is that of funding, Mr President mentioned that the commission will be adequately funded in order for them to achieve the desired objectives of giving a dignified attention to the disabilities in this country.”

Asked whether the federal government would give more political positions to those living with disabilities, she answered in the affirmative.

” Yes. That is the inclusion we are talking about. We have started by reaching out to the Civil Service Commission to ensure that those who are qualified are given the opportunity to be part of the civil service in this country.

” As regards appointment, you will recall that Mr President has appointed a senior special assistant on issues of persons with disabilities in this country. So, it is a process and we are hopeful that going forward we will have more persons with disabilities in government.”

Winners Of 6th Authentic News Daily Awards 2020 Emerge, Buratai Wins Man Of Year

Habila Victor, Kaduna.

Top Kaduna based multiple award winning Online news site, AUTHENTIC News Daily has announced winners of the sixth edition of its prestigious annual awards for the year 2020.

A statement signed by its Consulting Editor, Jacob Onjewu Dickson made available on Thursday January 7, 2021 informed that NIgeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has emerged its Man Of The Year 2020.

It informed that Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki is the Authentic Politician of the Year.

Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe emerged Woman of The Year, ehile President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation emerged Sports Personality of The Year, an award he is winning for the third time, after winning same in 2017 and 2019.

“As it was done in the five previous editions, winners of the awards in the 17 categories have emerged,” it stated.
The statement congratulated the winners, while urging them to keep up the good works that earned them the recognition.

“Full categories listed below:

1 AUTHENTIC MAN OF THE YEAR

Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai

2 AUTHENTIC POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR

Godwin Obaseki

3 AUTHENTIC WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Dr. Hadiza Balarabe

4 AUTHENTIC GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe)/Babagana Zulum (Borno State)

5 AUTHENTIC LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

Honourable Ochor  (Delta State Deputy Speaker

6 AUTHENTIC BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR

King Mohammed Adah Ochacho

7 AUTHENTIC MDA OF THE YEAR

Nigerian Ports Authority

8 AUTHENTIC BRAND OF THE YEAR

GAC Motors

9 AUTHENTIC CORPORATE ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

MicroManna

10 AUTHENTIC NGO OF THE YEAR

Zailani Absolute Care Foundation

11 AUTHENTIC MILITARY OR PARAMILITARY OUTFIT OF THE YEAR

Nigerian Navy

12 AUTHENTIC SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Faith Academy Kaduna

13 AUTHENTIC UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria

14 AUTHENTIC JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Bayo Akamo (Ibadan)

15 AUTHENTIC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Engineer Musa Nimrod

16 AUTHENTIC OPPOSITION FIGURE OF THE YEAR

Chief Chukuemeka Eze

17 AUTHENTIC ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
JoeBoy Pondem

​NIN holders to pay N15,000 to correct date of birth —NIMC official

The National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, yesterday, declared that correction of details in the National Identity Number, NIN, would attract varying charges.

The NIMC Regional Coordinator in Alausa, Lagos, Funmi Opensanwo, who spoke on a Television Programme, Sunrise Daily, said the charges vary from correction of details like name, address, card renewal or replacement, and date of birth.

Reacting to allegations that officials of NIMC have been demanding illegal fees from Nigerians to link their NIN to their sim cards, Opensanwo said: “The money we charge is for modification fee.

“For the date of birth correction, the processing fee is N15, 000. For card renewal or card replacement, there is a processing fee of N5, 000.

“For a modification of your name and address, there is a fee of N5,000.”

Besides, she said the fees “are for services and (things) to be corrected. They are payable to the Treasury Single Account, TSA, and not to anybody.”

Capitol: Obama speaks as ‘normalcy’ restored, curfew imposed

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has said history will not be kind to incumbent President Donald Trump over the violence that erupted at the Capitol, Washington D.C, on Wednesday.

The Capitol Building is the seat of the American Congress, equivalent to Nigeria’s national assembly.

Earlier on, pro-Trump protesters had besieged the Capitol in a move to prevent the Congress from certifying the electoral college votes that gave Joe Biden, candidate of the Democratic Party in the November 2020 election, victory.

In the chaos that ensued, a woman, identified as a 35-year-old Ashli Babbitt, former Air Force veteran from San Diego, was shot. She died in the process. Three more persons also reportedly died in ”medical emergencies.”

Several police personnel and protesters were said to have been injured in the ensuing violence leading to a declaration of curfew by the local police chief.
After the Capitol had been secured and some sort of normalcy restored, the Congress and the Senate later reconvened to continue with the congressional certification of Mr Biden’s electoral college victory.
However, condemning the violence mostly perpetrated by Mr Trump’s supporters, Mr Obama said “history will rightly remember today’s violence at the Capitol, incited by a sitting president who has continued to baselessly lie about the outcome of a lawful election, as a moment of great dishonor and shame for our nation.”
Mr Obama, a strong Biden backer, said Americans would be kidding themselves if they treated the chaos as a total surprise.
He blamed the Republican Party and the conservative media for egging on their followers to go violent should Mr Biden’s victory be upheld.

​Again, Jonathan reacts to US election, says nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the ongoing political activities in the United State.

History is about to take place again in U.S. The whole world is watching the scenario and of course the ‘self-acclaimed-perfect-democracy-practicing country, as the Republican lawmakers early objected to counting Pennsylvania’s electors, delaying the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory after the House and Senate rejected an earlier challenge to his win in Arizona.

Yesterday Trump supporters stormed US Congress offices protesting against electoral malpractice in the November 3 Presidential election.

Report had it that an unidentified woman was shot during the invasion of the US congress on Wednesday, as Police stormed the area to evacuate the angry protesters. The woman later died.

In view of that U.S. President Donald Trump told his supporters to go home. “I know your pain, I know your hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us,” Trump said in a one-minute video posted on social media.

“But you have to go home now, we have to have peace, we have to have law and order,” he added.

Following the events and of course the death of the woman, Jonathan said: “I have repeatedly said nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen, in any part of the world.

“Absolutely nobody. Again, I reiterate that it is better to lose power at the cost of gaining peace, than to gain power at the price of losing the peace. As a leader, one must not just look unto one’s own interest, but the interest and the good of society.

“It is never too late to reject the venom and inject the serum of peace. It is necessary to state that the highest purpose of leadership is to bring people together, even those that do not share in your philosophy. And you do not need an office to do that. All you need to achieve that height of leadership is conscience. Let us be men of conscience at this hour. GEJ.”

Recall that in 2015 President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Goodluck in the presidential election, the then President Jonathan called him on phone to congratulate him over his victory.