Save my soul!!

A nonagenarian, Ogande Akya Doma cried out to the GOC of Doma Military Barracks Penultimate week, over what he described as an attempt by a military officer, Musa Gidado to take over his farmland situated opposite the Military Barracks in Doma.

Since the fateful encounter, he said life appeared to be gradually ebbing out of him being his only means of livelihood.

The 92-year-old farmer and now distraught father of 37 children with over 70 grand and great-grandchildren was visibly worried and traumatized as he lamented his ordeal at the time of filing this report. 

The nonagenarian stated that he got the shock of his life on the fateful day of 28^th September, 2023 at home in about afternoon time when two of his sons, Atakwe and Ishaleku rushed home to inform him about an encounter with the officer who ordered them to vacate the land.

The Officer gave this order at the Barracks having summoned them through his emissary. 

What baffled him, he stated was that he never met the said Officer nor had he any issue with the military to warrant such a directive.

As the situation stands, he lives under fear of the unknown since the Officer never deemed it necessary to come to him but was quick and non-committal to issue a threat to deal with whoever enters the farmland henceforth.

Providing a historical brief, he stated that his land is customary land inherited from his father who deforested the land and had farmed on it and thereafter, he took over after his father’s death, a period that spanned over 150 years.

Moreover, in line with the requirement of modernity, he said that he approached the then Village head of Doma, Ada Akabe Oshigada, and later the Local Government Authority who validated his right of ownership of the farmland which Gidado threatened to deal with him and his children if they dare set foot on. 

If Gidado or any person or persons using him intend to contest this fact I expect, with their level of training and education they should know the right channels to lodge their complaint rather than resorting to brute force that has no place in today’s justice system. 

He further narrated that he lived, for the most part of his life tilling the soil of that farmland under severe scorching of the sun and heavy rainfall both day and night trying to make ends meet before the Officer was borne. 

And through this effort, he and the children have been saved from the anguish of begging for alms on the streets. Perhaps, that he is not a pauper begging for food is the only ass the officer and his traducers have to grind with him.

He asked; is that what is making the Officer and his likes angry? Please they should come out clean and provide the answer. He contended that the piece of the farmland is the only legacy he has to bequeath to the next generation.

In Doma and especially to men of his generation, he stated that farming is not a vocation but a culture, it is life in itself and when you take away land from us, indeed you have taken away the entire humanity.

It is for this reason that I call on the GOC of Doma Military Barracks to SAVE MY SOUL from a land-grabbing officer like Gidado who is poised to damage the hard-earned reputation of the military in Doma. 

We are in a democratic era, if he has any genuine claim to the piece of land he gave my children order to vacate, there are more than enough channels of redress available to a man of enormous powers like him to take than resorting to this seemingly archaic and uncivilized path that has no place in the ongoing nexus of military vs civilian relations.

Accordingly, the nonagenarian who contended that he has seen it all in life, posited that Nigeria has gone through a lot of security challenges and he commends the proactive approach of the GOC and his officers to address some of these challenges. 

As a father, he said that he prays that Almighty God blesses officers who have keyed into this noble vision of the military and are doing Nigeria proud.  

In an effort to empower and skillfully equip women in the media industry, the Women in Media Development Initiative, WIMDI, joined hands with Cerca Africa and Senema Productions Limited to organize a targeted training program geared toward women across various media sectors.

The training honed in on television production techniques, skills, and strategies.

Speaking on Tuesday at the 1-day training on Television Broadcasting Efficiency, Rita Eghujovbo, a co-founder of the initiative, underscored the critical need for continuous capacity building in a constantly evolving media landscape.

She emphasized how individuals in the media, even in traditional print and radio, are now finding themselves in front of cameras. 

This evolution necessitates constant upskilling and adaptation, which is crucial for success in the competitive market.

“This training is specifically for television production and we decided to go for this training because the media is continually evolving, people in print and even radio are now on camera which is why it is important for women who work in the media space to bring themselves to speed to be ready for when the challenge comes up” -She said

Expressing concerns over the rising trend of job cuts in the industry, Rita stressed the significance of enhancing one’s capabilities to stay ahead professionally. 

“Job loss is happening rampantly and no matter where you work, the more you can bring to the table the better for you, we are all about making sure we are better at our craft” – She said

The Women in Media Development Initiative is committed to enhancing the craft of women in media to ensure they can offer greater value in their roles.

During the training, Emmanuel Ohiomokhare, the Lead Consultant of Senema Productions Limited, imparted insights into presentation techniques in the media. He commended the participants for their enthusiasm and understanding that effective presentation transcends mere appearance and voice. 

Mr. Emmanuel expressed optimism, looking forward to seeing a wave of skilled presenters emerging from this initiative.

“I’m impressed that the participants understand that presentation goes beyond having a fine face or a fine voice, it is hard work and I hope to see more presenters emerge from here in the future”. 

Highlighting the extensive experience and services offered by Senema Productions Limited, Mr. Emmanuel outlined their involvement in communications, media-related activities, documentaries, training, and public relations over the span of 12 years. 

Their dedication revolves around making a meaningful impact on individuals’ lives, organizations, and especially aspiring women in the media.

Georgina Ndukwe emphasized the core objective of the Women in Media Development initiative: empowering young women in the media industry with essential skills. 

According to her, the initiative aims to empower and skillfully equip young women, ensuring they possess not only confidence but also proficiency in their respective fields within the broadcasting industry.

The Women in Media Development Initiative has emerged as a pivotal force, uplifting and empowering women in the media sector. 

The recent collaboration with Cerca Africa and Productions, focusing on specialized training in television production, signifies their commitment to fostering a competent and diverse media workforce. 

Through consistent initiatives and partnerships, the Women in Media Development Initiative strives to play a crucial role in shaping the future of women in the media industry.

Due to successful debt recovery and asset realization from banks in liquidation, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has declared N16.18 billion in liquidation dividends for depositors, creditors, and shareholders of 20 banks currently in liquidation.

The announcement was made in a press release on Monday by Bashir A. Nuhu, the director of communications and public relations.

In line with this, the Corporation has initiated the verification and payment process for stakeholders, set to be completed within 30 days, starting from September 28, 2023. Notably, this ongoing payment follows previous disbursements totaling N45.45 billion as liquidation dividends for the 20 banks up to July 2023.

Relevant stakeholders are encouraged to visit nearby NDIC offices or access the claims page on the Corporation’s official website, www.ndic.gov.ng, to download, complete, and submit the verification form along with the required supporting documents to the dedicated email: claimscomplaints@ndic.gov.ng.

The affected banks in this disbursement include Liberty Bank, City Express Bank, Assurance Bank, Century Bank, Allied Bank, Financial Merchant Bank, Icon Merchant Bank, Progress Bank, Merchant Bank of Africa (MBA), Premier Commercial Bank, North-South Bank, and Prime Merchant Bank. Additionally, Commercial Trust Bank, Cooperative and Commerce Bank, Rims Merchant Bank, Pan African Bank, Fortune Bank, All States Trust Bank, Nigeria Merchant Bank, and Amicable Bank are part of the in-liquidation process.

Liquidation dividends represent the excess amount beyond the insured sums that NDIC pays to depositors of a closed bank, derived from asset recoveries of failed financial institutions. These dividends also cover payments to creditors and shareholders of the closed bank once depositors of the defunct bank have been fully compensated.