The Federal Government under President Tinubu, has expressed its commitment to address pressing humanitarian challenges in the country including providing decent homes for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). 

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA, Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, (ANIPR) on Saturday.

Dr Betta Edu handed over fourty fully completed houses at the resettlement city built by the Refugees Commission to the IDPs in the Gidan Dawa area of Gusau, Zamfara State.

Recall that several persons were displaced in Zamfara, including a visibly old mother of four who was thrown out of their abode as a result of banditry attacks in their communities and lived with her grandchildren and community in the forest for months.

Their stories have however changed with the new homes given to them by President Tinubu renewed hope intervention from the Refugee Commission.

The minister said President Bola Ahmad Tinubu is determined to provide more shelter to IDPs across the country, stressing that a new dawn has been birthed and their story will change moving forward. 

Edu who made the presentation to the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, in the Presence of the High Federal Commissioner Hon Tijani Ahmed called on the International communities, private establishments, and public-spirited individuals to support the humanitarian response in the state.

“This Resettlement City Project is not just a physical endeavor; it is a beacon of hope for the beneficiaries and the state.

“We are going to provide more lighting to this environment to further illuminate this new city,as part of security measures, this is with immediate effect.

Responding to the Governor’s request to build more homes and cities for the Internally Displaced Persons in other parts of the Senatorial district, the Minister said;

” Mr Governor, all you need to do is to provide us with lands and other requirements at the state level that will enable us to build as requested,” she said

In his remarks, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Aliyu Commended the federal government for its interest in the security situation in the state.

“Zamfara is in deer need of support. The provision of an IDP resettlement 

facility in the State Capital, Gusau, is indeed a welcome development. We appreciate the 

collaborative efforts of the Federal Government in alleviating the suffering of our people. In this regard, the Government and the good people of Zamfara State remain grateful for this kind gesture.

“We request for more support, particularly, we request that the Honorable Minister use her good offices to construct two 

more of these projects, one each in the remaining two zones, Zamfara North and West 

Senatorial Districts. This is to fulfill the initial plan of these vital intervention projects” the Governor said.

Also Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner, the National Commission for Refugees migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Alhaji Tijjani  Aliyu Ahmed  said the handing over of the houses was part of the 

Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu which underscores the paramount importance of the welfare of internally displaced persons of his government.

He said with the Minister’s approval, more programs, projects, and opportunities will come to the state under his Commission. 

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.