Barwa community applauds humanitarian minister over borehole, health Center

The people of Barwa community located on the Airport Road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have lauded the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for building a Health Center and sinking a borehole to provide potable water for the people.

The head of the community Chief Monday Kogi gave  the commendation when the Minister and staff of the ministry visited Barwa community on Saturday to mark the 2020 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Chief Kogi who expressed gratitude to the Federal government recalled that the community had no potable water and Health Centre until the ministry’s first visit last year.

“Since your first visit on October on October 17, 2019, we witnessed the construction of a bore hole in Barwa community and the building of a Health Centre. On behalf of the people of Barwa community, we say thank you”.

The community head also appealed to the federal government to help fence the Health Centre and construct an access road from the airport road to the community.

In her remarks, Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq who was represented by the the Director, Humanitarian Affairs Mr Ali Grema said she was delighted  to commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with the community.
She said that the ministry will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and Agencies under its supervision to ensure the realization of President Muhammadu Buhari”s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of Poverty in 10years.  

“This special day presents an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and struggle of people living in poverty and a chance for them to make their concerns heard.

“The fight against poverty has been ongoing for years while forty percent of the total population in Nigeria live in poverty,  according to the National Bureau of Statistics. One of Government’s primary responsibility is to assist and protect all persons in an equal manner as Poverty eradication is of significant concern to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

“This  administration remains dedicated to the principles of International protection of vulnerable persons and shall align the National frameworks with the provisions of the United Nations”. 

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs had adopted Barwa Community as a pilot Community at last year’s celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and supported the community with the construction of a Medical facility and provision of potable water by drilling of a borehole  through the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP).

This year,  the Ministry donated three hand washing points with washing kits including soaps, face masks and hand sanitizers to  families and a community pot to mark the day while a symbolic hand washing by the Hon. Minister and other dignitaries was demonstrated. 

The theme for this years’ Commemoration of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is “Acting Together to Achieve Social and Environmental Justice for All”.

Nomination of Chukwu as INEC REC gets Senate’s confirmation

The nomination of Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu as Resident Electoral Commissioner representing Abia State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by President Muhamadu Buhari has has confirmed by the senate.

The confirmation of the nominee followed consideration of a report during plenary on the screening exercise conducted by the Senate Committee on INEC.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya (APC – Kano South) in his presentation recalled that the request by President Muhammadu Buhari seeking Chukwu’s confirmation was made pursuant to the provision of Section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

According to the lawmaker, the Committee found the nominee suitable for the position of REC having made findings that no petition or incriminating reports was received against the nominee; the nominee is not affiliated to any political party or participated in any political rally or campaign; and the nominee is a person of integrity who displayed a high level of intelligence and appeared to have the temerity to hold the office of REC.

“Having studied the nominee’s curriculum vitae and other relevant documents in addition to exhaustive interaction and deliberations, the Committee members were unanimously satisfied with the nominee considering his wealth of experiences, exposure, performances, qualifications, competence and integrity as required by the Constitution, and found him suitable for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),” Gaya said.

INEC Commissioner: Melaye asks Buhari to reverse Lauretta Onochie’s nomination

The immediate past senator who represented Kogi West Dino Melaye, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately reverse the nomination of his Special Assistant on Social Media, Ms. Lauretta Onochie, as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement personally signed by the senator, he described the nomination as unconstitutional, affront on the patience of Nigerians and an insult to the institution of INEC.

“She is biased as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hence this is an affront on the patience of Nigerians and insult to the electoral umpire as an institution.

“I hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately rescind her nomination forwarded to the Senate today otherwise I will mobilise Nigerians to challenge this decision, which is unconstitutional,” Melaye said.

Melaye said by nominating Onochie as INEC National Commissioner, President Buhari has violated the 1999 Constitution, which he swore to uphold at all times.

“It’s a known fact of law that Item F, Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly forbids a card carrying member of a political party to be a member of INEC,” Melaye noted.