General
O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation Holds Valentine’s Party for Elders in Rivers
The O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation made it a unique, enjoyable and memorable Valentine’s Day for over 40 senior citizens in Rivers State by organising its annual party to mark the universal day of love.
The party at the purpose-built Biokpo Recreational Centre in Abonnema, Rivers State, featured singing, dancing and merriment with the elderly expressing their joy for the love and care showered on them continuously by the NGO’s Care for Life programme.
Chairman of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, said the party was in fulfilment of the Foundation’s commitment to the well-being of older people.
“The elderly deserve our love and affection always, and we are happy that God uses us to take care of their health, economic, social and spiritual well-being on a daily basis. God loves us and has shown us uncommon kindness as an organisation, so we are also showing love to these elders. The Valentine’s Day party is one annual event we organize for them to celebrate milestones and testify to God’s love in our lives. May the love of God continue to shine in all our lives,” she said.
Dr Lulu-Briggs enjoined other individuals and organisations to borrow a leaf from the OB Lulu-Briggs Foundation and see to the care of the elderly, who are among the most vulnerable in Nigerian society.
“While it is an integral part of the culture in Nigeria and, indeed, Africa to revere, honour and look after our elders, the widespread poverty and the harsh social and economic environment has made it difficult for families and communities to uphold this tradition. The truth is that with the myriad of problems we face post-Covid, elder care is not a priority, and our seniors are among the most vulnerable to poverty and disease at the community level.
“Indeed, ageism, neglect and violence against elders are very real. For over 21 years, we have cared for over 600 senior Nigerians who have no or minimal family support by taking on full responsibility for their well-being. Ensuring that they socialize and remain active through daily activities and occasional parties like today’s is an essential part of healthy ageing, which we take very seriously. We should all unite to ensure that our elders are lovingly cared for. They are a blessing and an integral part of our communities which we should continue to treasure.”
Two elders at the party, Pa Kingdom Miller and Mama Florence West expressed gratitude to the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation for taking care of their upkeep despite the economic crunch being experienced in the country.
Pa Miller said, “I pray God continues to bless Seinye Lulu-Briggs, for remembering us all the time. I have been with her from the beginning (2001), and God has graciously granted me long life. I pray God gives her long life, too, as she helps old people.”
Mama West said, “We are happy to see today’s Valentine’s Day party, and we know we will be here celebrating next year by God’s grace. We thank Seinye Lulu-Briggs and her team for the love and care.”
Through the Care for Life Program, the Foundation takes care of the health, economic and social well-being of vulnerable elderly people in Rivers State. It covers all their medical costs, provides caregivers to look after them, and gives them food, household supplies and a monthly cash allowance. The Foundation’s other programs are Free Medical Mission, Access to Clean Water and Sanitation, Education and Scholarships, and Microcredit and Entrepreneurship.
By Dipo Olowookere
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Iyorchia Ayu, has stepped down from the position and has been replaced by the Deputy National Chairman of the party for the northern region of the country, Mr Umar Iliya Damagum.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Hon. Debo Ologunagba, confirmed this development.
It was disclosed that Mr Damagum would be the acting chairman of the country’s main opposition party, pending the determination of a case in court.
Recall that on Sunday, the executive of the PDP in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State suspended Mr Ayu for alleged anti-party activities.
He was accused of working against the success of the party in Igyorov Council Ward, and failed to “pay his Annual Subscription Fees as provided under Section 8 (9) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 (As Amended).”
“Further investigation also revealed that he did not vote during the Governorship and State Assembly Elections held on March 18, 2023.
“It was also discovered that most of his closest allies worked for the opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and hence, the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
“In view of the foregoing, we hereby pass a Vote of No Confidence on Dr Iyorchia Ayu and suspend him as a member of our party with immediate effect. The suspension takes effect from March 24, 2023,” the Ward Chairman of the PDP, Mr Kachi Philip, and the secretary, Mr Vangeryina Dooyum, announced while addressing journalists.
Today, the national spokesman of the party said Mr Ayu stepped aside from the position during the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on Tuesday in Abuja, after the NWC acknowledged “the order of the Benue State High Court dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the chairmanship position of our great party.”
“After a careful consideration of the court order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Ililya Damagum, assumes the national chairmanship of our party in acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great party to remain calm and united at this critical time,” the statement said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised the alarm over a proliferation of “dangerous” and “unregulated” skin bleaching creams in the market, which it likened to a pandemic.
The agency made this known on Tuesday during its Media Sensitization Workshop on the Dangers of Bleaching Creams and Regulatory Controls event held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
According to a recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 77 per cent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products. This number is even higher in other countries like Togo (88 per cent), South Africa (80 per cent), and Senegal (59 per cent).
Although Nigeria does not have legislation against skin bleaching yet, other countries like Rwanda and Ghana have issued bans on skin-lightening products.
The Director General of the agency, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, further lamented the health threats accompanying long term use of dangerous agents and urged Nigerian women to be proud of their skin colour.
She declared that, “There’s no need to bleach.”
Mrs Adeyeye, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research, Dr Patrick Leonard Omokpariola, stated that the products are now marketed under different names for sales purposes.
NAFDAC Deputy Director, Mr Ebele Anto, also canvassed the support of the media to sensitise Nigerians to the notion that there is nothing wrong with being dark-skinned.
The event was also attended by security agencies and other stakeholders in the cosmetic industry.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Government has maintained operations of commercial motorcycles in 10 local government areas (LGAs), and 15 local council development areas (LCDAs) across the state remained prohibited.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, made this disclosure over the weekend when he toured some of the restricted areas.
He lamented the return of Okadas in these areas, noting that law enforcement agencies have been given the directive to ensure the ban is adhered to.
The state government in 2022 prohibited commercial motorcycles in Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, Mushin, Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Surulere and Eti-Osa LGAs and Ojodu, Onigbongbo, Lagos Island East, Yaba, Coker-Aguda. Itire-Ikate, Eti-Osa West, Iru Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga and Odi-Olowo LCDAs.
While urging both riders and passengers to desist from contravening the ban, the Special Adviser implored the general public to comply as both the riders and passengers are liable to three years in prison if apprehended and prosecuted.
He added that motorcycles impounded will be crushed in line with the provision of Section 46, sub-section 1, 2 & 3 of the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
Mr Giwa, therefore, solicited the support of residents towards ensuring full compliance with all government policies, noting that despite the available existing interventions and viable alternatives provided for okada operators, which were expected to cushion the effect of the ban on their livelihood, the recalcitrant riders have refused to take advantage of them.
He revealed that some of the viable alternatives had been made available for the operators by the State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Ministry of Wealth Creations and Employment, Office of Civic Engagement, Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Lagos Economic Acceleration Programme (LEAP) and the Ministry of Agriculture (Agric YES), among others.
He also said the state government’s First and Last Mile Bus Transport Scheme, the BRT Scheme, the Lagos e-hailing taxi Scheme (LAGRIDE), and other sustainable modes of transportation were also part of interventions provided to minimise the inconveniences of the motoring public in executing their daily activities.
The Governor’s aide averred that the position of the state government on okada is very clear, stressing that there is no going back in order to consolidate on the achievements made so far in the decrease in the accident and crime rates as well as the return of sanity to the communities within the state.
The Special Adviser averred that the security agencies who have been partnering with the state government, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Army, Navy and Air Force, are still prepared to sustain enforcement on all the banned corridors; this is in addition to the operations of the State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Anti-Okada Squad.
