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Tag: Communities

  • Edo extends COVID-19 case search to 620 communities

    Edo extends COVID-19 case search to 620 communities

    The Edo State Government has revved up measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, visiting over 620 rural and urban communities for Active Case Search (ACS) activities, testing 2099 residents and contact tracing 1167 others who had various degrees of contact with confirmed cases.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, reassured that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration remains committed to containing the pandemic in all communities across the state.

    The commissioner noted that Edo has so far recorded 262 confirmed cases and 13 COVID-19 related deaths, adding that 69 persons who have tested negative twice to the virus have been discharged while 180 other patients are being managed at various isolation centres in the state.

    According to him, while Edo State has recorded a total of 2058 suspected cases of COVID-19 in 17 Local government councils, the confirmed cases were recorded in 14 LGAs including Oredo, Esan West, Egor , OviaNorth East, Ikpoba-Okha , Uhunmwode, Etsako Central, Esan South East, Akoko-Edo, Esan Central, Ovia South West, Owan East, Esan North East and Etsako West.

    Okundia, who warned residents against giving out wrong addresses and phone numbers during testing and screening, added that 17 confirmed cases are yet to be moved for treatment due to wrong addresses/phone numbers or lack of cooperation with surveillance/case management team.

    The commissioner added, “The Edo State Government urges all citizens to comply with all guidelines aimed at ensuring the health and safety of all residents. Stay at home and observe social distancing and other precautionary measures against the spread of the disease, including regular handwashing with soap under running water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Cover your mouth and nose properly when sneezing and/or coughing. Also do well to report anyone with oversea travel history.”

  • COVID-19: PETAN donates food items to 10 Communities in Rivers, gets NCDMB support [Photos]

    COVID-19: PETAN donates food items to 10 Communities in Rivers, gets NCDMB support [Photos]

    As part of their efforts to give succour to members’ host communities, the Petroluem Association of Nigeria (PETAN) with the support of Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has donated food palliatives to 10 members host communities in Rivers State, Saturday, April, 18th.

    Speaking during the distribution of the food palliatives by members, the Chairman of PETAN, Mr Nik Odinuwe said, the move, was part of PETAN and NCDMB efforts in helping the government stop the spread of COVID-19 and aid residents in cushioning the effect of the lockdown in the state.

    Odinuwe added that PETAN is aware that the current lockdown has made it very difficult for many Nigerians to eke out a living as they are compelled by government directives to stay at home, more so as responsible corporate organization, deem it wise to assist government to curtail the spread of the virus.

    He further added that the initiative to give out food items was inspired by the need to provide succour to the communities, as many of those who survive on daily earning from their work & farms, can no longer work due to the stay at home directive by the state government geared towards ending COVID-19 Pandemic.

    The COVID-19 support committee chairman Chief Dr Emi Membere-Otaji noted that the food presentation was the phase two of the donations by PETAN, stressing the need for people to adhere to the safety measures recommended by Federal, State governments and WHO.

    On his part, the publicity secretary of PETAN, Dr Lucky Akhiwu said the items were in support of the efforts of the Federal and state governments towards fighting COVID-19 in the state.

    The beneficial communities within Port-Harcourt in this first phase are; Elekahia, Oginigba, Nkpogu, Amadi-Ama, Woji, Azuabie, Rumuodara, Rumuigbo, Elelenwo and Abuloma Communities.

    The donated items include rice, gari, indomie, tomatoes, vegetable oil, face masks and hand sanitizers.

  • Bandits attack three communities in Niger

    Armed bandits have attacked three communities in Rafi local government area of Niger State in a renewed attack in the state.

    The communities attacked by the bandits include Rafin-wayam, Rafin-kwakwa and Gidan Dogo-Gurgu villages.

    This is bringing the number of communities attacked in Niger to four in the past one week.

    According to reports, the armed bandits, whose number could not be ascertained, invaded the town in three motorcycles which carried two or three people in some cases.

    Residents said that they were forced to run to Kagara which is the headquarters of Rafi local government area.

    The victims claimed that their foodstuff and properties were taken away.

    One of the affected residents, who spoke to newsmen, Mallam Sani, said the incident occurred on Tuesday evening alleging that after the attack, the bandits left for Pandogari community.

    “The bandits encircled us at Rafin Wayam village and took all our foods especially breads and beverages before they left for Pangu-Gari community. The attack began at about 6:45pm on Tuesday.”

    In a related development, Youths in Kagara town in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state took to the highway protesting over the incessant banditry and kidnappings in the community.

    The youths blocked the Lagos-Kaduna Highway lamenting that the federal and state governments have left them to their fate.

    The youths carried various placards with inscriptions like “We need help”; “Government save us”; “Help us with food and water’.

    Also some of the youths lamented the poor conditions in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps where the people had to stay over because they could not return to their villages due to fear of renewed attack.

    The youths called on the state government to send in food and other basics necessities to the affected displaced persons from Kukoki, Rafin Wayam, Rafin Kwakwa, Gidan Dogo-gurgu, Maranji and Hanawanka.

    The Police have confirmed these attacks through its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muhammad Abubakar.

    The Police were reviewing the security architecture of communities adding that the Police has swung into action and would bring the situation under control.

  • Thousands of UBA Staff Across Africa Give Back to their Communities

    UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Friday, November 23, 2018 launched its Each One, Teach One initiative, hosting a huge impact day in Nigeria and across all its subsidiaries in Africa.

    The UBA Community Service presents an opportunity for UBA staff members to give a little of their time and skills to their communities. All across the continent, staff members of the pan- African bank were seen within their communities, teaching and assisting the less priviledged.

    UBA Group Managing Director, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who attended the event in Lagos, Nigeria, expressed his excitement over the initiative, adding that as a corporate entity, UBA, through the Foundation decided to give back as a family, starting by impacting knowledge to students and participants.

    Uzoka, who is also the Chairman, UBA Foundation, said, “Our goal with this initiative is to help the under privileged and young children learn vocational skills that will assist them along the path to financial freedom as they start businesses of their own. We have therefore, created a platform to encourage people who have various skills and talents to pass this on to the younger generation.

    Continuing, he said, “Interestingly, we have over 15,000 staff across the UBA network and we know that if each of them can teach two people, then a lot of people would be impacted with a lot of skills within a very short period’.

    After engaging in a group reading session with the students, Uzoka seized the opportunity of the event to educate the youths and the students present, on Financial Literacy, and the gains of savings and investing from a young age.

    “As a bank, we want students to inculcate the habit of savings, especially for the rainy day. It is important that you are cautious about the future, because nothing is guaranteed. Therefore ensure that you bear this in mind when you receive your allowance no matter how little.’ Uzoka said to the students who filled the Onikan Community centre in Lagos.

    The Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, who threw more light on the initiative stated that it is aimed at helping to impact lives positively and in a very meaningful way. She added that the initiative, which was going on simultaneously in Africa, was being driven by UBA staff members who were very happy to be giving back to society.

    “At UBA Foundation, we really genuinely care about our communities and about doing good. I see how excited staff members are when they get involved in any of our CSR initiatives. There is something really gratifying about giving back. It helps the communities and helps you grow as an individual. Today was an extremely productive exercise’ said Atta.

    The Group Head of Corporate Bank, Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi and Regional Head, Lagos Bank 2, Mrs. Emem Usoro were also present at the event to encourage the students.

    Thousands of UBA staff members across Africa voluntarily committed their time today to teaching youths various activities such as foreign languages, photography, tae kwon do, fashion design, martial arts, first aid, music and much more.

    UBA, Africa’s global bank, is committed to being a socially responsible company and role model for all businesses in Africa. UBA recognises the need for a social contract between the bank, the community and its people.

    As the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the UBA Group, UBA Foundation is committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Environment, Education, Economic Empowerment and Special Projects.

  • 73 dead as communities clash in Taraba

    73 dead as communities clash in Taraba

    No fewer than 73 persons were confirmed dead and about 50 villages burnt following a renewed violence between the Hausa-Fulani and Yandang communities in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    The state Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sahabi Mahmoud, told journalists on Friday in Jalingo that the hostilities, which started on July 5, has claimed the lives of more than 23 of his members.

    He said that over 3,000 displaced Hausa-Fulanis, mainly women and children, who fled the area, are currently taking refuge at the Muslim Council Secretariat in Jalingo and other neighbouring local government areas.

    Mahmoud lamented that it was “unfortunate” that since the displaced persons arrived the Muslim Council in Jalingo, no government official had visited the camp or provided any relief material to the victims.

    On his part, an elder of the Yandang community, Mr Aaron Artimas, said more than 50 persons from the side of the Yandang and other tribes in the area were confirmed dead as a result of the conflicts.

    Artimas noted that the Hausa-Fulanis, Yandang, Mumuye, and Yoti, among other tribes, had lived in the area as brothers and sisters without problems for centuries.

    He blamed the recent recurring conflicts on incitement from people outside the area who wanted to remain relevant politically.

    “Some militia from neighbouring Adamawa State have infiltrated Babagasa, a border village between Taraba and Adamawa, and have been wreaking havoc on all the surrounding villages in Lau Local Government of Taraba.

    “Villages such as Tikule, Bariki, Santuraki, Budong, Mbonding and Panti-Ladda, among others, were burnt by the militia.

    “Over 2,000 displaced persons from the affected villages are currently taking refuge at the Central Primary School, Jalingo.

    “Some are in other villages like Sunkani, Apawa, Zing and Bali all in Taraba, while several others fled to Gorobi, Sabon-Gida, Bujum and Mayo-Belwa in Adamawa State.

    Since the arrival of IDPs in their current locations, they have been living at the mercy of God and good spirited individuals who have been taking food to them.

    “As I speak with you now, since the conflicts erupted in Lau Local Government on July 5, there is no presence of security while the people continue to kill themselves,’’ he explained.

    However, the Taraba Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police David Misal, who confirmed the incident, said the number of casualties was still being compiled, while normalcy has been restored in the affected areas.

  • Otodo-Gbame vs LASG: How communities got their ‘shanties’ back [Video]

    How it all started…

    Until early March, not many people including those resident in Lagos had ever heard of Otodo-Gbame, a sleepy fishing community outside Lekki that is quite easy to miss.

    However, it has been thrust into the centre of the news since then following three demolitions by the Lagos State Government, resulting in thousands displaced and up to ten people dead.

    In October 2016, the Lagos State Government made public its plan to demolish what it termed as ‘shanties’ along creeks and waterways in the state, citing the growing cases of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the communities.

    However, worried by the prospect of up to 300,000 people being rendered homeless, a community-based group called Incorporated Trustees of Community Legal Support Initiative and 35 occupants of various waterfront communities sought a court injunction preventing the government from carrying out its action.

    The plaintiffs had their prayers granted by a Lagos State High Court which restrained the state government from going ahead with the demolition. However, the court order fell on deaf ears as two days later, government-owned bulldozers rolled into Otodo-Gbame supported by armed police officers who shot sporadically into the air. The ensuing confusion ended with at least seven people dead, and prompted the United Nations Rapporteur on Adequate Housing to demand an explanation from the state and federal governments for the evictions.

    A further court judgment on January 26 by the Lagos State High Court issued a ruling finding that demolitions on short notice without providing alternative shelter for persons evicted constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in violation of Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, and ordered the parties to attempt mediation through the Lagos State Multi-Door Court House.

    Condemnations trail demolition…

    Amnesty International and other notable organisations locally and internationally condemned the demolition. Social media was also awashed with ‘knocks’ for the Ambode led Lagos State Government over the demolition.

    Demolition in public interest – LASG

    However, following the backlash that greeted the demolition, the Lagos State Government explained that it was done in the interest of the public.

    In a statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, government said the state’s Ministry of Environment’s action was to forestall an environmental disaster and another round of deadly skirmishes that led to the razing of the Otodo Gbame community in November 2016.

    Ayorinde, added that the action was informed by the overriding public interest to ensure that the waterfront area is free from environmentally injurious and unsanitary habitation few months after it was consumed by fire and rendered uninhabitable.

    The government however, denied flouting any court judgment as alleged, insisting that it owes a duty to the larger population of the state to ensure that public health and safety is maintained.

    The Otodo Gbame community is one of the 39 claimant communities that had commenced action to enforce their fundamental rights pursuant to Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 before Onigbanjo. J of Lagos Division of the High Court of Lagos State in Suit No. LD/4232MFHR/2016..AKAKPO and 38 ORS vs. AG L/S and 3 ORS.

     

    Victory at last…

    However, respite came the way of the displaced victims of the Otodo Gbame community as Justice Surajudeen Onigbanjo of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, on Wednesday ruled in their favour.

    The judge released his verdict on June 21, 2017, ruling the evictions as unconstitutional, saying it violates the rights of the residents, especially as it happened without consultation or a resettlement plan in place.

    He also ordered the state government to cease further evictions.

    The suit was brought last year by 33 applicants suing on behalf of themselves and other residents of settlements including OtodoGbame, Tomaro, Otumara, Orisunmibare, Oko Agbon, Itun Atan, Sogunro, the Ikorodu communities of Ofin, Bayeku, Olufunke Majidun and the Bariga communities of Ago Egun and Ebute-Ilaje.

    The communities are challenging the demolition of their waterfront settlement by the state government, a decision that has been condemned by local and international right groups.