NSCC lays solid structures, partnership for older persons in 2 years - DG

By Albert Akota

The Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, (NSCC) Dr. Emem

Omokaro has said that the body has used two years in laying solid structures, designing programs as well building partnerships for the betterment of older persons in Nigeria.

Dr. Omokaro who disclosed this at the weekend during maiden media luncheon in Abuja, emphasized that the coming year is going to see a rollout of so many of these programs for the betterment of older persons.

According to her, “We are really looking forward in engaging the Governor’s Forum and then finding the focal points in the states.

Since we cannot put up state offices, we will find focal points in their State Assembly and their Executive arms to ensure that they understand the vision and they can also be passionate about including their older people.

“We have gained so much in our partnership with NDE, SMEDAN and other partners. It is now for us to leverage on their nationwide structures and then increase the tempo of our penetration into the states to reach out to older persons as fast as possible.

“I also look forward to our care quality assurance, seeing us roll out the national benchmark and minimum curricular for training, certifying and registering care agencies, caregivers and then rolling out this agency model where these agencies and caregivers can be sent to homes”, she stated.

She noted that having been able to mainstream geriatric social care into the national skills framework which has now made it a skill that is classified and recognized, the Agency is really looking forward to rolling that out so as to get quality care to older citizens.

She also recognized the efforts of the media in promoting the activities of the Agency, as well as bringing issues affecting older persons to the forefront.

The DG used the opportunity to award the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for its partnership with the Agency by providing a platform to ensure smooth and easy broadcast of NSCC’s activities to Nigerians and the world at large.

Meanwhile, Media practitioners present took turns to laud the Agency and the DG for her tenacity and resilience in promoting the issues of older persons and engaging their skills even after retirement.

She adding that the efforts of NSCC will help older persons to remain relevant in the society long after retirement.

Niger APC stalwart sues former COS Balarabe claiming N2b damages

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

An All Progressives Congress stalwart in Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Katcha has instituted case claiming N2 billion damages against the immediate past Chief of Staff Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe for malicious prosecution that was later discharge and acquitted.

The case instituted in High Court 3 Minna presided over by Justice Maryam Mahmood, the plaintiff counsels Anietie U.J Udoh Esq and Opeyemi Makinde

Esq have told the court to order the defendant to pay a sum of N1 billion general damages for malicious prosecution.

The Court directed the Ibrahim Balarabe to also pay the plaintiff another N1 billion for been aggreviated and or examplary damages as well directed the defendant to publish public apology to the plaintiff in three different national newspapers.

Meanwhile, an order of the court awarding substantial sum as the court may assess as cost the suit in favour of the plaintiff, as well as an order directing the plaintiff to pay to the defendant 10% interest per month on the sum to be awarded above released from the date of judgement debt is fully and finally liquidated.

The plaintiff who is one of the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress APC in Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Katcha was arrested, detained and prosecuted from 4/12/2019 to 10/12/2021.

The former Chief of Staff COS, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe petitioned the plaintiff for criminal case for inciting the public on various social media platforms and insult the government, governor’s immediate family and constituted themselves to be security threat. The case which was handled by Minna magistrate court two later discharge and acquitted the case against Katcha for lack of merit which was not appeal after 30 days of judgement.

The notice of the case hearing has been slated for 27/6/2023 by the High Court 3 Minna.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi, Yakubu Ajaka, has charged the people, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political persuasions to unite in confronting the State sponsored violence and intimidators to rescue the State from precipice.

In his democracy massage to the people of the State, Ajaka said “Today history beckons on us as Kogites. June 12 is a Clarion Call for the unity of our people irrespective , political persuasions, ethnicity, religious dichotomy or ideology. We have a duty to come together as a people to rescue our state from the precipice.

“We must be brave despite intimidation and state sponsored violence and all manners of unconstitutional devices to cow us. Those who sacrificed their comforts and even lives for us to enjoy democracy today knew that there is no gain without pain.

“Our own struggle has been made easy by the heroes and martyrs of June 12. We don’t have to confront anyone who deploys violence anymore. Rather we must confront them with our votes. By so doing we are certain to return our land to the path of justice and the rule of law.

“As the flag bearer of the SDP, the same party which led our nation to democracy and liberty 30 years ago I offered to be your servant in the pursuit of these same ideals in our dear state.

“Once more I salute the heroes of the struggles that liberated us from dictatorship and repression and oppression. I salute all Nigerians who United against the forces of division to make an everlasting statement that ultimately culminated in our freedom on this day in our history.”

Speaking further on the 2023 Democracy Day, said the day is particularly historic in the sense that for the first time since that struggle raged and ended the frontline leader of the heroes who refused to be intimidated or cowed from pursuing the restoration of the sacred mandate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Asiwaju triumphed over several debilitating odds by the same anti democratic forces to arrive at this fulfilling destination today. His greatest weapon was that he remained true and faithful to the ideals of June 12. He remained resolute, brave and never lost focus of the need to maintain our unity in diversity and the pursuit of justice.

“My good people of Kogi State, it is imperative that as Nigerians we must inculcate the lessons of June 12 just like Mr President did for us to succeed and reach our goals as a nation. The goal of justice, the goal of economic stability, the goals of security and justice, the goal of unity and progress and many more of our aspirations as a people”, he said.