UNICEF To Train Police Officers, Other Stakeholders In Ebonyi

Fifteen communities in Ishielu local government area of the State on Thursday made open declaration to stop FGM practice in the area.

At the event, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Thursday said it would train relevant stakeholders including; men and officers of the police, Social Welfare Officers, Civil Defence, judicial officers and other duty bearers in Ebonyi state to end Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in the area.


UNICEF – Enugu chief field officer, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh while speaking in Ntezi, Ishielu local government area of the state venue of the public declaration of 15 communities in the local government for the abandonment of Female genital Mutilation however commended the communities for taking such bold step.

Represented by Mr. Theophilus Nwokpor, Conteh female genital Mutilation is a part of violence against women and girls, adding that it was why since 2015, Ebonyi State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (MWASD) , Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Child Protection Network, and other NGO/CSO partners – with support from UNICEF, have worked tirelessly with state and non-state actors, including the police, traditional, religious and community leaders and members, male groups, women groups among others on the need to end the age-long practice in the state.


“Today, we have great policies and laws that protects the rights and privileges of children, women and girls in Ebonyi State – Ebonyi State Violence Against persons (Prohibition) Law (2018), Ebonyi State
Child Rights Law (201, National Priority Agenda for Vulnerable Children in Nigeria (2013 – 202 etc.



Sadly, according to Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018) report, Ebonyi State ranks 3 rd on state prevalence of FGM at 53.2% for women aged 15-49years. While we are happy that the state prevalence dropped from 74% in 2013 to 53.2% in 2018, this is a call to action for us to quickly, and as a matter of urgency, continue to work, collaborate with community (traditional and religious) stakeholders, enforce the protection laws to reverse this ugly trend and protect women and girls from the harmful practice. Since 2015, UNICEF has been supporting the implementing partner to support social norms change through advocacy, dialogue, education, sensitisation, community mobilization, and consensus-building to facilitate community commitments to enhance positive changes on gender and social norms and for the collective abandonment of FGM.

While this is going on, girls and women who need FGM-related services are referred for prevention, protection and care services. During this period, the engagement with religious leaders and traditional rulers has led them to make public statements delinting FGM from religious requirements, and publicly denounce FGM practices, respectively.

“Today, we are most elated that these engagements and collaboration have yielded very positive and invaluable result as the entire (15) communities (members and leaders) of Ishielu LGA come out en masse to openly declare their abandonment of FGM practice on this day Thursday; the 29 th Day of October 2020.

“Today, Ishielu LGA have joined the league of nations to firmly stand by, and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation UNICEF is in solidarity with the good people of Ishielu LGA on this feat, and we kindly urge that this momentum be maintained, resolutions sustainably implemented, functional community surveillance team put in place to monitor and ensure compliance, and collaboration with state government and law enforcement agencies strengthened – towards a more protected and safe environment for women and girls in Ishielu LGA, Ebonyi state and beyond.

After this declaration, law enforcement and duty bearers (Police, Social Welfare Officer, Civil Defence, Judicial Officers etc.) will be trained to further support the efforts of the community stakeholders to end this practice in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi state”, he said.

In his remarks, the State Director, National Orientaion Agency(NOA), Dr. Emmanuel Abah, said FGM was not only harmful but also against the wisdom of nature as according to him, it destroys the wholesome and beautiful work of women and girls as naturally created

He therefore described Public Declaration of the 15 communities in Ishielu local government area of the state as model exemplary community commitment towards total elimination of FGM in the area.

Bar Ijeoma Mike Ajah Nwachukwu from Ministry of justice and lady Flora Egwu state Coordinator child protection network, urged women in the Communities to take the lead against FGM by monitoring and reporting anyone who attempts to go back to the phenomenon after the abandonment today.

#orientdailynews

Eagles Open Camp Nov. 9 For Sierra Leone AFCON Clash

Super Eagles camp will open on Monday ahead preparation for the double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone, Nigeria Coach, Gernot Rohr has said.

Rohr confirmed the resumption date adding that the two friendly matches against Algeria and Tunisia helped him to discover new talents who will be invited for the next two games in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

“We will open Super Eagles camp on Monday 9th of November to prepare for our game on the 13th and 17th”, Rohr said, claiming he’s not perturbed about his team’s drop from 29th to 31st in the latest FIFA ranking.


“It doesn’t matter if we are number 29th or 31st on FIFA Rankings. The friendly games are the only avenues for us to test our players and we are happy about it.



The Franco/German tactician also revealed positives he took from the two friendly games.

”It is more important to find good players like Okoye, Sanusi, Ejuke and others in the friendlies.

“We wish to win absolutely but it is not the most important. The most important is to discover players to fortify our team.”

“Now, there is possibility to be efficient in our competition games. Of course, Sanusi will be in my list and have chances to play in the two games. We are very optimistic in our next games”.

Nigeria leads group L standings with six points from two games following wins against Lesotho and Benin Republic in their previous matches.

#orientdailynews

#endsars: Surrender In 7 Days For Amnesty – Umahi To Hoodlums

Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi, has given perpetrators of the recent attacks, destruction of public facilities and burning of police stations in the state seven days to surrender and receive amnesty or face being hunted and prosecuted by his government.

The governor made the proclamation in Abakaliki on Wednesday in Abakaliki during a courtesy call on him by the supervising deputy inspector general of police, DIG, South East geopolitical zone, Celestine Okoye,


Governor Umahi also disclosed that he had given three local government chairmen in the state the task of fish out the perpetrators, saying that “the people that came to destroy us are from these three local government areas. They have shown themselves. Some of them that have bullet wounds have also confessed. So, I have called you to demand that you bring them to me. I am going to be giving you seven days to bring them to me and there will be no excuses.

“Two ways we can approach it; if you bring them, I can show them amnesty and rehabilitate them but if you don’t bring them, I will fish them out of the forest.”

Umahi announced that the government of Ebonyi state had set aside the sum of N2.6 billion for over 2,600 youths drawn from the 13 council areas of the state. He explained that there was an urgent need for the youths to be economically empowered to steer off every form of violence which is why he called for a roundtable dialogue to know exactly what the youth expect of his administration.



“Again, I call on the youths, the good, the bad, the ugly and say that we have N2.6bn. We want the local government chairmen and the coordinators to identify these 200 youths from their local governments. We do not want them to go and write the names of their brothers and sisters who are already on government appointment. We need to take 200 youths off the streets of each local government.

He concluded that it was ” an olive branch which I am offering to them. The good ones and the bad ones can also benefit from it.”

In his speech, DIG Okoye, who is also in charge of ICT at the police force headquarters, condemned the attack and intimidation of police officers in the #endsars crisis, noting that nobody appeared to discuss the killings of policemen in the crisis. He noted that investigation would reveal the true identity of those behind it all.

“I came to discuss peace; how we can bring this destruction to an end. My advice to them is for them to stop. They are destroying the property they struggled to build; properties most of which were built by communities and wealthy individuals from your communities to attract security for you. Instead of being grateful to them for bringing security you are busy destroying them.”

“Sometimes some of these properties were built on loan, to bring succour to the communities. Now, nobody is talking about the number of policemen killed but the individual, so police has no right to live, I am not happy.

“The number of policemen killed is yet to be known and we are yet to know the people that attacked the state. Investigation will tell.”

#orientdailynews

Tension As Newly Appointed Ebonyi Councilor Found Dead In His Room


Tension is brewing as a newly appointed councillor, Nnamdi Ojukwu from Ezzama, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi state, has been reportedly died in his sleep on Tuesday night.

Ojukwu was said to have been recently appointed as supervisory councillor in his local government area and was yet to be sworn into office as of when he died.


It was gathered that his father had held the office as supervisory councillor and died in the position. Sequel to the elder Ojukwu’s death, the local government chairman, this year, reappointed the son only for him to also die last Tuesday.



Nnamdi’s death has aroused curiosity among his friends who have now taken to the social media to call for a thorough traditional investigation into such mysterious death in the family with the intention to, possibly, avoid recurrence.

According to Nwoba Chika Nwoba, on Facebook, “Nnamdi was a good and promising dude, hardworking and business-oriented. Around 2009 or so, his father was appointed supervisory councillor in Ezaa South local government area. While in the position, he was poisoned and later died.

“Last week, his son, Nnamdi was also appointed supervisory councillor and, two days ago, he died on his bed after returning from the day’s engagements. From the condition of his demise, he must have been poisoned. What do we actually gain wasting those who can add to the future of our human-resource-lacking state?”

The loss is huge. The sinister machinations in our society today are mind-wrecking. And I advise that thorough traditional or religious investigation into why a father and son should have to die in same format and on one condition be carried out before another member of the family is called out to take the same position as condolence gift. It’s important.”

#orientdailynews

EndSARS: Most Nigerian Youths Are High On Drugs - Mojisola Alli-Macaulay

The lawmaker representing Amuwo Odofin constituency 1 of Lagos State, Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, says most Nigerian youths are high on drugs all the time.

Alli-Macaulay said this during a plenary at the Lagos State House of Assembly on the looting and pandemonium in the wake of the #EndSARS protest that was hijacked by hoodlums.

She said the National Orientation Agency needs to be alive to its responsibilities and help change the attitude of the youths.

The lawmaker said, “The National Orientation Agency needs to get to work. We need to begin to orientate our young people. They need people who can talk to them from time to time. They are high on drugs all the time, most of them. They go to social media and so all sorts of things. I’m even scared to give my young children phones because I am scared of what they may see on social media. It is that bad.”

Alli-Macaulay said unemployment should not be an excuse for looting, adding that unemployment was not exclusive to Nigeria.

“It is not unemployment that should be the reason why youths should come out and begin to misbehave. There is unemployment across the world, even in the United States.

“I schooled in the UK and I saw a lot of young people who were not employed but they didn’t become hoodlums. Why can’t we look inwards and look for solutions to our problems?” she asked.

The lawmaker argued that an unemployed graduate could get a job in the informal sector instead of complaining about joblessness.

“Why can’t the young people look within themselves, look for their talents? Even if you are a graduate, what stops you from being a designer or a professional tile man and make a brand of it? There is no excuse for being a hoodlum,” she said.

#punchng

EndSARS Protests: South East Leaders To Engage Youths For Sustainable Peace

…Sympathize with victims’ families, others

The leaders of the South East geo-political zone comprising the governors of the zone, national assembly members, ministers, clergy, traditional rulers, Igbo leaders and women leaders, rose from a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, on Thursday and resolved to engage the youth to ensure a sustainable peace in the zone as well as “a glorious future for our children”.

The Igbo leaders sympathized with all the victims’ families of the #EndSARS protests, including the Police and other security agencies “as well as all those who lost their loved ones and properties during the recent disturbances”.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, stated that “the state governors are committed to addressing the concerns of our young people that are peculiar to various states and will engage the federal government and their colleagues in other states to address the other issues that are national”.

The SEGF chairman disclosed that “each state in the South East zone will set up a fund to assist the victims of the crisis, including the Police, the Army and other security agencies as well as civilians”.

The South East leaders advised the youth that “while our governors are working hard to meet their demands, the destruction of public and private properties and killing of security agents and civilians will never be allowed to continue”.

While offering to protect all ethnic groups living in the South East, the leaders thanked other parts of Nigeria for protecting Igbos in their areas too.

“We therefore, direct all Igbos, both in and outside Nigeria, to go about their businesses and should not participate in any form of unlawful protest and criminality”, they said.

Also present at the meeting were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Sam Egwu, Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Others include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Uchechukwu Ogah, Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, the Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Amb. Mrs. Justina Eze, etc.

#punchng

AirCar That Transforms From Road Vehicle To Plane Will Go On Sale Next Year (Pix by Macsjebs(m): 9:12pm
A flying sports car that can go from road vehicle to aircraft in just three minutes has flown 1,500ft in the air over Slovakia as part of a test flight, its developers say.

Sensational footage of the AirCar, developed by Slovakian firm KleinVision, shows it driving on a runway, stopping to deploy wings, and then soaring through the air.

This is the fifth prototype of the flying car and developers say it would be great for leisure and self-driving journeys, or as a commercial taxi service.

No price details have been revealed for the futuristic vehicle, but it can travel for about 620 miles at a time and could be seen in the air and on the roads from next year.


According to its developers it completed two 1,500ft test flights at Piestany Airport in Slovakia this week, bringing it a step closer to commercial flight.

Designed by Professor Stefan Klein, the AirCar safely completed two takeoffs and landings as part of the test run.

Cars can be heavy, but planes must be light and so finding that balance for the AirCar was a major challenge for Klein and his team.

The two-seat model, tested in Slovakia this week, weights 2,425lb and can carry an additional load of 440lb per flight, the company said.

Powered by a BMW 1.6l engine, the car-plane has an effective power output of 140HP and the estimated travel range of AirCar is 621 miles.
It requires a runway of at least 984ft to get from ground to sky and can reach speeds of up to 124 miles per hours, according to Klein.

AirCar has wings that unfurl and a single propeller at the rear. The wings fold up when the vehicle is on the road and it takes up the space of a normal parking spot.

'The wing and tail deployment/retraction mechanism is very impressive, converting the automobile into an airplane,' said Dr Branko Sarh, former Boeing expert.

'The cockpit providing space for the driver/pilot and a passenger is very roomy and nicely styled. The overall appearance of the flying car on road and in the air is superb,' Sarh added.



The developers say it has been designed so that the stability and control of the AirCar is accessible to any pilot, with no specialist training required.

'The key flight parameters confirmed all theoretical concepts and calculations that the development of the AirCar was based on,' Professor Klein said.

When all of the legally required flight tests are completed they plan to fit the craft with a more powerful engine and hope to have it ready for sale within six months.

The company already has a buyer interested in purchasing one of the AirCars when it passes all future tests and is ready to fly - or drive.

'With AirCar you will arrive at your destination without the hassle of getting a ride to airport and passing through commercial security,' said co-found Anton Zajac.

'You can drive your AirCar to the golf course, the office, the mall or your hotel and park it in a normal parking space,' said Zajac added.



#kleinvision

AirCar That Transforms From Road Vehicle To Plane Will Go On Sale Next Year (Pix by Macsjebs(m): 9:12pm
A flying sports car that can go from road vehicle to aircraft in just three minutes has flown 1,500ft in the air over Slovakia as part of a test flight, its developers say.

Sensational footage of the AirCar, developed by Slovakian firm KleinVision, shows it driving on a runway, stopping to deploy wings, and then soaring through the air.

This is the fifth prototype of the flying car and developers say it would be great for leisure and self-driving journeys, or as a commercial taxi service.

No price details have been revealed for the futuristic vehicle, but it can travel for about 620 miles at a time and could be seen in the air and on the roads from next year.


According to its developers it completed two 1,500ft test flights at Piestany Airport in Slovakia this week, bringing it a step closer to commercial flight.

Designed by Professor Stefan Klein, the AirCar safely completed two takeoffs and landings as part of the test run.

Cars can be heavy, but planes must be light and so finding that balance for the AirCar was a major challenge for Klein and his team.

The two-seat model, tested in Slovakia this week, weights 2,425lb and can carry an additional load of 440lb per flight, the company said.

Powered by a BMW 1.6l engine, the car-plane has an effective power output of 140HP and the estimated travel range of AirCar is 621 miles.
It requires a runway of at least 984ft to get from ground to sky and can reach speeds of up to 124 miles per hours, according to Klein.

AirCar has wings that unfurl and a single propeller at the rear. The wings fold up when the vehicle is on the road and it takes up the space of a normal parking spot.

'The wing and tail deployment/retraction mechanism is very impressive, converting the automobile into an airplane,' said Dr Branko Sarh, former Boeing expert.

'The cockpit providing space for the driver/pilot and a passenger is very roomy and nicely styled. The overall appearance of the flying car on road and in the air is superb,' Sarh added.



The developers say it has been designed so that the stability and control of the AirCar is accessible to any pilot, with no specialist training required.

'The key flight parameters confirmed all theoretical concepts and calculations that the development of the AirCar was based on,' Professor Klein said.

When all of the legally required flight tests are completed they plan to fit the craft with a more powerful engine and hope to have it ready for sale within six months.

The company already has a buyer interested in purchasing one of the AirCars when it passes all future tests and is ready to fly - or drive.

'With AirCar you will arrive at your destination without the hassle of getting a ride to airport and passing through commercial security,' said co-found Anton Zajac.

'You can drive your AirCar to the golf course, the office, the mall or your hotel and park it in a normal parking space,' said Zajac added.



#kleinvision

AirCar That Transforms From Road Vehicle To Plane Will Go On Sale Next Year (Pix by Macsjebs(m): 9:12pm
A flying sports car that can go from road vehicle to aircraft in just three minutes has flown 1,500ft in the air over Slovakia as part of a test flight, its developers say.

Sensational footage of the AirCar, developed by Slovakian firm KleinVision, shows it driving on a runway, stopping to deploy wings, and then soaring through the air.

This is the fifth prototype of the flying car and developers say it would be great for leisure and self-driving journeys, or as a commercial taxi service.

No price details have been revealed for the futuristic vehicle, but it can travel for about 620 miles at a time and could be seen in the air and on the roads from next year.


According to its developers it completed two 1,500ft test flights at Piestany Airport in Slovakia this week, bringing it a step closer to commercial flight.

Designed by Professor Stefan Klein, the AirCar safely completed two takeoffs and landings as part of the test run.

Cars can be heavy, but planes must be light and so finding that balance for the AirCar was a major challenge for Klein and his team.

The two-seat model, tested in Slovakia this week, weights 2,425lb and can carry an additional load of 440lb per flight, the company said.

Powered by a BMW 1.6l engine, the car-plane has an effective power output of 140HP and the estimated travel range of AirCar is 621 miles.
It requires a runway of at least 984ft to get from ground to sky and can reach speeds of up to 124 miles per hours, according to Klein.

AirCar has wings that unfurl and a single propeller at the rear. The wings fold up when the vehicle is on the road and it takes up the space of a normal parking spot.

'The wing and tail deployment/retraction mechanism is very impressive, converting the automobile into an airplane,' said Dr Branko Sarh, former Boeing expert.

'The cockpit providing space for the driver/pilot and a passenger is very roomy and nicely styled. The overall appearance of the flying car on road and in the air is superb,' Sarh added.



The developers say it has been designed so that the stability and control of the AirCar is accessible to any pilot, with no specialist training required.

'The key flight parameters confirmed all theoretical concepts and calculations that the development of the AirCar was based on,' Professor Klein said.

When all of the legally required flight tests are completed they plan to fit the craft with a more powerful engine and hope to have it ready for sale within six months.

The company already has a buyer interested in purchasing one of the AirCars when it passes all future tests and is ready to fly - or drive.

'With AirCar you will arrive at your destination without the hassle of getting a ride to airport and passing through commercial security,' said co-found Anton Zajac.

'You can drive your AirCar to the golf course, the office, the mall or your hotel and park it in a normal parking space,' said Zajac added.



#kleinvision

AirCar That Transforms From Road Vehicle To Plane Will Go On Sale Next Year (Pix by Macsjebs(m): 9:12pm
A flying sports car that can go from road vehicle to aircraft in just three minutes has flown 1,500ft in the air over Slovakia as part of a test flight, its developers say.

Sensational footage of the AirCar, developed by Slovakian firm KleinVision, shows it driving on a runway, stopping to deploy wings, and then soaring through the air.

This is the fifth prototype of the flying car and developers say it would be great for leisure and self-driving journeys, or as a commercial taxi service.

No price details have been revealed for the futuristic vehicle, but it can travel for about 620 miles at a time and could be seen in the air and on the roads from next year.


According to its developers it completed two 1,500ft test flights at Piestany Airport in Slovakia this week, bringing it a step closer to commercial flight.

Designed by Professor Stefan Klein, the AirCar safely completed two takeoffs and landings as part of the test run.

Cars can be heavy, but planes must be light and so finding that balance for the AirCar was a major challenge for Klein and his team.

The two-seat model, tested in Slovakia this week, weights 2,425lb and can carry an additional load of 440lb per flight, the company said.

Powered by a BMW 1.6l engine, the car-plane has an effective power output of 140HP and the estimated travel range of AirCar is 621 miles.
It requires a runway of at least 984ft to get from ground to sky and can reach speeds of up to 124 miles per hours, according to Klein.

AirCar has wings that unfurl and a single propeller at the rear. The wings fold up when the vehicle is on the road and it takes up the space of a normal parking spot.

'The wing and tail deployment/retraction mechanism is very impressive, converting the automobile into an airplane,' said Dr Branko Sarh, former Boeing expert.

'The cockpit providing space for the driver/pilot and a passenger is very roomy and nicely styled. The overall appearance of the flying car on road and in the air is superb,' Sarh added.



The developers say it has been designed so that the stability and control of the AirCar is accessible to any pilot, with no specialist training required.

'The key flight parameters confirmed all theoretical concepts and calculations that the development of the AirCar was based on,' Professor Klein said.

When all of the legally required flight tests are completed they plan to fit the craft with a more powerful engine and hope to have it ready for sale within six months.

The company already has a buyer interested in purchasing one of the AirCars when it passes all future tests and is ready to fly - or drive.

'With AirCar you will arrive at your destination without the hassle of getting a ride to airport and passing through commercial security,' said co-found Anton Zajac.

'You can drive your AirCar to the golf course, the office, the mall or your hotel and park it in a normal parking space,' said Zajac added.



#kleinvision