News
Army Commander Lauds NYSC, Pledges More Support
Joel Ajayi
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, PortHacourt, Major General JH Abdulssalam has lauded the immense contributions of NYSC to national unity and socio economic development of the country.
He said the tremendous roles of the Scheme to job creation among the youths, and rural development through Corps Members’ projects cannot be over-emphasized.
He disclosed this today in PortHacourt when he hosted the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed in his office.
The GOC said General Ahmed has brought a lot of innovations into NYSC and also taken the Scheme to a higher level since he assumed duty over a year ago.
The Commander added that Army formations and units provide personnel that train Corps Members, while they also maintain discipline in camp, as part of their contributions to the growth of the Scheme.
He said there are lots of Corps Members diligently serving in military formations within the division, especially in schools.
“Without NYSC, we will find it difficult to operate. We are part of the Scheme.
I want to thank the DG and also encourage you to continue on the upward trajectory of the Scheme. We are very proud of your achievements.
The success of NYSC is the success of every Nigerian”, the GOC said.
General Abdulssalam also canvassed for increased public support for the Scheme while he pledged more assistance from the Division for NYSC in Rivers State.
Speaking earlier, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed thanked the officers and men of the division for the support being rendered to NYSC Rivers State Secretariat, including Corps Welfare.
He requested for more assistance from the Division for the Scheme, especially with regards to the security of Corps Members.
While addressing Corps Members that are serving within the 6Div, General Ahmed urged them to be law-abiding, diligent, creative and be security conscious at all times.
Health
NGO seeks inclusivity, support for people with autism
The founder of the Sustainable Development for Africa Youth Initiative (SuDAYI), Victoria Jim, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), is advocating for greater inclusivity and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Jim made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of SuDAYI, emphasising the importance of collective efforts in creating a more inclusive society for individuals with autism and their families.
According to Jim, every individual with autism deserves access to quality education, healthcare, and social services that cater to their specific needs.
“Growing up in Africa, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by individuals with autism and other disabilities.
“I saw how they were often marginalised, excluded, and denied access to basic rights and opportunities,” she said.
However, Jim also highlighted the potential, talent, and resilience of individuals with autism, noting that with the right support, resources, and opportunities, they could achieve greatness.
Jim stated that SuDAYI was committed to bridging the gap in autism services and support in Nigeria.
“In the next two years, the NGO plans to implement a comprehensive autism management intervention.
“This intervention will focus on providing inclusive education and support to families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
“Additionally, SuDAYI aims to establish partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and community leaders to promote autism awareness and acceptance.”
Rep. Bashiru Dawodu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters, spoke about ongoing efforts to amend the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018.
He noted that the current law did not adequately address the needs of children and women with disabilities.
“We think those areas are specific areas that need to be addressed, including intellectual disabilities and developmental needs for children with cerebral palsy or neurodegenerative conditions,” Dawodu said.
He also emphasised that discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was punishable under the law.
Dr Opiti Chukwunekwu, Associate Director at Health System Consult Limited, discussed the prevalence of autism in Nigeria, which was estimated at 2.1 per cent.
He clarified that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was not a disease but a developmental disorder that occurred during a child’s development in the womb.
Chukwunekwu explained that autism was a spectrum, with different manifestations across its five elements.
He emphasised the importance of supporting individuals with autism to develop skills and reach their potential.
“Many prominent people have been shown to have traits of autism and still went on to achieve great things,” he said.
Chukwunekwu also stressed that while there was no cure for autism, effective management focused on empowering individuals with the disorder.
“This includes behavioral interventions, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills training, all aimed at improving outcomes for those living with autism.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SuDAYI’s objective is to empower children and youth with autism and other disabilities, enabling them to participate fully in and contribute to their communities.
(NAN)
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