馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Ganduje links rising street begging in Northern Nigeria to neglect of persons with disabilities
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Abdullahi Ganduje, former Governor of Kano State and immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, expressed concern over the increasing number of beggars in Northern Nigeria, attributing it to the long-standing neglect of persons with disabilities. Speaking at the 10th anniversary documentary premiere of Let鈥檚 Talk Humanity, an organization addressing the educational needs of the Deaf and Blind, Ganduje highlighted the systemic marginalization of persons with disabilities in the North. He noted that this marginalization has led to a visible increase in street beggars across major cities and urged government and development partners to support initiatives that empower persons with disabilities. Ganduje also commended the organization's founder, Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, for her commitment to humanitarian service. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, emphasized the importance of including persons with disabilities in technological development, advocating for accessibility by design. Abiola-Ajumobi reported that Let鈥檚 Talk Humanity has empowered over 1,000 beneficiaries in the past decade and aims to establish a national resource center for those with sensory impairment. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, praised the documentary and called for state governments to replicate such initiatives nationwide.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa, and Shamsu Adamu Sani to life imprisonment for their involvement in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The men pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges, including conspiracy, aiding kidnapping, concealing information about terrorists, and professing membership in the proscribed Darul Salam sect, an affiliate of the Ansaru terrorist group. The judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, ordered the life sentence to commence from their arrest date. The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiring with others to kidnap pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire LGA between January and May 2026. The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved 39 pupils and six teachers from three schools. The victims were rescued on July 10 after a coordinated operation by security agencies. President Bola Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the dismantling of the kidnappers' network and the arrest of several suspects. While the convicts' counsel sought leniency, citing them as first-time offenders who showed remorse, the prosecution opposed, arguing they concealed crucial information. The Elesinele of Esinele, Oba Tajudeen Adeoye, and a local resident, Kausara, expressed disappointment with the judgment, suggesting a death sentence would be more appropriate given the severity of the crime and the deaths of security perso
Three minors, aged between four and 15, from Awun community in Oro-Ago, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been released after residents reportedly paid a N60 million ransom to their kidnappers. The children were abducted from their home in February while their father, Olajide Buraimoh, was absent. Community sources indicated that the ransom was raised through contributions from local residents and indigenes living abroad, following extensive negotiations. The kidnappers also demanded food items, including rice, groundnut oil, spaghetti, semovita, beer, and seasoning sauce. The fundraising effort was coordinated via the Awun community's WhatsApp platform. A pregnant woman abducted with the children was released last week, while the minors remained captive until Monday. A resident named Ismail described the significant emotional and financial impact on the community. When contacted, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, stated he was unaware of the abduction or any ransom payment.
Kano residents and opposition figures have criticized Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's decision to allocate 1,540 plots of land and N100 million to leaders of the All Progressives Congress Polling Units Association. Residents expressed disappointment, citing widespread poverty and inadequate public facilities, arguing that state resources should benefit all citizens regardless of political affiliation. Ado Bala questioned the fairness of distributing land only to APC supporters, stating that land is held in trust for all residents. Another resident, Shehu, called the action a clear demonstration of favoritism and a potential case of vote-buying ahead of the 2027 general elections. Aisha Hassan urged Governor Yusuf to extend similar gestures to all residents to avoid criticism. Alhaji Musa Ungoggo, state chairman of the African Democratic Congress, alleged the move was a bribe to rig the upcoming elections, suggesting the funds should have been used to address critical issues like overcrowded primary schools and undredged dams. The state chairman of the People鈥檚 Democratic Party, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, declined to comment, stating he needed to verify the facts as he had been out of the state.