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Foundation urges PWDs to beware of human traffickers   

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Nigeria National Association of Deaf (NNAD).
Nigeria National Association of Deaf (NNAD).
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The International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) has urged Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to beware of human traffickers.

The call was made  in Abuja at the opening session of a two-day training workshop/capacity building organised by FIIAPP for executive members of Nigeria National Association of Deaf (NNAD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIIAPP is a Spanish public foundation working on a project in Nigeria tagged “Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM), a project funded by the European Union (EU).

Mr Jose-Antonio Andeme, FIIAPP Institutional Coordinator, stated that the essence of the workshop was to intimate NNAD on how to identify human traffickers and the key issues in trafficking.

He said that the programme was also to let them know how to prevent the menace, policies put together and being developed by government and how government and law enforcement agencies are working against trafficking.

Andeme called on the association to join hands in the fight against the menace, adding that the trap of traffickers was not limited to anyone and that everyone is at risk of trafficking in Nigeria.

He said that the outcome of the two-day workshop would determine the foundation’s further collaboration and assistance with the deaf people.

The Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Fatima Waziri-Azi, noted that traffickers would always take the advantage of vulnerability in people to perpetrate their evil work.

The director general who was represented by Mr Josiah Emerole, the Director of Public Enlightenment, NAPTIP, called on PWDs to beware of tactics adopted by traffickers to get their victims.

“Traffickers will always look for such vulnerability like that of the PWDs to exploit, this is why it is necessary to disclosed the the menace of trafficking and to let you know how traffickers play their tactics.

“They will always come to promise better deal far better than what you are doing presently, these are all lies, they can even tell you that you will begin to hear when they take you out of your comfort zone.

“From your interrogation with these traffickers, you will be able to know whether what they are telling you is the truth or not, that is why a workshop like this is organised.

“NAPTIP as the focal government agency against human trafficking has been doing its best to create awareness in the local communities,” Waziri-Azi said.

Mr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for People With Disabilities (NCPWD), expressed his happiness over the workshop, adding that disability is not an immunity to commit crimes.

He said that the organiser of the workshop had taken the right steps and that NCPWD would continue to capitalise on the provisions of Section 16 of the Discrimination of Persons with Disability Prohibition Act.

Lalu said that persons with disability were working hard to partner with relevant agencies to ensure they are uplifted in the society.

“We are working with expert from the deaf communities to harmonise different languages present in Nigeria for us to come up with unique sign language.

“Sign language is our only means of communication, we must all come together to see how we can fight the discrimination against disability persons, we are open for further and more robust partnership,” he said.

(NAN)

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Adubiaro Expresses Gratitude to Oyebanji Over Reappointment as Ekiti SSG

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Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro
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Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro has expressed profound gratitude to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for reappointing her as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), describing the renewed mandate as an honour and a call to greater service.

Adubiaro, in a statement issued following the announcement of her reappointment, appreciated the governor for the confidence reposed in her capacity, dedication and commitment to the development of the state.

She pledged continued loyalty, diligence and commitment to the ideals and objectives of the Oyebanji administration, assuring that she would work towards the successful implementation of its policies, programmes and development agenda.

The SSG said her renewed appointment offered another opportunity to contribute meaningfully to building a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Ekiti State.

She also expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Ekiti State, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji, for her encouragement, support and contributions to the growth and development of the state.

Adubiaro extended her gratitude to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Dr. Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, and Olori Abosede Adejugbe for their goodwill, prayers and support, noting the important role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, unity, cultural heritage and sustainable development.

She equally appreciated the Grand Imam of Ekiti State and President-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Southwestern Nigeria, including Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, as well as the Muslim community in the state, for their prayers, spiritual guidance and encouragement.

The SSG also acknowledged the leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their solidarity and support, reaffirming her commitment to the ideals of the party and collaboration with political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to advance the administration’s development agenda.

She did not leave out her family members, friends, associates and well-wishers, whom she thanked for their congratulatory messages, prayers and expressions of goodwill following the announcement of her reappointment.

Adubiaro further pledged to discharge her responsibilities with professionalism, accountability, transparency, teamwork, humility and integrity, stressing that she remained conscious of the high expectations associated with public service.

She assured the people of Ekiti State of her determination to work closely with relevant stakeholders to translate the governor’s vision into tangible benefits for residents.

The SSG also prayed for God’s continued guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for Governor Oyebanji, while seeking peace, unity and prosperity for the state’s traditional institutions, religious leaders, political stakeholders, public servants and residents.

She reiterated her resolve to justify the confidence reposed in her through dedicated service and an unwavering commitment to the progress and development of Ekiti State.

 

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Oyebanji Makes First Appointments in Second Term, Retains SSG, Chief of Staff, CPS

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Ekiti State Governor,Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji
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Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has made his first set of appointments following his inauguration for a second term in office, retaining three key members of his administration.

The governor approved the reappointment of Professor Habibat Adubiaro as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo as Chief of Staff, and Mr Olayinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor.

The appointments were announced on Friday, October 16, 2026, shortly after Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye, were inaugurated for another term in office in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, the appointments take immediate effect.

The decision to retain the three principal officials ensures continuity in key administrative, executive and communication positions as the governor begins his second term.

As Secretary to the State Government, Professor Adubiaro occupies a strategic position in the coordination of government policies, administrative processes and inter-agency relations.

Similarly, Adebayo, as Chief of Staff, is responsible for supporting the governor’s office and coordinating executive activities, while Oyebode oversees official communications and media relations for the state government.

The reappointments constitute the first official appointments announced by Oyebanji since his inauguration for a second term, signalling the continuation of the existing leadership structure in these critical offices.

The statement did not indicate whether further appointments would be announced in the coming days.

The announcement was signed by Olayinka Oyebode, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ekiti State.

 

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Bamidele Hails Oyebanji’s First Term, Says Peaceful Politics Drove Ekiti Development

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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Senate Leader and Chairman of the Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has described the first term of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as remarkably peaceful, attributing the achievement to the governor’s humility, sense of duty and inclusive leadership style.

Bamidele said Oyebanji’s ability to foster cordial relationships among political stakeholders across the state had created an enabling environment for development and progress in Ekiti State.

The Senate Leader stated this in his welcome address at the second-term inauguration of Governor Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Christianah Afuye, in Ado-Ekiti.

He commended the governor for sustaining a peaceful political atmosphere, noting that cooperation among political leaders and stakeholders had contributed significantly to the state’s developmental strides.

Reflecting on Ekiti State’s political and developmental journey from the administration of its first civilian governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, through subsequent administrations, including that of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Bamidele said Oyebanji had continued to strengthen the culture of political stability and peaceful coexistence.

He noted that the governor’s leadership approach had helped sustain a harmonious political environment, allowing the state to focus on governance and development rather than political divisions.

Bamidele further described Oyebanji’s re-election as a historic milestone, noting that the governor had broken a longstanding political barrier by becoming the first governor in Ekiti State to secure consecutive second-term mandates.

He expressed confidence that the governor’s second term would provide further opportunities to consolidate the achievements of his first administration and advance the development of the state.

 

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