Fidelity Bank has introduced an initiative tagged: “Bundles of Joy,” designed to support children with special needs and their families.

Divisional Head of Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, announced this in a statement in Lagos, yesterday.

Nwagboh said the initiative focused on creating inclusive spaces and activities for children between the ages of four and 11 with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

He said the programme aims to address the challenges that families face in integrating their children into the society.

“This initiative underscores Fidelity Bank’s commitment to foster a more inclusive society for children with special needs.

“Through the ‘Bundles of Joy’ programme, we are providing a variety of engaging activities, including sensory rooms, outdoor play stations and obstacle courses, all tailored to help improve mobility and social skills.

“Additionally, we offer resources and information to help parents and caregivers better support their children,” he said.

According to him, families can participate by registering their children online at www.fidelitybank.ng/bundlesofjoy/.

He explained that parents are required to provide their name, child’s name and details about their child’s needs during the registration process.

Nwagboh, stated that accordingly, Fidelity Bank will reach out to the families to arrange a special outing for each child in January 2025.

He noted that the ‘Bundles of Joy’ programme is part of the bank’s broader commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, and its efforts to promote inclusivity for children with special needs.

Nwagboh added that the bank’s staff also supported Patrick Speech and Language Centre in Ikeja, Lagos State; a facility dedicated to the education and socio-economic development of children and young adults with autism recently.

He said their contributions include cash donation and gift items to enhance the learning experience of students at the centre.

“With the Bundles of Joy initiative, Fidelity Bank continues to demonstrate its dedication to create meaningful impact and foster a society where every child is given the opportunity to thrive,” he said. NAN

Kutigi Old Students Association, KUOSA, Class of 1984, has urged the Niger State government to take urgent action to restore public schools  to their former glory.

Head Boy of the set, Abubakar Shaba, made the call during the association’s second reunion meeting to mark its 40th graduation anniversary in Minna.

He also called on the state government to prioritise security to ensure conducive atmosphere in the educational sector.

Shaba appealed to the state government to provide adequate security in public schools and facilities, citing complaints of vandalism by hoodlums.

“We recall the good old days when schools in Niger State were in good shape.

“Unfortunately, over the years, the situation has deteriorated and the facilities have become a shadow of themselves due to poor maintenance culture,” he said.

He, however, paid tribute to 25 of their mates who have passed on, emphasising that welfare remains a topmost priority.

Also speaking,  the Assistant Head Boy of the 1984 set, Professor 

Baba Alfa, decried the state of the school they left 40 years ago, saying there is the need to prioritise education as a fundamental pillar for national development.

“The school is begging for attention, investing in education today is crucial for shaping capable leaders for tomorrow.

“This reunion is aimed at uniting ourselves for a better tomorrow,” he said.

He also disclosed that the association had been supporting the families of their deceased mates.

Alfa said it operates a cooperative society where members can obtain loans, adding that it was part of efforts to support one another.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the reunion provided an opportunity for old students to reminisce about their time in school and discuss ways to give back to their alma mater. NAN

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Kwara State Command has disclosed that  929 people were arrested for hard drugs-related offences between January and December. 

The State Commander, Mrs Fatima Popoola, who disclosed this yesterday during a news conference at the agency’s headquarters in Ilorin, said those arrested include 839 males and 90 females. 

She explained that the command conducted a series of activities to suppress the supply and demand for hard drugs, adding that 2,642,103 kilograms were seized within the year in review.

“The seized drugs include cannabis, tramadol, diazepam, methamphetamine, cough syrup laced with codeine and cocaine/crack.

“Cannabis tops the list of seized drugs accounting for 1,455,529 kilograms, so the state is in dire need of intervention to solve the hydra-headed challenges of abuse and trafficking in cannabis.

“The mop-up of 1.5 tones of cannabis is a big saviour to parents and the good people of the state, if not, the destructive effects of the drugs could have been devastating,” she said.

The commander said 185 hard drug users were apprehended and referred to the drug demand reduction unit for brief interventions and were re-integrated with their families.

“In addition to the intervention efforts, 22 clients were admitted to our rehabilitation facility with other 17 who are non-residential, coming from their homes for counselling.

“The prosecution and legal service unit secured 133 convictions from the Federal High Court, Ilorin, which involved 123 males and 10 females, while more cases were charged but still pending.

“14 vehicles and 12 motorcycles used by the suspects in drug crimes and monies seized were forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.

Popoola said the command, in conjunction with the state government, had also started drug integrity tests titled “Drug Testing Policy”, in which 261 fresh students of Kwara State University, Malete, were tested.

“The vice chancellor; dean of student affairs and all the fresh students tested proved negative for hard drugs. Many thanks to the university for providing a favourable and suitable climate for the test.

“Other institutions of higher learning need to emulate such a policy that will help Nigeria achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: “Health and wellbeing for all by 2030,” she said.

The commander, however, said the rehabilitation centre that could accommodate 200 people for treatment and counselling of drug addicts, had not been completed due to paucity of funds.

By Abdullateef Bamgbose 

Katsina State governor, Malam Dikko Radda has lauded the appointment of two indigenes of the state to key positions at the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority, SRRBDA. 

The governor commended the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of Hillside Royal Suites, Badru Muntaka Ahmed, as the Executive Director of Agricultural Services.

Ahmed  is a seasoned banking executive with two decades of experience in agricultural financing and regional development.

An agriculture education graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Ahmed  brings valuable expertise from his extensive career, including his recent role as Group Head, North III, where he successfully managed operations across seven northern states. 

“His proven track record in managing complex regional operations and agricultural financing will be invaluable to the Authority’s mission,” the governor noted. 

Radda equally lauded the appointment of Abubakar Ibrahim Dutsin-ma as Executive Director of Finance. 

His experience as chairman of various ministerial committees, including the Committee on Sales of Fertilizer, Pesticides and Agrochemicals, coupled with his ongoing MBA in Agribusiness Management from Rome Business School, positions him uniquely for this role. 

The governor, on behalf of the government and the people of Katsina, congratulated the new appointees and appreciated President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the state’s human capital. 

“We are confident that their service will contribute significantly to the agricultural transformation agenda of the federal government,” Radda said. 

From Our Correspondent 

Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has called on the federal government and the military high command to conduct a thorough investigation into the  bomb attack on Silame community in Sokoto State.

It would be recalled that a military jet allegedly bombed a village in Sokoto State, killing some residents, while others were seriously injured

However, the military authorities had denied the alleged bombing of the village.

Reacting in a statement in Kaduna yesterday, ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, expressed concern over the military’s response to the attack,

“The bland response of a spokesperson of the military insisting that the attack was on a planned target was most insensitive.

“We recall that the Defence Headquarters had initially attempted to wish away the Tudun Biri tragedy only to later admit it was a mistake, as indeed proved so by its own internal investigations.

“It is not clear if indeed those responsible for Tudun Biri had been punished as ought to have been,” the forum said.

The statement equally described the attack, which occurred on Christmas Day, as “one mistake too many,” just as it called for a probe  and equally make the results public.

“We are deeply troubled and saddened by the Silame incident, as one far too many in the country.

“This was not an isolated incident, as the memories of similar attacks on Tudun Biri community, Kaduna State, about a year ago, and earlier in Adamawa and Nasarawa States, with their gruesome statistics of casualties, remain fresh in our memory.”