Orette decries economic hardship, healthcare deficits, unfolds Delta South vision - ITREALMS

The senatorial candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta South, Dr. Austin Orette, has called on the federal government to urgently shift its focus toward raising household incomes and protecting citizens from rising living costs, warning that increasing financial burdens without corresponding social services threatens to deepen widespread economic distress, report ITREALMS.

Speaking to party faithful and community stakeholders on Sunday in Warri, Orette criticized current fiscal policies, arguing that tax collection strategies must align with the practical earning capacity of households and small businesses already grappling with high food prices, transportation costs, energy tariffs, and medical expenses.

WfDC urges Tinubu to address hardship in Nigeria - ITREALMS

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The Writers for Democratic Change (WfDC), a collective of Nigerian authors committed to social justice, has expressed deep concern over the escalating hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.

They also said that in the face of a crippled economy, insecurity, and a crumbling infrastructure, the spirit of the Nigerian people is under immense strain.

Democracy Day: Gov. Adeleke laments how economic hardship weakens democracy - ITREALMS

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The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has said that resolving national economic challenges is a condition for strengthening democratic culture and enhancing productive participation of the citizenry.

Speaking at the 2023 Democracy Day Lecture organised by Coalition of Civil Society Coalition in the State, the state Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye, posited that an economically satisfied citizenry is a strong insurance for thriving democracy and good governance.

Runway Jazz: Ibidunni recounts hardship women go through, bags award

ITREALMS:

Mrs. Ibidunni Ighodalo has been honoured with the Runway Jazz Humanitarian award as she recounts hardship women go through in search of fruit of the womb, reports ITRealms.

Ibidunni who is the promoter of Avant Garde, a bridal fashion brand, had worked closely with the organisers of the Runway Jazz; all week through the Masterclass and preparations leading to the show itself, it was astonishing how the award was carefully concealed until the last instance.

ITRealms gathered that the previous day, Ibidunni had participated in a training session to encourage budding entrepreneurs, just as she lit the candle of joy for two participants by gifting them with wedding gowns worth N1 million each.

The dresses, ITRealms also gathered, featured on the runway by Avant Garde by Elizabeth R were the fashion house’s high-end wedding dresses, designed in partnership with Walid Shebab Couture.

ITRealms reports that for her first runway show, Ibidunni Ighodalo collaborated with Mr. Frank Osodi who provided the models, styled them and directed the runway flow.

For her, it was an experience best described as “truly magnificent feeling.”

Further, ITRealms reports that Ibidunni was honored for being a pillar of support for many couples who are waiting to become parents; through Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation (IIF), a non-profit organization created to raise awareness on issues pertaining to infertility and to provide grants for couples that require fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination, she has continued to bring hope and joy to many couples.

The recognition insignia was handed over to her by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Among other interests, Ighodalo has become one of the most recognizable transmitters of charity, which includes, but is not limited to an orphanage.

“I thank God first because without Him none of these would be possible. Special mention must be made of the good people who have donated immensely to the foundation. It’s amazing how people have supported the foundation. To the couple who celebrated their wedding anniversary, this award is for them as well because they donated towards IVF treatment for 20 couples. I am also indebted to my humble friends Tonye Cole, Mrs Titi Adenuga and Pastor Mattew Ashimolowo who were at the Parents-in-Waiting Conference and donated funds for treatment of couples.

“To my Instagram followers who have donated immensely to the foundation, this award is for all of you and I pray that the Lord will answer every prayer in your heart and put smile on your faces. To my special administrator, Dayo Richard who has poured herself into this task and finally to our partner hospitals who have bent over backwards to be a part of this journey of putting smiles on the faces of our couples, God bless you all. May you never experience barrenness,” she said.

Ibidunni equally praised the efforts of her team, dedicating the award to “God who has blessed us with children in the foundation. To all the families who are still expecting their bundles of joy, to the families who have received theirs and to everyone helping the foundation and donating from every part of the world and everyone working for the foundation, without their support, the IIF couldn’t have made it.”

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Nigerians are groaning, herdsmen on rampage – Catholic Bishops told Buhari

ITRealms:

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has told President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigerians are groaning under the worsening hardship under his leadership in addition to Fulani herdsmen rampage has remain on unchecked, reports ITRealms.

Speaking through the President, Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria, and Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, said, the harsh economic situation in which Nigerians are living presently is being felt everywhere.

“In many States, workers are worrying about their monthly salaries, many pensioners are crying for many months for unpaid pensions, while so many self-employed and non-employed persons and family dependents are groaning for their daily meal,” he said.

However, commending Buhari for the bail-out funds to cushion this hardship in various states, CBCN urged him to ensure that these monies are used mainly to take care of salaries, pensions and their basic human needs.

They also decried the clashes between farmers and herdsmen in all zones of the country

CBCN cited for instance the Agatu killings, the Nimbo killings and many other killings in Benue, Taraba, Nassarawa, Ondo, Edo, Delta and elsewhere which should be seriously investigated, with the perpetrators unmasked and decisively dealt with.

“Our people cannot continue to live in perpetual fear of attacks by fellow Nigerians with criminal intent. Happily, we understand that you have ordered some investigations into the Agatu and Nimbo killings. For a more permanent peace between herdsmen and farmers in our country, some streamlining is necessary for the good of the cattle rearers in the North and for the welfare of farmers in the South and elsewhere in Nigeria,” they said.

Cattle ranches, the bishops said, should be created in states known for cattle breeding, with adequate water and fodder provided and nurtured, while farmlands for root crops and other plants should be protected for their specific products in states known for such.

This, they said, will reduce or eliminate clashes stemming from trespassing.

“We certainly need these two sectors to supplement our near-total dependence on oil. But the fact that armed attacks and wanton killings have become a national threat, it should be declared an insurgency and treated as such, with the aim of dislodging the insurgents from occupied communities by the security/military operatives,” CBCN said.

+Remmy Nweke 

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