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Press Freedom: Okowa Lauds Media’s Role In Strengthening Democracy

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has called on governments at all levels and other agencies to protect the freedom of the Press to enable it play its role of contributing to strengthening democracy and good governance in the country.

Okowa made the call at the inauguration of the Secretariat of Delta State Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Asaba on Friday.

According to him, the independence of the Press is very important in a growing society and it is something that we must practice. I also urge the Press that in the face of all pressures, they must try as much as possible to inform, and inform appropriately.

He said that “the media must ensure that the information that gets out there to our people is the right information and that information is justiceable at every point in time.

“The Press can always stand their ground. Sometimes, politicians or other people can put you under pressure but I believe that the Press can always stand their ground as long as you know that you have done your investigation and that what you are speaking about is actually true”. 

The governor commended the media for adequate reporting of government activities and for appropriately informing the public on the activities.

He expressed appreciation to the NUJ in the state for the cordial relationship between it and the state government, saying “we have had a reasonable level of cooperation and they know that we do not gag them; we work as friends.

“This building is seated on very prime land and I thank God for that because the Press deserves that. The more you inform the people, the more educated the people are, and the more functional our democracy.”

He said his administration had done well in transforming the state in spite of criticisms from the opposition.

According to him, there is no doubt that we have done a lot in the last seven years, except for those who still want to doubt even while they can see. These are people who do not want to speak the truth because of politics.

“Recently, I heard one of our top politicians in the state who ought to know, say that we have done nothing in Asaba, the state capital and I began to wonder why people who are highly placed, speak in that manner and try to deceive the people.

“It’s very insulting to the people and not to me, because they know what Asaba was before. We know what has been done to ensure that we are able to control the storm water that we had in this state.

“You may not see all the drains because it’s not on the surface. But, we know how many billions of naira it cost us to ensure that people have livable homes.

“The State Secretariat that we see today did not cost one billion naira. When I was building that, the same party had its people criticise it. But today, I think the civil servants know that it’s a place conducive for them to work.

“We know how the road network was and we know how it is today. There is a university in this place today – the former Anwai Campus of Delta State University now turned into a full university.

“If you go in there, you will see lots of development. And by God’s grace, by the time we leave in May, the Deputy Governor and I will be proud that we were here in government for eight years,” Okowa stated.

Speaking earlier, NUJ National President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, lauded Governor Okowa for encouraging Press Freedom by improving the working condition of journalists in the state.

He said that a free press, independent, vibrant, objective and nationalistic was critical pre-condition for good governance in a democracy.

“In most countries of Africa, especially in Nigeria, in the past years, the greatest advertisement for the democratic dispensation is the free climate of dialogue and debate (free expression) that has been initiated and sustained by the media.

“The existence of an unfettered and independent press is necessary for democracy to flourish. The right to freedom of expression, thought and association will strengthen and encourage accountability of governments to all citizens,” Isiguzo said.

He said government officials were expected to be honest, responsible, transparent, accountable and efficient in administration and service delivery.

“Where any of these is lacking or is deliberately subverted, it is the responsibility of the media to raise alarm,” Isiguzo stated.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the State Council of the union, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, commended Governor Okowa for breaking the 31-year jinx by completing and inaugurating the press centre since the state was created.

“You have given us a name and identity; you have taken us out of Egypt to our promised land. You have put an unquenchable smile on the faces of members and defeated the imagination of naysayers praying that we continue to wander as nomads.

“That you completed the building project would have given us enough reason to celebrate, but going ahead to tastefully furnish the centre is another monumental achievement that must be counted for your administration,” he stated.

World Cane Day: Remain Focus Alanta Advises Persons With Sight Impairment

By
Hill Nigeria
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By Christy Aboghe/ Rose Afolomah

Commissioner for Woman Affairs Community and Social Development, Hon. Mrs Flora Alanta has charge persons with sight impairment to remain focused and not see their situation as the end of the world.

 The Commissioner who was represented by the Director in the Ministry, Mr Peter Okocha made this known during the during the celebration of the International White Cane Day in Asaba, the state capital.

She advised them to see it as a condition that would prepare them to do better, to enable them contributes to the betterment of the society.

She commended the state government for what they have been doing for persons with disability, by training their members annually at the Lagos school for the blind, adding that they undergo for one year program in the school where their school fees are being paid by the state government, they acquire skills, are provided with training materials, are also given monthly stipends, and are empowered to the skill at  the end of their program.

Chairman, Nigeria Association of the Blind Delta State Chapter, Mr Edere Edison, called for the passage of the bill to disability act of 2018.

He said the event which was celebrated annually was in commemoration of their white cane, which he said was an aid for people with visual disability.

He said the white cane has helped them to navigate around their environment to identify if there were obstruction on their way or not,

While speaking on the choice of the year’s theme, he said it was to search out some of the dirts, obstacles, open drainage without lids and blocked drainage in their immediate environment and hazard to people with blind defect.

The Chairman called on various agencies to help keep the environment clean, so as to enhance safety  and productivity of the blind.

In her lecture, Mrs Isioma Edozie said according to the World Health Organisation  in 2018, that two million persons are affected with the challenge.

Edozie said there was need to support them, by developing design or facilities such as organizations that they can benefit from.

DTSG To Synergise With Hauwei Educational Solutions

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta State government has affirmed readiness  to synergise with Hauwei Educational Solutions in using digital technology to advance education in the state.

The Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Anthony Nwokolobia  made this known during an interactive session with educational stakeholder in Asaba, the state capital.

He said as part of the globalisation idea for educational sector, it would help promote quality education.

According to him, his ministry, the ministry of Science and technology, the executive Assistant to the state Governor on ICT and educational stakeholders in the state would be part of the Committee to drive the project.

On his part, the programme initiator, Barr. Felix Okonti said with Hauwei Educational Solution, the socio economic problem of the country would be solved, thereby reducing the amount of foreign exchange spent on student traveling abroad for studies, adding that it would help upskill the student in terms of learning environment.

Okonti said the problem of network issues faced by the micro school portals would be corrected.

Okonti noted that the project would later be extended to college of education, polytechnics, Secondary and primary schools in the state.

While speaking, the consultant, Mr Charles Omordia said the Central Bank of Nigeria was fully ready to fund the project.

Omordia stated that the project would be of great benefit to student in both private and secondary institution.

Fed. Govt Responsible for Correctional Centres, Delta CJ

By
Hill Nigeria
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By Agbaragu Timothy

Delta State Chief Judge, Honorable Justice Tessy Diai has reinstated that the Nigerian Correctional Service is under the exclusive list of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended ) and therefore was the responsibility of the Federal Government.

That notwithstanding, according to her, the state government was doing all it could to ameliorate the challenges faced by custodial centres across the state within the limited available resources.

Justice Diai who released five inmates yesterday stated this at the Kwale Custodial Centre, Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government Area in her continuation of tour of prisons across the state in the last quarter of the year.

Responding to an appeal by the officer in charge of the Centre on provision of vehicles, the Chief Judge stated that the issue has been brought to the attention of the State Government, pointing out that she was very sure the government was doing something  to address the challenge.

She restated that the purpose of the visit to custodial centres was to make sure that every inmate was in lawful custody, and that none was kept more than the number of years he would have served if convicted, even as she sued for cooperation between officers of NCS and the courts to produce inmates early in court so that custody cases could be given priority for their early return to the centres. 

Justice Diai who has visited Warri, Sapele and Kwale custodial centres so far in the ongoing jail delivery exercise, debunked unfounded media report that she had visited Kwale centre before yesterday.

“I Was surprised to read in one of the reports that I had visited Kwale prison and that the inmates were crying because none of them was released. 

” I do not know where that information came from; at least all of us here know that this is the first time I am coming here in the course of this third quarter visit. So I do not know where the press got their reports from, ” she queried.

The number one Judicial Officer in the state charged journalists to verify and crosscheck fats before rushing to the press to avoid refraction of their professional ethics.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Kwale Custodial Center, S. A. Anekwe implored the Chief Judge to use her good offices to influence the Delta State Government to provide logistics in performing their duties.

The DCC who revealed that the Custodial Centre built in1906 with capacity of 262 inmates asserted that it has current capacity of 323 inmates, even as he decried the situation where only one functional vehicle convey defendants to 32 courts spread over four local governments.

Stand-Up For Women Society Conducts Training In Business Skills For Women In Asaba IDPs Camp

By
Hill Nigeria
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By Patrick Ochei

As defenders and restorers of the dignity of women, the Stand-Up For Women Society (SWS), Delta State Chapter has yet again, taken up the initiative of conducting husiness trainings for women in the Internally Displaced Persons Camps across Delta State.

This programme was today, Thursday 27th October, 2022, flagged off at the Ogbe-Afor IDPs Camp in Asaba, with a charge that the women should look beyond their present predicament of hopelessness by seeing an opportunity that would launch them into an unimaginable position of comfort in life.

Speaking to them motivationally before the commencement of the programme, the State Chairperson of SWS and Functioning Permanent Secretary in the State Orientation Bureau, Mrs. Stella Macaulay told the women not to be depressed about their present circumstance orchestrated by the flood disaster that ravaged their homes and farmlands, asking them to instead, look up to God for help and direction.

Macaulay who intermittently sang and danced with the women, encouraged them to see opportunity in their coming to the camp to seek refuge and relief, maintaining that in the mindset of God, every disappointment is a blessing.

She told them that the SWS was in the camp not only to train them on skills required to begin life again after the camp, she assured them of Empowerment that can enable them to start little after the camp experience.

Her words, “In our 365 days of impact as a group, we have been able to truly bridge the gap between the women folk and the men folk in terms of creating mindset reorientation in women to realise their potentials and strive towards fulfilling their purpose on earth.

“Because of the aggressive nature of men, a lot of women are laid back in contributing their quota to the growth and development of society. However, if only the society can allow the women the opportunity to make contributions towards economic and political value system of our country, they will surely excel and perform optimally.

“This programme is put together to alleviate the suffering of the women in the circle of those affected by the flood, by way of putting smiles in their faces and reassuring them of God’s intervention in their case.

“We have discovered the enormous benefits of engaging in dry season farming – a situation where plants are harvested between 3-4 months and can be done twice in a circle of one year. We know that majority of these women are farmers and now heartbroken by the disaster caused them by the flood. Our agenda here is to engage them as they prepare to return to base, so as to upscale to other businesses and still do farming that they can benefit from during rainy and dry seasons without always developing hypertension that flood is going to come to flush away their crops. And that is why we have brought experts in various areas of farming and skills, to impart in them the requisite knowledge to drive their future in the midst of surmountable predicaments”, Macaulay posited.

Further evaluating the acceptance of the message by the women, the group’s Chairperson told newsmen that from the sequence of the event, the local dialect was extensively used to drive down the orientation and training for easy communication, adding that “I am sure they appreciate this effort by their responses, which to me is a perfect feedback.

“These skills will help them to productively engage themselves as they begin life again after the flood”, she stressed.

Macaulay insisted that fund does not pose challenge to her in carrying out her functions as a humanitarian service oriented NGO, maintaining that the focus of SWS wouldn’t let her deter in meeting the needs of majority of traumatised and less privileged women in the society.

She gave a brief background of the achievements of SWS since inauguration in Delta State, scoring the group excellently in tangible performances.

Macaulay hinted that the group’s Live Programme for Adolescents and Youths (LPAY) had helped it to professionally educate the children on what they can do to minimise the effect of social vices on them while making positive effort to become better through imbibing the requisite values and morals for their future benefits.

She equally talked of how the group had rendered psychosocial support to a young lady who got pregnant through rape and almost committed suicide, adding that SWS came in to assist her rehabilitate among other cases the group had been rendering rehabilitations to.

“We have a platform for Real Women Conversation where lots of women who had abi initio bottled up their pains and sorrows are now beginning to speak up. So many of them had even slided into trauma and depression, majorly as a result of rape and domestic violence. Meanwhile, our coming into their lives has helped to open them up to discuss those issues that bothered them.

“The fact that the IDPs are alive means that God is not through with them yet. And the fact remains that they need as much help as they can get. This knowledge we are imparting in them is key and surely, the Empowerment that will come to them will further encourage them not to start recounting their pains”, Macaulay explained.

However, the training sessions had Mr. Kalu I. Kalu teaching the women the benefits of snail farming and of course, the economic values of crops like pawpaw and coconut.

Of much interest was that the woman who invented Zobo drink in Nigeria, Mrs. Rebecca Isagba was there to teach them how to make Zobo, while Miss Patrick Lynde Oluomachukwu (makers of Richlyn soap products) also brought her expertise in soap making to bear, for the benefit of the IDPs.

They also learnt how to make pof-pof and other snacks from Teggy Tag Confectionaries, and both the trainer and the trainees ended up making enough for majority in the camp to feed from.

In a nutshell, the Camp Commandant, Mr. Okpor Daniel was pleased with the humanitarian gesture by the Stand-Up For Women Society, thereby commending them for their selfless humanity towards the IDPs, especially the women among them.

He prayed that God would continue to replenish the purse of the NGO to continue to bring succour to the hopeless and sorrowful with a view to creating a society of lovely and peaceful people.

Nonetheless, one Mrs. Maria Okelue thanked the Stand-Up For Women Society for their selfless concern on behalf of the IDPs, however, appealing to other relevant agencies to come to their aid to enable them return back happily to farming.

Okowa Presents N561.8bn Budget For 2023

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta State Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has presented an Appropriation Bill of N561.82 billion for 2023 to the state’s House of Assembly.

Christened “Budget of Seamless and Stable Transition”, the governor told the lawmakers that the Bill was made up of N326.6 billion for Capital Expenditure and N235.2 billion for Recurrent Expenditure.

He said that capital expenditure constituted 58 per cent of the Budget while 42 per cent represented recurrent expenditure, and announced that the allocations were targeted at completion of all ongoing projects and new projects in critical areas of needs.

The governor explained that N172 billion, representing 53 per cent of the capital budget, was allocated to the economic sector while N70.5 billion was allocated to the social sector; the administration sector got 13.34 billion and regional sector, N64.2 billion.

“In 2023, we propose to spend N111.4 billion on Works, N5.9 billion for Urban Renewal – Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, N8.3 billion and Warri-Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, N8 billion.

“Others include N12.4 billion on Health; Education, N42.6 billion; Trade and Investment, N8.6 billion; Sports N8.4 billion; Culture and Tourism, N2.7 billion and Housing, N10 billion.

“In order to continue tackling unemployment by creating jobs and wealth for our youths, the sum of N4.3 billion has been earmarked for our model entrepreneurship development programmes, notably STEP, YAGEP, RYSA, GEST, WESAP and ICT Youth Empowerment Programme,” he said.

Okowa disclosed that the budget, which was derived from the state’s ‪2023-2025 FSP/MTEF, was anchored on crude oil production benchmark of 1.69 million barrels per day, oil price of 70 dollars per barrel, exchange rate of N435.57 per dollar, National Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.75 per cent and 17.16 per cent national inflation rate.

“The economy faces headwinds from fiscal instability arising from huge debt overhang, runaway inflation, massive exchange rate depreciation, record-high subsidy costs, high interest rates, insecurity, and food crisis.

“Notwithstanding the persistently challenging external conditions, it is incumbent on the leadership to address the socio-economic needs of our people and ensure that their legitimate aspirations are realised.

“To successfully do that requires that we must be conscious of the decisions we make and guided by the obligation to carefully weigh every available option in the light of our fiscal realities vis-à-vis the demands of good governance,’’ he stated.

Welcoming the governor to the House of Assembly’s chamber earlier, the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, lauded him for the giant strides recorded by his administration in infrastructure and human capital development since 2015.

Oborevwori, who is the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in the 2023 general elections, said that Okowa’s model entrepreneurship development programmes had rescued many youths and women from unemployment and underemployment.

He urged all Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to buckle up for the defence of their budget proposals before the Standing Committees of the House.

Motion to accept the Appropriation Bill for consideration was later moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Ferguson Onwo and was seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Innocent Anidi.

The lawmakers also approved a motion, slating the second reading of the Bill for Nov. 2, 2022 after earlier adopting the acceptance of the fiscal proposal as its first reading.

 

 

 

 

We’ll Sustain Commitment To Growth Of Commerce – Okowa

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that his administration would sustain its commitment to providing needed environment that would stimulate the growth of commercial activities in the state.

Okowa, who disclosed this while inaugurating the regional branch of Providus Bank on Thursday in Asaba, said the state government would continue to work hard to ensure that there was peace and security in Asaba and other parts of the state.

He said that the influx of commercial banks in the state was a healthy development, and reiterated that his administration would continue to do the needful to ensure that businesses thrived in the state.

According to him, the growth in the number of commercial banks in the state capital was a sign that the economy of the state was booming and needed to be tapped into by investors.

While expressing delight over the establishment of Providus Bank in the state, the governor lauded management of the bank for all its previous interventions in schools and at the General Hospital in Ibusa, and expressed hope that more interventions would be made with the establishment of the bank in Asaba.

“We have continued to hear about Providus Bank but today, we have you sited here in Asaba. And, it is not just a branch as you have already told us that it is a regional branch that would cover this whole catchment area.

“Not too long ago, we had the Premium Trust Bank sited here in Asaba inaugurated and today we have the Providus Bank.

“We are happy as a state because, the more banks you have, the more banking and support services you have both as a business community and also for the government of a state.

“It is also a sign that the economy in the particular place where the branches are sited is actually booming economies that can be tapped into.

“And, to that extent, you are helping us to judge or to have a true assessment of the impact of our governance in the state capital.

“We have several banks in the state capital here and in the last few years, a lot of businesses have moved in. Even, a lot of our brothers from across the Niger now live here and go to Onitsha for their businesses.

“This is because, over time, Asaba has become very peaceful. The environment has become so welcoming and people are comfortable to bring up their kids here because of the various institutions provided,” he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Walter Akpani, had said that the bank which was licensed for commercial banking operation in 2016, had 13 branches nationwide, adding that four new branches would be established soon.

Akpani disclosed that the Asaba branch would serve as a regional hub of the bank, pointing out that the mission of the bank was to help businesses prosper across the country.

He commended the Okowa administration for providing the necessary ambience that had stimulated the growth of businesses in the state, and stated that the track record of the bank was not just to support businesses but institutions.

Oborevwori, Test and Trusted For Good Governance, Says Abanum

By
Hill Nigeria
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…As Artisans Rejoices With Him On Supreme Court Victory

Chairman, Delta State Artisan Association, Chief Ifeanyi Abanum, has described the flagbearer if the People’sDemocratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori as a man test and trusted in the delivery of good governance.

Abanum made this known while speaking with our reporter in Asaba, the state capital.

He said Rt. Hon. Oborevwori’s  effective leadership of the state House of Assembly as Speaker for the past seven years and peaceful administration was a testimony of his capacity given the opportunity to run as governor of the state, come 2023 general election.

According to him, the recent verdict by the supreme Court was well deserved.

He said his quality leadership was reasons why  Artisans in the state, had earlier endorsed him and would always queue behind him in the coming election.

While frowning at the foul language used by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo  Agege  towards the state government, adding that as the DSP and a Deltan he had not in anyway contributed towards the development of the state.

He advised other members of the Party to come on board in delivery the governorship candidate, adding that PDP was one big family.

 

 

 

Civil Society Appeals For More Palliatives To IDPs

By
Hill Nigeria
-

In line with the current threat to lives and properties, the flood disaster has caused  one third of the communities in Delta State, the Delta State Civil Society has solicited for relief materials and other supplies to the affected victims.

The President, Delta State Civil Society Community, Dr. Martins Kedienhon made the appeal during a press briefing on the current flood disaster, in Asaba.

He called for more food  and relief materials to the inmates in the  various camps as they had earlier request for more foods and toiletries during our visit to the camps.

While calling on private sectors, international donors and well to do individuals to send relief materials and food to this displaced persons in the camp, he said that due to the increased number of displaced persons, there was need for more donations to IDP camps.

Sympathizing with those that lost their loved ones, farms and properties to the flood, he also commended those that continuously risk their lives for the sake of the peoples wellbeing

 He reiterated that sensitization was continuous and advised the general public to reach out to them  through their opening of more IDP camps in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Warri South and other local Government areas that are affected by the flood.

The President said that the society being key players in ensuring that Government and other stakeholders act and redress grievances and bridge gaps  on intervention and amplify the collective voice of the people especially those at risk of being left behind, had set up a Civil Society situation room for citizens, where critical details are captured.

He commended all who had helped the flood victims either in their trapped locations  and in the IDPs camps.

The leadership of the society,  also called on the camp Commandants of the various IDPs for fair and  even in the distribution  of relief materials provided for the victims and to intensify severity issues in order to prevent gender based violence in camp.

He also added that education was on going in the camp which has been 76 by the state Government, we also call for more skill acquisition training which will help prevent post-flood school dropouts.

He said that in improving their mental health,  reduce the impact of economic hardship and the rate of unemployment during and after the flood disaster, the Organisation will continue to collaborate with relevant, related MDAs, Private Sector and international community to build, develop skills, fill-in the knowledge gaps, engage in trainings and any other ventures such as sensitization, Health talk, Gender based violence issues and safety in camp, Environmental challenges, Business development, Soft skills and Entrepreneurship.

League of Like Minds Intl Club Showers IDPs With Love

By
Hill Nigeria
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… Promises To Revisit Inmates With More gifts

In an effort to ameliorate the plight of Internally Display Persons ravaged by the recent  flooding in Delta State, the League of Like Minds International Club has donated food items,  toiletries to inmates in Ogbeafor camp in Oshimili South Local Government Area.

This was made known during a visit to the IDP camp in Asaba, the state capital.

The Chairman of the Club, Amb. Valentine Chukwuma said the body was pained considering the impact of the flood on  the lives of the inmates, stressing that they decided to contribute their quota to the inmates by providing them succour.

According to him “the body is a group of like minds from every strata of the society, who decides to support them fully.

He said the donation came as a result  of the conception by one of their member, Mr Charles Omordia who saw the need for the club to extend gesture to the IDPs in the camp.

The Chairman promised to look into their request of providing clothing as most of them had lost their properties to the flood, stressing that the gesture would make them forget their loss.

On his part, image maker of the club Olorogun Dr Austin Akpede said they considered it necessary to bring aid to those who were challenged as a result of the ravaging flood, hence they put resources together to assist the inmates

Reacting to their need on clothing Akpede promised that in no distance time the camp would be visited.

While receiving the items on behalf of the camp commandant, the Red Cross official, Mrs Ada Monye, commended them  for their kind-heartedness, adding that the items would go a long way to satisfy the inmates.

While commending the Club members for the massive gift items, ranging from diapers, bags of foreign rice, cartons of Indomie noodles, bathing sponges, slippers, toothbrushes, toothpastes, cartons of detergents, cartons of tissue amongst others,  she also appealed for clothings to enable the inmates have wares to put on.

 

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