News
Jaksham Community Marks Democracy Day with Humanitarian Outreach, Calls for Grassroots Inclusion in Governance
In a heartfelt observance of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Jaksham Community in Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State, transformed the national holiday into an act of compassion and civic advocacy. Led by the traditional ruler, Ngolong Justin Job, the community held a humanitarian outreach that provided food relief to hundreds of vulnerable residents.
The event, held at the community square, saw the distribution of assorted food items to elders, women, youths, and families from Jaksham and neighboring villages. It was a moment not only of celebration but of reflection on the deeper meaning of democracy at the grassroots.
Speaking to attendees, Ngolong Job emphasized that democracy is more than politics — it is about community, leadership, and shared responsibility.
“Democracy is not only about elected officials. We, as traditional rulers, are also part of governance. Today, we join the rest of the country to celebrate democracy in a way that touches lives directly,” he said.
He explained that the outreach was prompted by the economic hardship affecting many in the community and symbolized Jaksham’s role as a development partner.
Ngolong Job also commended the efforts of key political leaders whose work continues to impact the state positively, including:
- Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang
- Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan
- Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Ephraim Usman Gar
- Chairman of Kanke LGA, Hon. Lapchin Golime
- Member representing Kanke Constituency, Hon. Joseph Gokum
He called for greater collaboration between government and grassroots communities and used the occasion to spotlight critical challenges in Jaksham, including:
Lack of Formal Recognition for Village Heads
“Many of us have been appointed, yet we await official letters or certificates confirming our roles. Without this recognition, our effectiveness in local security and mobilization is limited,” Ngolong Job appealed.
Dilapidated School Infrastructure
He noted that the only school in Jaksham is in dire condition, with insufficient classrooms for the growing student population. While Hon. Gokum has pledged to add a classroom block, the ruler urged other stakeholders to support efforts in expanding educational infrastructure.
“The future of our children depends on the education we give them today,” he stressed.
Inadequate Access to Clean Water
The community currently relies on a single borehole for all water needs.
“One borehole cannot serve everyone. We call on government and good-spirited individuals to help us provide more boreholes. Water is life,” he said.
Hon. Emmanuel Gompil, Secretary of Kanke LGC, who represented the Council Chairman, praised the outreach, noting it reflects the administration’s vision of people-centered development.
“Ngolong Jaksham’s initiative is a reminder that governance starts at the grassroots,” he said.
Ngolong Defor Ring, who also attended the event, encouraged other traditional leaders to emulate the gesture, describing it as a bold message of leadership and responsibility.
The event concluded with goodwill messages from the Jaksham Community Development Association (JCDA) and other dignitaries, who collectively called for greater rural investment in education, water, and security.
As Democracy Day drew to a close, the spirit of the celebration in Jaksham stood out—demonstrating that true democracy thrives where leaders uplift the vulnerable, and communities unite for common progress.
Trabzonspor of Turkey striker, Paul Ebere Onuachu is being tipped to take over full sponsorship of a one-day memorial football competition to be staged in honour of his first grassroots coach, Osahon Emokpae.
Sports247 gathered that the competition, which is scheduled to hold this Thursday at FHA Stadium in FESTAC Town, Lagos, is the brainchild of Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), of whose junior team Coach Osahon was the pioneer handler.
NGFF president, Pastor Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel disclosed that the single day competition will be staged like a memorial carnival involving 12 teams, all of which were influenced one way or the other by Coach Osahon, who was until recently the caretaker committee chairman of Badagry Division Football Association (BDFA).
Pastor Oscar, who is also fondly called ‘TM,’ further disclosed that the competition, which will be staged on a knock-out basis, with games lasting only 20 minutes each, without any half time, will be graced by many esteemed personalities of football across Lagos State, Nigeria and abroad.
The competing teams will be led by Young Stars FC of Satellite Town, which Onuachu played for as a teenager, and from where Osahon took him along to FC Ebedie of Sagamu, when he became head coach of the club owned by Barrister Churchill Oliseh.
Other teams to feature in Thursday’s Osahon Emokpae Memorial Football Carnival include Young Eleven FC, CATS Boys FC, NGFF All Stars Selected, Vido 99 FC, ECAS FC and Golden Intercontinental FC.
Also listed to feature in the competition, which will run from 8am to 4pm at the popular terrain owned by Federal Housing Authority are Flying Sports Academy, SC Heritage, Santana Boys FC, Festiko FC and Awori United.
The NGFF scribe told Sports247 that the organising committee decided to woo Onuachu as the competition’s sponsor based on the fact that he is the late coach’s biggest product and he contributed immensely in efforts to stabilise the grassroots football zealot when the illness that claimed his life started.
“We know that Paul Onuachu really spent a lot on Coach Osahon’s medical bills, and we thank him so much for his efforts. It’s a good example he gave for other players to always remember the coaches that brought them up.
“In the same vein, we are solemly appealing to him to kindly take up the bill for this carnival that we want to stage in honour of Coach Osahon, a man who gave all his life to promoting youth football.
“We have a budget of just one million naira to cover things like refreshments, snacks, water, organisational needs, logistics, fees for referees, awards and other necessities.
“I personally appeal to Onuachu to take up this responsibility and, by the special grace of God, he will be blessed more abundantly in return. Good health will continue to follow him and he will soar higher.
“I know him as a caring boy, who has even given donations to his community in Imo State, for which God will also reward him exceedingly. Injury will mot befall him and he will have a sound mind on the field all the time. Amen,” Pastor Oscar prayed.
-
Business3 days agoNCAA cautions against further cut in aviation funding
-
Business4 days ago
Nigeria, Canada expand air deal, facilitate direct flights
-
News3 days ago
Nigeria’s GBB to deploy 54 smart police stations after Gombe pilot – Technology Times
-
News4 days ago
‘We won’t tolerate such’ – City Boy Movement sacks Oyo coordinator for insulting Tinubu, son
