NAGASAKI — A decades-long driver of a Mazda RX-7 sports car fulfilled a pledge to turn in her license on her birthday on Dec. 18 and passed the vehicle along to its maker.

At the ceremony held in a local Mazda dealership, Nagasaki resident Naoko Nishimoto commented with her hand on the hood, “Thank you so much for the 25 years we have shared our lives together, ‘Seven.'”

“Seven” is the name she gave her beloved coupe.

When Nishimoto was working as a clerk at the age of 55, she was looking to buy a new car and fell in love with the RX-7 when she first happened to see it in the anime series “Initial D”. “Its outline is beautiful,” she thought. She immediately bought a brand-new silver model for around 3 million yen (about $19,300 at the current rate).

After she had used the vehicle for daily outings like trips to the supermarket and racked up about 77,500 kilometers over 25 years of use, she made up her mind to give up her driver’s license in December 2022, when she turned 78. After her search for the car’s next owner was reported in the news, Mazda Motor Corp. put in an application.

A young designer at Mazda gave Nishimoto a sketch of the adored cruiser during the ceremony. “The RX-7 was the first car I was responsible for marketing after joining the company. Ms. Nishimoto lovingly drove this car for 25 years, and we will maintain and handle it with care from here on,” Mazda President Masahiro Moro wrote in a letter that was also passed to her.

“For the two years after I decided to let it go, I had particularly fond memories of riding in Seven to photograph seasonal flowers and scenery. I loved the feeling of oneness with the car,” Nishimoto said.

The car will hereafter undergo maintenance before beginning its second life as a promotional vehicle.

The RX-7 integrated Mazda’s technical prowess and included a high output, low noise and vibration rotary engine. Around 810,000 of the vehicles were produced between 1978 and 2002. Having plenty of overseas fans, the car was featured in “Fast and Furious,” and it has been immortalized in the street-racing manga, anime and game series “Initial D” as the car owned by the protagonist’s rival.

Afam Osigwe, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says it is unconstitutional for members of the cabinet or governors to be giving gifts to judges.

Osigwe spoke on Thursday during Politics HQ, a programme on News Central TV.

The NBA president’s comments came months after Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), announced the construction of quarters for judges in Abuja.

In September, the FCT minister flagged off the construction of 40 houses for judges in Abuja, which sparked a public outrage.

He said 20 of the houses, when completed, would be allocated to judges of the FCT high court, while 10 would be given to the judges of the federal high court and 10 to those of the court of appeal.

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Silas Agara Champions Inclusiveness for Persons with Disabilities

By Ibrahim Abdul

Unlike before, when persons with disabilities (PWD) suffered and were neglected by their biological families and communities due to their deformities or impairments, many were relegated to street begging.

This unfortunate situation often led to their exclusion from employment programs, resulting in unemployment rates for PWD that are double those of the general population.

However, in an unprecedented paradigm shift, the National Directorate of Employment under the leadership of Director General Silas Agara has launched the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative. This modest short-term program aims to empower 93,731 youth, women, and PWD nationwide. Silas Agara emphasized that inclusiveness is his cardinal objective, allocating 30,000 slots specifically for beneficiaries from the PWD community.

Director General Silas Agara pointed out that street begging among PWD is an age-old institution in Nigeria that requires a collective solution, as it tarnishes the nation’s image. He stressed that the government cannot effectively tackle the issue of street begging without offering viable alternatives. This is why the Directorate has reserved slots for PWD to harness their potential through vocational training and make them relevant in the labor market.

Training the unskilled PWD marks what Mr. Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, describes as an era of new beginnings. Providing useful skills enables PWD not only to seek employment but also to develop their self-confidence and become productive members of society.

This initiative signifies a critical step towards dismantling the stigma around disability, changing perceptions, and fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity.

In addition to vocational training, the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative plans to establish partnerships with private sector organizations, facilitating internships and job placements for PWD. This collaboration aims to create a robust support system that encourages employers to recognize the potential of PWD, ultimately leading to more equitable opportunities in the job market.

As the nation progresses, it is imperative that we continue to uplift all citizens and drive meaningful change for those with disabilities.