Connect with us

News

2024 IWD: NHRC Calls on Government to Institutionalize Policies to Empower Women

Published

on

2024 IWD: NHRC Calls on Government to Institutionalize Policies to Empower Women

By: Michael Mike

As the world celebrates the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on government and other stakeholders to institutionalize policies and programmes that will enable women and girls to fulfill their aspirations and contribute to national development.

The call was made on the eve of the commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu.

He noted that a male dominated world has left us with gaps in the overall development index, saying that with the benefit of hindsight we can appreciate the unimaginable impacts made by women both in Nigeria and elsewhere once the opportunity comes their way.

Ojukwu stated that the theme of 2024 celebration of IWD, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, is apt as it further buttresses the fact that committing resources to train and empower women does not only equip them to support their families but it also has the potential to position them to contribute meaningfully to national and global development.

According to him, we are witnesses to the giant strides being made by women in the few societies where they are recognized as formidable agents of positive change, and indeed a good number of women have proven that they are good managers of resources and materials whenever they are entrusted with positions of authority.

He however regretted that in spite of increased awareness and sensitization on the issue of gender equality and gender inclusiveness, the society still discriminates against women, blaming culture as the root cause of this anomaly, forgetting that such excuses are no longer tenable nowadays.

The NHRC’s Chief Executive Officer decried the near absence of women in key positions like President, State Governors, Senators, captains of industries and Heads of Multinational Oil and Gas Cooperations, saying that discrimination in these areas have continued over the years despite the facts that there are several eminently qualified women to take such positions.

He said: “Women undeniably remain the beacon of hope, the torchbearers of the future and with the increasing advocacy for women support and affirmative action, they will surely change the narratives”.

Besides, he stated that Countries governed by women both in Africa and Europe have really experienced a huge change, thereby making the world a better and greater place for everyone to happily live in”, he said.

The Executive Secretary used the opportunity of the observance of this year’s IWD to call on the Federal Lawmakers to consider passing the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, hoping that it will reduce gender-based violations and legally equip women to challenge the inequalities besetting them, which has further been exacerbated by the rising wave of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in various towns and communities in the Country.

The International Women’s Day is marked on 8th March annually.

2024 IWD: NHRC Calls on Government to Institutionalize Policies to Empower Women

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy

Published

on

Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy
…Reps Committee Begins Probe of Incident

By: Michael Mike

The stranded Nigerians in Central Africa Republic CAR have finally arrived at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.

It will be recalled that through a viral video, some Nigerian miners called for help, which elicited immediate intervention from officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security who accompanied them from their location to the capital.

The journey to Bangui took a number of days with the Nigerians, alleged victims of a Chinese National and a Nigerian agent who hired them for work in that country and abandoned them there without paying their renumeration for 11 months,

A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun said obviously traumatised, weak and distressed, they (the stranded Nigerians) had called for help to be rescued.

He said: “They are now in the safe hands of officials of the Nigerian Embassy who will arrange their return back home.”

He added that: “They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and staff of both countries , the Nigerian Embassy, the CAR Security agencies and Nigerians who shared their stories.

“The agent who lured them into the job scam, is currently based in Nigeria and has been identified and is expected to be prosecuted .”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched a thorough investigation into a viral video depicting some Nigerians in the Central African Republic (CAR) alleging abandonment and passport seizure by a Nigerian businessman, purportedly linked to a Chinese company.

A statement released to the press and signed by the committee’s Chairman, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to uncover the truth behind the allegations.

The statement read: The Committee regrets the unfortunate situation the Nigerian workers are being subjected to in CAR and assures that a comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal.”

The Committee clarified that Abdulrauf Ademola, the businessman accused in the video, has refuted the allegations of passport seizure, unpaid salaries, and abandonment. It further stressed that Ademola is not affiliated with the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce.

It added that: “His (Ademola’s) actions or inactions should not be linked to the embassy or Chinese enterprises doing their legitimate businesses in Nigeria.”

The committee stated that China-Nigeria relations have flourished over time, yielding significant results across key sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, human capital development, and people-to-people partnerships.

It urged the media and the public to report on China-Nigeria relations in a fair, balanced, and truthful manner, reflecting the mutual solidarity between the two nations.
End

Continue Reading

News

Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension

Published

on

Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
…Insists Nigeria Remains Committed to Better Nigeria-Ghana Relations

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has finally began the move to douse the ongoing tension with Ghana over the growing agitation by Ghanaians that Nigerians should leave their country, as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining robust relations with Ghana during a visit.

The Minister also said the relationship would not stop at government level but extend to citizen-to-citizen level.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu made this known on Wednesday during her ongoing two-day visit to the West African country.

According to a statement by the spokesman to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, his principal is in Ghana to address the situation of Nigeria-Ghana citizens’ relations and meet with relevant stakeholders at both ends including the President of Ghana, the country’s Foreign Minister, traditional rulers and Nigerians resident in the country, to ensure that the life, property and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians living in Ghana are safe and protected.

Eze said: “As part of the engagements for the minister, a few minutes after touching down at Kotoka Accra International Airport, Ghana on Tuesday evening, she had a quick interface with the Inspector General of Police Ghana, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who was on his way to London, United Kingdom.”

He disclosed that Odumegwu-Ojukwu continued similar engagements on Wednesday with Ghanian officials and leaders of the Nigeria community.

She is expected back to Abuja on Thursday.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service

Published

on

Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the new substantive Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) with effect from 14th August, 2025.

The appointment was announced in a statement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), signed by its secretary, Abdulmalik Jibrin.

The statement read: “This appointment follows the imminent retirement of the current Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, on 1th August, 2025, upon attaining the age of sixty.

“DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having transferred his service from the FCT Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and grown to the rank of Deputy Controller-General of Fire in the Human Resource Directorate of the Service Headquarters.

“In the course of his career, the Officer has attended and passed all mandatory In-Service trainings, command course as well as other courses within and outside the country.

“He has served in various capacities and is equally a member/fellow of the following professional associations including Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.

“The Board extends its appreciation to the retiring Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola for his remarkable contributions to the development of the Federal Fire Service while also acknowledging his dedication and commitment to the service, and the numerous initiatives he spearheaded during his period of service.”

Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights