News

Abbas Declares Violence Against Women, Girls, Unacceptable

Published

1 year ago

November 25, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Abbas Declares Violence Against Women, Girls, Unacceptable

By: Michael Mike

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas on Monday declared as unacceptable violence against women and girls in the country.

Abbas decried this year’s United Nations report that for every 10 minutes a woman is being killed across the world.

The Speaker who joined the United Nations organised walk against gender violence in the country, as part of the activities lined up for the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender based Violence in Nigeria, called for actions to contain the ills against women.

The walk which was organised by the United Nations Women in collaboration with the House of Representatives as part of the 16 days of activisim, started at the National Assembly and terminated at the Police Headquarters in Abuja.

The Speaker assured the gathering that the House of Representatives will play an active role in the next national action plan against gender violence.

He said: “This year’s program came at a time when all over the world women are crying, women are in anger, women are in frustration. For this is the year the United Nations has issued a damn report that for every 10 minutes a woman is being killed across the world. This is an unacceptable trend.

“This is an unforgivable trend. We in the parliament must hope to unite more than ever before with relevant authorities, particularly the law enforcement in ensuring that we cut this dangerous trend to the barest minimum.

“I want to say it categorically clear here that the National Assembly will do everything humanly possible to ensure that all forms of violence against women and girls are drastically reduced if not completely eliminated in the very near future.

“I want to also announce that the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, will play an active role in the next National Action Plan against women and violence that will be coming out very soon. We will send our representatives. We will also participate actively in ensuring that robust policies are enacted that will significantly reduce the incidence of violence of all kinds against women, against children, against girls.

“So it’s my pleasure, honourable colleagues, to declare these 16 days of activism to mark the elimination of women violence in Nigeria. We hope members of the press, our honorable colleagues and other partners will participate actively in the 16 days to show our own case, to make our own point that enough is enough. The time has come when violence of all kinds must stop.”

On his part, the Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande said the ministry will be establishing a help desk, specifically for the women, youth and girls whereby they can interact with the government.

He said that the current administration wants to ensure that the women and youth feel the government, adding that: “As a ministry, we have decided to also in coules of weeks time, we are going to have a young and secure which is women, youth and the Ministry of Youth will be coming up with help desk whereby all the youth in this country, most especially women and girls can communicate with us. We want to be with you. We want for the first time that the youth, women and girls feel the government.”

Speaking at the Police Headquarters, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, urged the security outfit to join the fight against violence against women.

She said: “We are there to present a petition for immediate intervention, investigation and prosecution on gender based violence to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

“We are calling on you to combat gender based violence during the 16 days of activism and beyond. We want to bring to your attention, the harrowing plight of Nigerian women.

“As study indicate that one in every three women globally are victims of gender based violence in Nigeria. Report of National Demographics amd Health survey, reveals that 30% of women between 15 to 29 have experienced physical violence, with many suffering abuse in the hands of partners.”

She therefore urged the IG to put the police across the country on red alert to ensure justice for gender based violence, stressing that they want justice, adding that the leadership of House of Representatives are unanimous on the point that there is no excuse for gender based violence.

In his response, the IGP said the occassion is a reminder that eradicating gender based violence is a collective effort, adding, “It is not by law enforcement actions alone that we can eradicate gender violence. It is a collective obligation of every one of us.
Gender based violence is a grimreality that has continued to devastate lives across the globe.

“Across the continent of Africa, countless of women and children have continued to suffer all kinds of abuses including domestic violence, sexual assault. There are some areas where the traditions also abuses the right of women. We have cases of genital mutilation amongst others.

“It is a collective efforts that we must all fight. We must all come.together, put our actions together to eradicate this unacceptable reality in our communities.”
He further assured the women that since 2006, the Nigeria Police Force had developed a gender policy which it has integrated into its global framework of policing.”

Abbas Declares Violence Against Women, Girls, Unacceptable

News

Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism

Published

8 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has appealed to media practitioners in the state to continue to uphold professionalism while discharging their responsibilities.

He urges the journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession, remain united, and promote peace and harmony among themselves.

The governor made the appeal today while receiving the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, led by its elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), at the Government House, Damaturu.

Ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), he commends journalists in the state for their synergy and collaboration with the state government in projecting a positive image of the state.

Governor Buni commended the journalists for their professionalism and constructive engagement, acknowledging the critical role the media plays in democratic governance and national development.

He pledged the state government’s continued support and collaboration with the correspondents’ chapel to ensure the success of the present administration, particularly in promoting government policies, programs, and achievements.

Earlier, the newly elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe, said the visit was to pay homage and formally present the new leadership of the chapel to the governor.

He said recently the chapel conducted an election of the leadership of the chapel, in which Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) emerged as chairman and Mr. Musa Buba Mingi of Channels Television as vice chairman.

Others include Malam Habibu Idris Gimba of Daily Trust, Secretary; Mr. Michael Oshoma of TVC, Treasurer; Sa’adatu Maina of Neptune Prime, Assistant Secretary; and Muhammed Mai Tela of People’s Daily, Auditor.

Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism

News

NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses

Published

8 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses

The Group Chairman Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga has urged the Nigerian Police Force to consider listing other viable business entities of its organisation on the Exchange as it has done with its Microfinance Bank.

Kwairanga made the call on Wednesday in Lagos at the closing gong ceremony in honour of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange.

Kwairanga gave the NGX’s assurance that such companies if listed would be given free publicity, easy access to greater ponds of capital, and greater transparency and efficiency in their operations.

He said that the Exchange, its operators and quoted companies would continue to provide environment conducive for NPF businesses, in view of the critical role that the police play in ensuring a stable environment for businesses to thrive.

“Our quoted companies have been key to the success of the Police Trust Fund and stand ready to cooperate with the Nigerian Police in other ways that you require logistical and other support to ensure that we have a secure nation and capital market.

“Apart from its core duties of ensuring Nigeria’s internal security, the Nigerian Police Force has over the years established and grown various thriving businesses for the welfare of its personnel.

“One of them, the Nigerian Police Microfinance Bank is in fact quoted on the main board of the Exchange and doing very well in terms of capital appreciation, dividends and corporate governance,” he said.

The NGX boss advised that the Pension Fund should consider increasing its allocations to eligible equity quoted on the Nigerian Exchange.

While commending Egbetokun for visiting the Exchange, Kwairanga pledged to strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship going forward.

Our Correspondent reports that the visit underscores the continued collaboration between key national institutions in promoting market confidence, investor trust and a transparent, well-functioning capital market.

NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses

News

Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art

Published

8 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Turkey have reinforced their cultural partnership through a poetry exchange in Abuja designed to foster peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the two nations.

The literary gathering, hosted by the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, brought together poets, cultural practitioners, diplomats, and arts administrators from both countries to explore shared human values through poetry and performance.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Kaduna International Film Festival, Israel Kashim Audu, described poetry as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding. He noted that although Turkish poetry is deeply influenced by Anatolian mysticism, Nigerian poetry often reflects post-colonial experiences, identity, and nationhood.

“Despite their different historical contexts, both poetic traditions meet in their pursuit of justice, harmony, and human dignity,” Audu said.

The Abuja Coordinator of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Fatih Erkin Mahdum, said the institute has remained committed to promoting Turkish language, arts, and culture in Nigeria since its establishment in 2021. He added that collaborations with Nigerian artists are central to strengthening cultural ties and encouraging creative exchange.

Diplomatic presence at the event underscored its international significance. Mrs Florence Nzako, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Solveig Andresen of the Norwegian Embassy, welcomed participants and commended the initiative for using art to advance peace and intercultural understanding.

Poets at the gathering presented works exploring themes of peace, love, displacement, and resilience, drawing poetic connections between the Bosphorus and the Niger River as symbols of unity and shared humanity.

Also speaking, Director-General and Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Kattumu Bulama Gana, said artistic collaborations provide unique opportunities to understand common histories and aspirations. He described the poetry exchange as a valuable contribution to cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Turkey.

Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art