VP Shettima Leaves For Abidjan, To Attend SIREXE 2024 Opening Ceremony

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Wednesday morning, departed Abuja for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to attend the opening ceremony of the International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources (SIREXE) 2024 conference.

The SIREXE conference is an international event organised by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire that focuses on “Policies and Strategy for the Sustainable Development of the Extractive and Energy Industries“.

The conference will be held from November 27 to December 2, 2024, at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre.

At the invitation of Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, VP Shettima will utilize the event to share Nigeria’s experience in the hydrocarbon exploration and production sectors.

The Vice President is expected to return to Abuja later today.

VP Shettima Leaves For Abidjan, To Attend SIREXE 2024 Opening Ceremony

France Promises to Continue to Support Fight Against GBV in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

France has promised to continue to support the fight against gender based violence in Nigeria, noting that the time has come to take stock of what has been achieved so far to put an end to this virus.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Ketty Regis who stood in for the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean Francois Hasperue, at a panelist breakfast debate as one of the activities for the 16 Days of Activism against GBV 2024, said: “In 1995-2025, next year this declaration will be 30 years old. Time to take stock? What have we achieved in 30 years? What have we learned? What lessons have we learned from the various commitments and recommendations?”

She noted that for the French Embassy in Nigeria, this year’s 2024 edition of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence this means 13 magnificent projects across Nigeria, 11 awesome states across the country where the projects will take place, 15 creative civil society organisations supported, and between 150 and 200 people directly targeted by our activities.

She said: “Every year we remind ourselves, and this year will be no exception: ‘GBV is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human rights issue’.

“We have chosen to do things differently for this year’s event, because we are working hard to raise awareness of this major cause, and our partners are doing the same. We’ll start with a debate, followed by an educational game launch called ‘GBV Avengers’.

‘The question is: what does real responsibility look like in the fight against violence against women and girls? This is the question we will be discussing.”

She noted that: “This question has two facets, (i) the first being that perpetrators must answer for their acts before the competent authorities (a zero- tolerance system), which is what we owe to every victim, but also (ii) access to justice and support for victims. This part is closely linked to the first point.

She said with around 20 million survivors of GBV in the, Nigeria accounts for 10% of the world’s 200 million survivors, noting that this is an alarming figure.

One of the high points of the event is the panelists and participants agreeing that there was urgent need to put an end to gender based violence.

France Promises to Continue to Support Fight Against GBV in Nigeria

Zulum Reaffirms Commitment to Dignified Resettlement of Boko Haram Victims

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to resettling victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in a dignified and sustainable manner.

The Governor made this pledge during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on Tuesday, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

Addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Governor Zulum stressed the unsustainability of prolonged stays in IDP camps, citing donor fatigue as a pressing concern.

“IDPs have stayed too long in camps; it is no longer sustainable. We want them to move out and earn their livelihoods. While UN organizations and NGOs have done commendable work, there is no consistent funding to sustain people in these camps,” Zulum stated.

The Governor emphasized the need for durable and sustainable solutions to address humanitarian challenges, including the resettlement and empowerment of displaced persons.

He pledged to collaborate closely with agencies under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to expedite the safe and dignified repatriation of refugees.

In response, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, announced the ministry’s plans to integrate Borno’s humanitarian model into a comprehensive Humanitarian Response Plan.

He commended Governor Zulum for his focus on return, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts, which have been pivotal in restoring infrastructure and reviving social life in the state.

“Governor Zulum has provided exemplary leadership by aligning state efforts with national and international partners, ensuring that livelihoods and social activities are gradually returning to Borno,” the Minister remarked.

The Minister further outlined plans for the repatriation and reintegration of Nigerian refugees back to their ancestral homes, with a commitment to empowering them towards self-reliance.

The Minister was accompanied by Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding Programme, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, along with senior officials from the ministry.

Zulum Reaffirms Commitment to Dignified Resettlement of Boko Haram Victims