National News
UN Systems calls on Stakeholders to Renew Commitment Towards Freeing Nigeria from Gender-Based Violences
UN Systems calls on Stakeholders to Renew Commitment Towards Freeing Nigeria from Gender-Based Violences
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Systems in Nigeria has reiterated the need to eliminate violence against women and girls and dismantle harmful cultural norms, calling for renewed commitment from stakeholders.
This appeal was made during the Joint UN Accountability Forum and the Orange Lighting Ceremony held at the UN House in Abuja, with the theme: Towards Beijing+30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls”.
Speaking at the event, the UN Women Deputy Representative to Nigeria and Co-Chair of the Gender Thematic Group, Dr. Nesreen El-Molla, lamented the socio-economic toll of gender-based violence (GBV) on Nigeria’s development.
She noted that behind every statistic is a woman or girl whose potential has been stifled and rights violated.
She said: “Today’s event is a call to action for all of us to advocate for a Nigeria free from violence against women and girls. It is also a platform to address harmful norms by engaging with allies such as traditional and faith leaders, the private sector, and communities to reshape the narrative around gender equality. We all have a role to play in upholding universal human rights, calling out abuses, and holding systems accountable to their commitments.”
El-Molla said UN Women remains dedicated to strengthening programming efforts and scaling up investments in policy and legislative reforms that protect women’s rights.
She added that: “Through our mandate, UN Women will continue to champion basic women’s rights, including political participation, economic empowerment, and freedom from violence. We are also committed to providing holistic support for GBV survivors by expanding services, setting up shelters, improving policies, and working with community leaders to tackle harmful practices.”
The UNESCO Head of Office in Nigeria, Abdourahamane Diallo, also highlighted UNESCO’s role in addressing GBV through education and skills training for women, particularly in marginalized communities.
He said: “UNESCO aligns with the Beijing Platform for Action by promoting gender equality through education and eradicating GBV. We aim to integrate GBV prevention into policies and collaborate with civil society to challenge harmful cultural norms through grassroots interventions.”
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, on her part, called for strategic action to overcome barriers in combating GBV. She emphasized the importance of gender-disaggregated data in designing evidence-based interventions and effective resource allocation in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
She noted that: “For Nigeria, closing gender gaps could add $15 trillion to our GDP annually by 2050. Women constitute 49% of our population and own 41% of small and medium enterprises. Data remains a vital tool in our fight for gender equality. Equally important is the effective allocation of resources to programmes that make the greatest impact, particularly in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Beijing+30 Report offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made and areas requiring further attention.”
Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Dr. Vanessa Phala-Moyo, commended Nigeria’s efforts to address workplace violence.
She said: “Nigeria is the first country in the subcontinent to ratify the ILO Convention Against Violence and Harassment. This demonstrates leadership-level commitment, and we will continue to support the private and public sectors in implementing measures to address violence and harassment.
Other highlights of the Event are:
Orange Lighting Ceremony: A symbol of hope, unity, and the vision for a world where women and girls live free from violence and fear.
Beijing+30 Report Launch: Celebrated progress, renewed commitments, and outlined future priorities for achieving gender equality in Nigeria.
The event reaffirmed the collective resolve of the UN, government, and stakeholders to create a safer, more equitable Nigeria for women and girls
Ends
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Federal Government, the minister urged Muslims to uphold the core values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which define the Ramadan period. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to reflect on these virtues beyond the fasting season as part of efforts to build a more harmonious society.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, to use the festive period to pray for national peace, unity, and sustained progress, noting that collective responsibility remains key to the country’s stability.
He further encouraged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly and extend kindness to the less privileged, in line with the spirit of the season.
The declaration underscores the government’s continued commitment to promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country, as millions of Muslims prepare to celebrate one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar.
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