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Abass Assures on Removal of Systemic Barriers To Women’s Participation In Governance
Abass Assures on Removal of Systemic Barriers To Women’s Participation In Governance
By:Michael Mike
The National Assembly will work at removing all systemic barriers to women’s participation in governance in the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, has assured.
Abass, gave this assurance in Abuja at the National Citizens’ Summit on Constitutional Reform and Campaign on Ending Violence against Women and Girls.
The Speaker, who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said the constitutional reform would be tailored towards empowering women, ensuring their safety, and promoting their full participation in governance.
He underscored the need for collaboration with women’s groups, faith leaders, and traditional institutions to amplify women’s voices and protect their rights.
Abass described the Summit as a significant milestone, as they launched campaigns to increase women’s participation in elective and appointive positions and end violence against women and girls.
He pointed out that the campaign aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality.
He pledged that under his leadership, the House of Representatives would advance constitutional reforms that would address national needs and prioritise women and girls’ empowerment, safety and full participation.
The Speaker while highlighting the alarming statistics from the World Health Organization which states that one in three women globally has experienced violence, he described it as unacceptable.
He said: “We must break the cycle of history. This time, we are better prepared with renewed strategies, broader coalitions, and stronger public support to end violence against women and girls.”
He stressed the importance of constitutional reforms in advancing gender equality and addressing violence against women and girls.
Drawing from global examples, he cited the adaptability of constitutions, such as the 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, to address critical issues like civil rights and social reforms.
Abass also praised past constitutional amendments, including the 2018 “Not Too Young to Run” law, which expanded political opportunities and space for young Nigerians.
Meanwhile, ahead of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, the Speaker invited stakeholders to provide recommendations for addressing the needs of women and girls.
He emphasised that inclusivity and transparency would guide the House’s efforts to craft a budget that supports all Nigerians, reflecting their voices and aspirations.
“The 10th House of Representatives is resolute in its mission to adapt our constitution, uphold the rule of law, and protect the dignity and rights of every Nigerian, irrespective of gender,” he said.
In his remarks, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, said he was committed to championing gender inclusion and fight against gender based violence.
On his part, Ogundoyin, who is Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, revealed that women only hold 57 seats out of 991 seats across the 36 State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.
He said: “This under-representation underscores the need for urgent action. The Conference of Speakers is ready to support temporary special measures, including gender quotas, to increase women’s participation in governance.
“We recognise that gender-based violence is a significant obstacle to women’s participation and empowerment.
“Let’s work together to address the systemic barriers that hinder women’s participation in politics and end gender based violence in Nigeria.”
In her remarks, UN Women Deputy Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Nesreen El Molla, said the UN Women was irrevocably committed to advancing women’s inclusion and addressing violence against women and girls in Nigeria.
El Molla commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives for providing leadership and enabling environment during the planning of the Summit.
While thanking the Canadian and United Kingdom governments for the funding support, she noted that violence against women and girls does not have a place in modern society.
She urged participants to come up with actionable proposal to improve women’s participation in governance in the country.
The highpoint of the Summit was the unveiling of a national campaign for women’s inclusion and representation in elective and appointive positions through constitutional and electoral reforms.
The Summit brought together the Speakers, Majority, and Minority Leaders of the State Houses of Assembly, religious leaders, traditional institutions, women’s groups, civil society organisations, the media, persons with disabilities, among others, to engage on constitutional reform and campaign to end violence against women and girls in Nigeria.
Abass Assures on Removal of Systemic Barriers To Women’s Participation In Governance
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted the claim that female inmates are left without menstrual care, insisting that it is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground at correctional facilities.
A statement on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Adamu Duza read: “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) FCT Command, has been drawn to a recent narrative alleging that female inmates across Nigeria are being “left without menstrual care” citing the Medium Security Custodial Centre Suleja. This claim is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground.
“In line with its mandate and international best practices, NCoS supplies sanitary pads and hygiene kits to all female inmates at no cost, with monthly distribution recorded in inmates’ welfare registers.”
He added that: “Custodial Centres has a designated healthcare unit with qualified nurses and doctors that attend to the medical needs of female inmates, including menstrual-related issues, with free consultations, medications, and referrals to nearby hospitals when required.
“The Service also collaborates with development partners, civil society organisations, and faith-based groups that regularly donate sanitary products and conduct menstrual-hygiene awareness sessions. Recently the service received a donation of sanitary pads from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to promote menstrual hygiene, amongst others. This is a testament of the power of collaboration.
“Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command remains committed to the dignity and humane treatment of all inmates, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, the Nelson Mandela Rules, and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
“The Service hereby advise reporters to confirm sources of their information regarding the Nigerian Correctional Service before going to press in order not to mislead the general public.”
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
News
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
By: Michael Mike
The Department of State Services (DSS) has recaptured a top commander of the Ansari terrorist group, Abdulazeez Obadaki, believed to have masterminded the August 7, 2012 mass shooting of Christian worshippers at a Deeper Life Bible Church, near Okene, in Kogi State.
At least 19 worshippers, including the pastor were killed, with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries after three men armed with AK-47 rifles walked into the church and opened fire on the worshippers.
Security sources said Obadaki, who, after the church mass shooting, also masterminded another attack on five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, was arrested, but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak at Kuje Custodial Centre.
Security sources disclosed that the suspected terrorist leader confessed to orchestrating the Kuje Custodial centre jailbreak following his transfer from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.
According to the sources, after over three years of being on the run, DSS operatives in a, well-oiled intelligence operation recaptured Obadaki aka Bomboy, on Friday morning.
This arrest comes barely two months after the secret police arraigned five suspects linked to the 2022 Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State.
During the February 2022 daylight bank robberies in Uromi, Edo State, which instilled widespread fear across the region, several policemen and bank customers were killed, while hundreds of millions of Naira was reportedly carted away.
The secret police has, of recent, been recording a chain of successes in the capture of terrorists and criminal elements across the nation, with its new leadership fast-tracking the trial of the arrested suspects.
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of critical agricultural inputs for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat farming.
The distributed inputs include high-yielding wheat seeds, blended fertilisers, tractors, and pesticides.
The event, held on Saturday at the Jere Bowl in Dusuman, Jere Local Government, marked the commencement of the Federal Government’s intervention programme for wheat cultivation in Nigeria.
The initiative is being implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security designed to empower farmers and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.
Governor Zulum, while addressing beneficiaries and stakeholders, noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector.
He said, “Here in Borno State, wheat cultivation is not just a programme; it is a transformative initiative. Through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanisation, quality inputs, and extension services, we are equipping farmers to achieve higher yields, enhance productivity, and contribute meaningfully to national output.”
He further stated, “Borno State has achieved remarkable milestones under our people-centred agricultural vision. Our input support programmes have reached tens of thousands of smallholder farmers, resettled households, women, and youth, providing improved seeds, agrochemicals, and agronomic guidance.”
Zulum commended President Tinubu’s food security initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated, “Let me begin by acknowledging the steadfast leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has continued to champion transformative investments in agriculture across Nigeria.”
Zulum also said, “Mr President’s commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like this are built.”
The governor expressed gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, noting, “I also express profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Kyari, for sustaining this national programme and for selecting Borno State as one of the priority locations for scaled wheat production.”
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, noted that 16 states will benefit from the NAGS-AP wheat component of the 2025/2026 season.
“Today, the wheat component of the NAG-AP programme covers 16 wheat-producing states of the federation. These are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara,” Sen Kyari said.
According to the minister, “for the current 2025/2026 season, the programme is targeting 80,000 registered farmers with an expected output value of approximately N160b.”
He added, “Out of the 40,000 hectares earmarked for wheat production, the 2025/2026 dry season, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to Borno State, representing 6,000 wheat farmers. This support will be followed by the second phase of the programme, which will promote the cultivation of other priority top value chains across the state.”
Delivering the welcome address, Borno’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr Bawu Musami, enumerated the achievements of the Zulum administration in the agricultural sector.
The commissioner stated that an ambitious South Sudan irrigation scheme and Baga Folders projects have been activated, with thousands of farmers cultivating a variety of produce.
The occasion was attended by the senator representating Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan; Member Representing Maiduguri at the House of Representatives, Abdulkadir Rahis; that of Marte, Monguno and Nganzai, Engr Bukar Talba.
Other dignitaries include the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi; the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira; the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; and other senior government officials.
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
Wheat Production: Zulum Flags Off FG’s Agricultural Inputs Distribution
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