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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
Stakeholders Asked FG to Enrich NYSC Scheme to Mould Employable Graduates
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has been asked to review and enrich the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to give Nigerian graduates the needed skillset and experience that will make them employable.
The federal government has also been asked to work in conjunction with international donor agencies to expand the budget to the mentorship of fresh graduates in employment skills.
These are the positions that came out of a town hall meeting of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The NJFP initiative was born from the dynamic partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). and funded by the European Union. It is a transformative youth empowerment initiative designed to address youth unemployment by connecting talented graduates with local job opportunities to strengthen their expertise while equipping them with world-class practical knowledge and relevant skills.
Speaking at the town hall meeting, one of the CEOs of the host organisations, Elevation Craft, Tongrick Byanyiko, said it would be of great impact on youth empowerment and security of the country if a large portion of the population could be enlisted into the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) and related programmes.
She said: “I don’t know how realistic it is for everyone to benefit from it, but I feel the budget needs to be expanded for more people to benefit from it.”
She added that the NYSC could also be a tool to make fresh graduates employable and it should not be seen as an institution to get corps members acclimatized with Nigerian diverse culture alone.
She said: “We know employers keep hammering on experience, NYSC should be made to give great skills to Nigerian graduates that would give them needed experience and skills that would make them employable.
“The NYSC needs to imbibe the core employability status to the scheme, so that people would know that that one year is the time for me to get the needed work experience.”
On her part, Chief of Party, Talent Management Company (TMC) North Central, Dr. Funmilayo Oyefusi said: “As a Talent Management Company (TMC) and implementing partner since July 2024 where we were onboarded/engaged as the TMC for North Central region comprising six states in Nigeria (Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, and the FCT), we have registered 256 New Host
Organisations, visited and verified 349 Host Organisations, verified and found 207 Host
Organisations eligible, matched 418 Fellows with about 51 Host Organisations and 250 Fellows resumed their fellowship in North Central.
“Of course, this is an ongoing success. It is not just another project where only numbers will be looked out for but, it is more than a project/programme. It is a commitment to tackling the pressing challenges of youth unemployment while cultivating a generation of leaders equipped with world-class skills, practical expertise, and the confidence to shape Nigeria’s destiny.
She added that: “Today’s Town Hall Meeting provides us with a unique opportunity—not only to reflect on the strides we have made through NJFP but also to listen, to engage, and to inspire one another. It is a space where success stories will echo as proof of what we can achieve together and where innovative ideas will emerge to refine and expand the impact made in the lives of these Fellows.
“The young people we are empowering today are not just our future leaders; they are the change makers of today. They are the engine of growth, creativity, and resilience in every sector of our economy. And through the NJFP, we are making sure their voices are heard, their skills are sharpened, and their contributions to national development are celebrated.”
She noted the federal government has done incredibly well by having the programme as an initiative funded by the European Union and managed by the UNDP.”
She added that: “The federal government has done very well for we have been able to match 9,000 graduates to host organisations to work. What we should do further is to recruit more graduates into the programme so that we can match them with the host organisations and build their skills.”
Stakeholders Asked FG to Enrich NYSC Scheme to Mould Employable Graduates
Birthday: Borno Governor, Zulum greets Buhari at 82
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, extended birthday wishes to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who celebrates his 82nd birthday today, December 17, 2024.
Zulum praised Buhari for the leadership he provided during his stewardship of the country, noting the efforts he made to strengthen the security architecture that has weakened Boko Haram insurgency in the country.
The governor in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Tuesday said, “On a day such as this, we are reminded of all the sacrifices and love you have shown us as president, and even outside the presidency—a priceless gift that every citizen of Borno State cherishes.”
“Your Excellency, we will forever remember your enduring legacy in the fight against terrorism, particularly in the northeastern region of Nigeria,” the governor said.
He added, “Excellency sir, we cannot thank you enough for your lasting contribution to the enduring peace that we presently enjoy in the state and the exceptional leadership provided to Nigeria as a whole”
“As a state, we shall forever be grateful to you, and may Allah (SWT) make your days ahead filled with love, happiness and good health.”
Once again, happy birthday sir.
Birthday: Borno Governor, Zulum greets Buhari at 82
Air Strikes in Malam Fatori Deliver Major Blow to ISWAP Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully executed a series of air interdiction strikes against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the strategic town of Malam Fatori on December 15, 2024, killing several terrorists.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that a significant gathering of ISWAP militants was identified around Malam Fatori. Reconnaissance missions identified a number of vehicles and motorcycles purportedly being utilized for militants movements and logistics support by the terrorists.
However, in a coordinated operation involving advanced surveillance and targeting capabilities, military aircraft were deployed to engage these identified assets.As the aircraft swooped down with surgical precision, some vehicles and motorcycles were obliterated, resulting in a substantial loss of equipment for the terrorists.
Impeccable sources accounts from the area describe a series of explosions that reverberated through the town, accompanied by thick clouds of smoke rising from the impact sites.
The sources confirmed that the operation resulted in the deaths of numerous ISWAP militants, with estimates suggesting that the casualty count may be in the dozens.
The air strikes in Malam Fatori were not just a standalone effort; they were part of a broader strategy in Operation Hadin Kai aimed at restoring security in northeastern Nigeria. Ground forces, backed by the aerial campaign, have been actively engaging ISWAP elements, and air superiority has proven vital in these operations.
Air Strikes in Malam Fatori Deliver Major Blow to ISWAP Terrorists
Stakeholders Asked FG to Enrich NYSC Scheme to Mould Employable Graduates
Birthday: Borno Governor, Zulum greets Buhari at 82
Air Strikes in Malam Fatori Deliver Major Blow to ISWAP Terrorists
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