SOJA Condemns Killing of Civilians in Jos, Demands Security Reforms

By: Michael Mike

Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/Gte (SOJA) has strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State, describing the attack as a grave violation of human rights and a threat to national security.

In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation said the tragic incident reportedly occurred on March 29, 2026, Palm Sunday, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a gathering of civilians, leaving several people dead and others injured.

SOJA said the attack, regardless of the identities or affiliations of the victims, represents a serious assault on human life and dignity, stressing that no society can thrive where citizens live under constant threats of violence.

“The perpetrators of such acts are not invisible forces—they are individuals who must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice under the law,” the organisation stated.

The advocacy group emphasised that violence should never be viewed through religious, ethnic or social lenses, noting that the sanctity of human life transcends all divisions.

It added that the killings constitute violations of several international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, all of which guarantee the right to life and personal security.

The organisation also cited provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, particularly Section 33(1), which guarantees the right to life, and Section 14(2)(b), which states that the security and welfare of citizens shall be the primary purpose of government.

According to SOJA, Nigeria has obligations under international human rights law to protect citizens from violence and to implement effective measures that ensure the realization of the right to life and security.

The group noted that repeated incidents of violent attacks in parts of the country point to gaps in preventive security mechanisms and response systems, urging authorities to urgently address the situation.

While acknowledging ongoing efforts by security agencies, SOJA called on the Federal Government, the Plateau State Government, and relevant security institutions to conduct a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the killings.

It also urged authorities to ensure the swift identification, arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the attack and their collaborators.

The organisation further recommended strengthening intelligence gathering and community-based security systems, reviewing existing legal and operational security frameworks, and improving inter-agency coordination and rapid response mechanisms.

SOJA also called for adequate support and relief for victims and affected families.

“Nigeria must not become a society where the right to life is routinely undermined by acts of violence,” the statement said. “Every loss of life is a blow to our shared humanity and national stability.”

The group stressed that decisive action was necessary to restore public confidence, strengthen the country’s security architecture and uphold the rule of law.

SOJA Condemns Killing of Civilians in Jos, Demands Security Reforms

Inclusive Investment in Vulnerable Women Critical to Nigeria’s $1tn Economy Goal – Uzoka-Anite

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s ambition to build a one-trillion-dollar economy will remain incomplete without deliberate investment in vulnerable women and girls, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has said.

The minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during a symposium organised to commemorate the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day and Women’s Month, where stakeholders called for stronger policies to address the challenges facing women with special needs across the country.

Speaking at the event themed “Rights, Justice, Action for Women & Girls With Special Needs in Nigeria: Exploring Strategies & Approaches for Acceleration and Impacts,” Uzoka-Anite stressed that targeted support for vulnerable women is not merely a social welfare responsibility but a strategic economic investment.

According to her, women living with HIV, persons with disabilities, elderly women and internally displaced persons remain among the most excluded groups in development planning despite their potential to contribute significantly to economic growth.

She explained that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is shifting Nigeria’s public finance framework from traditional expenditure-based budgeting to investment-driven planning aimed at producing measurable economic outcomes.

The minister said the proposed National Development Plan for 2026–2030 would prioritise inclusive growth as Nigeria works toward building a $1 trillion economy.

Uzoka-Anite noted that when vulnerable women receive economic opportunities and protection from violence, the impact extends beyond individuals to families and communities.

“When an internally displaced woman receives livelihood support and security, she does not remain dependent. She becomes a trader, an entrepreneur and a pillar for rebuilding her family and community,” she said.

She added that inclusive policies generate stronger economic returns and represent one of the most efficient uses of public resources.

According to her, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is strengthening gender-responsive and disability-inclusive planning within Nigeria’s national development framework, while also introducing systems to track whether government spending reaches the most vulnerable populations.

Earlier, the Representative to UN Women and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said the event was designed to spotlight women whose struggles are often overlooked in policy formulation.

She noted that women facing multiple forms of vulnerability—such as those living with HIV, women with disabilities and internally displaced women—frequently experience overlapping discrimination driven by poverty, stigma and social exclusion.

Also speaking, the Country Director of UNAIDS in Nigeria, Boonto Krittayawa, warned that progress toward gender equality remains slow globally and requires stronger political commitment.

She pointed to persistent gaps in political representation, economic participation and access to opportunities for women, stressing the need for targeted investments and legal reforms to accelerate progress.

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Special Assistant, Princess Joan Jumai, said the government is strengthening programmes designed to address the needs of women facing multiple layers of discrimination.

She highlighted initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774, which aims to expand social protection and economic empowerment for vulnerable women across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

In her remarks, Acting Deputy Representative of UN Women in Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba, said the symposium provided a platform for women with special needs to share their experiences and influence policies affecting them.

She added that the meeting would conclude with a communiqué outlining key challenges and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening protection, inclusion and economic participation for vulnerable women across the country.

Inclusive Investment in Vulnerable Women Critical to Nigeria’s $1tn Economy Goal – Uzoka-Anite

Nigeria Secures Strategic Role in Global Digital Economy at World Data Organization Launch

By: Michael Mike

In a landmark move aimed at cementing its influence in the global digital economy, Nigeria participated in the launch of the World Data Organization (WDO) in Beijing, China.

At the event, which held on Monday, the country was represented by Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe alongside Head of International Relations at NCSP, Judy Melifonwu.

The WDO, headquartered in Beijing, is the first international body dedicated to advancing data governance, enabling secure cross-border data flows, and promoting the inclusive growth of the digital economy. Its launch brings together global powers seeking to address the digital divide, enhance cybersecurity, and establish standards that ensure equitable benefits from data-driven development.

Speaking on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ding Xuexiang outlined the organisation’s three strategic pillars: facilitating the free and secure flow of data across borders, promoting inclusive digital development, and establishing coordinated global frameworks to protect data from cyber threats.

For Nigeria, participation at the WDO’s founding stage represents a deliberate, forward-looking strategy under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Analysts note that it positions the country to influence global digital governance standards, accelerate access to emerging technologies, and participate in international research initiatives. Such engagement is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, enhance the competitiveness of startups and financial institutions, attract foreign direct investment, and generate high-value employment opportunities for the nation’s growing youth population.

Furthermore, the WDO platform allows Nigeria to deepen collaboration in cybersecurity, enabling the country to contribute to international frameworks that safeguard national data, combat cybercrime, and ensure digital sovereignty.

Observers said Nigeria’s involvement reflects a strategic evolution in the Nigeria–China partnership, which has moved beyond traditional infrastructure projects toward high-impact, technology-driven cooperation. By joining the WDO, Nigeria positions itself to harness the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring that technological innovation drives sustainable growth across critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, governance, and finance.

“The participation of Nigeria at the WDO launch is not only symbolic; it is a tangible assertion of the country’s intent to be at the forefront of global digital governance,” said a senior NCSP official. “It ensures that Nigeria has a voice in shaping rules that govern the digital economy while unlocking opportunities that directly benefit its citizens and businesses.”

The WDO’s establishment is being hailed as a critical step in bridging the global digital divide, offering developing nations like Nigeria an unprecedented opportunity to integrate into global digital networks while safeguarding national interests.

With its seat at the WDO table, Nigeria is now strategically positioned to influence global data policies, strengthen cybersecurity frameworks, and drive innovation-led economic growth in the emerging digital era.

Nigeria Secures Strategic Role in Global Digital Economy at World Data Organization Launch