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Canada Commits $15.75 million to Empower Nigerian Women Through ActionAid’s Renewed Leadership Project
Canada Commits $15.75 million to Empower Nigerian Women Through ActionAid’s Renewed Leadership Project
By: Michael Mike
The Government of Canada has pledged to support the second phase of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-N) Project implemented by ActionAid Nigeria with 15.75 million Canadian dollars,
This five-year initiative is designed to strengthen women’s rights organisations, promote gender equality, and combat gender-based violence across Nigeria.
ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu on Thursday while highlighting the project’s objectives, stressing its ambitious outreach.
He said: “In the next five years, hold us accountable. We plan to reach 2.7 million women indirectly and 350,000 directly through the support of 188 women-led organisations working at community, local government, and state levels.”
He explained that while the project will focus on eight states, other innovation funds will cover nationwide interventions:
“But there are other strategic opportunity funds or innovation funds, those ones will be run across the 36 states.”
Mamedu further broke down the categories of women the project will target, disclosing that “It includes women with disability, it includes women, the poor and excluded, women that are facing gender-based violence, women that are getting into politics, women in leadership position, women that are trying to improve their livelihood, women facing one form of discrimination.”
He added that ActionAid would collaborate broadly with stakeholders to ensure impact, stressing that: “As ActionAid we will work with all stakeholders, governments, the state governments, the federal government, Ministry of Women Affairs, agencies, departments that are relevant for this, and of course development partners as well to get these results that we assume.”
Clarifying what “strategic funds” mean, Mamedu said: “So strategic funds are funds that deal with emergency issues and they can be assessed within 48 hours.”
At the project’s launch in Abuja, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to gender equality.
He said: “We are absolutely delighted to support this new initiative that demonstrates Canada’s commitment to gender equality in Nigeria. We are pleased to have so many allies and champions with us today as we work together to advance these goals.”
Explaining why support for women’s rights organisations in Nigeria is essential, Salvaggio said “It matters because Nigerian women and girls are the drivers of change in their communities, they are entrepreneurs and educators, health workers and human rights defenders, policy advocates and peace builders.”
He also pointed to the global impact of the programme, stating that: “The Women’s Voice in Leadership programme has exemplified this leadership. Globally, WVL has supported over 2,200 women’s rights and feminist organisations across more than 30 governments.”
On the scope of the Canadian investment, the High Commissioner concluded:
“This investment will be delivered nationally with strong focus on localization, inclusion and sustainability.”
Canada Commits $15.75 million to Empower Nigerian Women Through ActionAid’s Renewed Leadership Project
NSCDC Promotes Grassroots Security, Community-Based Intelligence
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening grassroots security and community-based intelligence across the country as tools for tackling insecurity.
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi gave the commitment during his working visit of Anambra State as part of his continued strategic operational tour of the South East.
Audi, who was received by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, noted that his visit was aimed at assessing the welfare of personnel, understanding field challenges, and reinforcing the Corps’ operational capacity in the region.
Speaking during the courtesy call at the Government House, Awka, the Commandant General commended the Governor for his administration’s proactive efforts in maintaining peace and stability. He also solicited greater logistical and infrastructural support to enhance the NSCDC’s performance in the state.
He said: “Security must begin from the grassroots. That is where the people live, work, and build the future. The Corps remains resolute in delivering quality service and ensuring that the confidence of Nigerians, particularly Ndi Anambra, in our operations is not misplaced.”
Soludo, in his response, commended the NSCDC for its professionalism, discipline, and resilience, especially in safeguarding critical national assets and public infrastructure.
He said: “Here in Anambra, the Light of the Nation, our greatest asset is our people: creative, enterprising, and innovative. They are the engine of our economy. Ensuring their safety and prosperity is a shared responsibility, and we appreciate the NSCDC for standing firm in that mission.”
The governor pledged continued partnership and support for the Corps, affirming that security remains the foundation for the state’s economic growth and innovation-driven development.
The Commandant General’s tour of Anambra is part of a nationwide operational assessment aimed at improving welfare, operational readiness, and synergy among security stakeholders. It underscores the NSCDC’s renewed focus on community trust, proactive engagement, and service excellence under Prof. Audi’s leadership.
NSCDC Promotes Grassroots Security, Community-Based Intelligence
Security forces rescue three kidnapped women in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have rescued three kidnapped women following a gun battle with bandits along the Anka–Bukkuyum road in Anka Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Oct. 7, when armed bandits blocked the highway and attacked a Golf vehicle with registration number RBC 22 ABUJA.
The assailants abducted the driver and three passengers before the arrival of the Anti-Kidnapping team led by Insp. Ibrahim Ubandoma.
The security team engaged the bandits in a fierce shootout, overpowering them and rescuing the three abducted passengers unhurt.
The rescued victims were identified as Lantana Abubakar, aged 70; Fatima Muhammad, aged 45; and Suwaiba Muhammad, aged 40, all residents of Gummi town in Gummi Local Government Area.
The victims were safely escorted to Anka town by the security team.
Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted driver, as patrol operations continue in the area.
Security forces rescue three kidnapped women in Zamfara
Police kill two bandits in Zamfara ambush
By: Zagazola Makama
The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two armed bandits during an exchange of fire with security operatives in Mada District, Gusau Local Government Area.
According to sources, the operation followed credible intelligence about an imminent bandit attack on villages within the Mada area.
The sources stated that at about 3:10 a.m. on Oct. 7, a joint team of police tactical operatives, community protection guards (CPG), and local hunters were deployed to Fegin Mahe village, where they laid an ambush along the suspected route of the bandits.
Three bandits were said to have approached the location and were immediately engaged in a gun battle by the security team.
Two of the bandits were killed during the encounter, while the third escaped with possible gunshot injuries.
The police said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspect.
Police kill two bandits in Zamfara ambush
Marwa: NDLEA Open to Controlled Exportation of Cannabis Oil
NSCDC Promotes Grassroots Security, Community-Based Intelligence
Pay us all our dues or prepare for indefinite strike…. ASUU to the federal government
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