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Combating SGBV: FG, UN agencies, Stakeholders Advised to Step Up Funding
Combating SGBV: FG, UN agencies, Stakeholders Advised to Step Up Funding
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government, United Nations and all relevant stakeholders have been advised to step up fundings and investment in the ongoing battle against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in order to consign the malady to history.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Women Aspire Empowerment Initiative (WAEI) gave this advice at the weekend in Abuja as part of it’s activities to commemorate the 2023, 16 days activism.
Making the appeal at a summit set to establishing grassroot women advocacy and activism movement to stop Violence Against Women and Girls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Founder WAEI, Dr. Bibiana Okereafor stressed the need to address the socio-economic demands of survivors of SGBV, by empowering women and girls to reduce the inequality that exists in the society, and also continue to advocate for the reduction of gender based violence through the implementation of laws and policies to stop Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWGs).
Okereafor said: “Practical evidence shows that strong and independent women movements are the most important force to drive policy change in GBV. Unfortunately, such women entities and movements that are key drivers of mobilization/recruitment are not being funded.
“Increasing funding sources that are long term in nature to finance Women-focused rights organisations is key to funding solutions and response to VAWGs in Nigeria.”
She added that: “We are calling on the federal government through the office of the Women Affairs Minister, Barrister Uju Kennedy to push for the inclusion of Funding Organisations that are involved in the fight to prevent VAWG, as well as the rehabilitation of existing victims/survivors and reduce incidents of future violence.
“We also call on Federal Government organizations, states, international bodies, UN Women & Corporate organizations, high net-worth individuals within and outside Nigeria to give financial support to stop continued VAWG in Nigeria.
Okereafor further questioned the intentionality of government about ending VAWG, noting that the poor distribution of amount allocated to the nation through international funding as well as the distribution of generated funds among organisation’s working to stop Violence Against Women and Girls.
She also called for the speedy legislation of the 5 Gender Based Bills thrown out by the 9th Assembly, and the creation of a one stop centre for the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, medical, psychosocial and counselling for female survivors of Sexual Assault.
Delivering his keynote Address, Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) Tijani Ahmed noted that violence against women and girls is a pressing global issue that requires collective attention and action, lamenting that human lost due to violence against women and girls is incalculable and an unfortunate reality that continues to persist.
He however commended the call for establishment of a grassroots women’s advocacy and activism movement stating that “it is an essential step. Such a movement aims to empower women and girls, provide them with a platform to raise their voices and promote gender equality in all aspects of life. By mobilizing at the grassroots level, we can ensure that the voices of marginalized women and girls and their specific needs are addressed.
Ahmed, who was represented by an Assistant Director in the Commission, Comfort Sanni said: “To establish a successful grassroots movement, we need to focus on key areas, awareness and education: This movement should start by raising awareness about violence against women and girls.
“We need to educate communities, both rural and urban, about the various forms of violence and their detrimental effects on individuals and society as a whole. By dispelling and challenging stereotypes, we can change attitudes and foster a culture of respect and gender equality
“In the FCT, we must take a firm stand against such acts of violence and work towards creating a safer and more inclusive society for everyone. This is the bane of this year’s commemoration,” he said.
Also, Women and Children’s rights activist and Public Analyst, Nana Kazaure reiterated that violence meted to women have grave consequences on their well being, stating that it is a greater cause of ill health than traffic accidents and malaria combined.
Kazaure also stated that “as troubling as these incidents are, they do not evoke in Nigerians, the needed empathy to prompt them to action. Instead, a pervasive culture of silence pervades the land as everyone stuck in our traditional “siddon look” or “waka pass mode re-in forced by our see no evil, hear no evil mindset.
“Traditional attitudes of hostility and discrimination against women underpinned by mindless stereotyping, have been exacerbated by violence perpetrated by corporate non-state actors and individuals across all the geopolitical zones of the country with hundreds of thousands of women and their children uprooted from their homes and handed off to Internally Displaced Persons camps where the majority of them become victims of rape of camp officials in order to obtain favour.”
Combating SGBV: FG, UN agencies, Stakeholders Advised to Step Up Funding
DSS Arrests ESN Commander Who Killed 5 policemen and 11 others
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected notorious commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), Sabastine Odo Odam, who allegedly killed 11 labourers and five police officers in a series of violent attacks in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The DSS also arrested Ejike Daniel, a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during the intelligence-led operation carried out on Friday, March 6, in Eha-Amufu and Umuhu communities.
Security sources say the arrests followed months of surveillance over the suspects’ alleged involvement in attacks on police stations and the carting away of weapons used in subsequent assaults.
According to the sources, the suspects have confessed to masterminding several attacks, including the February 26 killing of 11 labourers, as well as the murder of five police officers between December 24, 2025 and January 26, 2026.
Residents of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area have welcomed the arrests, expressing hope that the development will help restore peace to communities affected by repeated violence.
Both suspects are currently in the custody of the DSS and are expected to be arraigned in court soon.
DSS Arrests ESN Commander Who Killed 5 policemen and 11 others
VP Shettima To Insurgents: We Will Not Be Cowed By Attempts To Undermine Our Collective Peace
By: Our Reporter
Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reaching out to the government and people of Borno State regarding the latest insurgency attack in the State, Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be cowed by despicable acts of cowardice and a doomed attempt to undermine the collective peace of the nation.
Deploring the attacks, including the abductions in Ngoshe and the coordinated assaults on military formations in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok, the Vice President reaffirmed that the administration remains resolute in its duty to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
In a statement on Saturday, Senator Shettima emphasised that the Federal Government is already deploying additional tactical assets and intelligence-driven reinforcements to the affected areas.
“The events of the past few days are a painful reminder of the shadow that persists, but let it be known: we choose light over shadow, and hope over despair. Our difference as a nation is the distance between the ruin of anarchy and the promise of order.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been briefed and has already directed a swift and total mobilisation of our security architecture. The Federal Government will not tolerate any sanctuary for those who seek to displace our people or occupy an inch of Nigerian soil,” he said.
The Vice President assured that the perpetrators of these beastly crimes would face the full wrath of the law.
He continued: “We are not just fighting a war. We are defending the very soul of our humanity against those who preach a toxic rhetoric of hate, and we will not be cowed by their gory acts.
“Our hearts bleed for the families in and the brave soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. This administration will not rest until abducted citizens safely reunite with their families.”
VP Shettima commended the resilience of the people and government of Borno State under Governor Babagana Zulum and praised the gallantry of the troops on the frontlines.
“We remain one nation, tied to a common destiny. The sanctity of human life is non-negotiable. This madness will be brought to an end, not with empty words, but with the decisive and overwhelming force of the Nigerian State,” he further assured.
VP Shettima To Insurgents: We Will Not Be Cowed By Attempts To Undermine Our Collective Peace
Two miners killed, five injured in clash at Zamfara mining site
By: Zagazola Makama
Two miners have been killed and five others injured following a clash at a mining site in Abare area of Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Police sources said the incident occurred on March 5 at about 8:30 a.m. at a mining site in the community.
The sources said the crisis was triggered when a member of an outlawed vigilance group, locally known as Yan Sakai, allegedly stormed the site and attempted to enforce observance of the ongoing Ramadan fast among Muslim miners.
According to the sources, the suspect, identified simply as Kaura, allegedly arrested some of the miners, accusing them of refusing to observe the fasting period.
He was also said to have imposed compulsory levies on those arrested.
The action was reportedly resisted by some miners who objected to the arrest and the alleged illegal levies.
The suspect was said to have retreated from the site following the resistance but later returned with other members of the outlawed group and attempted to effect further arrests.
This led to a confrontation between the two groups, resulting in panic and tension across the mining site.
During the clash, two miners were killed while five others sustained injuries.
Security forces were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving the report.
The injured victims were taken for medical treatment, while investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible.
No arrest had been made as of the time of filing the report.
Two miners killed, five injured in clash at Zamfara mining site
DSS Arrests ESN Commander Who Killed 5 policemen and 11 others
VP Shettima To Insurgents: We Will Not Be Cowed By Attempts To Undermine Our Collective Peace
Two miners killed, five injured in clash at Zamfara mining site
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