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Ebonyi State Government has political will, commitment to make Spotlight Initiative 2.0 successful
Ebonyi State Government has political will, commitment to make Spotlight Initiative 2.0 successful
By: Michael Mike
As the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls closed out and was handed over to Ebonyi State Government, the State Governor, H.E. Francis Nwifuru, has reassured partners and other stakeholders, of his government’s political will and commitment to ensure the success of the second phase of the Spotlight project.
Represented by the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa at the event held on 26 October 2023, the Governor informed that “the state is well prepared to take up the second phase of the SI project. The state government is well equipped to support the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agncies, and other partners to make the second phase a success.”
Nwifuru reassured all stakeholders and the people of Ebonyi that the signing of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, was not a joke, emphasizing that the law would be implemented and enforced. “The state government is committed to the full actualization of the VAPP Act. If there is any gap in the implementation of the VAPP law, the state government stand ready to address such gaps.” He pointed out, and later declared the project closed and committed to continuing its second phase.
The joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls and harmful practices was launched in 2019, with implementation focusing on five states: Adamawa, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Lagos, and Sokoto, plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
UNESCO representative at the event, Ms Regine Priso, urged the Ebonyi State Government to take active steps to sustain the gains of the first phase of the Spotlight project. “The state performed well, the next phase can only be better considering the enabling environment provided by the Governor and the First Lady of the state.
She highlighted some of the achievements of the Spotlight project in Ebonyi State: Establishment of the National Gender-Based Violence Data Situation Room and Dashboard; One-stop Centre; Safe spaces; and the Second Chance Education programme which reached 25,000 girls and young women, including boys and men in the state; among many others.
National Spotlight Coordinator Ms Anu John, noted that the Spotlight Initiative project had led to notable progress towards gender equality in Nigeria. “In 2020, the country saw a significant reduction in gender-based violence (GBV) cases, as well as an increase in reporting of such cases.” She said.
According Ms John, this progress is reflected in the Global Gender Gap reports, with Nigeria rising to 128 out of 153 countries in 2020. “Furthermore, Nigeria has climbed 16 places in the 2022 global gender gap index, reaching the 123rd position out of 146 countries. This represents a substantial improvement from its ranking of 139th out of 156 countries in 2021.” She added.
The hand-over ceremony featured screening of a TV Documentary on the achievements and impacts of Spotlight Initiative in Ebonyi State, and beneficiaries testimonials, while the State Cultural troupe also presented a stage performance on ending GBV.
Ebonyi State Government has political will, commitment to make Spotlight Initiative 2.0 successful
Zulum Inaugurates Borno’s 2024 Hajj Committee
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has inaugurated the 2024 Hajj committee that would ensure the proper welfare of Pilgrims from the state during the forthcoming 2024 Hajj exercise.
Inaugurating the committee on Saturday at the council chamber of the government house in Maiduguri, Zulum assured improved welfare for all pilgrims from Borno State.
The 21-member committee would be chaired by the Senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.
The governor charged the committee members to work diligently towards meeting the expectations of pilgrims from Borno State.
He said, “I urge you to be dedicated in order to reduce some of the complaints by pilgrims.”
Zulum also noted that the pilgrim welfare board would be reorganised to become a commission to reduce the financial burden resulting from the pilgrimage activities by the government.
“We have to reorganise the Pilgrim Welfare Board; we shall convert the board to a commission. Establishing a commission reduces government spending and ensures more accountability and transparency,” Zulum said.
The governor also explained why the deputy governor, who has been the Chairman of the state Hajj committee for the last four years could not serve in that capacity this year.
Zulum said, “Since I assumed office as governor of Borno in 2019, the deputy governor has been the Chair of our Hajj committee. But this year, we decided to change because I am also going and don’t want to create a leadership vacuum in the state. He will oversee the affairs of the state in my absence.”
Responding, the committee’s Chairman, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, urged the committee members to consider the assignment a serious job involving issues of welfare, safety and the logistics involved from Maiduguri to Saudi Arabia and returning them to the country.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for finding them worthy and assured him of delivering on the task given to them.
Zulum Inaugurates Borno’s 2024 Hajj Committee
IED planted by ISWAP Kills 8 Civilian JTF Members In Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
At Least 8 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force have been killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by ISWAP terrorists in Gamborun Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was gathered that the victims instantly died after they stepped on a landmine suspected to have been planted by ISWAP on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on their way to Maiduguri from Gamborun Ngala.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that three other victims sustained various degrees of injuries.
The wounded were evacuated to the hospital while the nine CJTF who paid the supreme price were taken to their families for burial arrangements.
IED planted by ISWAP Kills 8 Civilian JTF Members In Borno
Zulum Approves Employment for 15 People with Disability
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum has approved the employment of 15 people with disability with bachelor’s degree certificates, NCEs, diplomas and vocational training certificates.
The governor gave the approval in Maiduguri on Friday night at the Government House.
He said: “I am delighted to note that despite your disability, you people are not lazy; you decided to pursue your education, and for this, I want to commend you.
“I directed the Commissioner of Education to process your application for employment for my approval immediately. Therefore, I want to bring to your kind notice that you should be on the payroll of Borno State Government effective 1st May, 2024, in sha Allah.”
He directed the commissioner of education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, to review the activities of all the blind schools in Borno State in order to train more people with disability.
Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education to work out modalities for introducing the teaching of special education courses at the College of Education in Bama.
“I am happy that they have obtained their qualifications in different specialisations. Let’s strengthen the College of Education in Bama to start delivering courses on special education,” Zulum ordered.
Earlier in his address, Borno State Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, Mohammed Mustapha, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for approving employment for his members.
Zulum Approves Employment for 15 People with Disability
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