UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community

By: Michael Mike

Rural women in Great Sheda Community of Kwali Area Council, Abuja, have received a major economic boost following the inauguration of a modern agro-processing centre designed to ease cassava processing and expand income-generating opportunities for women farmers and processors.

The facility, established through a partnership between UN Women and the TY Danjuma Foundation, was officially launched on Monday in the community, with stakeholders describing the intervention as a significant step toward strengthening women’s economic empowerment and rural development.

At the heart of the project is a cassava peeling and grinding machine that is expected to transform the production of Akpu, a staple food that serves as a major source of livelihood for many women in the area. For years, local processors relied largely on manual methods that demanded long hours of labour and limited production capacity. The new facility is expected to reduce processing time, improve efficiency and enable women to devote more time to other productive ventures.

Speaking during the inauguration, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong said the initiative goes beyond providing equipment, stressing that it represents an investment in the productivity and economic future of rural women.

According to her, reducing the burden associated with manual cassava processing would help women increase their earnings, pursue additional economic activities and contribute more effectively to the development of their families and communities.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Hannatu Gentles, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting underserved communities through strategic interventions in health, education and economic empowerment.

She described women as the backbone of the rural economy and expressed confidence that members of the Akpu Women Association would utilise the facility to expand their businesses and improve the welfare of their households.

Also speaking at the event, former FCT Mandate Secretary and Director-General of the Mariam Babangida Centre, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, noted that access to modern processing tools would not only improve cassava production but also strengthen food security, stimulate economic growth and enhance community resilience.

Residents of Great Sheda welcomed the intervention, describing it as a transformative project capable of increasing productivity, raising household incomes and stimulating economic activities across the community and neighbouring settlements.

The agro-processing centre is expected to serve women processors within Great Sheda and surrounding communities, creating opportunities for improved food processing practices, higher earnings and stronger local economic growth.

The project underscores growing efforts by development partners and philanthropic organisations to support women as key drivers of economic development, food security and sustainable community growth in rural Nigeria.

UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community

Police Arrest 21 Suspects, Recover 20 Motorcycles in Zamfara Crackdown

By: Zagazola Makama

The Zamfara State Police Command says it has arrested 21 suspects and recovered 20 motorcycles during a special operation targeting reckless motorcycle riders and public disturbances in parts of Gusau Local Government Area.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Gusau.

According to the statement, the operation followed repeated complaints from residents of Birnin Ruwa, Tullukawa and Yar Gada communities over the activities of groups of youths popularly known as “Arlet Boys.”

The police said the youths were allegedly involved in reckless motorcycle riding and other acts capable of causing public disorder in the affected communities.

The statement explained that on June 7 at about 7:30 p.m., police operatives carried out coordinated raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots within the three communities.

It said the operation led to the arrest of 21 suspects and the recovery of 20 motorcycles.

“The arrested suspects will be subjected to thorough screening and investigation, while those found culpable will be charged to court accordingly,” the statement said.

The command assured residents that the operation would be sustained to rid the affected communities of criminal elements and enhance public safety.

It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support crime prevention efforts across the state.

The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and property throughout Zamfara.

Police Arrest 21 Suspects, Recover 20 Motorcycles in Zamfara Crackdown

June 12 Democracy Day: Democracy Remains Nigeria’s Surest Path to Peace, Unity — IPCR

By: Michael Mike

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has declared that democracy remains Nigeria’s most reliable pathway to lasting peace, national cohesion and sustainable development, urging both government and citizens to deepen their commitment to democratic values and institutions.

In a statement issued ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day commemoration, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said the significance of June 12 extends beyond a historical milestone, serving as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for democratic governance and the collective responsibility required to sustain it.

According to him, Nigeria’s democratic journey continues to offer critical lessons on the need for accountability, inclusiveness and effective governance as foundations for peace and stability.

Ochogwu stressed that democratic governance can only deliver its full benefits when government institutions operate transparently and efficiently while citizens actively support programmes and initiatives designed to advance national development.

He noted that all government processes and structures must remain firmly rooted in democratic principles and geared toward improving the welfare of citizens, adding that public participation and responsibility are equally essential to the consolidation of democracy.

The IPCR boss also linked Nigeria’s democratic credentials to its international standing, pointing out that democracy occupies a central place in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy agenda.

He said the country’s commitment to democratic principles is reflected not only in its domestic governance framework but also in its advocacy for reforms within the international system, including calls for the democratization of the United Nations to make it more responsive to emerging global realities.

“At both the national and international levels, democracy must remain inclusive, participatory and responsive to the needs of the people,” he said, adding that citizens should not merely be recipients of governance but active stakeholders in shaping democratic outcomes.

Ochogwu maintained that where democratic institutions function effectively and citizens are meaningfully engaged, the result is greater national stability, stronger social cohesion and a more peaceful society.

Against the backdrop of ongoing security and social challenges confronting parts of the country, the institute called for renewed investment in peacebuilding initiatives, dialogue and national unity, warning that democracy cannot flourish in an environment characterized by division, violence and mistrust.

The institute urged Nigerians to embrace democracy not only as a system of government but also as a culture built on tolerance, mutual respect and shared responsibility.

It further emphasized that the enduring legacy of June 12 should inspire continued efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, improve service delivery and promote justice, inclusion and peaceful coexistence across the country.

The IPCR reaffirmed that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on the collective resolve of leaders and citizens to uphold the principles of accountability, inclusiveness and national unity, describing these values as essential for achieving lasting peace and development.

June 12 Democracy Day: Democracy Remains Nigeria’s Surest Path to Peace, Unity — IPCR