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FG to Wipe Out Cases of GBV, to Establish Procedure for Its Prosecution in Schools

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FG to Wipe Out Cases of GBV, to Establish Procedure for Its Prosecution in Schools

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has expressed displeasure over growing cases of Gender-based Violence (GBV) and has revealed its plan to establish Standard of Operations (SoP) procedure for speedy prosecution of related cases in schools.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) made the disclosure on Tuesday at the national close-out/ handover ceremony of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative project organised by the United Nations to end violence against women and girls in Nigeria.

The Spotlight Initiative was established in the country to tackle the widespread cases of GBV and other harmful traditional practices.

Fagbemi said: “The ministry has been a beneficiary of numerous programmes under the EU/UN spotlight initiatives, in partnership with the UN Women, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP.

“These are programmes centered on criminal justice actions at the Federal and spotlight States. The ministry will be launching the SoP for prosecution of GBV.

“It is funded by UNESCO under the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative; the SoP is targeted at determining and responding to GBV when it occurs in our schools.

“This initiative propels further collaboration with key ministries of Women Affairs and Justice, to give rise to more robust-real-time and readily available pattern for solution room.”

The Minister mentioned that situation room would be situated at the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Ministry of Justice respectively.

On his part, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, commended the initiative, stating that it aptly tackled cases of GBV in the country.

Bagudu, who was represented by Director of International Cooperation at the ministry, Mr Lanre Adekanya, said: “From the implementation of Spotlight Initiative reports in Nigeria it is clear that significant milestones have been achieved with the success stories hinged on commitment of stakeholders.

“It is important that the national stakeholders sustain the outcome by mainstreaming its activities to other strategic and operational plans.

“Given that women and girls are agents of change in any developing nation, I assure you the ministry will leave no stone unturned in supporting similar programmes sustain impacts of Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria.”

The Emir of Shonga, and Deputy Convenor-General of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Africa (COTLA), Dr Haliru Ndanusa, who also spoke at the event described the initiative as the most substantial commitment by EU/UN in tackling Sexual-GBV (SGBV).

He said: “SGBV remains the most widespread human rights violations impacting our society socioeconomic development and conflicting the values of human dignity and sanctity in our communities.

“In recognizing the sociocultural harms of SGBV, we as custodians of culture and traditions have ethically worked to transform practices related to violence.”

The monarch added that: “We express immense satisfaction at Spotlight Initiative fostering a movement of ethical group in tackling SGBV, we will actively sustain the achievements of the initiative.”

In his remarks, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mathias Schmale, said the initiative focused on GBV in relation to collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda in the SDGs.

He said: “Since the beginning of the Spotlight Initiative in Nigeria in 2019 , we have made tangible difference in the lives of many in Nigeria.

“It has enabled more than 60,500 women and girls receive worthy services. It made allies of traditional leaders, enhanced data collection and galvanization in changing mindsets and changing lives.”

Schmale noted however that there is the need to secure commitments from governments and relevant stakeholders to safeguard the progress of the Spotlight Initiative.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Amb. Samuela Isopi, on her part described the initiative as the world’s largest efforts and investments to fights against GBV.

She highlighted that: “EU launched it in 2018 together with the UN, it is funded with the global investment of €500 million, because we are convinced that this is what is necessary to make transformative change.

“Out of this €500 million, €25 million has been allocated to support fights against GBV in Nigeria; in Nigeria the programme has tasted new holistic approach that brought all actors together.

“This has allowed us achieve resounding results, a record number of 35 States of the Federation have passed the VAPP Act into Law making it fastest Bill passed in Nigeria.”

Highpoint of the event was video documentary on Spotlight Initiative results and impacts, stage performance on SGBV, discussion on Spotlight Initiative, official declaration of the project “closed” and handing over.

FG to Wipe Out Cases of GBV, to Establish Procedure for Its Prosecution in Schools

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BOSEPA Concludes 2024 Sanitation Exercises with Stern Warning and Commendations

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BOSEPA Concludes 2024 Sanitation Exercises with Stern Warning and Commendations

By: Our Reporter

The Borno State Ministry of Environment, led by Dr. Juliana Bitrus, Permanent Secretary, and Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, General Manager of BOSEPA, concluded the final sanitation exercise for 2024 with a strong warning to defaulters on 7th November 2024.

The team supervised the sanitation vanguard in Maiduguri and its environs, ensuring compliance with sanitation regulations.

During the exercise, Dr. Bitrus and her team inspected various markets and locations in Maiduguri and its environs, ensuring compliance with sanitation regulations. The team issued stern warnings to defaulters, including the three chairmen of Tasha Kangaluya Market, who were cautioned to comply with sanitation regulations or face legal consequences.

Dr. Bitrus thanked the trade unions operating in the markets for their cooperation, which contributed to the success of the exercise.

Additionally, bean cake sellers along Roadside were taken to the sanitation court for engaging in illegal activities and neglecting to clean their environment.

The exercise was commended by Alh. Musa Goma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, who thanked individuals and clubs for their continued support. He called on other clubs and associations to participate in the sanitation exercise to help make Borno cleaner and more peaceful.

Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar, General Manager of BOSEPA, emphasized the importance of proper waste management, warning against dumping refuse into drainages and waterways. He announced that those found guilty would face legal consequences, including arrest and prosecution.

Suleiman expressed his gratitude to the Executive Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno State House of Assembly, the state Executive council, Clubs/Association and all other individuals who contributed to the success of the exercise throughout the year.

The sanitation supervisory team also witnessed key officials such as the General Manager of BOTMA, Engr Babashehu Tijjani, and other senior members of the Ministry of Environment and security personnel.

Shortly after the exercise the team visits Borno State Environmental Sanitation Court, where they discussed potential reviews of environmental laws with the judge.

BOSEPA Concludes 2024 Sanitation Exercises with Stern Warning and Commendations

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Yobe received the Arab Bank consulting team

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Yobe received the Arab Bank consulting team

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Yobe state government, through the office of the secretary to the state government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali mni, has received a reputable consulting team who were engaged to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies and technical designs for the successful implementation of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) project in the state.

The SSG who received the team on behalf of the state government highlighted three priority areas identified by the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, to be handled under the project.

He articulated the three key areas to include: infrastructure, agriculture, and energy, which were strategically selected to improve the livelihoods and promote the economic growth of the citizens.

While making his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government has called on the consultant to justify the conference reposed on them by the government.

Earlier speaking, State Focal Person BADEA, Idriss Mohammed Yaro Gumsa, told the SSG that consultants were in Yobe for the past couple of days as he took them round for a sightseeing visit to some of the proposed project sites.

Also, as part of the mandate for the consultants visit to Yobe, the state government conducted a high-level stakeholder engagement aimed at preparing necessary requirements for securing alternate financing to drive sustainable development and enhance the quality of lives of Yobe communities through funding from  BADE.

The session chaired by the SSG, represented by the Hon. Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Alhaji Mohammed Abatcha Geidam, was meant to deliberate on the technical aspect of the project proposal.

“Under agriculture, the proposed initiatives include supporting 20,000 smallholder farmers across the 17 LGAs of the state with essential inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, including solar-powered water pumps and hand-push tillers, among others.

“Establishing 50 small-scale irrigation schemes in Yobe State to facilitate year-round crop production, targeting over 14,000 individual beneficiaries.

According to him, the focus for infrastructure development in the project involves the construction and rehabilitation of 253 kilometers of rural and urban roads across the state.

Others include drilling and installing 200 hybrid solar-powered boreholes in urban-rural communities, boarding secondary schools and primary healthcare centers, as well as construction of 200-bed capacity hostels in the designated tertiary institutions across the three senatorial districts.

While the energy sector intends to provide solar and renewable energy solutions for boarding schools, specialist hospitals, healthcare centers, and modern markets and promote energy efficiency through advanced technologies and practices.

He urged the consulting firm to work in line with the state government’s priorities and ensure due diligence in the conduct of their assignment.

Meanwhile, in his presentation on the overview of the BADEA project in Yobe, the State Focal Person, Idriss Mohammed Yaro, highlighted the deliberate efforts made by the Yobe state government towards attracting the BADEA project, which include an official visit to the Arab Bank’s headquarters in Riyadh by our leader and people-oriented governor, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON.

The consultant assured the government of their commitment to deliver the assignment according to standard specifications.

Yobe received the Arab Bank consulting team

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Zulum felicitates with CEO Matrix Ltd, Alhaji Adisa at 50

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Zulum felicitates with CEO Matrix Ltd, Alhaji Adisa at 50

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has felicitated with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix Limited, Alhaji Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

Governor Zulum in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, described the celebrant as a distinguished philanthropist whose commitment to education support, job creation, and equal opportunities has left an indelible mark on society.

The governor further lauded Alhaji Aliu’s ingenuity as an entrepreneur who has taken the Matrix Group to the apex of its business, thereby creating jobs in the process for the teeming unemployed youth in the country.

“Let me join family, friends, and associates to celebrate you as you turn 50,” Governor Zulum stated. “Indeed, you have positively impacted the lives of many. Happy 50th birthday.”

He expressed gratitude to Allah (SWT) for Alhaji Aliu’s good health, strength, and longevity while urging him to remain steadfast in his values and service to humanity.

Zulum felicitates with CEO Matrix Ltd, Alhaji Adisa at 50

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