NHRC Raises Alarm Over Early Marriage, Low Female Representation on International Women’s Day

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned that persistent early and forced marriages, low female participation in governance and rising cases of gender-based violence continue to threaten the rights and wellbeing of women and girls in Nigeria.

The alarm was raised by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, as the global community marks International Women’s Day 2026.

In a message to commemorate the day, Ojukwu said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Give to Gain,” highlights the urgent need for practical and sustained measures that will eliminate the barriers preventing women and girls from enjoying their full rights.

He stressed that achieving gender equality requires deliberate investment in women through education, mentorship, economic opportunities and access to resources, noting that such efforts would ultimately strengthen national development and social stability.

According to him, the Commission has continued to receive complaints involving sexual and gender-based violence, discrimination and other forms of abuse against women and girls across the country.

He explained that the NHRC, through its specialised department for women and children, has intervened in numerous cases, using mediation, investigation and other legal mechanisms to secure justice and remedies for victims while promoting accountability.

Despite these efforts, Ojukwu expressed deep concern that harmful practices such as early and forced marriage remain prevalent in some communities, depriving girls of education, exposing them to serious health risks and limiting their future opportunities.

He also noted that women remain significantly underrepresented in political and decision-making positions, warning that inclusive governance and sustainable development cannot be achieved without the full participation of women.

The human rights advocate further pointed out that women often bear the heaviest burden in situations of insecurity, conflict and displacement, where they face increased risks of exploitation, violence and loss of livelihoods.

Ojukwu therefore called for stronger enforcement of laws and policies designed to protect women and girls, while urging government institutions, civil society organisations and communities to intensify efforts to ensure survivors of rights violations have access to justice.

He also commended Nigerian women for their resilience and contributions to national development across sectors including governance, agriculture, business, education and community leadership.

Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment, he said the NHRC would continue to champion advocacy, monitoring and public engagement initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality and strengthening protection for women and girls across Nigeria.

NHRC Raises Alarm Over Early Marriage, Low Female Representation on International Women’s Day

Great Ife Alumni Applauds Adejare Bello’s Appointment as OAU Pro-Chancellor

By: Michael Mike

The Great Ife Alumni Association has applauded the appointment of Adejare Bello as the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, describing the development as a step capable of strengthening the institution’s leadership and global standing.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Global President, Leye Bunmi Falode, and Global Publicity Secretary, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the association said Bello’s appointment reflects confidence in his wealth of experience across law, politics, diplomacy and public administration.

The alumni body noted that the new Pro-Chancellor brings to the role a rich blend of legislative experience, diplomatic exposure and a longstanding commitment to the advancement of education.

According to the association, Bello’s pedigree as an accomplished lawyer, former legislator, diplomat and politician must have informed his appointment as chairman of the university’s governing council.

The statement expressed optimism that his leadership would strengthen governance and help reposition the university for greater academic excellence.

“As an alumnus of the university who obtained his law degree from the Faculty of Law, he possesses an enduring connection to the institution and a deep understanding of its heritage, ideals and aspirations,” the statement said.

The association added that Bello’s academic background and administrative experience would enable him to work effectively with council members, management, staff unions, students, alumni and other stakeholders in advancing the mission of the university.

The alumni body also expressed confidence in his ability to provide visionary leadership that would usher in stability, progress and excellence in the institution.

It congratulated Bello on what it described as a well-deserved appointment and expressed hope that his tenure would further strengthen the reputation of Obafemi Awolowo University as one of Nigeria’s foremost centres of learning.

The association also recalled that the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Siyan Oyeweso, died in December 2025 after a brief illness at the age of 64.

Great Ife Alumni Applauds Adejare Bello’s Appointment as OAU Pro-Chancellor

NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Uncovers Drugs Hidden in Baby Diapers, Intercepts IED Components

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intensified their nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting a former Lagos councillor and uncovering a series of drug consignments concealed in unusual ways, including inside baby diapers, while also intercepting components suspected to be meant for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

In one of the most striking arrests, NDLEA officers apprehended Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, a former two-term councillor in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, following intelligence linking him to illicit drug activities.

Olalekan, 45, who represented the Orimedu community during his tenure and currently serves as a legislative aide, was arrested on March 2 at his residence in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki. A search of his home led to the discovery of 40 kilogrammes of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden in one of the rooms.

According to the agency, the suspect admitted ownership of both the drugs and the property where they were recovered.

In a separate operation in Abuja, NDLEA operatives intercepted a businessman, Emeka Okwor, 32, travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory.

During a search of his luggage, officers discovered 1,000 pills of tapentadol 250mg concealed inside baby diapers. The suspect reportedly confessed that he was transporting the drugs to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he operates a provision store.

On the same day, NDLEA patrol officers along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 1.55 kilogrammes, concealed inside a carton of a standing fan.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the drugs were traced to a 36-year-old Cameroonian national, Mey Ali Muhamat, who was travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon through Lokoja, Kano and Maiduguri.

In another security-related development, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Mokwa–Jebba road in Niger State intercepted a commercial bus transporting 500 components suspected to be used for improvised explosive devices.

The items were concealed in a white sack and were reportedly meant to be delivered to a recipient in Pelegi community. Babafemi said a swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged recipient, Osama Abdullahi, 21, in Mashegu Local Government Area.

The agency also recorded major drug seizures in other parts of the country. In Yola, Adamawa State, NDLEA officers uncovered 122,000 tramadol pills and 700 grammes of methamphetamine hidden in a false compartment of a truck carrying 2,000 cartons of local drinks.

In Kano State, a 20-year-old suspect, Muhammed Ali, was arrested at Gadar Tamburawa with 11,283 tramadol pills.

Similarly, operatives in Ogun State raided a drug hideout in Ogere, arresting Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa with 46 kilogrammes of skunk.

In Delta State, two suspects — Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22 — were apprehended in Ogwashi-Uku with 18.63 kilogrammes of skunk, 10.8 litres of codeine-based syrup and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.

A major cannabis cultivation site was also dismantled in Edo State, where NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49, at Egbisi forest in Uhumwonde Local Government Area and destroyed 1,910.25 kilogrammes of skunk on two farms.

Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was arrested in Ikhin town, Owan East Local Government Area, with 176.5 kilogrammes of skunk.

Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said it continued to expand its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, religious centres and communities nationwide.

The outreach programmes included awareness lectures in several secondary schools across Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra states.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended officers across the Lagos, FCT, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures.

He urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced strategy of aggressive enforcement alongside public education aimed at reducing drug abuse and trafficking across the country.

NDLEA Arrests Ex-Lagos Councillor, Uncovers Drugs Hidden in Baby Diapers, Intercepts IED Components