National News
Investing in Women’s Rights Organisation Key to Gender Equality- UNWomen
Investing in Women’s Rights Organisation Key to Gender Equality- UNWomen
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Women has said the key to achieving gender equality was investing in and empowering women’s rights organisations.
Delivering a speech at the Regional Consultation with women’s rights organisations organized under the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Country Representative of UNWomen, Ms. Beatrice Eyong lamented that significant changes have not been made since the commencement of 16 Days of Activism 20 years ago.
On gender equality, she said: “Addressing and eradicating it requires more than just reacting to violence when it happens; it mandates proactive and innovative solutions. A key to these solutions lies in investing in and empowering women’s rights organisations. You possess the knowledge, tools, and determination to reshape societies to be safer, more inclusive, and just.”
She added that: “In the first twenty years since the first edition of the 16 days campaign, we witnessed some historic results to end violence against women and girls. Today, while we must pause to appreciate these progress, we must recall that we have neither significantly changed the composition of peace tables, nor the impunity enjoyed by those who commit atrocities against women and girls.
In fact, the 16 days campaign of activism to end Violence against women should not only be a celebration, but a wake-up call in a context of gender equality push back around the world particularly in West and Central Africa.”
She lamented that: “The pushback on gender equality is well-coordinated, well-structured and well-orchestrated. It deliberately seeks to undermine access to the human rights system for women and girls. Effects of ignoring our own commitments to end violence against women would be long-lasting and inter-generational for women, and immediate and drastic for world peace and particularly for West and Africa region.”
She recalled that research has shown that the presence of a strong and autonomous feminist movement is the most critical factor to drive change in ending violence against women and girls in policy making and in transforming social norms and power relations.
He revealed that: “Recognizing the potential of Women’s rights organisation, European Union and UN Women have partnered to develop a new initiative called A.C.T. to end violence against women which focused on strengthening global and regional advocacy, coalition building and transformative feminist action to end violence against women.”
She added that: “We all welcome and appreciate this 3-year initiative that will contribute to leverage regional movements and networks and create mass action and support. It’s a real implementation of the theme of the UNITE Campaign theme this year’s is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”.
She charged them to work together to make this investment a successful one that will be of benefit to women and girls of our region. Let’s Unite to end Violence against women!”
On her part, the European Union focal point, Mrs. Eseme Stuart said the ACT programme is a new joint commitment between the European Commission and UN Women.
She explained that: “As most of you know, this Action Coalition is a multi stakeholder partnership that mobilises governments, civil society, international organisations and the private sector in the fight against gender-based violence.
“Our commitment to the ACT programme builds on the experience of the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative, that many of you may be familiar with.”
Investing in Women’s Rights Organisation Key to Gender Equality- UNWomen
Nigerien Army Deserter Who Joined Boko Haram Surrenders in Diffa Region
By: Our Reporter
A deserter from the Niger Republic Armed Forces who reportedly joined the terrorist group Boko Haram has surrendered to local authorities in Kindjandi, located in the Diffa Region of southeastern Niger Republic.
The individual, identified as Abba Ibrahim, had been serving with the Nigerien Armed Forces since 2022 before deserting his post in Bosso on March 8, 2025, according to military intelligence sources. He fled alongside a fellow soldier, Bandam Dala, and subsequently joined a Boko Haram faction active in the Lake Chad area.
Security sources disclosed that Ibrahim surrendered on April 21, 2025, arriving in Kindjandi on horseback with a rifle. He was accompanied by an unidentified young man whose details are yet to be confirmed.
Ibrahim was taken into custody by the Nigerien Armed Forces on the morning of April 22, 2025, and is currently undergoing debriefing and interrogation by military intelligence.
The Diffa Region has remained a hotspot for insurgent activity due to its proximity to Lake Chad and border areas with Nigeria, where Boko Haram and other extremist groups operate.
Nigerien Army Deserter Who Joined Boko Haram Surrenders in Diffa Region
National News
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
By: Michael Mike
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has commended the initiative by ECOWAS to extend an invitation to the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger for the official launch of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee in Accra.
The Network, in a press statement on Tuesday, said it supports the initiative by ECOWAS to ease tensions and foster diplomacy in a bid to sustain the common heritage, shared history, and longstanding socio-cultural ties of the peoples.
The statement read: “As ECOWAS opens its doors and extends an arm of friendship and collaboration to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the Network encourages the three countries to reciprocate the gesture, upholding the spirit of good neighbourliness and cross-border cooperation. Such
cooperation is necessary now more than ever, especially as we require a concerted effort to confront matters of common interest to the subregion, such as security and trade.
“WADEMOS maintains the position that the restoration of trust and confidence between
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, on the one hand, and ECOWAS, on the other hand,
remains critical to sustaining cooperation and enhancing the free movement of goods and people. Building trust and confidence, we believe, is also critical to effectively combat the growing threat of terrorism across the subregion.
“Considering the close ties that exist among the West African peoples, WADEMOS
continues to urge the three Sahelian countries to be reconciliatory in their engagements with ECOWAS.”
WADEMOS is an independent and non-partisan network of diverse national and transnational civil society organisations and civic groups working to promote and defend democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in the West Africa region.
It mobilizes, coordinates, and leverages the collective voice and power of civil society and other pro-democracy actors, resources, and opportunities within the West Africa region to advance its mission. The current membership of WADEMOS stands at 47 spread across West Africa.
The WADEMOS Secretariat is based in Accra, Ghana.
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations of extortion involving officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The officers, according to a viral post, allegedly extorted ₦5.2 million from a group of young men traveling from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State to Akure, Ondo State.
The Minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Babatunde Alao, noted that any officer found guilty will face the full weight of the law.
He said: “We will not tolerate any form of misconduct from our security agencies.
“We are building a paramilitary that is disciplined, professional and serve Nigeria and Nigerians with all sense of diginity and patriotism.
“On this case, we will see that justice is upheld and ensure that security personnel serve with forthrightness,” he said.
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
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