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IWD: EU-IIDEA, FG strategize to improve lives of vulnerable citizens
IWD: EU-IIDEA, FG strategize to improve lives of vulnerable citizens
By: Michael Mike
Worried over the low level of women, children and Persons With Disabilities, (PWD), inclusion in the nations affairs, stakeholders have converged to strategize on way forward in advocating for the vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.
The stakeholders at the second annual conference of Commissioners of State Ministries of Women Affairs noted that, achieving gender equality involved transforming social norms and power dynamics that supported the political, social and economic empowerment of the most marginalised and vulnerable, particularly women , children and PWD.
The 2nd Annual Conference of Commissioners of State Ministries of Women Affairs with the theme: Sub-National Policy and Practice for Enhancing Rights, Protection, and Justice for Women, Children, and Persons with Disabilities, is organised by the European Union-Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II) Programme of International IDEA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
Minister Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim represented by her Senior Special Assistance,(SSA) on Women and Community Engagement, Princess Joan Jummai Idonije said the theme for this year, “accelerate action” is apt as there is need for renewed commitment, and bold action to tackle the issues of gender parity.
Suleiman-Ibrahim reiterated the need to critically evaluate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s policies and governance structures to ensure that collective interventions yield tangible and measurable impact, particularly at the sub-national level where the needs are most acute.
“We must ensure that every intervention is tracked, evaluated, and reported. Investing in state-level gender data systems will enable us to measure progress and feed into the national Women’s Empowerment and Protection Dashboard — ensuring accountability and transparency in our collective efforts.
“The success of our policies will not be measured by the frameworks we create but by the lives we transform. We must break down silos and foster collaborative partnerships that amplify impact at every level. This is the time to forge bold, practical, and scalable solutions that accelerate progress for women, children, and persons with disabilities across Nigeria,” she stressed.
She expressed appreciation to RoLAC, and other development partners who continue to champion the cause of women, children, and vulnerable groups. Commending the State Commissioners for Women Affairs for their leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing gender equality at the sub-national level.
Also, Head of Programme Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption RoLAC Programme, Danladi Plang, tasked state Commissioners on the need to pursue the enactment and implementation of relevant laws for women, children and PWD.
Plang called on relevant authorities to make available, resource allocations and investment for the sector to thrive beyond the rhetorics before the next election circle.
He said, “the core objectives of the Rule of Law Programme is to increase access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities. Since 2017, in support of the European Union, we have been implementing this programme across five states in Phase 1 and currently we are working in seven states and the FCT.
“We have worked with our partners to do a number of things. Critical amongst them is some of the legislation that we have supported the various states to put, child protection law or what we know as the child rights law in some of the states, the VAPP law in some states and then the law that protects or prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities.
“The Ministries, in particular the commissioners, play a very big standard role to serve as catalysts, to change, to also serve as coordinators of implementation of policies in the states, but more importantly to serve as influencers within the cabinet.
Speaking on the sidelines with reporters at the event, Plang disclosed that, the survivors of about 8000 have been assisted by the SARCs. “Last year we commission NCPWD to ensure that building are accessible, especially office buildings.
Ensure advocacy, with the Commissioners as they are in the states and when they do not have the laws, they are able to see the benefits of those that have and discuss with their governors. Through the Nigerian governors forum so that they can plan together and know what their counterparts are doing and learn to move the agenda forward.”
In the same view, Project Manager, Access to Justice RoLAC Programme, Oluwatoyosi Giwa while setting the tone and objectives, said the conference is poised at initiating narratives that will have direct impact and benefit for vulnerable citizens.
“We hope that by the end of these three days, you will have action plans derived from the different presentations that have been made of things that you can go back and implement and that will make a difference in the lives of women, of children and of persons with disabilities in your various locations.
“Let us speak our truth and let us share our experience so that we can learn from each other and so that we can take back something tangible to go and make change in our various spaces.”
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, for his part, noted that, almost all the Nigerian states have enacted the law but yet to implement.
He said, We need to explore these talents that women have. When you leave aside half of the population, you will miss specific talents that. Mixed groups with both women and men are more efficient than groups with only women or only men and this is very true for politics as well.
IWD: EU-IIDEA, FG strategize to improve lives of vulnerable citizens
News
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
By: Michael Mike
West African leaders have issued a joint warning that democracy in the region is under growing strain and must begin to produce visible results for citizens, while also stressing that peace cannot be imposed but must be deliberately built through dialogue and cooperation.
The concerns were raised at the opening of the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament held on Monday in Abuja, where regional lawmakers gathered amid rising insecurity, democratic reversals, and increasing public dissatisfaction across parts of West Africa.
Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, warned that the survival of democratic governance in the sub-region now depends on its ability to deliver tangible outcomes in security, economic stability, and public welfare.
He said while citizens across West Africa continue to reject military rule, their patience with democratic systems is weakening due to poor governance outcomes and rising socio-economic hardship.
Abbas noted that declining voter trust, weak institutions, and recurring unconstitutional changes of government reflect deeper structural problems that democratic systems must urgently address.
“The issue is not whether democracy remains the preferred system, but whether it is delivering sufficiently to sustain that preference,” he said, warning that governance failures could further expand the space for instability.
The Nigerian Speaker also pushed for a stronger and more empowered ECOWAS Parliament, arguing that its current advisory status limits its ability to respond effectively to regional crises.
He renewed calls for reforms including enhanced legislative authority, stronger oversight powers, and improved enforcement mechanisms for regional agreements.
According to him, previous proposals to strengthen the Parliament have yet to be fully implemented, but the present instability across the region makes such reforms more urgent.
“A Parliament with limited influence cannot adequately respond to democratic reversals, security pressures, and economic uncertainty,” Abbas said.
Abbas also defended Nigeria’s recent economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, describing them as difficult but necessary decisions taken within a democratic framework.
He said early results show increased fiscal inflows to subnational governments and improved capacity for infrastructure and social investment, while acknowledging that challenges persist.
He argued that Nigeria’s experience demonstrates that even tough reforms can be implemented without resorting to military intervention, warning against a growing tendency toward unconstitutional power shifts in parts of the region.
In a separate address, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, stressed that peace in West Africa cannot be declared or imposed by authority, but must be carefully built over time.
She said the region is facing a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, adding that “no region is immune” to the global spread of instability and conflict.
“The message must be clear: peace cannot be decreed — it must be patiently built through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect,” she said, urging member states to deepen collaboration in addressing shared challenges.
Ibrahima also highlighted ongoing reforms within the regional bloc, noting that ECOWAS is undergoing a strategic reassessment of its future direction.
She announced that the upcoming ECOWAS Future Summit scheduled for 21 May in Lomé, Togo, will focus on accelerating the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050.
The summit is expected to explore how regional integration can be strengthened and adapted to emerging political, economic, and security realities across West Africa.
Both leaders, though speaking separately, converged on a central message: that West Africa is at a critical turning point where democratic legitimacy must be reinforced by effective governance, and peace must be actively constructed through cooperation rather than assumed.
They warned that without stronger institutions, improved governance delivery, and deeper regional collaboration, the region risks further democratic setbacks and prolonged instability.
The session continues as ECOWAS lawmakers deliberate on strategies to strengthen democratic resilience and regional integration amid mounting challenges across West Africa.
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant in Borno
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected informant linked to ISWAP/JAS terrorist groups in Ngamdu, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 6:00 p.m. on May 3 by troops of 154 Battalion at Ngamdu market following sustained surveillance.
The sources disclosed that the suspect had been on a security watchlist prior to his arrest.
According to the sources, items recovered from him include a mobile phone, the sum of ₦1,150, and other sundry materials.
They added that the suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing interrogation.
The sources noted that further investigations are ongoing to establish his role and possible links within terrorist networks operating in the area.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant in Borno
Troops Conduct Offensive Operation in Gwoza, Destroy Suspected Terrorist Structures
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have conducted an offensive operation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, targeting suspected terrorist hideouts and support structures.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:20 a.m. on May 1 by troops of 153 Task Force Battalion, operating alongside volunteer forces and hybrid troops deployed at Kirawa.
The sources disclosed that the joint team advanced to Gakara high ground and Ndova village during the operation.
According to the sources, no direct contact was made with terrorist elements during the mission.
They added, however, that troops destroyed several suspected terrorist logistics and life-support structures identified within the general area.
The sources noted that the operation is part of ongoing clearance efforts aimed at denying insurgents freedom of movement and operational bases within the Gwoza axis.
Troops Conduct Offensive Operation in Gwoza, Destroy Suspected Terrorist Structures
Nigeria Moves to Transform Career Guidance System as Ministries, UNESCO, GIZ Push New National Policy Framework
ECOWAS Leaders Warn Democracy Must Deliver and Peace Must Be Built as West Africa Faces Rising Instability
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant in Borno
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