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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
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has pledged €22 million in grant funding to support Nigeria’s large-scale fibre-optic expansion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to transform the country’s digital backbone.
The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be channelled through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and on-granted to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for implementation of the government’s Project BRIDGE initiative.
The EU funding will sit alongside an €86 million loan from the EBRD’s own resources, pending final approval. The operation represents the EBRD’s first major sovereign financing in Nigeria since the country formally became a shareholder of the bank last year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani described the agreement as a decisive step toward delivering the BRIDGE project within schedule, noting that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda depends heavily on robust and inclusive broadband infrastructure.
He said the partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s digital roadmap and expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a year of tangible progress in cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, said the bank was proud to collaborate with the EU to expand digital infrastructure in Africa’s largest economy. She noted that the technical cooperation embedded in the financing is structured to crowd in private capital while ensuring secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underscored the strategic importance of digital networks to both Nigeria and the EU, stressing the need for trusted, high-integrity infrastructure built to international standards.
Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables nationwide through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be capitalised with sovereign loans and private sector participation. In addition to the EBRD financing, the Federal Government is expected to receive support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The EU’s €22 million package combines technical assistance with investment support to speed up project preparation and strengthen implementation capacity. It will fund low-level design work for about 40,000 kilometres of the planned network, including route mapping, crossing surveys, digital planning, quality assurance and security risk assessments aligned with global best practices.
Officials said this groundwork would provide the SPV with a ready-to-execute blueprint, enabling immediate rollout once financing arrangements are finalised and the vehicle is established with at least 51 per cent private sector ownership.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant is expected to deepen Nigeria’s digital skills base. About 2,000 technicians will receive specialised training, while small subcontractors will gain access to pooled procurement systems and equipment subsidies designed to reduce entry barriers.
Authorities estimate that these measures could lower deployment costs by between 20 and 30 per cent, while promoting adherence to Nigerian and EU quality standards and encouraging participation of European technology suppliers in the fibre supply chain.
The intervention forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which supports investments in digital infrastructure, public services and human capital development across partner countries.
For Nigeria, the partnership signals renewed international backing for its ambition to build a resilient, open-access broadband network capable of driving economic growth, innovation and digital inclusion nationwide.
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled suspected insurgents and neutralised a suspected informant during operations in Ngamdu area of Borno.
Military sources said the action followed signals intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram elements were massing.
At about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, troops carried out a fire mission on the identified area, forcing the insurgents to disperse and abort their suspected plan.
Shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m., troops engaged and neutralised a suspected insurgent informant who attempted to breach the trench defensive position in Ngamdu.
Sources said the troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area after the encounter but made no further contact with fleeing suspects.
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted a suspected terrorist gathering and arrested five suspected arms smugglers during separate operations in Yobe State.
Security sources said that at about 6:21 p.m. on Feb. 17, troops conducted a fire mission following credible intelligence that terrorists were converging in large numbers on motorcycles at Mangari, about 10.6 kilometres from the location of the 135 Special Forces Battalion in Buratai.
The swift action forced the insurgents to disperse in disarray, effectively disrupting their suspected plans.
In a separate development, troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Potiskum apprehended five suspected arms smugglers and abductors at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at a checkpoint along the Gombe–Potiskum road.
Those arrested included a 41-year-old suspect, Baba Abare, who was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, alongside four others identified as Idris Zakari, 33; Nasiru Aliyu, 25; Abdullahi Sulaiman, 35; and Mohammed Idris, 34, all said to be indigenes of Potiskum town.
The suspects were intercepted in two Golf Wagon vehicles bearing registration numbers Borno NGL-506XA and Kaduna DKD16-01.
They were disarmed and handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
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