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Justice Must Be Affordable, Accessible for Women, Says UN

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Justice Must Be Affordable, Accessible for Women, Says UN

By: Michael Mike

The acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, has called for urgent action to reduce the financial, social and institutional barriers preventing women and girls from accessing justice in Nigeria.

Attafuah made the call in Abuja on Friday during the launch of “The Cost of Justice: Women’s Voice of Resilience in Nigeria,” an anthology documenting the experiences of women who have navigated the country’s justice system in pursuit of accountability.

The event, held at the United Nations House in Abuja, was organised by the South Saharan Social Development Organisation in collaboration with UN Women and Ford Foundation as part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026.

Speaking at the gathering, Attafuah said the anthology serves as a powerful reminder that behind policy debates on justice are real human stories of struggle, resilience and courage.

She noted that many survivors of violence face significant financial burdens when seeking justice, including the cost of transportation, medical reports, legal representation and repeated court appearances.

According to her, these expenses can make the pursuit of justice extremely difficult for many women already facing economic hardship.

She also highlighted the lengthy and complex legal processes survivors must navigate, noting that court proceedings often take months or even years to conclude. During such periods, victims may face pressure from families or communities to withdraw their cases or reconcile with perpetrators.

Attafuah further pointed to the social cost of seeking justice, explaining that survivors frequently encounter stigma, victim-blaming and pressure to remain silent.

She stressed that access to justice is a critical component of global development efforts, particularly under Sustainable Development Goal 16 and Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focus on building inclusive institutions and ending violence against women and girls.

The UN coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations system in Nigeria to work with government institutions, civil society groups and development partners to strengthen legal frameworks, expand survivor support services and promote social norms that uphold the dignity and rights of women and girls.

Also speaking at the event, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said the anthology highlights the persistent challenges women face in accessing justice, particularly survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

She noted that despite progress in legal reforms and awareness campaigns, many women continue to face financial constraints, stigma and limited access to legal support.

Eyong said the publication documents the experiences and resilience of women who have sought justice, emphasising that justice is not only about laws and institutions but also about protecting dignity and ensuring survivors can seek accountability without fear or hardship.

She commended the organisers and partners supporting the initiative, including the Ford Foundation, for advancing efforts aimed at promoting gender equality and strengthening protection for women and girls.

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Chief State Counsel at the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Habiba Ajanah-Hamza, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access to justice for survivors.

She said the ministry remains focused on strengthening coordination among institutions involved in addressing gender-based violence, supporting effective investigation and prosecution of cases, and ensuring that victims are treated with dignity and sensitivity throughout the legal process.

According to her, achieving meaningful access to justice requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, the legal community and the media.

Ajanah-Hamza added that initiatives such as the anthology contribute to raising public awareness and strengthening advocacy for reforms that make justice systems more accessible and responsive to the needs of women and girls.

The anthology launch also featured discussions aimed at identifying practical solutions and partnerships that can help reduce the cost of justice and improve survivor-centred responses across Nigeria.

Participants at the event stressed that the voices documented in the publication should serve as a call to action for stakeholders to work collectively toward building a justice system that ensures protection, accountability and dignity for every woman and girl.

Justice Must Be Affordable, Accessible for Women, Says UN

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AMF Celebrate the African Child: Building Foundations for Dreams, Learning, and Leadership

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AMF Celebrate the African Child: Building Foundations for Dreams, Learning, and Leadership

By Comrade Philip Ikodor

The Ashlee Momoh Foundation today joined the global community to commemorate the International Day of the African Child, reaffirming its commitment to the safety, education, and empowerment of children across the continent.

In a statement issued to the media, the Founder and Lead, Princess Ashlee Omonegbo Momoh, said the Foundation stands firmly behind efforts to help every African child reach their full potential.

“While we celebrate the vibrancy, brilliance, and resilience of African children, we must also confront the systemic barriers that still limit their growth,” Princess Momoh stated.

Key Challenges Facing the African Child Today:

  1. Education Gaps: Millions lack access to quality education, digital literacy, and inclusive learning environments.
  2. Socio-Economic Barriers: Pervasive poverty drives child labor and denies many children basic healthcare, nutrition, and stable housing.
  3. Security and Instability: Armed conflict and community violence continue to threaten the safety, mental health, and future of children in vulnerable and military-affected communities.

AMF’s Call to Action:
To truly empower the African child, stakeholders must shift from short-term relief to sustainable, localized investment. The Foundation calls on governments, civil society, and private sector partners to collaborate in:

  1. Building safer, child-friendly communities
  2. Subsidizing healthcare and expanding access to quality education, including digital skills
  3. Creating inclusive learning spaces that protect children from conflict and displacement

“Every child deserves a secure foundation to dream, learn, and lead. At the Ashlee Momoh Foundation, we remain committed to building that foundation — together,” Princess Momoh added.

The Ashlee Momoh Foundation is a Nigeria-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing child welfare, education, and empowerment across Africa through sustainable programs, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.

AMF Celebrate the African Child: Building Foundations for Dreams, Learning, and Leadership

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A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Power Sector: Minister Tegbe’s Brilliant Start

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A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Power Sector: Minister Tegbe’s Brilliant Start

By: Lateef O. AREMU

Just few days into his tenure, Nigeria’s new Minister of Power, Engineer Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has already begun to illuminate the path towards a more stable and efficient electricity supply for the nation. Sworn into office on June 9, 2026, Minister Tegbe’s initial pronouncements and decisive actions reflect a profound understanding of the sector’s complexities, a testament to his distinguished professional background, intellectual brilliance and clear demonstration of the understanding of the task ahead. The minister unlike many before him did not over simplify the task at hand. He acknowledged the challenges and meticulous outlined the approaches towards finding solutions to the problem. He is not promising immediate miracle, but steady growth and measurable efforts towards achieving the set goals.

Minister Tegbe arrives at the helm of the Power Ministry with an impressive pedigree. A former Senior Partner and Head of Technology Advisory Services and Markets at KPMG Professional Services in Nigeria and across Africa, he has a proven track record of leading major reform initiatives, developing robust governance structures, and navigating intricate regulatory frameworks. His extensive experience in advisory services, coupled with his qualifications as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCIT), positions him uniquely to tackle the multifaceted challenges plaguing Nigeria’s power sector.

In his inaugural engagements, Minister Tegbe wasted no time in outlining a clear vision. He pledged to strengthen collaboration, improve governance, and enhance accountabilityacross the entire electricity value chain. This emphasis on systemic improvements, rather than solely technical fixes, directly mirrors his background in advisory and governance. His insight that
many of the sector’s challenges are rooted in governance and coordination rather than purely technical issues is a direct reflection of his strategic thinking honed at KPMG, where he led advisory services focused on governance and regulatory frameworks.

One of his immediate and commendable actions was to rally Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Agencies and Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Power. During this crucial meeting, Minister Tegbe underscored the necessity of a unified and coordinated approach among all stakeholders to achieve the administration’s goals for the Power Sector. This call for synergy, urging stakeholders to operate as “one team with one mandate” is a pragmatic approach to a sector historically plagued by siloed operations and a lack of cohesive strategy. His ability to quickly identify and address this fundamental organizational challenge speaks volumes about his leadership and analytical prowess.

Furthermore, Minister Tegbe has already demonstrated a commitment to tangible results. He commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for its prompt response to a recent feeder outage, which was resolved within the timeframe he directed. This swift restoration of supply, which he noted was reported directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlights his dedication to urgency and service delivery, a quality that will undoubtedly instill confidence in both the public and sector operators.

Looking ahead, the Minister disclosed plans to introduce a performance-based incentive framework across the power sector to reward productivity, innovation, and excellence. This initiative is a clear demonstration of his understanding of motivational strategies and his commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and efficiency. This is the kind of principles often championed in top-tier consulting firms like KPMG. Such a framework is designed to drive continuous improvement and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned with the overarching objective of enhancing electricity supply.

In just a few short days, Engineer Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has not only articulated a clear vision for Nigeria’s power sector but has also initiated concrete steps towards its realization. His blend of deep technical understanding, strategic leadership, and a commitment to good governance, all honed through years of high-level advisory work, positions him as a transformative figure.

As Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe assumes the role of Nigeria’s minister of power, Nigerians can look forward to a future where the brilliance of their Minister of Power translates into a consistently brighter and more reliable electricity supply.
With Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe at the helms of affairs in the power sector in Nigeria, Nigeria can rest asuured that “there is light at the end of the tunnel”

Lateef O. AREMU (Akano Gudugba)
S3 /706D
Odo-Ada Compound,
Oke-Eleta, Ibadan
08162994660
akanoola@gmail.com

A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Power Sector: Minister Tegbe’s Brilliant Start

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NDLEA Sells Drug Barons’ Assets for N6.1bn, Sends Warning to Criminal Networks

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NDLEA Sells Drug Barons’ Assets for N6.1bn, Sends Warning to Criminal Networks

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dealt a major financial blow to drug trafficking syndicates, raising over N6.1 billion from the auction of properties confiscated from convicted drug kingpins across the country.

The assets, which include a six-storey luxury hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, and three other high-value properties, were forfeited to the federal government following court orders obtained under Nigeria’s asset recovery laws.

The Victoria Island hotel accounted for the bulk of the proceeds, attracting a winning bid of N5.9 billion during a public auction conducted in Abuja on Monday. Altogether, four properties were successfully sold, while bids submitted for four others fell below the approved reserve prices and were consequently rejected.

The exercise marked one of the most significant asset recovery auctions conducted by the anti-narcotics agency in recent years and underscores a growing determination by authorities to target not only drug traffickers but also the wealth accumulated from illicit activities.

Announcing the results, the Head of Asset Recovery and Management Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Tamarantare Francis Ali-Bozi, disclosed that Tope Ojo and Tunde Olonishakin Estate Firm emerged the successful bidder for the Victoria Island hotel.

Other successful bidders included FSS Limited, which secured a property in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, with an offer of N219.5 million; A-BNB Global Innovations Limited, which won a block of flats in Ejigbo, Lagos, for N104 million; and Fazeen Global Link Limited, which acquired a property in Akure, Ondo State, for N29.36 million.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), declared that the auction represented more than a revenue-generating exercise, describing it as a strategic weapon in the fight against organised crime.

Represented by the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, Marwa said the disposal of recovered assets sends a strong signal that individuals involved in the illicit drug trade would not be allowed to retain or benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.

He noted that public auctions of forfeited assets help reinforce public trust in the justice system by demonstrating transparency and accountability in the management of recovered properties.

According to him, the agency remains committed to tracking, recovering and disposing of criminal assets in a manner that serves the public interest while strengthening Nigeria’s asset recovery framework.

“We shall continue to pursue drug traffickers, dismantle criminal networks, recover the proceeds of crime and uphold the rule of law without fear or favour,” he stated.

Marwa also stressed that extensive safeguards were put in place to guarantee the integrity of the process. He said all assets were professionally valued by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, while auctioneers engaged for the exercise were screened and pre-qualified through procedures approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement.

The NDLEA boss added that representatives of anti-corruption agencies, civil society organisations, the media and members of the public were invited to witness the bid-opening exercise in order to ensure transparency and public confidence.

He maintained that the auction was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and other relevant regulations.

Analysts say the successful sale of the forfeited properties highlights a growing shift in Nigeria’s anti-drug strategy from merely arresting traffickers to systematically dismantling the financial foundations of criminal enterprises.

For law enforcement authorities, the message is unmistakable: drug trafficking may generate vast fortunes, but those fortunes can ultimately be traced, seized and converted into public assets.

NDLEA Sells Drug Barons’ Assets for N6.1bn, Sends Warning to Criminal Networks

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