Climate resilience: Group tasks Adamawa stakeholders to enhance gender-responsive strategies

Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative (WiHRiN) in collaboration with UN Women and partner organizations urged stakeholders to enhance gender-responsive strategies in disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Dr. Mimidoo Achakpa, the Coalition Coordinator made the call at the validation workshop in Yola.

She said, the workshop aimed at addressing gender gaps in disaster and climate resilience strategies in Adamawa State.

She advised the participants to critically assess the findings and provide additional input.

Dr. Hassan Misari, facilitator, presented an overview of the assessment findings, highlighting key gender-related challenges and opportunities within the state’s climate and disaster resilience frameworks.

He guided participants through a series of group discussions aimed at validating the findings and shaping a proposed roadmap for action.

Hajiya Safiya Mohammed, controller, Federal Ministry of Environment expressed the need for collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, and Civil Society Organisation to create resilient and gender-responsive disaster management frameworks.

Dr Ibrahim Umar, Director Ministry of environment emphasised the importance of inclusive strategies that ensure both men and women are equally involved in the development and implementation of disaster management policies in the state.

Falda Wesley, representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development expressed confidence that the discussions would lead to meaningful outcomes and stronger gender representation in humanitarian planning.

According to her, the workshop is an eye opener for additional knowledge for them to give them and take more ideas on their field work.

The workshop brought together the stakeholders to review and validate findings from a recent gender gap assessment, following a previous consultative meeting in the state.

Mac Imoni Amarere Re-elected into ActionAid International Board

By: Michael Mike

Civil society activist and renowned media specialist, Mac Imoni Amarere, has been re-elected into the International Board of ActionAid for a second three-year term.

Professor Eze Nwokocha of the University of Ibadan and a member of the Board of ActionAid Nigeria was also elected to the 2026 General Assembly Organising Committee of ActionAid International for a one-year term.

Amarere emerged victorious at the ongoing Annual General Assembly of ActionAid International holding in Sevilla, Spain. He polled 40 out of a total of 51 votes cast by eligible country representatives from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, the United States, and South America to beat five other candidates.

He was first elected to the International Board in Madrid, Spain, in 2022, as the first Nigerian to occupy that position. He serves on two important committees of the Board- the Programmes and Human Resource and Organisational Development committees.

In his initial response from Sevilla, Spain, to his re-election, Amarere, who was the Vice-Board chair of ActionAid Nigeria for six years until 2024, said it is another opportunity to serve humanity and contribute to the struggles for a more just world, a global system that takes into consideration the aspirations and needs of the poor, exploited, and under-served peoples, communities and regions of the world.

He promised to continue to push for bold and transformative policies and actions in global spaces that challenge injustice, create real change, and promote feminist leadership.

Amarere is a Fellow of both the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NiPR).

Mac Imoni Amarere Re-elected into ActionAid International Board

Eradication of Torture, Needs Collaboration of All Stakeholders, Says Beatrice Jedy-Agba

By: Michael Mike

A call has gone for collaboration of all stakeholders, including citizens and all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to eradicate torture in the country.

Speaking at the 2025 Commemoration of the International Day Against Victims of Torture, organised by the Ministry of Justice in ccollaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Thursday in Abuja, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba while appreciating all stakeholders for efforts at eradicating torture in the country, said more collaborations is needed to put a stop to the scourge.

She said: “The eradication of torture in Nigeria requires sincere collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, particularly citizens and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), who play key roles in highlighting incidences of torture and advocating necessary measures to prevent and penalize such incidences.”

She added that: “As you may be aware, the Federal Ministry of Justice has over the years focused on prevention of torture through creating awareness and sensitization of law enforcement organisations, and initiating reform of our legal and regulatory frameworks on torture prevention and penalization.

“In this regard, the Ministry, through the Committee against Torture (CATN) has concluded work on the establishment of the Implementing Regulations for the Anti-Torture Act, 2017. The Regulations make provisions for specific matters that hitherto hindered the implementation of the Anti-Torture Act, such as procedures for the institution of criminal proceedings for offenders, right to medical examination, rehabilitation of victims of torture, among others.

“The Anti-Torture Regulations are currently in the process of being gazetted which will enable it come into force, in line with the requirements of the law.”

She stated that: “In addition, the Ministry, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT), has also begun reviewing the Anti-Torture Act, to address inherent gaps for effectiveness. Other preventive measures we have taken include conducting visits to places of detention and making recommendations to relevant authorities for improvement in the management of detainees, particularly in Nigeria’s correctional facilities. We have also established our National Preventive Mechanism under the National Human Rights Commission, in line with international obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).

“However, we cannot accomplish our objectives without your support. We are open to strategic partnerships and collaboration with development partners and experts on improving efficacy of our reforms and driving initiatives that improve the torture situation in Nigeria.”

She noted that: “Torture is an abhorrent act and must be shunned by all. While we continue to record successes in the reforms and measures taken to prevent torture, these measures must necessarily translate to a reduction in the incidence of torture in Nigeria. Accordingly, the Ministry is poised to go beyond prevention, and to advocate institutional reforms to address and punish offenders, as a means of deterrence to the commission of this crime. We cannot continue to pay lip service to the commission of this crime, if we want to see change. It is for this reason that I wish to use this opportunity to encourage stakeholders, CSOs and development partners to support our efforts, to enable us achieve our desired objectives.”

She noted that: “The crime of torture is one that affects us all as a society, and requires collaborative efforts to not only disabuse public officials from its use, but to discourage the practice which appears to have become an abhorrent culture in our places of detention.”

She insisted that: “Every human deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The use of torture is a criminal offence and prohibited in all circumstances. All stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors must speak with one voice against the perpetrators of torture, and for all who suffer at their hands, in order to build a better, more humane society for all people everywhere.”

On his part, theInspector General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun said the police as an organisation dedicated to upholding human rights and the rule of law, recognises the profound physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon victims of torture.

Egbetokun, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Legal, DCP Daniel Haliba, said: “We acknowledge the resilience and courage of survivors who, despite their suffering, continue to advocate for justice, accountability and healing.

“We reaffirm our commitment to preventing torture by advocating for policies and practices that uphold human dignity and prevent torture in all its forms.”

He added that: “We call upon government institutions and individuals to join us in this critical effort. Together, we can strengthen legal frameworks to prevent torture and ensure accountability, provide comprehensive psychological and legal assistance.”

“Let us work together to create a future where human rights are respected and all individuals can live with dignity.”

Executive Secretary. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, in his remarks said the NHRC is willing to to work with the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders to eradicate torture.

Ojukwu, speaking through his Special Adviser and Director Monitoring Department, Benedict Agu, said: “We are committed to working closely with the Ministry of Justice, the National Committee Against Torture, and all other relevant actors to ensure that Nigeria lives up to its constitutional and international human rights commitments always.”

Speaking earlier he said, “We commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for the progressive steps it has taken to align with its international obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) through the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act 20215, the Anti-Torture Act 2017 and the establishment of the National Committee Against Torture, which brings together government agencies, civil society organizations, and academia, are important strides towards a coordinated and comprehensive approach to eliminating torture in our country.

He noted that: “There is also the establishment of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) “ stressing that: “However, it is worthy of note that the Fundamental law in Nigeria, the 1999 Constitution, under section 34 provides for the right to the dignity of the human person.”

He said: “Nonetheless, much work remains. Preventing torture is not only a legal obligation it is a moral imperative. It requires consistent political will, strengthened oversight mechanisms, proper training of security and Law Enforcement Agencies, and the empowerment of victims through legal, social, humanitarian and medical services.

“At the National Human Rights Commission, we remain committed to our mandate to promote, protect, and enforce the human rights of everyone, including all who have suffered grievous human rights violations/abuses with regards to torture.”

Kabiru Elayo of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), in his goodwill message acknowledged the importance of collaboration to succeed in eradicating torture.

He said: “We acknowledge that torture is not only a violation of fundamental human rights, but a direct attack on human dignity, the rule of law, and public trust in justice institutions.

“The NPM stands as a safeguard to ensure that no person, regardless of their statu iis subjected to abuse or neglect while in detention or under any form of custodial authority.”

Eradication of Torture, Needs Collaboration of All Stakeholders, Says Beatrice Jedy-Agba