News

Making Investment in Women a top priority

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Making Investment in Women a top priority

By: Victor Emejuiwe

As we celebrate the international Women’s day there are needs to take practical steps to implement a robust agenda that would address the inequality gap and lack of inclusivity affecting Women in Nigeria. This year’s event should go beyond lip service or the ceremonious affinity associated with the event and concrete actions should be taken to fully invest in Women. Investment in Women should be made a top priority because no society can thrive in a scale of balance if a major population that makes up the society (such as Women) is less empowered.

It is also common knowledge that the determination of functional societies with records of economic and social developments as recorded in advanced countries are found in domains with positive indicators of Women empowerment. Currently, Nigerian Women have been excluded in so many ways; most of which includes; poor enrollment level of females in schools. Statistics shows that the number of female enrollments in most states especially in northern Nigeria compared to their male counterparts is abysmally low. Also, the governance indicators on political inclusion of Women is unfavorably in-balanced. Despite the affirmative action to offer Women 35% of political inclusion, a report published by premium times reveals that the 10th assembly has only 3 Women out of 109 senators and 17 Women out of 390 House of reps’ members which is below 5 percent for both chambers.

On the part of the executive, the Women represented in the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represent just 18.75% which is far less than the required 35% affirmative action. Coupled with this fact is the health and well-being of Nigerian Women, the maternal mortality rate of pregnant and nursing mothers has remained at an all-time low, putting Women at risk of child bearing. Women in the informal sector have also suffered exclusion from government programs and policies despite the economic hardship experienced in Nigeria, most Women in Nigeria are compelled to struggle for daily survival to support the running of the home. The Market Women who sell vegetables, tomatoes and other household items have been totally excluded from any form of social security from the government, with major exclusion experienced in the health insurance sector. The exclusion of Women in the informal sector has led them to resort to alternative medical treatments that endangers their life and well- being. Having highlighted a few of the challenges, it is necessary that the government pay attention to the implementation of its policies on Women inclusion. One of the major policies that addresses the above concern, which requires full implementation, is the National Gender Policy 2021-2026. Some key objectives of the policy aim to explore and fully harness Women’s human capital assets as a growth driver for national development through Women’s economic empowerment. Advance Women’s participation and representation in leadership and governance as well as support Women and Girl’s education, lifelong health, survival and sustainable development.

Also, the ministerial agenda for women empowerment and societal transformation produced by the ministry of Women affairs was strategically designed to uplift communities through Women empowerment, education, and law enforcement. To address the prevalence of illiteracy and out-of-school children, the policy proposes to implement a comprehensive education initiative focused on skill acquisition and vocational education. The implementation of this agenda is an investment priority that should benefit young Girls and Women.

The agenda also plans to liaise with NGOs to organize existing Women cooperative societies into Women affinity groups and provision of essential processing machines and equipment to empower Women in various sectors. Budgetary allocations should prioritize this across sectors. Also, government monetary and fiscal policies should mainstream Women for financial inclusion. In addition, Women should have access to soft loans to enable them to upscale their business and continue to support their families. To reduce maternal mortality, Pregnant Women should be accorded free health insurance as obtained in S.25. of the National Health Insurance Authority Act. Efforts should be made to provide social security in the form of affordable and qualitative health insurance as a top priority for Women. To achieve this, Women in the informal sector should be grouped in a formalized structure according to their line of occupation and registered to access health insurance. For instance, association of Women farmers can be registered under one health insurance umbrella, the same goes for market Women association, Small Scale Women etc. This would guarantee their productivity and increase their life expectancy. The plans contained in the various government policy agenda should be costed and implemented accordingly.

In conclusion, Women should not be left out of the political space, governments at all levels must show strong commitment in the inclusion of Women in all facets of governance by ensuring that the affirmative action on Women serves as a strong basis for future appointments and elective positions in the country.

Victor Emejuiwe
Monitoring and Evaluation/Strategic Communication Manager
Writes from Center for Social Justice Abuja.
08068262366

Making Investment in Women a top priority

News

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River

Published

11 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River

By: Zagazola Makama

No fewer than 80 militants operating in the creeks of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State have voluntarily surrendered their arms and embraced the state government’s peace and reintegration Amnesty framework.

The militants came out in large numbers from the creeks on Friday at Atimbo Rear Area under Operation OKWOK, within the Area of Responsibility of Headquarters 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army and is already being described by as a strategic breakthrough in the fight against coastal militancy and maritime crime in southern Cross River.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrender was the outcome of months of sustained military pressure combined with discreet dialogue involving community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

Two militant camps dismantled themselves in one coordinated move. The first camp, headed by ThankGod Ebikontei, popularly known as Ayibanuagha, presented 39 fighters. Four additional members, officials said, are expected to report in the coming days.

The second camp, commanded by John Isaac, alias Akpokolo, brought forward 41 fighters. His group, widely known along the waterways as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or “Border Boys,” had controlled large stretches of creeks linking Cross River to neighbouring coastal corridors.

Ten more of his fighters are also expected to join the amnesty process. In total, 80 militants formally stepped out of the creeks and into a state-supervised disarmament and rehabilitation programme.

The disarmament was not symbolic. A significant cache of weapons, equipment and operational assets was voluntarily handed over, illustrating the firepower the groups once commanded.

The sources said that items surrendered included AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, a Mark 4 rifle, a G3 rifle, multiple single-barrel guns, magazines, speedboats, high-powered boat engines, locally fabricated pistols and assorted military kits.

Of particular concern to security officials was the surrender of an explosive charge and live ammunition, which draw to the attention of the destructive capacity the groups had at their disposal. Also surrendered were machetes, camouflage clothing, tactical vests, knee and elbow guards, and communication tools, all of which painted a picture of organised armed groups rather than loosely structured criminal gangs.

For the Nigerian Army, the scale and quality of the surrendered items confirmed that the amnesty was reaching core actors, not just foot soldiers.

Brig.-Gen. P.O. Alimikhena, Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, described the development as a “confidence-building milestone” that validates the military’s dual-track strategy.

“This voluntary surrender shows that consistent operations, combined with constructive dialogue and strong collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies, can deliver peace,” Alimikhena said.

“We will continue to secure the environment while supporting lawful initiatives that reintegrate repentant youths and ensure lasting stability.”he said.

Military sources said the success in Akpabuyo followed intensified patrols, improved intelligence flow and engagement with local power structures in creek communities.

After the formal disarmament, the former militants were handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team.
They are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Muka Sam Hotel in Ikot Ansa, Calabar.

The exercise is designed to verify identities, assess security risks and determine eligibility for rehabilitation, skills training and reintegration support. Officials said the profiling phase is crucial to ensuring that only genuine repentant militants benefit from the programme and that criminal elements do not exploit the amnesty.

Akpabuyo Local Government Area sits along a strategic maritime corridor that links Cross River’s inland communities to coastal and cross-border trading routes. For years, militancy in the area has affected fishing, boat transport, palm produce trade and cross-border commerce with Cameroon.

Sea robbery, illegal taxation of fishermen, extortion and violent turf battles turned the creeks into zones of fear. The collective withdrawal of two major camps in one day is therefore both a psychological and operational shift. It sends a signal that militancy is no longer the dominant survival strategy for youths in the area.

The Nigerian Army credited the success of the Akpabuyo amnesty to what it called “effective civil-military collaboration,” singling out the Cross River State Government under Gov. Bassey Edet Otu for sustained political backing, coordination and logistical support.

Sources said the state government’s willingness to invest in dialogue, rehabilitation and youth empowerment made the option of peace more attractive than continued life in the creeks.

Beyond the powerful images of surrendered weapons and surrendered men, officials insist the hardest phase lies ahead. Reintegration, monitoring and economic re-engagement will determine whether the peace holds or unravels.

Headquarters 13 Brigade has reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating the gains, warning that while the door to peace remains open, security forces will maintain pressure against any group that chooses violence over dialogue.

They has urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that the breakthrough in Akpabuyo is not an endpoint, but the foundation for a safer and more stable Cross River State.

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River

News

Zulum Dismisses Claims of Favoring Candidates for APC Congress

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Zulum Dismisses Claims of Favoring Candidates for APC Congress

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has firmly dismissed rumours circulating that he has anointed individuals for executive positions in the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) party congresses.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the Governor described the claims as the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to cause disaffection within the party.

Governor Zulum emphasised that he has not in any fora endorsed any candidate for any party position, whether in Gwoza Local Government Area or any of the state’s 27 local government areas.

“Let me categorically state that I have not anointed any person for the position of Chairman or Secretary of APC in Gwoza local government in the forthcoming party congress. I wish to also stress that I have not anointed any person for any position in the APC congress in any of the 27 local government areas,” Governor Zulum stated.

He further called on party members to disregard the false information, saying, “I am calling on our party faithful and supporters to disregard the rumour as it is a calculated attempt to create disaffection and derail the party from its trajectory.”

The Governor instead urged party stakeholders to continue constructive consultations aimed at identifying credible candidates to be fielded for all party positions.

Zulum Dismisses Claims of Favoring Candidates for APC Congress

News

VP Shettima Arrives In Guinea For President Doumbouya’s Inauguration

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Arrives In Guinea For President Doumbouya’s Inauguration

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of President-elect Mamady Doumbouya.

The Vice President was received by senior Guinean government officials and members of the Nigerian diplomatic corps ahead of the official ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 17, at the GLC Stadium in Nongo.

The inauguration of President Doumbouya follows his victory in the December 2025 general elections, signalling the formal end of a four-year military transition.

The Vice President’s attendance at the inauguration affirms Nigeria’s leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its commitment to the restoration of constitutional order across the sub-region.

Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Nigeria has continued to position itself as a stabilising force, advocating for democratic governance as a prerequisite for regional prosperity.