National News
NAPTIP to Establish Command in FCT to Tackle SGBV
NAPTIP to Establish Command in FCT to Tackle SGBV
By: Michael Mike
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said
the establishment of a Command in the Federal Capital Territory to tackle all cases of Violence Against Persons especially Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) within the nation’s capital.
Speaking in Abuja at the 2024 Stakeholder’s Coordination Meeting on the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and Corresponding State Laws, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello said:
“To further illustrate and solidify our commitment towards eradicating this social menace, I am glad to inform you that the Agency is proposing the establishment of a Command in the F.C.T to tackle all cases of Violence Against Persons especially SGBV within the nation’s capital. It is expected that the Command will enhance quicker response to SGBV cases, improve coordination among stakeholders, provide specialized support services for survivors and strengthen the investigation and prosecution of SGBV cases.”
The DG, who was represented by the Director of Research and Programme Development, Mr Josiah Emerole, said with the latest move, “We believe that this Command will serve as a model for other states and strengthen our collective efforts to eradicate SGBV within the F.C.T.”
On her expectations from the meeting, she said: “I also have the strong conviction that we will leave here with a renewed vision towards eradicating the ills associated with violence against persons and in turn make the country safer and more habitable.”
She stated that: “The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) remains committed to working with all States, the mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat of the FCT and the Civil Society Organisations in the implementation of these laws as this will improve the coordination and synergy needed to ensure the effective implementation and building a society where everyone sees violence in any manner as an anathema to societal growth.”
She charged that: “While wishing you fruitful deliberations, I implore all participants to see the fight against violence against persons as one we must win through collective engagement and actions. The days of working in silos are over and the time for better synergy is now and beginning from whatever we do in this room today.”
In her welcome remarks, the Acting Director, Violence Against Persons Department, NAPTIP, Mrs. Toyota Odugbesan while thanking the Ford Foundation for its support, said: “Today’s meeting is an important time for us, to connect, proffer guidance, reflect on our concerns, review major successes, identity gaps, discuss challenges, assess the level and effectiveness of interventions efforts and proffer recommendations and far-reaching strategies associated with the implementation of the VAPP Act 2015 and State Violence against Persons (Prohibition) interventions efforts in the country for future programming.”
She noted that: “The discussion today therefore will be an opportunity for us to engage on the results achieved and how we can better our activities towards achieving the vision of the Beijing Conference including SDG 5 (1-3) which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
“To speedily ensure an end to: all forms of discrimination, violence against women and girls, in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and other types of exploitation, all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
“We must therefore, increase the tempo of our current efforts to keep hope alive in protecting and upholding the rights of our vulnerable Women and Children across the Nation.”
NAPTIP to Establish Command in FCT to Tackle SGBV
National News
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
•••Says 4500 Students Deployed In Varsities In Nigeria In 2025
By: Michael Mike
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.
He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.
The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.
Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.
According to him, His Excellency, President Tinubu is very supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.
He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.
He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.
The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.
While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.
“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.
“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr President will do more for the region.
“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.
“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”
Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”
He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.
Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.
He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
National News
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
By: Michael Mike
The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.
The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.
He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).
He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).
Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).
The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.
Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
National News
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.
He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.
Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.
“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.
This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.
He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.
The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
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