National News
NHRC Boss Seeks Safe Environment For Women, Children
NHRC Boss Seeks Safe Environment For Women, Children
By, Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu has said all hands must be on deck to provide a safe environment for women and children to live in.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja against the backdrop of the killing of Hanifa Abubakar, a five year old pupil by the head teacher of her school, Ojukwu disclosed that in January alone the Commission has received so many complaints of heinous acts of human rights abuse meted on women and children across the country, “and we are just in the first month of the year, this is alarming” he added.
The NHRC Executive Secretary, while expressing his disappointment in the attitude of those who are entrusted with the safety of this vulnerable group of people but turn around to betray the trust,
called on perpetrators of violence against women and children to desist from the dastardly act, saying women and children need protection from all forms of harm.
The human rights disclosed that “presently we are making our interventions in several cases including the case of a man who allegedly murdered his three children in Enugu, the unfortunate incident of Hanifa who was also allegedly murdered by her handlers in cold blood in Kano, the case of Oromoni and several others across the states,” we will follow all these cases to logical conclusions and ensure that justice is served.”
The Executive Secretary also revealed that the commission has commenced intense investigation into the case of alleged rape and subsequent death of one 16-year-old Hajafani Aisha Umar in Borno. He lamented that women and children are being treated like endangered species by their abusers.
He said the Commission was shocked when the identity of the alleged rapist was made known, “Imagine, how can a humanitarian worker who is expected to provide protection for persons under his care allegedly behave in such a barbaric way? This is most unfortunate and unacceptable ”.
He disclosed that the Borno state office is in receipt of a formal complaint submitted by the family of the deceased, “this case and several others brought to us must not be swept under the carpet as we will investigate, unravel the truth and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book” he said.
The learned silk stressed that “we have directed our state coordinators to follow every step of the required investigations in all these cases and report back to the headquarters. We will give them all the support they need and we are calling all relevant stakeholders to give us their cooperation and support as well”.
“The Commission is grateful to all stakeholders who have cooperated with the commission both within the government and civil society to deal with these heinous violations of human rights. We continue to count on your maximum cooperation,” Ojukwu further said.
He lamented that despite the commission’s effort to consistently campaign against the monster of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the country, including the establishment of SGBV panel which heard cases in the six geopolitical zones of the country, the scourge is still on the rise. “On our part, we will leave no stone unturned in bringing perpetrators to book which will serve as a deterrent to intending abusers”
In another development, the NHRC boss has condemned the attack on one Jubril Sadi Mato (Ramadan), an 11-year-old Pre-Junior Student of Elkanemi College of Islamic Theology Maiduguri.
Ojukwu revealed that the commission has also commenced investigation into this matter. “I cannot imagine why a student would want to slit the throat of a fellow student with a razor blade, what justification does he have for engaging in this wanton torture? “There is no reason for this form of human rights violation by anyone, big or small. This unfortunately shows how conscience and the sense of empathy of even young people have been brutalized by the constant violence in the polity.
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The visibly sad Senior Advocate expressed his displeasure at the incessant violent attacks on children who are kept under the custody of school authorities. He said “The incidence of violence against children in schools is alarming and on the increase all over the country, today it is Silvester, tomorrow Hanifa and the next Jubril, we need to make children feel safe and have confidence in our school system and the society to protect them.
While calling on school authorities to take seriously the responsibility of protection of students in their care, he urged the government to place serious sanctions on schools with records of human rights violations including child abuse and molestation as this could help protect the right to education of children wherever they may be. The commission will commence monitoring schools to ensure the protection of the rights of children to education. Schools who constantly have a bad record of inadequate protection mechanisms for children will be blacklisted by the Commission. Schools are expected to have in place SGBV guidelines and policies for the protection of children within their care, Ojukwu said.
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
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