National News
Nigeria women less corrupt than men- Study

Nigeria women less corrupt than men- Study
By: Our Reporter
Nigerian women are less corrupt than men, a recently released study has shown.
The study was the issue of discussion at a workshop in Abuja on Monday, which brought together for the first time the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and several State Commissioners of Women Affairs with representatives of anti-corruption bodies to review the findings from the gender and corruption study and identify possible policy implications.
The key findings of the study, according to a statement by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), include that women are consistently less likely than men to pay bribes when coming into contact with public officials, and that female public officials are less likely to take bribes than their male colleagues.
The report also highlighted that, “body currency” (or sextortion) is perceived to be common in Nigeria, but related data remains scarce as victims are reluctant to come forward. Moreover, men were found to be more likely than women to employ bribery or nepotism when seeking public sector employment.
Based on these findings, the study concludes that increased gender equality and women empowerment in the public sector is likely to reinforce governance outcomes.
Cecile Tassin Pelzer, EU Head of Cooperation said: “A greater participation of women in public life is essential to the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace and democracy. Despite this, women are facing obstacles in their political participation. The ongoing reform process presents Nigeria with a unique opportunity to join the league of progressive nations in promoting gender equality”.
Representative of the Vice President of Nigeria, Maryam Uwais said: “Gender inequality interferes with the women’s ability to advance at all levels of politics and decision-making, thereby obstructing their access to political participation.
Corruption, according to the study, also disrupts efforts to combat different forms of violations, further marginalizing already vulnerable women living in poverty, putting basic public services and goods out of their reach, and leaving them lagging in the economic, social, and political development of their country”.
Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative said: “Gender must be mainstreamed in all efforts to strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption. This starts with having more women in leadership and decision-making positions. With only 3.8% of women’s representation in parliament across the state and national level in Nigeria, robust action needs to be taken to redress the declining state of women’s political representation, especially as Nigeria heads into the 2023 elections”.
Representative of the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Hadiza Zubairu, said: “We have taken the fight against corruption to the grassroot, encouraging all women to stand up for what is right and fight against corruption. We also encourage women at various levels to acquire skills, the knowledge to contribute to the national effort in the fight against corruption.
Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, Chairman Senate Committee on Anticorruption and Financial Crimes (ACFC) said: “Another thorny issue in the quest to be more gender sensitive is the ability for women to gain access to existing complaints mechanisms. For that to happen, we will continue to improve complaints mechanisms to become more gender sensitive.
“I am pleased to inform you that that opportunity to do this exists in a private member bill that I am sponsoring titled, The Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints Commission. This bill broadens the scope of the PCC by expanding its existing mandate”.
Representative of Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Mrs. Blessing Obidegwu said, “Gender inequality has affected our community, family and country as such the commission has developed a framework for women and youth engagement strategy. Through this we engage the public and the political class as well as the media to refrain from using derogatory remarks about women in their reporting”.
Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programs/Co-Founder, YIAGA said: “The Gender and Corruption report shows that the more women have access to tertiary education, it will make them more self-reliant as well as reduce the tendency for vote-buying”.
The workshop was held to mark the 2021 International Anti-Corruption Day and 16 Days of Activism in Nigeria, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Technical Unit on Governance and Anticorruption Reforms (TUGAR), UN Women, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, several State Commissioners of Women Affairs, women groups gathered in Abuja to discuss the gender dimensions of anti corruption in Nigeria.
The links between gender equality and anticorruption have become subject of policy debate in recent years culminating in a commitment by Member States at the 2021 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Corruption: “We will improve our understanding of the linkages between gender and corruption, including the ways in which corruption can affect women and men differently, and we will continue to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, including by mainstreaming it in relevant legislation, policy development, research, projects and programmes, as appropriate and in accordance with the fundamental principles of domestic law.”
In Nigeria several steps have been taken in order to implement this commitment, including the 2020 Gender and Corruption Study conducted by UNODC of the data emanating from the 2019 and the 2016 National Corruption Surveys.
Nigeria women less corrupt than men- Study
National News
We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged
By: Michael Mike
Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.
The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.
The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.
“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.
He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.
Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.
The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.
NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.
A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.
Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.
Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End
National News
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.
According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.
Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.
The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.
Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.
The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
National News
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.
It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.
Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.
“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.
“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.
He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
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