National News

Obasanjo, Sultan advises National Assembly to revisit rejected gender bills

Published

3 years ago

March 18, 2022

News Net Global

Obasanjo, Sultan advises National Assembly to revisit rejected gender bills

By: Michael Mike

Former Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar has supported the ongoing call for the revisit of the gender bills rejected by the National Assembly.

Speaking at the UN Women Officially Launch of New Women’s Political Participation project and Advocates for the Gender Bills in Abuja on Thursday night, both leaders said the bills would further the development plans of Nigeria and should be supported by all and sundry.

Obasanjo, who was represented by the Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief Alaba Lawson at the occasion said Nigeria as a regional and global leader has a standard of setting role to demonstrate democracy and good governance and this must not be jettisoned.

The former president added that: “Sadly today Nigeria has the lowest representation of women in elected office in Africa, under 5 percent in national and state assemblies and this is contrary to African Union standard prescription which is 50/50 representation of women and men in political office.

“The ongoing constitutional review process is an opportunity to revisit this and remove the gender based discrimination that impede women and girls from accessing and enjoying their full rights as citizens in Nigeria.”

He insisted that the five gender amendments proposed in the constitution are very pertinent and should be supported by not only the lawmakers but all Nigerian who want the country not only to maintain it’s position as a regional and continental leader but also want development for Nigeria.

He said this bills will raise a more level playing field for women to participate in politics and public life, noting that: “Nigeria needs all hands on deck for this deep seated development challenges. Evidence confirms that increase women participation in the political sphere and leadership helps build safer and more stable society, and when women are in decision making position more inclusive and innovative decisions are made.”

Lawson said on her part she would want to add that women are not competing with men but rather want to cooperate and collaborate with men to ensure things are working well.

The Sultan of Sokoto who was represented by the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Yamusa III said the Holy Koran granted women and girls rights and also outlaw cruel and unlawful practices against them.

He said there are verses in the Holy Koran and in the books of the Prophets that guarantee rights for women. He emphasized that in the Holy books women are seen as partners to men.

The Sultan, who is the spiritual head of Muslim in the country also noted that this partnership is above matrimonial and extend to the public sphere.

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To buttress his point, he said “one of the longest chapters in the Holy Koran is dedicated to issues of women and girls”, asking “why not in Nigerian constitution?”

He said: “I am calling on members of the Senate and the House of Representatives including the general public to support the bills for they are in our interest and the interest of our country.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Comfort Lamptey, said the SDG Goal 5.5 on promoting gender equality is to: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life”; requires Member States to ensure implementation and achievement of the set targets of this goal by the set deadline of 2030. Nigeria is signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals and UN Women as part of the United Nations stands resolutely behind Nigeria towards fulfilling the 2030 agenda.”

Lamptey noted that: “The objective of the ADVANCE project is to strengthen Nigerian women’s inclusion and representation in decision-making and public life. Building on the groundwork laid by UN Women and partners in support of legislative reforms, including the constitutional review process, the program will intensify efforts to pass gender-progressive legislation and strengthen the capacities of women aspirants, candidates, as well as women elected to political office. The project will further apply lessons learned from previous political and electoral cycles, to support effective coordination among multiple stakeholders and partners to enhance this work agenda.”

She said: “Recognizing the breadth of Nigeria as a nation and the need to ensure all women and girls are actively engaged in decision-making, particularly as we approach the 2023 elections, the project focuses on six target states: Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kwara as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The significance and timeliness of this program cannot be understated. Nigeria has a standard setting role to play as a leading democracy in Africa. This means that half of its population must have an equal voice in steering this country toward economic, political, and social stability.”

She lamented that: “As it stands, and despite the tireless efforts of women and some critical male allies, Nigeria lags severely behind other African nations for women’s representation in democratic governance. Nigerian women constitute less than 5% of elected members at the National Assembly. In State Assemblies, the figure is 4.43% and for ministerial appointments it stands at 16.2%.”

She said: “The action taken by the House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker of the House, to rescind its decision on three gender-related bills is the correct course of action. The bills in question are around: citizenship, indigeneship and, as it relates directly to women’s representation, the bill on affirmative action.”

Lamptey noted that: “Indeed, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Tunisia and Senegal have all adopted constitutions and other national laws that provide for equal rights and opportunities, including the Special Seats or Proportional Representation System.”

Obasanjo, Sultan advises National Assembly to revisit rejected gender bills

National News

VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

Published

8 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

By: Michael Mike

Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.

The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.

In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.

“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.

“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.

The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.

Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.

Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.

VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

National News

Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

Published

8 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

By: Michael Mike

The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.

A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.

“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”

According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.

The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.

Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.

Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

National News

Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

Published

8 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

…. Donates relief materials to displaced persons in Yelwata, IDP camp

By: Michael Mike

Former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has charged former governors, legislators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Benue state to set aside rivalry, unite and act with urgency to save their people from incessant attacks and killings.

Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and Principal Partner, Brookfield Chambers Abuja stated this on Saturday 28th June 2025 while donating relief materials to victims of the recent gunmen attacks in Yelwata community and displaced persons at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.

Some of the items donated under the banner of Women, Youth, Children and Crime Organisation (WYCCO), a non-governmental organization founded by her, include: bags of rice, sugar, tubers of yam and other household items.

She said: “This is no time for division. It is no time for political squabbling or ego-driven manoeuvring. Among us are men and women who have led this state — former governors, legislators, traditional rulers — individuals with influence and authority. The time has come to set aside our differences and stand united, for the sake of the ordinary Benue man, woman, and child.

“That is why I stand here today to make this urgent and heartfelt appeal to our leaders: cast aside rivalry, unite, and act. Act with urgency. Act with purpose. Because what we face now increasingly resembles a deliberate, coordinated effort to erase our people and our heritage.

“We must take heed of the words of Sir Winston Churchill, who once said:
‘Our difficulties and dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them.’
Another of Churchill’s warnings is just as relevant to our present predicament:
‘If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed… you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.”

Waziri, while stating that her call was a build up to the earlier proposal by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit Beforehand Benue, noted that meetings alone would not solve the problem, urging that: “But let us be sincere: peace will not come from meetings alone. To end the cycle of violence, we must confront its roots. Before the Yelwata massacre, communities in Gwer West, Apa, and Guma had already endured weeks of killings, kidnappings, and raids. These horrors did not emerge in a vacuum; they are symptoms of deeper issues.

“We must therefore confront the real causes — ethnic and religious tensions, unchecked banditry, and the rise of cultism as well as the abuse of illicit drugs. These forces must be tackled, along with the herder-farmer conflict, with honesty and courage. We cannot afford to keep going in circles. And there is no room for blame games. Our leaders — and indeed, all of us — must be pragmatic. So today, let us commit, as one people, to healing our wounds, reclaiming our land, and ensuring that never again will a child in Benue grow up in a camp instead of a home”

She said the development in Benue must be of “concern to all sons and daughters of Benue regardless of whether we live within its borders or far away in the diaspora to find out the root cause of these attacks with a view to proferring solutions that will bring an end to these barbaric acts”

Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People