Gombe, UNICEF launch centre to support sexual violence survivors

The Gombe State Government, with UNICEF support, has inaugurated a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) to assist survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Speaking at the Gombe Specialist Hospital on Friday, Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, described the initiative as a significant step in combating sexual violence.

Represented by Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, Jatau said the centre provided a safe space for medical, psychological, and legal support for survivors.

He added the centre would act as a one-stop facility, offering a wide range of essential services to victims.

According to him, the centre is equipped with basic facilities, including a counselling room, pharmacy store, and laboratory.

Jatau urged traditional and community leaders to report sexual violence cases promptly, noting: “The centre can only function when people are brought in.”

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said the centre would restore hope to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the state.

She emphasised that sexual violence has serious psychological effects, requiring attention beyond immediate treatment.

Rafique described the centre as a critical part of child protection integrated into healthcare services.

She stressed that abuse of children and gender-based violence must be prevented, not just treated after occurrence.

“Although the centre is vital for saving lives and mental health, preventing abuse in the community is more important.

She called on community leaders to promote prevention rather than wait for cases to be referred to the centre.

Rafique urged engagement of grassroots stakeholders and awareness campaigns, noting most perpetrators are neighbours or family members.

“We must educate communities on how parents should protect their children.

“This is not unique to Gombe; I have seen abuse in children as young as six months across five states.

“These harmful practices must end so survivors are helped, and future generations are protected,” she said.

Dr Sambo Dawa Medical Director, Gombe Specialist Hospital, said the hospital has treated survivors through its SGBV unit since 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, between 2021 and 2025, the unit assisted 645 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

The survivors’ ages ranged from 1 to 24 years: 55 were 1–4, 133 were 5–9, 196 were 10–14, 150 were 15–19, and 111 were 20–24.

Male survivors totalled 119 (18.4 per cent), while females numbered 526 (81.6 per cent) of the total cases.

Regarding perpetrators, 174 survivors (26.9 per cent) were abused by family members, 325 (50.4 per cent) by neighbours, and 146 (22.6 per cent) by strangers.

On types of violence, 531 cases (82.3 per cent) were sexual, while 114 (17.7 per cent) were physical abuse.

Dawa noted that most cases came from rural areas (574), with 71 reported from urban centres.

Gombe, UNICEF launch centre to support sexual violence survivors

Chidoka Advocates Single-Term Presidency to Strengthen Governance Focus

By: Michael Mike

Former Aviation Minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Osita Chidoka, has called on Nigeria to adopt a single-term presidential system, arguing that the country’s current two-term arrangement fuels continuous electioneering and weakens effective governance.

Chidoka made the proposal during the Nigeria Leadership Series virtual town hall organised by the Africa Leadership Group. The event, themed “Nigeria, 2026 and Beyond,” was hosted by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, President of the Group, and brought together policy experts, civic leaders, and citizens to examine Nigeria’s governance trajectory.

According to Chidoka, prolonged political cycles leave little room for sustained reforms, as leaders are often preoccupied with re-election strategies rather than long-term development planning.

He pointed to countries such as Mexico, where a constitutionally defined single-term presidency has helped limit political distractions and encourage leaders to focus on delivery within a fixed timeframe.

He noted that Nigeria has already shifted national attention toward the 2027 general elections, despite 2026 still being a crucial year for governance.

He said: “Life does not stop because elections are approaching,” stressing that education, healthcare, and security challenges persist regardless of the political calendar.

In his presentation, Chidoka identified deep-seated structural problems constraining Nigeria’s progress. These include weak institutional systems that rely heavily on individual integrity, the dominance of emotional politics over data-driven decision-making, and a growing crisis of trust between the government and citizens, especially among young people.

He warned that relying solely on moral leadership without building strong systems often leads to disappointment and policy inconsistency. Instead, he argued for institutions that can deliver results irrespective of who is in power.

Looking ahead to 2026, Chidoka urged the government to approach security challenges with clear systems and strategies rather than rhetoric, deepen economic reforms beyond surface-level policies, and strengthen human capital development through measurable accountability. He also criticised recurring gaps between approved budgets and actual implementation, calling for closer alignment between public spending and national priorities.

Describing himself as optimistic about Africa’s future, Chidoka said Nigeria possesses immense creative and human potential that can be unlocked through purposeful governance. He said harnessing this energy could help the country evolve into a society where opportunity is widely shared and oppression reduced.

Participants at the town hall praised Chidoka’s analysis and urged citizens to remain actively engaged in national conversations. Chidoka concluded by encouraging Nigerians not to withdraw from civic life, emphasising that evidence-based engagement and accountability are vital to restoring public trust and national direction.

Chidoka Advocates Single-Term Presidency to Strengthen Governance Focus

Marwa Sets 2026 Operational Agenda, Orders NDLEA Commanders to Dismantle Drug Cartels Nationwide

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), has unveiled an ambitious operational roadmap for 2026, directing commanders across the country to intensify efforts aimed at dismantling drug cartels and expanding nationwide sensitization against substance abuse.

Marwa gave the directive during the agency’s annual review and strategic planning meeting held at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja. The high-level meeting brought together the agency’s top leadership, including members of management, zonal commanders, commanders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as heads of seaports, international airports, marine units, strike force and special operations formations.

Addressing the gathering, the NDLEA boss said the agency had entered 2026 on a strong operational footing, building on the record-breaking seizures, arrests and convictions recorded in previous years.

He stressed that while notable progress had been made, the agency must avoid complacency and instead focus on consolidating and expanding its gains.

According to Marwa, the operational focus for 2026 will centre on two critical pillars: drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction. He explained that beyond intercepting illicit drugs, the agency must aggressively disrupt the financial and logistical networks that sustain drug trafficking organisations across the country.

He charged commanders to adopt intelligence-driven operations, improve surveillance, and ensure careful planning before executing any enforcement action. Marwa warned that compromise, indiscipline and unprofessional conduct would not be tolerated, emphasizing that operational integrity remains non-negotiable.

The NDLEA chairman commended officers and men of the agency for their dedication and resilience, noting that their performance over the past five years had significantly improved the agency’s public image and international standing. He attributed the renewal of his tenure by the President to the collective efforts of commanders and operatives on the field.

Marwa also highlighted the growing importance of advocacy and public enlightenment in addressing drug abuse, particularly among young people. He noted that sensitization programmes in schools, communities and workplaces had recorded encouraging results but insisted that such efforts must be expanded and sustained in 2026.

He also directed commanders to strengthen State Drug Control Committees across the federation, ensuring that they are functional not only at state level but also at local government and ward levels. He described grassroots engagement as critical to winning the fight against substance abuse.

Reassuring Nigerians, Marwa said the NDLEA remains fully committed to safeguarding families and communities from the devastating effects of illicit drugs. He warned drug traffickers that there would be no operational gaps or safe havens for their activities in 2026.

He further called on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting the agency with credible information, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse requires collective national responsibility.
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