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SDG: Nigeria Off-Track by 60 percent, UN Laments
SDG: Nigeria Off-Track by 60 percent, UN Laments
By: Michael Mike
United Nations has decried that Nigeria is currently off-track on nearly 60 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators, with gender inequality and the marginalization of Women and girls being a significant barrier to progress.
Speaking on Tuesday at a programme organised by the UN Women, “Closing the Gender Gap: Financing Solutions for SDG 5, a goal that serves as a critical accelerator for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, Mohamed Fall said:
“Gender equality is not just a goal in itself; it is a catalyst for progress across all SDGs, amplifying efforts in education, health, economic growth, climate action, peace and security.”
He added that: “As we gather today, it is crucial to reflect on the current state of our journey towards the SDGs. Nigeria, like many other nations, faces significant challenges in meeting these goals. According to the latest data, Nigeria is currently off-track on nearly 60% of the SDG indicators, with gender inequality and the marginalization of Women and girls being a significant barrier to progress.”
He lamented that: “Women and girls continue to experience disproportionate levels of poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and significant barriers to economic participation and decision-making.
“The status of women and girls in Nigeria highlights these challenges. Over 70% of women in rural areas lack access to basic education and healthcare. Nigeria ranks 130th out of 166 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, indicating severe disparities in economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment. Gender-based violence remains pervasive, affecting nearly one in three women. Women also represent less than 5% of Nigeria’s national parliament, reflecting significant underrepresentation in decision-making processes.”
Fall said: “Addressing these challenges requires a strategic and well-financed commitment to SDG 5. Funding SDG 5 can transform the lives of women and girls by providing access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. It can reduce gender-based violence through targeted programmes and legal reforms, ensuring a safer environment for all.
“Additionally, increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making will enable more inclusive governance, leading to more equitable policies that benefit the entire society.”
He noted that: “Within the UN System, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and cut across all strategic pillars. This underscores our collective commitment to mainstreaming gender perspectives into every aspect of our work, ensuring our efforts are holistic and inclusive.”
He said that: “The journey towards achieving the SDGs by 2030 is challenging, but it is not insurmountable. By leveraging the transformative power of SDG 5 and implementing gender-responsive budgeting practices, we can make significant strides in bridging the gender gap and fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria for all.”
On her part, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong: “It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on four strategic priorities: Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems; Women have income security, decent work and economic autonomy; All women and girls live a life free from all forms of violence; and Women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and benefit equally from the prevention of natural disasters and conflicts and humanitarian action.”
She said: “As we gather here today, we are reminded of the critical importance of SDG 5 in our collective efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive society. Gender equality is not just a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.”
She noted that: “The journey toward achieving SDG 5 has made significant strides, yet we acknowledge that substantial work remains, particularly in the area of financing. Ensuring adequate and targeted financial resources is crucial to closing the gender gaps that persist across various sectors in Nigeria.
“We also believe that Gender Responsive Budgeting provides a well-established policy approach to support the increased alignment of public resources with gender equality objectives.”
Senior Special Assistant to The President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said Nigeria’s strategic approach to the implementation of the SDGs can be seen at two different levels – National and Sub-national.
She explained that: “At the National level, we work closely with the Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to integrate the SDGs into their sectoral policies and plans. At the Sub-national level, we are working closely with the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mainstream the SDGs into their medium and long-term development policies and plans. This is our approach to Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) for the SDGs.”
She noted that: “Since 2016, the Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP (2017-2020); The Economic Sustainability Plan of 2020; The National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy of 2021; and Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021-2025) have all been inspired by the SDGs and the cardinal objectives of the immediate past administration. For example, the Medium term National Development Plan aims to unlock Nigeria’s potentials in all the sectors of the economy for an inclusive, broad-based and sustainable national development.”
She disclosed that: “As at 2021, total investment requirements for the National Development Plan (2021-2025) was estimated at N348.1 trillion, with public sector is expected to commit N49.7 trillion, while the organised private sector is expected to finance the balance of N298.3 trillion. Thus, the role of the private sector in financing sustainable development cannot be overemphasized.”
Orelope-Adefulire said: “As we approach the 2030 deadline, the need for robust monitoring and evaluation cannot be overemphasised. Periodic progress reports and Voluntary National Reviews will be needed to track progress or lack of it. As part of the transformative actions needed to deliver on the SDGs, current and future development partner support should refocus on strengthening the integrated approach to the implementation of the SDGs. This includes capacity strengthening and support towards the effective implementation of key initiatives to address the challenges associated with financing sustainable development.”
SDG: Nigeria Off-Track by 60 percent, UN Laments
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International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The international Police Academy (UNIPOL) has Appointed Deputy Commander General (DCG) Joseph Icha,
Director Training and Manpower Development, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
A statement from the academy’s management stated that “the academy proudly announces the appointment of
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
“This appointment recognizes
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA. exceptional contributions to national security, law enforcement leadership, and international cooperation.”
Icha has served the Agency in various Senior Management capacities as Principal Staff Officer, Assistant State Commander, Assistant Director, State Commander, and Deputy Director among others, with commendations.
The new international counter narcotics boss has attended several law enforcement courses on Drug Supply Suppression and Drug Demand Reduction within and outside the country.
“He is a Master Trainer with the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) in Drug Law Enforcement intelligence led investigation strategies and Criminal Intelligence. ” said the statement.
Joseph Icha has facilitated training programmes on behalf of UNODC to various law enforcement agencies in the country.
DCG Joseph Icha is a Law Enforcement Operative, mentor, curriculum designer, and advisor per excellence.
He is also a member of several international professional Organizations and currently is the Director Training and Manpower Development of NDLEA.
This important appointment was pronounced under the leadership of Dr. Alexander Jan M (Hany El Zahar), Executive Director, Founder, and CEO of the International Police Academy – UNIPOL, and IPA President (Rtd.) Senior Superintendent of Police Shuaib Adam HSC OLY VJ, International Director of Law Enforcement, Police, and Military, with the support of Prof. Yuval Binstoc (IPA) and Sir Junustia Brecen.
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Plateau State Accountant General Naanret Manset has said that it was not true that Plateau state has refused to comply with the deadline given to states for the submission of 2024 audited financial statements.
Reacting to a report published recently, the accountant general in a statement noted that “the attention of the Office of the Accountant-General of Plateau State has been drawn to a publication by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) titled ‘It’s Past Deadline, 5 States Fail to Publish 2024 Financial Statements’, which wrongly lists Plateau State as one of the defaulters.”
Naanret Manset maintained that “For the record, Plateau State fully complied with all statutory timelines for the preparation, audit, and publication of its 2024 audited financial statements
“Submitted same to the Auditor-General in May, 2025 which is within the stipulated period of 6 months.
“Audit completed in June, 2025 and forwarded to the House of Assembly which is also within the stipulated period of 3 months.
“Approved by the House of Assembly
Published online on 27 July 2025, below the legal timeline of 9 months.
The audited report is publicly available here:
“We urge FIJ to promptly correct their publication and remove Plateau State from the list of non-compliant states.
Plateau State remains committed to transparency, accountability, and timely financial reporting.” It noted.
The FIJ had recently published that six Nigerian states are yet to publish their audited financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year.
It revealed that five of such erring states have already past their statutorily implied deadlines which Plateau is saying is not true as it applies to them.
The publication had said that ” erring states are Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers.
“In Akwa Ibom’s case, its amended 2021 audit law gives the auditor general up to nine months to publish the report online after submitting it to the House of Assembly.
“The Accountant General has six months to present the books, followed by a 90-day audit and submission period.
” In the other five states, audit laws differ in the year they were enacted or updated, but the process is similar.
“The Accountant General must submit the financial documents to the audit office within three months after the financial year ends.
” The Auditor General is then required to audit the report, send it to the House of Assembly and publish it immediately.
“The Ogun State Audit Law (2021), Rivers State Audit Law (2021, as amended), Akwa Ibom State Audit Law (2021), Oyo State Audit Commission Law (2021) and Plateau State Audit Law (2021) all set out these requirements.
” In Rivers, however, publishing the audit is left to the discretion of the Auditor General.
“In past years, these states have published their audits between June and August. Some have also been ranked among the lowest in transparency.
” The CJID Openness Index, released in July 2024, placed all six in the bottom tier along with 10 others.”
Recently, FIJ reported Akwa Ibom’s repeated disregard for budgetary transparency despite binding provisions in its Fiscal Responsibility Law.
The FIJ report maintained that two states Yobe and Ekiti, scored above average for transparency and accountability in 2024, with 73 per cent and 54 per cent, according to the Sub national Audit Efficacy Index, published by the Paradigm Leadership Initiative.
The report noted that the annual assessment, which measures financial transparency and policy adoption across Nigeria’s state governments, shows a familiar trend: “stagnation or decline.”
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
Prof. Ribah clarifies stance on dialogue, says he does not support ransom or levies to bandits
…cautions against misrepresentation of position on dialogue with bandits…
By: Zagazola Makama
Prof. Abubakar Usman Ribah, a peace advocate and member of the Peace Committee, has cautioned social media users against misrepresenting his views on dialogue with bandits as a strategy for sustaining peace in the troubled North West Zone.
Ribah, in a video made available to newsmen on Wednesday, said his comments on dialogue had been twisted and circulated on Facebook, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), in ways that fuel misunderstanding and hostility.
He urged users to “fear God and stop changing the narrative to suit their own views,” stressing that selective quoting of his remarks was misleading and unfair.
“Social media users should fear God and stop changing the narrative that goes contrary to our own views. You are quoting a segment that suits your narratives, leaving out the rest, and continue to circulate it. That is misrepresentation,” Ribah said.
He explained that his position on dialogue was not in support of paying levies or ransoms to bandits but in favour of a government-led engagement that addresses the root causes of the conflict.
“We believe that fighting with guns only prolongs crises. For 10 years, it has not yielded results, and that is why we wanted to end it through dialogue.
“And the dialogue we are seeking is not the one where villagers go on their own to negotiate with bandits, pay levies in order to farm, or pay ransom to release family members. That type of dialogue is not sustainable. It is betrayal.
“The dialogue we support is the one led by government, where authorities can solve the pressing issues between farmers and herders, and address the needs and demands of all conflicting parties,” he said.
Ribah clarified that his advocacy for dialogue predated the current administration and had been consistent for more than seven years.
“This did not start with this government. I have been engaging in dialogue for over seven years. You can go through my pages. War cannot end war, but dialogue will, if both conflicting parties agree. This is what we are talking about,” he said.
The peace advocate dismissed allegations that he and other members of the Peace Committee were shielding or supporting bandits.
“Some are accusing us of supporting bandits, some are accusing us of giving them protection. But how can we protect bandits that are killing people? No way. What we want is to stop the bloodshed, where everyone will be allowed to go about his normal life,” he stressed.
Ribah further accused some social media commentators of being “conflict entrepreneurs,” whom he said benefitted from circulating negative reports of attacks.
“Some people benefit from telling negative stories of attacks. They are conflict entrepreneurs. We want them to focus on telling positive stories instead of dwelling on negativity,” he added.
The North West Zone, particularly Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina States, has for years been plagued by banditry, mass killings, abductions, and forced displacement, with government and stakeholders divided over the most effective approach to peacebuilding.
Prof. Ribah clarifies stance on dialogue, says he does not support ransom or levies to bandits
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
Prof. Ribah clarifies stance on dialogue, says he does not support ransom or levies to bandits
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