National News
SGBV, a Global Pandemic Requiring Coordinated Action for Security of Women and Children – EU, UN Women
SGBV, a Global Pandemic Requiring Coordinated Action for Security of Women and Children – EU, UN Women
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) Women and European Union have described sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) as a global pandemic that requires fundamental and coordinated action that would guarantee the safety and security of vulnerable women and children across the world.
Delivering her goodwill message at the Strategy and Knowledge Sharing Workshop on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) for First-Time First Ladies in Nigeria organized by UN Women, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS,
Samuela Isopi said: “As we all know, sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) is a global pandemic that requires fundamental and coordinated action that would guarantee the safety and security of vulnerable women and children across the world.”
Isopi, who was represented by the Acting Head of Development Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Ruben Alba Aguilera noted that: “In Nigeria, the European Union continues to highlight the importance of the fight against SGBV through our political engagement with the government, and our development cooperation support in collaboration with like-minded partners and key stakeholders.
Our two flagship SGBV programmes; the Spotlight Initiative and the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) Programme, have been quite instrumental in advancing this agenda. With a global envelope of 500 million Euros, the Spotlight Initiative is a clear demonstration of the EU’s commitment towards addressing SGBV. As the Spotlight Initiative comes to an end next month, a new SGBV programme is now in the pipeline, and we hope implementation can begin in 2024.
She said the European Union has been pleased to see an appraisal of the landmark achievements made, such as the adoption of relevant legal framework at state level, the establishment of more sexual assault referral centres and shelters, the launch of a national sex offender register as well as designation of SGBV courts by the judiciary. These are just some of the critical milestones achieved in the fight against SGBV in Nigeria.
She however said: “Moving forward, we simply cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Lessons have been learned over the years and many more challenges remain. Whether in establishing clear and efficient referral pathways for survivors of SGBV, or securing funding for designated institutions, speedy prosecution of cases, training of front line workers or inter agency collaboration and coordination.
We hope that this meeting serves to further prioritise SGBV intervention as well as raise public awareness on what we consider to be one of the most heinous crimes in our society. We also hope that this meeting will explore ways to continue raising a call to action that asks everyone to take concrete steps to question, call out, and speak up against acts of gender-based violence (GBV).
Isopi noted that the EU has contributed over a billion naira in support of the fight against SGBV across the country and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders in supporting adequate legislative instruments, targeted healthcare and responsive policies aimed at addressing the issue.
She added that: “We urge the government to take ownership by allocating more funding and ensuring that the SGBV designated institutions have all they require to address the needs of the people. Sexual Assault Referral Centres and specialised SGBV courts are best practices, and as the new administration both at states and federal level begin to settle in their various roles, we need to set the SGBV agenda so that they begin to give this the much-needed focus that it deserves.
In her keynote remarks, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong said the two-day workshop is one of the critical interventions of the joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative which seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and harmful practices through women’s movement building to work together, provide support and resources towards addressing the causes and effects of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
She said: “We are confident about sustainability of the collaboration between the EU and the UN in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 which seeks to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment through addressing violence and all forms of discrimination against women and girls
“1 in 3 women have experienced violence. Globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence – 26% of women aged 15 and older have been subjected to intimate partner violence.”
She added that: “Although globally we have decreased maternal mortality, child marriage in the past decade, violence against women and girls, as you can see from these statistics remains pervasive, today almost one in five (19 per cent) in 2022 compared to 1 in 4 ten years ago have experienced child marriage. Irrespective, one girl is too many!
She noted that SGBV is one of the most significant human rights’ violations in today’s world, insisting that: “These violations have public health implications and negatively impact on the social, economic and political development of our society. In 2021, gender-based violence across the European Union was estimated to cost around EUR 366 billion a year. Violence against women specifically makes up 79 per cent of this cost, amounting to EUR 289 billion
“It is for this reason UN Women through the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative has enhanced engagement of the private sector to address violence against women and girls in the workplace and society through a private sector-led GBV Fund and uptake in the UN Global Compact and UN Women’s Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). Excellencies, your offices present an invaluable opportunity to shape private sector’s influence on pervasiveness of violence in society. We call on you to continue challenging private sector entities to adopt policies to address violence.”
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum and the First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq said there is need to continue with frequent sensitization on SGBV in order to have a road map to follow.
SGBV, a Global Pandemic Requiring Coordinated Action for Security of Women and Children – EU, UN Women
National News
Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector
Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector
By: Michael Mike
Stakeholders from government, industry and the diplomatic community have intensified efforts to mobilise investment and modern technology to strengthen Nigeria’s food processing and packaging sector, as the 11th edition of Agrofood Nigeria concluded in Lagos.
The push was highlighted during a networking event hosted by the German Consulate General Lagos, where Nigerian agribusiness stakeholders, German exhibitors and members of the German diplomatic and business community discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration across Nigeria’s agri-food value chain.
Speaking at a press briefing, the German Consul General in Lagos, Daniel Krull, said strengthening agriculture and food processing is central to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and food security.
Krull noted that improving the country’s food processing capacity would not only reduce post-harvest losses but also stimulate industrial growth, create jobs and enhance Nigeria’s ability to meet domestic food demand.
He pointed to Germany’s global strength in food processing technology as evidence of how innovation can transform agricultural output into competitive products.
According to him, Germany remains Europe’s largest exporter of coffee despite not cultivating the crop domestically, a feat made possible through advanced processing technology and value-addition capabilities that tailor products to consumer needs.
“Agriculture and food processing are key to addressing food insecurity and unlocking economic potential. Technology and innovation will play a decisive role in enabling Nigeria to fully harness these opportunities,” Krull said.
The annual exhibition, organised by German trade fair company fairtrade Messe GmbH, brings together players across the entire food value chain—from food production and ingredient manufacturing to processing equipment, packaging technologies and finished product distribution.
Managing Director of fairtrade Messe, Paul März, described the event as a vital marketplace where businesses across Nigeria and West Africa connect with global technology providers.
“It is a meeting point and market place where industry meets once a year for Nigeria and West African countries to come to Lagos to discuss products with exhibitors,” he said.
Now in its 11th year in Nigeria, the exhibition featured 137 companies from 17 countries presenting equipment and technological solutions aimed at strengthening food production, processing and packaging.
Since 2017, the fair has also hosted an official German Pavilion supported by the German Government, providing a platform for German manufacturers to showcase advanced machinery designed to improve Nigeria’s food processing capacity.
Organisers said the initiative is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s food self-sufficiency by introducing technologies that reduce dependence on imported food products while encouraging domestic production and industrialisation.
März said the exhibition has already contributed to noticeable improvements in Nigeria’s food processing ecosystem, particularly in the area of packaging and the development of new supply chains.
However, he stressed that significant gaps remain, especially in packaging technology needed to extend shelf life and meet international export standards.
According to him, several companies participating in the fair have already sold machines for sachet packaging, milk powder processing, PET bottling and recycling to Nigerian businesses.
“With its long-term approach, Agrofood will continue to hold yearly in Nigeria to provide even more solutions to existing problems such as food safety, recycling and processing,” he said.
Krull also highlighted Germany’s broader economic engagement with Nigeria, revealing that Germany currently maintains a development portfolio of about €570 million in the country.
He explained that beyond trade exhibitions, the German government supports Nigerian businesses through technical advisory services, vocational education and training programmes as well as financing opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises.
These include credit facilities and financial support windows facilitated through the German Desk at Access Bank, which provides funding options for businesses seeking to invest in food processing technology.
German companies already operating in Nigeria are also investing heavily in workforce training to ensure local staff can operate and maintain advanced industrial equipment, thereby strengthening technology transfer.
While acknowledging challenges confronting Nigeria’s agri-food sector—including insecurity, financing constraints, regulatory issues and energy shortages—Krull stressed that such obstacles should not deter stakeholders from taking decisive action.
He said Nigeria possesses the natural resources, entrepreneurial capacity and market potential needed to achieve significant growth in the food processing sector if investment, technology and policy support are effectively aligned.
By connecting entrepreneurs, investors and technology providers, he added, initiatives like Agrofood Nigeria could play a pivotal role in accelerating the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
Germany, Agrofood Fair Drive Investment and Technology for Nigeria’s Food Processing Sector
Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday received a high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in a visit that observers say comes at a politically sensitive moment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The delegation was led by the President of the foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity division, Hari Menon, and included senior officials of the organisation’s Nigeria office. The team briefed the vice president on the foundation’s ongoing programmes and partnerships in Nigeria.
Posting on his verified Facebook page after the meeting, Shettima commended the foundation for its long-standing support to Nigeria in critical sectors such as health, agriculture and development.
“Yesterday, I received in audience a delegation of the Gates Foundation led by the President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, Mr. Hari Menon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,” the vice president said.
“In my interaction with the delegation, I applauded the Gates Foundation for sustaining investments and humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Indeed, the Foundation remains the nation’s strategic partner in the drive to change the Nigerian narrative.”
The visit comes amid growing political conversations about the composition of the ruling ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election and whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will retain Shettima as his running mate.
Although the meeting was officially centred on development cooperation, political watchers say the timing has drawn attention within policy and political circles, especially given the influence of the foundation founded by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
Sources familiar with the engagement said discussions focused largely on the foundation’s interventions in Nigeria, including programmes aimed at improving public health, expanding agricultural productivity and supporting vulnerable populations.
During his visit to Nigeria, Menon also held diplomatic engagements, including a visit to the Indian High Commission where he met with the ambassador, Abhishek Singh.
The Gates Foundation has operated in Nigeria since 2000 and has been a key partner in several national initiatives, particularly in immunisation campaigns, disease control, nutrition and agricultural development. The organisation marked 25 years of its presence in the country in 2025.
Despite its extensive development footprint, some of the foundation’s programmes have occasionally attracted debate in Nigeria, particularly around issues such as genetically modified crops, vaccination initiatives and population policies.
Analysts say that as political alignments gradually begin ahead of 2027, high-profile international engagements by key government figures may increasingly attract attention beyond their immediate development objectives.
Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin
2027: Bill Gates Joins Campaign, Supports Shettima
By:Michael Mike
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has received a highly anticipated support to continue as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election from chairman of the Gates Foundation, Bill Gates.
The unusual support according to sources knowledgeable about the matter is a lifeline for the embattled vice president.
Shettima, whose fate as Tinubu’s running mate has been dangling in the balance received the boost after a delegation from Gates Foundation led by the president, Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO), Hari Menon visited Shettima at the Villa on Wednesday.
According to a post on the vice president’s verified Facebook page, the delegation which also included members of the foundation in Nigeria briefed the VP on its activities in Nigeria .
” Yesterday, I received in audience a delegation of the Gates Foundation, led by the President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, Mr. Hari Menon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
” In my interaction with the delegation, I applauded the Gates Foundation for sustaining investments and humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Indeed, the Foundation remains the nation’s strategic partner in the drive to change the Nigerian narrative, ” Shettima said.
However, the meeting between the vice president and Bill Gates team had another purpose, to pass a vote of confidence on the VP in order to convince President Tinubu to retain him s running mate.
” There have been calls for the president to drop Shettima because of his political baggage and alleged links to the insurgency in the Northeast. Most of the pressure is coming from the United States that currently have soldiers on the ground in nigeria, providing support for the Nigerian military.
” What better way to shore up support than to bring the biggest philanthropist to Nigeria in order to prove that he still hs some international connections, ” the source said.
In his visit to Nigeria, Menon who is of Indian heritage also visited the Indian High Commission to Nigeria, meeting with the ambassador, Abhishek Singh.
The Gates Foundation has been active in Nigeria since 2000 and it celebrated its 25th years in the country last year. Activities of the foundation has also come under scrutiny for many years especially it’s support for population control, Genetically Modified Organisms in agriculture and questionable polio immunisation.
2027: Bill Gates Joins Campaign, Supports Shettima
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