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U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria Confers “Woman of Courage” award toMs. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo

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U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria Confers “Woman of Courage” award to
Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo

By: Michael Mike

The United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria has named the Executive Director of Braveheart Initiative for Youth and Women (BHI), Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo as its 2024 Woman of Courage.

According to a statement from the embassy on Wednesday, the March 27 award ceremony in Abuja recognized Ms. Usiobaifo’s two decades of unwavering contribution to reforming laws and dismantling socio-cultural norms perpetuating gender-based violence in Nigeria.

In his remarks at the award ceremony, Art Brown, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, said preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence is a cornerstone of the United States government’s commitment to promoting democracy and advancing human rights, as it works with Nigerian partners to dismantle the barriers and impediments to gender equality.

“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Invest in women: accelerate progress.’ I’m proud of the United States government’s longstanding investment in women. Together with the government of Nigeria and our local partners, we’ve made significant investments in the lives of Nigerian women and girls, particularly in health, enterprise, and ending all forms of gender-based violence.”

The statement read: “The U.S. Embassy conferred the award as part of activities celebrating the 2024 Women History Month, in keeping with the U.S. government’s commitment to recognize and celebrate individuals who are advancing gender equality and equity.

“This year’s International Women’s Day theme calls on all stakeholders to prioritize women and girls. Ending all forms of gender-based violence requires a whole-of-society approach to address the deep-seated socio-cultural norms underlying gender-based violence in Nigeria. Today, we’re delighted to celebrate and amplify the work of a woman who is a fierce advocate for women’s rights,” said Brown.

Awardee Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo, in her acceptance speech, thanked the U.S. Mission for spotlighting her work and pledged to do more for women and girls: “Young women, especially those who work in rural communities, can be unrecognized because of the locality of the work that we do. But here I am today as a testament that no matter where you are and where you do your work, your work speaks, and it speaks very loudly. I want to see this as a spur to do more for women for girls, for children in marginalized communities in Nigeria. I hope that an award like this will inspire government to become more accountable to their citizens and to promote justice for survivors of gender-based violence in Nigeria.

Senate Committee Chairperson on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, commended the U.S. Embassy for the recognition, adding that it would motivate other young women to continue to do their best.

FCT Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, Mrs. Dayo Benjamin-Laniyi, congratulated Ms. Usiobaifo for her courage and reiterated the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory to end gender-based violence.

The Woman of Courage award recognizes women who have taken unusual risks, surmounted significant obstacles, challenged harmful practices, and/or fought discrimination or disinformation in their efforts to defend and promote progress in their societies.

U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria Confers “Woman of Courage” award to
Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo

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Teenage girl arrested over death of woman in Kaduna altercation

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Teenage girl arrested over death of woman in Kaduna altercation

By: Zagazola Makama

An 18-year-old girl, Faiza Abdullahi, has been taken into custody following the death of a woman, Hajara Bashir, during a domestic altercation in the Kabala Costain area of Kaduna metropolis.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred on Friday night during a dispute involving Faiza and a 13-year-old boy, Khalifa Abubakar Bashir, a resident of the same Kamfanin Kobo neighbourhood.

During the altercation, Hajara Bashir, the mother of the teenage boy, intervened in an attempt to defend her son. In the process, Faiza reportedly held Hajara by the neck, leading to her sudden collapse.

She was rushed to a nearby clinic for urgent medical attention, but was pronounced dead by a medical doctor at about 10:14 p.m.

Following the incident, Faiza was arrested and detained by the police while the deceased’s body was released to her family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, after they declined a post-mortem examination.

Police say further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the altercation are ongoing.

Teenage girl arrested over death of woman in Kaduna altercation

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Illegal arms factory uncovered in Kaduna, four arrested

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Illegal arms factory uncovered in Kaduna, four arrested

By: Zagazola Makama

An illegal firearms fabrication site has been uncovered in Giroji Village, Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leading to the arrest of four individuals suspected to be involved in the production and distribution of locally made weapons.

Zagazola Makama gathered from security sources that the discovery followed credible intelligence on suspicious activity around a residential building in the area, which prompted swift action by surveillance operatives.

Two suspects, Shuaibu Abubakar, 35, and Ismail Shuaibu, 18, both from Unguwar Mani Danshoshiya in Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State, were caught in the act of fabricating firearms and cartridges.

A search of the premises resulted in the recovery of: Three locally made firearms, three skeletal gun frames, 14 cartridges, five T.06 live ammunition, Bench vice machine, Filing machine, Welding machine, Binding wire, Several iron rods and pipes and a bunch of keys.

Further investigation led to the arrest of two others Hassan Ibrahim, of Giroji Village, and Murtala Yakubu, of Kari in Makarfi. Both men were identified as members of a local vigilante group.

The four suspects have reportedly provided useful information regarding the extent of their operations, and the matter has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

The discovery is expected to boost ongoing efforts aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal weapons and addressing security challenges in the region.

Illegal arms factory uncovered in Kaduna, four arrested

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Nigeria’s Revenue from Royalty in Mining Sector now N38 billion, Says NSCDC

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Nigeria’s Revenue from Royalty in Mining Sector now N38 billion, Says NSCDC

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has laid claim to increasing the revenue base of the country in the mining sector from N6 billion to N38 billion from payment of royalty.

The Corps, while rolling out its score card in its performance of statutory mandate of protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, said over 1000 illegal mining sites across the country have dismantled leading to increase of the revenue base of the country in the mining sector from N6 billion to N38 billion from payment of royalty.

The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, disclosed this in a keynote address delivered during a second CG’s Quarterly Conference held in Abuja.

The CG’s quarterly Conference comprises very Principal Management Staff Officers which includes: Deputy Commandant Generals, Assistant Commandant Generals and Commandants of Corps.

The CG also announced the decentralisation of mining operations from national to zonal commands and commissioned 10 operational vehicles to boost mining operational activities.

He charged the six Zonal Commanders to work in synergy with the National Mining Commander in order to ensure safety of licensed operators and provide security around mining sites.

They are also to arrest, investigate and prosecute illegal operators for violation of mining laws as Nigeria is not a dumping ground and must be cleared of activities of illegal miners, he added.

On food security, the NSCDC helmsman tasked participants to the meeting to ensure adequate deployment of personnel for security of farming activities, noting that Agro Rangers duties is a responsibility which must be carried out in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘renewed hope agenda’ in order to enhance food sufficiency.

While conveying Mr President’s commendation on the performance of the Corps through the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, he urged personnel of the Corps to buckle up and redouble their efforts in delivering on the agency’s mandate.

He affirmed that the NSCDC remains resolute in the safety and security of schools in the country saying more reporting channels have been established with more plans to enhance performance of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC) domicile the National Headquarters of the Corps.

NSCDC quarterly meeting according to the CG was meant to evaluate, asses and commend performance of the Corps as well as to appraise challenges and chart the way forward, noting that the role of the Corps in national security is very critical in order to tackle emerging threats.

Nigeria’s Revenue from Royalty in Mining Sector now N38 billion, Says NSCDC

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