National News
UN calls for united effort to end GBV

UN calls for united effort to end GBV
By: Michael Mike, Abuja
The United Nations has reiterated the need to join forces to create awareness and education in eliminating and ending the scourge of Gender Based Violence from every nook and crannies of Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at 7th Network Conference of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Nigeria with the theme: “The Imperative for Special SGBV Curts” organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme in collaboration with Ministry of Justice, FCT Judiciary and the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), UN- Women Country Representative, Comfort Lamptey noted that there is urgent need for all stakeholders to join hands together to put an end to the scourge of Gender Based Violence in the country.
Lamptey noted that this year marks 30years since the start of the 16 days activism campaign, reiterating that globally one in three women have been abused sexualy and in Nigeria 28% of women have been abused before the age 49 in one form of violence.
She also noted that 16% of women and girls have experienced this from spouses and home as in times of crisis the number rises.
She revealed that: “During the first month of the lockdown directive a-five fold increase was recorded of GBV, one in four women feel unsafe at home, since the onset of COVID-19, outside the home women also feel increasingly unsafe.
“This is a wake up call for solving the problem at its root, while this problem remains pervasive, it is not preventable.
Preventive methods are critical to end GBV; it requires a commitment from all of us to work against the harmful practices that sustain gender inequality.”
She said: “More men need to step-up to form forces with some right advocates, through the UNWomen joint spotlight initiative to engage stakeholders in community, traditional rulers to address some of the patriarchal norms that encourage gender inequality.
“Provide a comprehensive support system that will help survivor centered services which include police, justice, and social sectors As well as sufficient financing for women are essential ingredients to the fight against GBV.”
Lamptey noted that: “The past two years in Nigeria have experienced progress on the domestication of the VAPP act to law since it was passed in 2015, with a total of 30 states out of 36 in Nigeria, this commendable feat was achieved by the declaration of a state of emergency on GBV by the Nigerian Governor Forum in 2020.
“We need to ensure that federal and state governments ensure that GBV survivors have full access to justice, with reliable prosecution of perpetrators.”
She asked that: “Put women at the center of responses Including the policy situation solutions, strengthen services including justice for women who experience violence and invest in prevention efforts to end Violence Against Women and Girls.”
On her part, the minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, quoting statistic disclosed that, the National Situation Room and Dashboard set up in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs under the UN/EU Spotlight initiative targeting six states supported by UNDP as at 24th November 2021, totaled number of cases reported to be 5,204 of which 3,125 survivors are demanding justice and only 33 perpetrators have so far been convicted, representing 0.51 percent.
She lamented that the fatal cases are 160, closed cases 231, while open cases (cases pending in court) are 972.
The minister noted that the trend is unacceptable, and efforts will be intensified with the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure justice for victims and survivors.
She said: “The present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has demonstrated high commitment not only to eliminate harmful practices against women and girls; but also, to curb the rampaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic and other SGBV.
” In light of this, a significant amount in our 2022 budget has been dedicated to fight Gender Based-Violence nationwide. Mr. President in his 2022 Budget Statement to the National Assembly has gone a step further to direct that Ministries, Departments and Agencies must devote some amount in their budgets to address gender-related issues”
She however implored all relevant ministries to engage, amplify advocacy to the states and rural communities for further enlightenment in this regard.
Also speaking in the same vein, the Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi identified impunity as fuel for GBV.
She said: “This type of violence remains largely unreported due to the stigma and shame surrounding it, and the lack of confidence in authorities. As a result, many perpetrators remain free and unpunished. Impunity contributes to fuel GBV.
“Impunity contribute to fuel SGBV, if we do not stop impunity, we may not be able to stop GBV, government has a critical role in maintaining and sustaining of the separate court for it to succeed, the government needs to take ownership of this court by allocating resources to address the need of the people,”she said.
Also Read: EU and its Partners Mobilise against SGBV
The Chief Justice of the Federation, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, said in creating special court we need to have trained judges and this is alot of work. This is an issue that takes more than talking, things must be in place, when we have everything set then we can start talking of special courts.
Represented by Justice Amina Audi Muhammad, the Chief Justice is of the view that “before we go advocating for special courts we need to put in place all other structures that will make this succeed.
He said. “Rural areas need to have a gender desk of institutions with specialised personnel to attend to vulnerable victims, the first contact for victims need to be able to bring them out of despair.”
Danladi Plang, National Programme Manager, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme emphasised on the need for critical actors to collaborate, in the fight as well as provide platform for experts to identify policy option, legal innovation, best practices, process for the establishment, and modalities for operation.
According to her: “For many years,there have been calls for the prosecution of cases of SGBV, in separate courts, it is for this reason RoLAC is campaigning this year for separate judicial process.
She said: “The main objective of this conference is to identify policy options, recommendations and action for efficient disposal of rights of victims and mobilise relevant actors.
She said from last year a lot has happened as most states have domesticated the VAPP law, and now have more SARC, adding,about 32 have been created with the latest being in Kebbi state.
She said: “Of course more victims and survivors are being supported by the Centers, as at June this year we have about 21,000 survivors that are supported, in the last eight years out of this 21,000 about 6,900 are being cared for by the SARC, which represents about 30% of survivors.
“There is a serious consensus that the prosecution of offenders is key even as the cases reported are very few, there is a disproportionate higher number of victims to the perpetrators, and of course they deserve justice, as different as they may be.”
UN calls for united effort to end GBV
National News
Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony
By: Michael Mike
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.
The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.
The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.
The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.
The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.
According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.
The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.
It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End
National News
Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing
By: Michael Mike
A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.
Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.
Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.
He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.
“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.
“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.
According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.
Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.
He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.
He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.
“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.
“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.
In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.
Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.
He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.
“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.
Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing
National News
VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu

VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu
** Says Nigeria has lost an intellectual giant
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima today led other Muslim faithful for the Jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late elder statesman, renowned medical scholar and former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu, at the National Mosque in Abuja.

Prof. Aminu, a one-time President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (OPEC), passed on in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
The Vice President, who arrived at the National Mosque at 1:52 pm, commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed Allah to comfort them and make Aljanna Firdaus the final abode of the late elder statesman.

Noting that the late Prof Aminu’s demise is a great loss to the nation, VP Shettima described the late surgeon, educationist and administrator as a man who saw it all, just as he said the deceased was an intellectual giant who can hardly be replaced.
“It is a very sad loss. Prof Jubril Aminu was the last of the great titans, an iconic figure who enormously contributed to the development of the nation.
“He was variously the Executive Secretary of NUC, Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and Honourable Minister of various ministries across the country and left his landmarks on the sands of time.
“He is irreplaceable. May Allah grant him Aljanatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. His loss is not just to the good people of Adamawa State but to the nation and Africa at large,” the Vice President prayed.

Born in Song, Adamawa in 1939, Prof. Aminu was a towering figure in Nigerian public life.
The late Consultant Cardiologist served the nation in different capacities, including as Federal Minister of Education and later Federal Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992), Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States (1999–2003), and Senator representing Adamawa Central (2003–2011).
He was also President of OPEC in 1991 and President of the OPEC Conference between 1991 and 1992 while he was Petroleum Minister.
Other mourners who joined the Vice President at the National Mosque in Abuja for the Jana’iza included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo; former Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed; former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako; former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje; former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd); former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman; former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, among many others.
VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics10 months ago
Kashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident