International
UN, EU take message on SGBV, harmful practices to traditional and religious leaders
UN, EU take message on SGBV, harmful practices to traditional and religious leaders
By Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) has taken it’s sensitization drive towards elimination of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices in the country to traditional and religious institutions by organizing a two-day workshop for both traditional and religious leaders in the country.
A workshop was organized for both traditional and religious leaders by United Nations Women in conjunction with European Union (EU) in Abuja between December 6-7 where selected leaders across the country are sensitized on the harms of SGBV and harmful practices.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the UN Women representative, Ms. Beatrice Eyong who represented the the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Matthias Schmale told the participants that: “Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to our joint agenda to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. Together, through the EUN-UN joint Spotlight Initiative, we have made great strides.”
She said: “In addressing harmful practices including female genital mutilation, money wife and other harmful practices, we are seeing a shift in attitudes and in some cases, the total abandonment of these practices.
“For example, the abolishment of the practice of “money wife” by the Clan head, council of chiefs and all the village heads in Becheve community in Obanliku LGA. This is highly commendable and shows that where there is a will, change can be made. This is alongside the backdrop of 32 States having passed the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition (VAPP) Act”
She noted that: “Traditional and Religious leaders continue to be the mouthpiece for the movement to eliminate violence. Indeed, in the first phase of the Spotlight Initiative, we observed over 200 religious and traditional leaders engaged in advocacy to increase their own knowledge and that of their communities, on issues of harmful social norms and violence against girls. The statistics remain however that FGM is at 25% prevalence despite the
practice being outlawed by the VAPP Act.”
She lamented that 33% of women and girls have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, insisting that: “One woman is one too many.”
She said: “It is imperative therefore, that we accelerate efforts to address the root causes of gender- based violence (GBV) and harmful practices (HP),” revealing that: “UN Women has invested in landmark research to highlight linkages between customary and formal law.”
She noted that: “The findings of this research have informed the content of this workshop and provide a strong case for elimination of violence whether in the formal or customary court. There is no longer the excuse of ‘culture’ in defense of violence and harmful practices.”
She said: “I wish to commend the Convenor-General, the leadership of the Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa and all members for paving the way for Nigeria and indeed the African continent in this regard,” adding that: “To this end, the United Nations through UN Women and other Spotlight Implementing agencies will continue to advocate for local ownership of the front-line service centers to ensure survivors of FGM and those at risk of this practice receive the protection, access to justice and support that they deserve.
“We are pleased to be in continued partnership with the Council of Traditional and Religious Leaders in Africa (COTLA), to develop an advocacy toolkit that will guide the activities and approaches of these esteemed leaders in eliminating harmful traditional practices including child marriage and harmful widowhood rites.
“Royal Highnesses, Royal Majesties, you are the key to shifting social norms and driving the critical change needed to end gender-based violence and enhance women’s full participation in society. Violence has detrimental impact on survivors as well as their communities, stunting social and economic growth.”
She stressed that: “This critical convening is simultaneously geared towards listening and learning from your reflections on how to tackle the challenge of violence against women and girls. It is my sincere hope that this dialogue will serve to synergize efforts that will accelerate positive actions addressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda as well as the Africa Union’s 2063 Agenda.”
End
Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected abduction occurred on April 18, 2025, when Mr. Yangi Ming, a Chinese national working at Panda Supermarket in Jabi, was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that Mr Yangi Ming left his residence at Stargate Apartment in Durumi around 1700hrs and was last seen wearing brown shorts and a black polo shirt.
His sister, Aisha Pan, residing in Sharanda, Kano State, later received a ransom demand of ₦300 million, made from Yangi Ming’s mobile phone number.
Chinese National Abducted in Durumi Abuja, as Kidnappers demand N300million ransom
India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two siblings at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during a planned travel to India with 5 kilogrammes of cocaine.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said: “Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two brothers: John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos with 5 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.”
He said the two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport last Thursday following proactive processing of credible intelligence. He said they claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine were discovered on the walls of their bags.
Babafemi said in a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Osei with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.4 kilogrammes packed in a giant travelling bag. The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.
In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.
NDLEA operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Ngozi Ogili while moving 3 kilogrammes of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along Okene-Lokoja highway last Monday. Babafemi said a follow up operation at her point of delivery in Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis.
In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nnanna Felix with 1.6 kilogrammes skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West local government area, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba last Tuesday.
No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye with 4.2 kilogrammes codeine syrup and 5.4kg pentazocine.
In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives last Thursday arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25 kilogrammes skunk and 90.4 grammes of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two women: Faith Etim, 64, and Victoria Etim, 40, were nabbed lasr Friday when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani local government area of Cross River State where 250,000 kilogrammes of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.
Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River and FCT commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.
India-bound Siblings Arrested with Cocaine at Lagos Airport
UK Expresses Commitment to Restoration of Peace in Northeast
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom has expressed its commitment to the restoration of peace, stability and sustainable solutions to the troubled Northeast region which has been bedeviled by insurgency.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Atkinson made the commitment on Monday when she paid a courtesy call on Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri.
Atkinson who commended Zulum for his commitment to fighting insurgency in Borno, said: “On behalf of the British Government, I recognise the effort of His Excellency, the Governor, in tackling insurgency and supporting the people of Borno State, particularly aiming to secure a prosperous future for the people displaced by insurgency.
“I want to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to supporting peace, stability and sustainable solutions, particularly through the ongoing regional stabilisation facility.”
Responding, the Secretary to Borno State Government who received the Deputy High Commissioner on behalf of Governor Zulum, expressed appreciation to the UK Government for their partnership and support.
He said,: “With the UK Government to start with, we have quite a number of very strong partnerships. His Excellency appreciates it, and he specifically instructed me to convey the special message of appreciation.”
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Engr Emet Kois, Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Work and Housing, Engr Mustapha Gubio, Transport and Energy, Aliyu Mohammed Bamanga and Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Tukur Shani.
Others in attendance include Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Abdullahi Ishaq, the Senior Technical Assistant, Political, to the Governor, Alhaji Tahiru Shettima, Permanent Secretary of political and cabinet, Danjuma Ali, and the Executive Secretary of Borno State Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response (BOACSDHR), Babakura Mamman Gadai.
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