News
UN Insists Passage of GEOB Would Mitigate Challenges Faced By Women

UN Insists Passage of GEOB Would Mitigate Challenges Faced By Women
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations has urged the National Assembly to ensure the immediate passage of Gender Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB), insisting that it’s passage and other related legislation would help in mitigating some of the challenges facing Nigeria.
The UN Women stated that the GEOB
seeks equal rights for women, men and persons living with disabilities, as well as elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and ensure the equality of opportunities for every person.
Speaking at a Roundtable of the Africa Women Leaders Network, AWLN in Abuja, Nigeria, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, said there was need for a holistic approach to enabling the passage of women rights bills.
She said that: “African women have to stir change – real change! Our strategizing must look at bringing resources to the full passage and implementation of the VAPP, GEOB and all gender-progressive laws. We should look to invest resources in support to survivors of violence and their access to justice. We should look to invest resources in the emergence of women leaders across all sectors and breaking down the barriers that would look to hinder them.”
She also stressed the importance of synergies in fostering innovative interventions, stressing that: “UN Women is acutely aware of the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships with multi-stakeholders, both external and internal partnerships, and those existing partnerships, as well as the opportunities for forging new alliances and collaborative engagement. This engagement therefore provides us with an invaluable opportunity to reconvene all AWLN Clusters to critically assess our progress and outline actionable steps forward.
“Synergies must be fostered with innovative interventions in alignment with the Government, namely, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and civil society through women’s led organisations and networks.”
She said: “We look forward to the action plan that will emerge from today’s deliberation, UN Women stands in full solidarity with the African Women Leader’s Network. We look forward to the action plan that will emerge from today’s deliberation, UN Women stands in full solidarity with the African Women Leader’s Network.”
On her part, the Chairman Africa Women Leaders Network, AWLN, Professor Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, said despite the important landmarks of AWLN Nigeria, a lot still needs to be done to stabilize the association.
She said: “Today’s meeting is an opportunity to take stock of where we are in the journey towards creating a better reality and future for women and girls in our corner of the African continent.
“The agenda for this meeting, underscores the importance as well as the urgency for a well-connected and focused movement of women leading for positive change.
“It is important, because it brings together notable activists working on a broad range of gender-related issues that align with the five priority areas earmarked by ALWN for concerted and collective action. AWLN actions must aim at engendering the inherent valuation of women and girls, and their contribution to society.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Professor Uju Ohanenye, said that increasing number of women in leadership positions has a direct bearing in the reduction of violence against women and girls in the society.
She noted that: “Achieving Women increased in leadership positions and eliminating all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls is one of the several burning issues facing the country and especially the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“The political space and environment for us to actively engage in leadership position remain so unfriendly. My assertion on this is serious because even with the constitutionally guaranteed rights accorded Nigerian women; in practice most women are still relegated to the background when it comes to issues of leadership, governance/ politics and decision making.
“It is in the public knowledge that, in spite of several efforts made by women in Nigeria’s political field, our participation in politics and governance still falls short of the 35% target entrenched in the National Gender Policy and other frameworks. I therefore believe women’s leadership and the elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls goes hand in hand.”
She added that: “In the Ministry, we will do all possible to support and ensure improvement/empowerment of women and other vulnerable members of our society including the implementation of key critical laws and resolutions. I call for cooperation and synergy in our work for the realization of the sustainable development goals agenda 2030 on gender equality and women empowermen.”
The African Women Leaders Network is a movement of African women leaders, implemented with the support of the Office of the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security, and of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
The initiative aims to enhance the leadership of women in the transformation of Africa, in line with Africa Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Insists Passage of GEOB Would Mitigate Challenges Faced By Women
News
Man Killed in Accidental Shooting During Joint Security Operation in Adamawa

Man Killed in Accidental Shooting During Joint Security Operation in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic incident occurred on April 3, 2025, during a joint security operation in Girei Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State.
The operation, which involved personnel from the Police, Military, Department of State Security Services (DSS), and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), aimed to raid criminal hideouts in the area.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that during the operation, one of the security personnel accidentally discharged their firearm, striking 21-year-old Bara Adamu of Wuro Bulama, Girei LGA.
The victim was immediately rushed to Specialist Hospital for medical attention but was sadly confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
Man Killed in Accidental Shooting During Joint Security Operation in Adamawa
Crime
Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto

Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
On April 3, 2025, at approximately 1130 hours, a group of armed bandits riding motorcycles, opened fire on a commercial vehicle traveling from Kebbi to Sokoto.
The attack resulted in the death of one Dan Gande Usman, who was shot in the head. The victim succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.
In response to the attack, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were deployed to the area to ensure sanity.
Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto
Crime
Bandits Attack Rijiya Village in Zamfara, Kill Eight, Set School Ablaze

Bandits Attack Rijiya Village in Zamfara, Kill Eight, Set School Ablaze
By: Zagazola Makama
A deadly bandit attack on Rijiya Village in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State has left eight people dead and a primary school set on fire.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that at approximately 1600 hours, on April 3, a group of armed bandits, heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, invaded the village.
The assailants opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CPG) and six civilians.
In addition to the loss of lives, the bandits set fire to a primary school that was being occupied by the CPG members.
Bandits Attack Rijiya Village in Zamfara, Kill Eight, Set School Ablaze
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