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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
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.
Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.
Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.
The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.
The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
News
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.
The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.
Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.
The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.
“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.
However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.
“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”
In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.
“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.
The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
News
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
By: Michael Mike
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.
According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.
Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.
He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.
The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
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