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UN Resident Coordinator Leads March Against Violence Against Women in Abuja
UN Resident Coordinator Leads March Against Violence Against Women in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mohammed Fall on Saturday led some prominent women activists in a march on major streets of Nigerian capital city of Abuja to demand for the end of violence against women.
The march was part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) celebrated worldwide.
During the march which was organized in Abuja by the UN Women in conjunction with Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Medicaid Cancer Foundation, the UN Resident Coordinator alongside the women carried placards demanding for an end to violence against women and spoke against what they termed crime not only against women but humanity.
Addressing the media after the long walk, Mr. Fall said there was urgent need for an end in violence against women, girls and boys, insisting that everyone needs to be involved in the campaign as it affects the entire human race.
He lamented that the statistics of violence against women is still very much alarming and showed that it needed to be approached with all round strategies that would make people to know its harm and get offenders no hiding place.
Fall said there is still much told be done by government, law enforcement agencies and leaders in all sectors to build awareness against violence against women and to expose it for what it is: crime against humanity.
Speaking on the need to put an end to the crime, the former First Lady of Kebbi State and Founder of Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Dr Zainab Bagudu said with the law against violence against women in place, there is still need to fight on until the society shows it does not tolerate violence against women.
She said after the law, “then the next step becomes the implementation and general awareness, the mindset of the average, person from our environment, is that they don’t even understand what constitutes abuse. So we need to educate them, to make them aware, and most importantly, to combine the facilities that they need if abuse should take place, we focus on women and young adolescent girls, but boys are also victims of abuse, and they can turn out to be perpetrators once they have been abused.”
She said “there is continuous need
to organize educational classes in schools and different places, so that we can educate our boys and they can prompt be supportive.”
She noted that there is need for much more efforts at ending the violence against women, insisting that: “Well, it’s (campaign) never enough. We’re a very large country. The population is high, so we know the challenges that we have and different conflicting priorities. So it’s important that we don’t get tired, and one of the advocacies that we do, to call on government to provide more resources, and donor partners, to help us. The task can be quite big, and the police can sometimes not be as responsive as we would like them to be, due to other reasons, but we hope that they will be more acute to the trauma that this causes to women, children and some men when it happens, and that’s why we keep on advocating so it’s not enough. We need to have more. We need to have more action. We need to have more understanding. There are also programmes that focus on educating our security forces so that they really understand how they should be reacting. Every police station should have a desk against gender based violence and women should have the confidence, or abused victims should have the confidence to approach these desks, make their point without fear of stigmatization.”
On her part, the Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said the campaign was on in all parts of the Federal Capital Territory to drive the message to the grassroots.
She noted that: “We need to keep aggregating and scaling like what is happening today. We need to have more of this advocacy. We need to have more of the intentionality of collaborations between governments and private, public individuals, people who are able to invest and engage not just the interest, but in terms of the action and bringing interventions from messaging to the place of invested empowerment, of the mindsets of cultural traditional practices.”
Project Manager of WARIF, Adeola Potts-Johnson, on her part, said the campaign has been a success so far for it has grown from just being held in a city to many important cities of Nigeria and prominent cities across the globe.
She said WARIF would continue to push the bar until violence against women becomes history.
UN Resident Coordinator Leads March Against Violence Against Women in Abuja
KACRAN Commends NEDC for Critical Water Projects, Strategic Leadership in North East Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) formally commends the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for its responsiveness and commitment to improving the welfare of pastoralists across the region.
The KACRAN National President, Hon. Khalil Moh’d Bello, in a statement on Thursday said: “We express our profound gratitude to the NEDC for the installation of solar-powered boreholes in Dangel Lantaiwa Ward (Tarmuwa LGA, Yobe State) and Siddikiyo Jauro Gambo Ribadu Ward (Funakaye LGA, Gombe State). These projects provide a vital lifeline to thousands of pastoralists and their livestock, addressing the critical challenge of water scarcity in these Pastoralists concentration centers.
“KACRAN acknowledges that the NEDC stands out as a model of responsive governance. The Commission has demonstrated a genuine determination to alleviate suffering and enhance social services beyond standard expectations.”
Bello noted that: “Recently, KACRAN advocated for more inclusion of livestock development in the NEDC’s 2026 policies to ensure pastoralists benefit equitably alongside other residents of the region.
“We are pleased to note the Commission’s positive reaction to this appeal. This willingness to listen to complaints and adjust programs reflects the sterling leadership qualities of the current management.
“We applaud the consistency of the NEDC in prioritizing projects that foster peace and unity.
“The synergy between the NEDC, North East Governors, Local Government Chairmen, security agencies, and traditional rulers has been instrumental in stabilizing the region.
“The North East is no longer defined by devastation, but by its rapid reconstruction and rehabilitation.”
Bello added that: “As direct beneficiaries of these people-oriented policies, KACRAN passionately appeals to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure the timely release of adequate funds to the NEDC. This support is essential for the Commission to sustain its impactful work under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Furthermore, we call upon the newly established development commissions in the North West and North Central regions to emulate the NEDC’s inclusive approach to foster development and peace across Nigeria.”
KACRAN also expressed its full confidence in the leadership of NEDC Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, and the Director of Administration and Finance, Dr. Garba Iliya., noting that: “Their administration has proven to the Presidency and the Nigerian people that they are capable, reliable partners in the quest for permanent peace and sustainable development in the North East.”
KACRAN Commends NEDC for Critical Water Projects, Strategic Leadership in North East Nigeria
News
Troops rescue abducted Biu Councillor, religious cleric in Borno as hunt continues for five others
Troops rescue abducted Biu Councillor, religious cleric in Borno as hunt continues for five others
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued two civilians abducted by terrorists along the Buni Gari–Buratai road in Borno, following a swift search-and-rescue operation.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue was carried out by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with 135 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The sources said the operation was launched at about 7:35 a.m. on Wednesday after the kidnapping of seven civilians at about 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday along the Buni Gari–Buratai axis.
“Consequently, at about 11:35 a.m. on Wednesday, troops discovered two of the kidnapped victims who were abandoned by the terrorists upon hearing the movement of troops towards their location ahead of Mangari village,” the source said.
The rescued victims were identified as Alhaji Mohammed Ali Maiakachi, a serving councillor representing Zera/Wuyep Ward in Biu Local Government Area, and Mallam Aliyu Yusuf, an Islamic scholar and Chairman of Shuaaraul Islam, Borno State.
The troops, according to the source, immediately secured the release of the victims and pursued the fleeing terrorists for about 5.4 kilometres, but no contact was made.
The rescued victims reportedly informed troops that five other civilians were still being held captive, including the past and current Vice Chairmen of Biu Local Government Area, as well as three women.
“The effort to rescue the remaining five civilians is ongoing,” the source added.
The victims were initially taken to medical reception station for medical attention before being moved to Biu, where they were reunited with their families.
Troops rescue abducted Biu Councillor, religious cleric in Borno as hunt continues for five others
Northern Christian Youth Coalition Calls for Sack of Matawalle
By: Michael Mike
The Northern Christian Youth Coalition (NCYC) has asked for the sack of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, over what it described as “grave allegations” undermining the integrity of the nation’s security architecture.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Coordinator, Jeremaid Hudso Bako, the group said the call was driven by the need to uphold accountability and restore public trust in government institutions.
Bako said the recent dismissal of Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), was a welcome step toward promoting transparency in public service but urged that the same standard be applied to other high-ranking officials facing serious allegations.
He said: “The recent dismissal of Farouk Ahmed, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), serves as a crucial reminder of the need for accountability in public office. While we commend this action, we must insist that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration extend this cleansing process to include the Minister of State for Defense.
“The accusations against Bello Matawalle are not only severe but also deeply troubling, as they touch upon issues of national security that are paramount to the stability and safety of our nation.
“The allegations surrounding Bello Matawalle are grave and cannot be overlooked. Reports indicate that he has been implicated in various activities that compromise the integrity of our defense apparatus and, by extension, the safety of our citizens.
“In a time when insecurity looms large over our nation, with rampant banditry, terrorism, and other forms of violence threatening the very fabric of our society, it is unacceptable to have a Minister of State for Defense whose actions may exacerbate these challenges.
“The defense of our nation is not merely a bureaucratic function; it is a sacred duty that demands the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability.
As Northern Christian Youth Coalition, we are deeply concerned about the implications of retaining an individual in such a critical position when there are credible accusations against him.
“The Ministry of Defense is tasked with safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty and ensuring the protection of our citizens. Any compromise in this regard is not just a failure of leadership; it is a betrayal of the trust placed in public officials by the people. We believe that the integrity of our government must be upheld, and this can only be achieved through decisive action against those who threaten it.”
Bako noted that the defence portfolio is a “sacred trust” that demands the highest standards of ethical conduct and transparency.
The NCYC stressed that the Tinubu administration’s stated commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance must be reflected in decisive action against officials whose conduct raises questions of integrity.
He said: “Thhe failure to act against Bello Matawalle would send a contradictory message, undermining the very principles that the administration seeks to uphold.
“It is essential that the government demonstrates its resolve to cleanse the ranks of leadership of any elements that may threaten the stability and security of our nation.
“Moreover, the Northern Christian Youth Coalition believes that the removal of Bello Matawalle is not just about addressing individual misconduct; it is about setting a precedent for future governance. It is a clarion call for all public officials to understand that their actions have consequences and that accountability is non-negotiable.
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take this opportunity to reinforce the values of integrity and accountability within his administration, ensuring that all officials are held to the highest standards of conduct.
“The Northern Christian Youth Coalition calls upon the President to act swiftly and decisively in the matter of Bello Matawalle’s continued tenure as Minister of State for Defense.
“The time for action is now, as the safety and security of our nation depend on the integrity of those who lead us. We stand ready to support any measures that will contribute to the establishment of a clean and accountable government, one that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens above all else.”
Northern Christian Youth Coalition Calls for Sack of Matawalle
KACRAN Commends NEDC for Critical Water Projects, Strategic Leadership in North East Nigeria
Troops rescue abducted Biu Councillor, religious cleric in Borno as hunt continues for five others
Northern Christian Youth Coalition Calls for Sack of Matawalle
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