National News
UN Systems calls on Stakeholders to Renew Commitment Towards Freeing Nigeria from Gender-Based Violences
UN Systems calls on Stakeholders to Renew Commitment Towards Freeing Nigeria from Gender-Based Violences
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Systems in Nigeria has reiterated the need to eliminate violence against women and girls and dismantle harmful cultural norms, calling for renewed commitment from stakeholders.
This appeal was made during the Joint UN Accountability Forum and the Orange Lighting Ceremony held at the UN House in Abuja, with the theme: Towards Beijing+30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls”.

Speaking at the event, the UN Women Deputy Representative to Nigeria and Co-Chair of the Gender Thematic Group, Dr. Nesreen El-Molla, lamented the socio-economic toll of gender-based violence (GBV) on Nigeria’s development.
She noted that behind every statistic is a woman or girl whose potential has been stifled and rights violated.
She said: “Today’s event is a call to action for all of us to advocate for a Nigeria free from violence against women and girls. It is also a platform to address harmful norms by engaging with allies such as traditional and faith leaders, the private sector, and communities to reshape the narrative around gender equality. We all have a role to play in upholding universal human rights, calling out abuses, and holding systems accountable to their commitments.”
El-Molla said UN Women remains dedicated to strengthening programming efforts and scaling up investments in policy and legislative reforms that protect women’s rights.

She added that: “Through our mandate, UN Women will continue to champion basic women’s rights, including political participation, economic empowerment, and freedom from violence. We are also committed to providing holistic support for GBV survivors by expanding services, setting up shelters, improving policies, and working with community leaders to tackle harmful practices.”
The UNESCO Head of Office in Nigeria, Abdourahamane Diallo, also highlighted UNESCO’s role in addressing GBV through education and skills training for women, particularly in marginalized communities.
He said: “UNESCO aligns with the Beijing Platform for Action by promoting gender equality through education and eradicating GBV. We aim to integrate GBV prevention into policies and collaborate with civil society to challenge harmful cultural norms through grassroots interventions.”
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, on her part, called for strategic action to overcome barriers in combating GBV. She emphasized the importance of gender-disaggregated data in designing evidence-based interventions and effective resource allocation in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
She noted that: “For Nigeria, closing gender gaps could add $15 trillion to our GDP annually by 2050. Women constitute 49% of our population and own 41% of small and medium enterprises. Data remains a vital tool in our fight for gender equality. Equally important is the effective allocation of resources to programmes that make the greatest impact, particularly in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Beijing+30 Report offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made and areas requiring further attention.”
Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Dr. Vanessa Phala-Moyo, commended Nigeria’s efforts to address workplace violence.
She said: “Nigeria is the first country in the subcontinent to ratify the ILO Convention Against Violence and Harassment. This demonstrates leadership-level commitment, and we will continue to support the private and public sectors in implementing measures to address violence and harassment.
Other highlights of the Event are:
Orange Lighting Ceremony: A symbol of hope, unity, and the vision for a world where women and girls live free from violence and fear.
Beijing+30 Report Launch: Celebrated progress, renewed commitments, and outlined future priorities for achieving gender equality in Nigeria.
The event reaffirmed the collective resolve of the UN, government, and stakeholders to create a safer, more equitable Nigeria for women and girls
Ends
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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