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UN Systems calls on Stakeholders to Renew Commitment Towards Freeing Nigeria from Gender-Based Violences

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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
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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.

Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.

Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa

The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.

The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.

He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.

“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.

Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.

“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.

He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.

Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.

Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.

“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.

He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.

Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.

He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”

He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.

He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”

Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.

He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.

He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.

He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.

He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.

He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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