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UN Women Asks for Prioritization of Funding for War Against SGBV
UN Women Asks for Prioritization of Funding for War Against SGBV
By: Michael Mike
United Nations Women has called for prioritization of investment by all stakeholders in financing development plans towards ending violence against women and girls, even as it pleaded for strategic policy development aimed at putting a stop to the scourge.
The call was made at the weekend by the UN Women Deputy Country Represntative to Nigeria. Mr. Lansana Wonneh at a Joint Symposium on Prevention of Violence Against Special Need Groups in Nigeria; with the theme: “Tackling Multi-forms of Vulnerability and Violence through Improved Policies, Programmatic and Funding Mechanisms”.
Wonneh, who was represented by the National Programme Officer UN Women, Mrs. Patience Ekeoba, said that despite many countries passing laws to combat violence against women, weak enforcement and discriminatory social norms remain a significant problems.
He said: “Being able to stop violence from occurring in the first place is critical to achieving the goal of ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) because if violence does not occur all the other GBV responses will not be necessary. VAWG is preventable; we need to continue to invest in transforming social norms, addressing unequal gender power relations, strengthening essential services for survivors, and enabling safer environments. I call for more attention to gender responsive budgeting, ensuring that budget circulars have definite allocations to gender equality and women empowerment including budget for addressing violence against women and girls.”
Wonneh explained that women with special needs and other groups experience violence differently because of their vulnerability and special needs, hence the need for stakeholders engagements to mobilize support and raise awareness to end the menace.
He added that: “The symposium provides opportunity for ASWHAN and the other special need groups to share their experiences of violences, their survivor stories and make demand for increased prevention interventions and response. It will also allow all relevant government agencies, the UN System, development partners, civil society gather here today to listen, discuss and advance prevention strategies and funding mechanism to enhance prevention and mitigation services and actions for the targets groups. So I call on you to participate actively so that at the end of today’s interactions we will all come up with practical strategies towards reducing and eliminating violence that affect this critical groups in our society.”
Also speaking, the Acting Director, Policy Planning and Coordination, Nation Agency for the Control Aids (NACA), Dr. Yinka Anoemuah, noted that the agency will continue to work with partners to achieve the desired goal of ending all forms of violence.
“We have so many vulnerable population that experience vulnerabilities and that is why we will continue to partner with the UN system and partners to find ways to bring an end to all the challenges that people are facing in the communities. We recognize very much the relationships between Gender Based Violence (GBV) and HIV, and that is why to the key area of strategic engagement that we have over the years, because if we want to control the virus, and end the epidemy by 2030, we need to bring to a stop all forms of violence, be it emotional, psychological, physical, then we have to work together to make that happen. Without resources, without people, without investment we will not be able to do it, but with collaborations and partnerships we will achieve a lot”. She noted
On behalf of people with disabilities, the President Women With Disabilities, Lois Auta, called for an increase in budget allocation on disabilities issues.
“Women with disabilities are much more vulnerable to issues of GBV, these violence could be in different forms such as issues of economic empowerment, issues of health, issues of institutional barriers and infrastructural Barriers. We have legal frameworks and these frame works are not implemented. The big issues is lack of funding, with need to come together and collaborate and activate the goal 17 of SDG, by working together. We need to insert a budget plan in all the MDAs for issues of women and girls with disabilities.
She said: “We need to talk to National Assembly to increase the budgets allocation on issues of disability as well as increase awareness on GBV in the rural areas.”
According to the Head Health Desk, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Marian Shuaibu, the ministry takes priority in the wellbeing of all women. Noting that approval to establish a mobile court to deal with the perpetrators of GBV has been gotten, as well as development of a policy on mental health.
This year theme, “UNiTE!; Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls” is apt as it focusses on investment and financing of strategies and programmes that will help prevent violence from happening in the first place against women and girls.
The symposium was put together by UN Women, NACA, UNAIDS, Association of Women with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, (ASWHAN) and the Ministry of Women Affairs.
UN Women Asks for Prioritization of Funding for War Against SGBV
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), have neutralised a notorious bandit and recovered arms and ammunition during a raid on a hideout in Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted on Jan. 8 at Yolan Gboka–Yama Da Lahdi, following sustained efforts to track and arrest perpetrators of the Dec. 16, 2025 attack on illegal miners at Tosho community in Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
According to the sources, troops made contact with the bandits during the raid and engaged them in a firefight.
“One of the bandits was neutralised during the exchange of fire and was later identified as Sadiq Isah, while others fled the area,” the sources said.
The sources added that troops subsequently exploited the hideout and recovered two AK-47 rifles and 162 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition.
The recovered arms and ammunition are currently in military custody, while troops have commenced follow-up operations to intercept the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activities in the area.
Zagazola reports that Operation Enduring Peace is a joint security initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability across Plateau and neighbouring states.
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to strengthen intelligence gathering and operational readiness in the face of rising security threats across the country.
The call was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a ceremony to decorate 113 newly promoted NSCDC commandants. The minister, represented by the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin (Rtd), commended the Corps for its role in protecting critical national infrastructure, lives, and property.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for strategic intelligence mapping to counter emerging threats, particularly as the Corps now shoulders additional responsibilities for the protection of Very Important Personalities (VIPs), a role previously managed by the Nigeria Police Force.
He encouraged the newly promoted officers and all personnel to uphold the confidence placed in the service by President Bola Tinubu, noting that the merit-based promotions are designed to boost morale and enhance performance.
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Audi, urged the officers to mentor subordinates, embrace leadership responsibilities, and adhere strictly to merit-based postings. He warned against lobbying for preferred postings, affirming that performance and dedication would guide all administrative decisions.
Representing the promoted officers, Commandant Ekanem Ekpenyong pledged unwavering commitment to duty, promising to uphold integrity and the Corps’ Oath of Allegiance.
In a key highlight of the ceremony, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commandant. The event also featured goodwill messages from the Controller General of Corrections, the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, and representatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and the Department of State Services.
The ceremony underscored the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen the NSCDC and reinforce its role in Nigeria’s security architecture.
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
Zulum commissions remodelled ‘2nd chance school’ for vulnerable girls
.Disburses N1bn to SMEs in 5 LGAs
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday commissioned a fully remodelled “Second Chance School” for vulnerable girls and women in Biu Local Government Area.
The newly inaugurated facility is part of a strategic initiative designed to offer adult women, including those who missed formal education or dropped out of school due to prevailing challenges, a pathway to self-reliance.
The school’s curriculum is tailored towards providing comprehensive skills’ acquisition, critical digital knowledge and basic literacy, and numeracy training.
With the Biu centre now operational, Zulum’s administration has established three such schools across the state, with existing centres already operational in Maiduguri and Bama.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has disbursed N1 billion to small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across five local government areas in southern Borno.
The targeted LGAs include Biu, Hawul, Shani, Bayo and Kwaya-Kusar, with the funds intended to support entrepreneurs and enhance business sustainability.
Zulum explained that the direct injection of capital into the SME sector is essential for driving grassroots development and fostering self-reliance in the post-insurgency recovery phase.
In a related development aimed at tackling youth restiveness and promoting social stability, Governor Zulum has ordered immediate employment of 200 young individuals from the Biu Local Government Area.
After the inauguration, Zulum visited Biu Specialist Hospital where he announced the immediate and automatic employment of a number of dedicated volunteer health workers who have served tirelessly.
He also inspected the 100-unit teachers’ housing estate under construction in Biu town. The estate is part of the Borno State Government’s motivational strategy to attract and retain qualified teaching professionals in public schools.
Governor Zulum has also directed immediate commencement of rehabilitation work on the Borno State Hotel Annexe in Biu.
Zulum commissions remodelled ‘2nd chance school’ for vulnerable girls
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
Nigeria Urges Europe and Africa to Build Bridges, Not Walls
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
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