News
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
Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait Issues Safety Advisory to Citizens Amid Regional Tensions
By: Michael Mike
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the State of Kuwait has urged Nigerian nationals in Kuwait and Bahrain to remain calm, vigilant, and compliant with host government ldirectives in light of prevailing regional developments.
In a circular dated March 1, 2026, and referenced NKT/GA/C/004/Vol. I, the Embassy — which holds concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Bahrain — advised citizens to strictly observe safety guidelines and official advisories issued by authorities in both countries.
The mission encouraged Nigerians to stay informed by monitoring credible local news outlets and official government announcements in Kuwait and Bahrain. It assured the community that it is closely tracking the situation and maintaining communication with leaders of Nigerian groups and associations in both countries.
To enhance real-time communication, the Embassy announced the creation of a dedicated mobile and WhatsApp line to ensure active engagement with nationals.
For further inquiries or assistance, Nigerians were advised to contact the Embassy via email at nigeriakuwait@yahoo.com or through the designated telephone and WhatsApp numbers provided by the mission.
The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of all Nigerian citizens in its jurisdiction and pledged to continue providing timely updates as the situation evolves.
Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait Issues Safety Advisory to Citizens Amid Regional Tensions
Gov. Fintiri’s defection will boost APC’s chances of winning in 2027 – Dr Girei
Dr Salihu Bakari Girei, Gubernatorial aspirant under the platform All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 described the defection of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to the ruling party as a welcome development for the APC in the state.
Girei said that his defection is coming at the right time to galvanise the party’s victory in 2027 General Elections at the national and sub national level.
Dr Girei who is one of the founding fathers of the APC in the state disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
He said, Fintiri joined APC at the right time considering his outstanding performance in the state which he said was in line with President Tinubu’s transformation agenda.
He added that the defection would add value to the APC family and also help deliver dividends of democracy to the ordinary people that are yearning for good governance as well as to fast-track development.
He said Fintiri has performed credibly well, in line with his 10-point agenda for the state to justify the people’s trust in his leadership and administration.
Dr Girei further lauded President Bola Tinubu for his effort and strategy in addressing Nigeria’s challenges for and ensuring rapid development.
He said, “President Tinubu is very strategic in addressing Nigeria’s challenges and many now understood that Mr President meant well for this country and has turned the fortune of the country around for good.”
According to him, records have shown that the dollar has crashed, the economy stabilized, security improved, food is affordable and issues of strikes are no more among others.
Bakari-Girei said, all these are factors that naturally attract people joining the APC across the country for more development in the country.
He queried those saying that President Tinubu is turning the country into a one-party system, recalling that the PDP once had 30 governors and no one complained.
“Today people have decided to join APC because of many factors initiated by the President Tinubu administration that naturally attracted people to join APC and support Mr President.”
He pointed to President Tinubu’s history as governor of Lagos, where opposition platforms continued to function, as evidence of his commitment to multi-party democracy.
He also appreciated the foresight of the President for appointing Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser who has invested much in APC in the state.
He further urged unity and understanding of all APC stakeholders in the state for the progress and success of the party at all levels.
Gov. Fintiri’s defection will boost APC’s chances of winning in 2027 – Dr Girei
News
Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Moves to Boost Enforcement of Judgments with High-Level Talks in Republic of Guinea
Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Moves to Boost Enforcement of Judgments with High-Level Talks in Republic of Guinea
By: Michael Mike
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS will hold a high-level bilateral meeting in the Republic of Guinea from March 2 to 4, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen the enforcement of its judgments across Member States.
The three-day engagement, organised in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States, is expected to bring together the Court’s delegation, Guinea’s Competent National Authority (CNA), senior government officials, and representatives of civil society to address persistent challenges in implementing the Court’s rulings.
At the heart of the meeting is the push to close the gap between judicial decisions and their execution at the national level. While the ECOWAS Court continues to deliver landmark judgments on human rights, governance, and community law, enforcement remains a critical concern in several jurisdictions. The Guinea dialogue is aimed at building a more effective, coordinated, and transparent enforcement framework.
Discussions will focus on practical strategies to improve compliance rates, streamline procedures, and strengthen collaboration between national institutions and the regional court. Participants are expected to review existing bottlenecks, share best practices, and identify sustainable solutions that can enhance uniformity in enforcement mechanisms across the sub-region.
The programme will include a dedicated forum examining the current status of enforcement of the Court’s judgments in Guinea, alongside presentations on the Court’s enforcement processes and the national legal landscape. Civil society organisations will also engage directly with the Court in a bilateral dialogue designed to promote accountability and inclusive participation.
Beyond the technical sessions, the Court’s delegation will pay courtesy visits to key government figures, including the Minister in charge of ECOWAS Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Finance, the President of the Supreme Court, and the Speaker of Parliament. Meetings are also scheduled with the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and the President of the Bar Association.
The delegation will be led by the President of the Court, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, and will include Vice-President Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Honourable Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara, as well as directors and other officials.
Similar bilateral meetings have previously taken place in the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reflecting the Court’s broader strategy to institutionalise cooperation and reinforce the authority of its judgments throughout West Africa.
As ECOWAS marks five decades of regional integration, the Guinea engagement signals a renewed determination to ensure that the decisions of its judicial arm are not only pronounced but fully implemented—strengthening the rule of law and deepening trust in regional justice systems.
Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Moves to Boost Enforcement of Judgments with High-Level Talks in Republic of Guinea
Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait Issues Safety Advisory to Citizens Amid Regional Tensions
Gov. Fintiri’s defection will boost APC’s chances of winning in 2027 – Dr Girei
Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Moves to Boost Enforcement of Judgments with High-Level Talks in Republic of Guinea
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