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UNDP: For Nigeria to Walk Tall, Women Must Not Be Excluded from Political Leadership

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UNDP: For Nigeria to Walk Tall, Women Must Not Be Excluded from Political Leadership

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned Nigeria against continued exclusion of women from political leadership, insisting that to walk tall in the emerging world order a nation needs both genders.

Speaking in Abuja, at a High-Level Roundtable with Media Professionals on the bill for the Reserved Seats for Women aimed at increasing women’s representation in Parliament, the UNDP Resident Representative for Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, explained that the debate over the proposed Special Seats Bill for Women must move beyond emotion and politics, stressing
that women’s political participation is now a strategic requirement for Nigeria’s survival and leadership in a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence, demographic disruptions, mineral politics and geopolitical rivalry.

She noted that: The world, Nigeria must navigate today, is fiercely competitive. Countries are contesting on ideas, values and narratives. Nigeria must navigate a world of a shifting geopolitics, rapid technological transformation artificial intelligence, the internet, of things demographic pressures, and contested influence. Nigeria cannot walk into that future with half its population excluded from shaping decisions. Nigeria cannot compete globally with less than 5% female representation. We need different voices and ideas around the table to position Nigeria as a great leader. We are looking at inclusive governance young people, women, persons with disabilities. When Nigeria succeeds, Africa succeeds”

She decried Nigeria’s current representation of women less than 5%, as incompatible with the country’s ambition to lead Africa, stressing that: “Global data consistently shows a direct link between women’s political leadership and national progress in economic growth, health, education, and technological innovation. There is clear evidence. When women sit at the decision-making table, countries do better economically, socially, technologically.

She cited countries like Rwanda, Senegal, Mexico and Sierra Leone, as examples where gender quotas unlocked political stability, innovation and stronger governance systems, stressing that Nigeria risks missing out on Beijing+30 Gains.

She noted that by comparison, “Nigeria still has less than 5% female representation in political decision-making, with only four women in the Senate and about 17 in the House of Representatives. There is a lot more that can be done.”

She further commended Nigerian advocates for their effort and energy in pushing gender inclusion, stating that: “A few days ago, I saw men and women engaging legislators, offering creative solutions, advocating that we make history together.

Referencing this year’s Beijing +30 anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, review, She said global progress on gender equality remained uneven, with Nigeria’s progress remaining far off the mark, especially in political participation, noting that the gaps are still huge, “We are far away from gender equality in political leadership. The 16 Days of Activism remind us that it cannot be just 16 days; it must be 365 days of responsibility. The bill aligns with Nigeria’s international obligations under SDG 5, SDG 16 and CEDAW. We feel it is an opportunity to create momentum for the imperatives under Beijing +30 and under the Sustainable Development Goals.”
According to her, around the world, countries are using special seats or quota systems as temporary tools to correct historical and structural exclusion.
“This is not tokenism. It is a proven mechanism to level the field where history has tilted it. Women’s Leadership Now a Security and Development Issue”.

While Nigerian political debates often frame women’s representation as charity, fairness or morality, Ms Attafuah, shifted the frame entirely calling it an economic, security and development imperative.

“Inclusive governance is now directly linked to a nation’s ability to survive global shocks from digital disruption to mineral tensions and geopolitical competition. In a world driven by AI, demographic explosion and contested global influence, Nigeria needs every voice, every idea, every perspective to compete,” she said.

She however reaffirmed that UNDP’s involvement in supporting the process at the invitation of the National Assembly, was anchored on evidence that inclusive governance drives national progress.

She said: “We have been working with the National Assembly, supporting consensus building and communication, and leveraging the newly launched African Facility for Women in Political Leadership, led by a Nigerian Regional Director. Nigeria Must Not Sleepwalk Into the Future. Today is a follow-up on earlier conversations. A few weeks ago, we discussed the role of women in political leadership and the special seats bill for women. what more can be done, and how we can bring our assets together to take this forward. We remain apolitical. We have been helping with communication and clarifying what we are collectively trying to seek promoting inclusive governance and economic growth.”

The UNDP Resident Representative, charged Nigerian media professionals, to be active in helping to dismantle stereotypes and misinformation about women in politics.

She said: “The media does not only mirror society — it shapes society’s imagination If Nigerians cannot imagine women as leaders, it becomes difficult to elect them.”

On her part, the President of the Women in Politics Forum, Mrs Ebere Ifendu, stressed that women’s political participation can only be achieved when it is backed with legislation.

She said: “Why do we need legislation to support women’s political participation? we have worked across two political parties to see if we could get it from that angle. It didn’t work out for us. Looking at other countries, we have also realised that without legislation we would not be doing much.”

Ifendu commended all the support from partners such as , UNDP, UN Women, the Canadian government, EU, British High Commission, and Nigerian men within and outside the parliament, who are making sure the bill is passed.

Stakeholders were urged to act decisively as the postponed vote on the Special Seats Bill approaches, calling it an opportunity for Nigeria to make history.

The Women Special Seats Bill is a vital step toward increasing women’s representation and building a more inclusive democracy in Nigeria.

UNDP: For Nigeria to Walk Tall, Women Must Not Be Excluded from Political Leadership

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Troops Intercept Three Canoes Procured by Terrorist Kingpin, Disrupt Logistics Plan in Zamfara

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Troops Intercept Three Canoes Procured by Terrorist Kingpin, Disrupt Logistics Plan in Zamfara

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted three disassembled canoes reportedly procured by a notorious terrorist kingpin, Shehu Bagewaye, to facilitate the movement of his fighters across riverine areas of Zamfara State.

The operation, conducted on Sunday, August 23, 2026, followed credible intelligence indicating that the terrorist leader had arranged for the procurement of the canoes from Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State for onward movement into Zamfara.

According to a statement by the Joint Task Force Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, intelligence indicated that the canoes were intended to help the terrorists overcome river obstacles restricting their movement and enhance their mobility for criminal activities against vulnerable communities.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of Sector 2 conducted a covert operation along identified areas of interest and intercepted the three disassembled canoes while they were being transported towards their intended destination.

The individuals conveying the items reportedly abandoned the canoes and fled after sighting the troops.

The recovered items have been taken into military custody, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved in the attempted movement.

The interception is the latest in a series of intelligence-led operations by Operation FANSAN YAMMA aimed at disrupting terrorist logistics and denying criminal elements the resources required to expand their mobility and operational reach.

The Joint Task Force said the operation underscores the importance of timely intelligence in identifying and disrupting terrorist logistics networks before they can be deployed against communities.

It reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist and criminal networks by targeting their logistics, movements and operational capabilities across the Joint Operations Area.

The task force also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to preventing terrorist activities and protecting lives and property.

Troops Intercept Three Canoes Procured by Terrorist Kingpin, Disrupt Logistics Plan in Zamfara

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Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory

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Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory

By Zagazola Makama

The Chadian General Staff has accused the warring parties in Sudan of violating Chad’s territorial integrity after aircraft and drones allegedly pursued and bombarded a convoy more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, near Chad’s common border with Sudan, particularly around the Mourdi Department in the Ennedi-Est Province.

In a communiqué issued to the national and international public, the Chadian General Staff said aerial and ground assessments conducted throughout Friday, August 21, confirmed that the fighting in Sudan had once again spilled into Chadian territory.

According to the military authorities, aircraft and drones identified as belonging to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and/or forces supporting them were involved in the pursuit of a convoy.

The Chadian military said the operation initially took place on Sudanese territory but subsequently extended deep into Chad, with the convoy reportedly pursued and bombarded more than 100 kilometres inside Chadian territory.

The military authorities did not provide details on the identity of the convoy, the nature of its cargo, or the circumstances that led to the pursuit across the border.

However, the Chadian General Staff described the incident as a fresh violation of the country’s territorial integrity and warned all parties involved in the Sudan conflict against attempting to extend the war into Chad.

“Although no Chadian casualties have been recorded to date,” the military said, it strongly condemned what it described as the latest violation of Chad’s territorial integrity.

The General Staff issued a stern warning to the Sudanese belligerents, saying continued attempts to expand the Sudanese conflict into Chadian territory could have serious consequences.

It described such actions as a “suicidal risk” for those seeking to bring the Sudanese war onto Chadian soil.

The latest incident comes amid the continuing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has increasingly generated security concerns for neighbouring countries.

Chad shares a long and porous border with Sudan, particularly along its eastern frontier, where the security situation has remained fragile due to the movement of armed groups, refugees, weapons and combatants fleeing the Sudanese conflict.

The Chadian military said its defence and security forces remain on the highest level of alert to prevent further violations and protect the country’s population.

It further assured citizens that the security forces are prepared to respond forcefully to any threat capable of undermining the peace and security of the Chadian people.

The statement did not indicate whether Chad had identified the specific aircraft or drones involved through direct visual confirmation, radar data or other intelligence means, but said assessments conducted through aerial and physical means established that the operation had crossed into Chadian territory.

The development raises concerns over the potential regionalisation of the Sudan conflict, particularly as fighting and military operations continue to take place close to Sudan’s borders with Chad and other neighbouring countries.

For Chad, the alleged incursion represents a particularly sensitive security issue given the country’s proximity to the conflict and the potential for cross-border military operations to trigger a broader confrontation.

The Chadian authorities have therefore placed their forces on heightened alert while warning the Sudanese belligerents that further violations of its territory could provoke an energetic response.

The Chadian General Staff stressed that its priority remains the protection of the country’s territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens amid the continuing instability along its eastern border.

Chad Accuses Sudanese Forces of Crossing Border, Bombing Convoy Deep Inside Chadian Territory

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Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau

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Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a 24-year-old man and recovered a Dane gun following a report of gunshots in the DTV general area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when troops deployed at DTV responded to reports of gunshots in the area.

According to military sources, the troops arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Emmanuel Daniel, 24, who was found in possession of one Dane gun.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect claimed to have fired the shots while hunting in the area.

The suspect and the recovered weapon are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.

The arrest followed the prompt response of troops to reports of gunfire as security forces continue efforts to maintain peace and security across communities in Plateau State.

Troops Arrest 24-Year-Old Hunter With Dane Gun After Gunshots Report in Plateau

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