France Promises to Continue to Support Fight Against GBV in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

France has promised to continue to support the fight against gender based violence in Nigeria, noting that the time has come to take stock of what has been achieved so far to put an end to this virus.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Ketty Regis who stood in for the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean Francois Hasperue, at a panelist breakfast debate as one of the activities for the 16 Days of Activism against GBV 2024, said: “In 1995-2025, next year this declaration will be 30 years old. Time to take stock? What have we achieved in 30 years? What have we learned? What lessons have we learned from the various commitments and recommendations?”

She noted that for the French Embassy in Nigeria, this year’s 2024 edition of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence this means 13 magnificent projects across Nigeria, 11 awesome states across the country where the projects will take place, 15 creative civil society organisations supported, and between 150 and 200 people directly targeted by our activities.

She said: “Every year we remind ourselves, and this year will be no exception: ‘GBV is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human rights issue’.

“We have chosen to do things differently for this year’s event, because we are working hard to raise awareness of this major cause, and our partners are doing the same. We’ll start with a debate, followed by an educational game launch called ‘GBV Avengers’.

‘The question is: what does real responsibility look like in the fight against violence against women and girls? This is the question we will be discussing.”

She noted that: “This question has two facets, (i) the first being that perpetrators must answer for their acts before the competent authorities (a zero- tolerance system), which is what we owe to every victim, but also (ii) access to justice and support for victims. This part is closely linked to the first point.

She said with around 20 million survivors of GBV in the, Nigeria accounts for 10% of the world’s 200 million survivors, noting that this is an alarming figure.

One of the high points of the event is the panelists and participants agreeing that there was urgent need to put an end to gender based violence.

France Promises to Continue to Support Fight Against GBV in Nigeria

NDLEA Relocates to New Headquarters in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has relocated its headquarters to its new facility, which is being developed in phases in Jahi area of Abuja.

A statement by the spokesperson of the agency, Femi Babafemi said the facility, which is the first phase of the national headquarters project expected to be completed with the 2025 budgetary provisions, was officially unveiled during an interdenominational service within the complex on Wednesday.

Speaking during the brief ceremony, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the development represents a phase in the transformation and recalibration of NDLEA into a modern and result-oriented anti-narcotic agency, a process that began in January 2021.

He said: “I’m glad we have finally moved in to occupy this facility after initial budgetary constraints. Even though this is the first phase of the new headquarters project, we are hopeful that we will be able to complete the process with next year budget. This is not 100% completed but it is sufficiently functional for us to move in because I was determined to move in before the end of 2024 because with the expansion of the Agency the headquarters also expanded, and in our old location we could not accommodate everyone. I have had to post out scores of officers due to lack of space for them to work.

“It was for this reason that the management took a unanimous decision that since it is not 100% ready and we need it, we should make it a low-key inauguration ceremony. This will enable us relocate some of our directorates still operating outside Abuja into one facility to consolidate our operations for efficiency, effectiveness and seamless coordination”, Marwa stated.

He disclosed that the old head office in Gimbiya, Garki area of the FCT will continue to serve as the headquarters annex, the NDLEA boss expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support and encouragement to the Agency to be in a position to achieve its mandate of curbing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

He said: “The support we are getting from our international partners and local stakeholders especially President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and the citizenry, is not just to appreciate our efforts but to encourage us to do more and I believe this new work environment will motivate you to surpass past feats.”

He commended his predecessor for starting the process of getting a befitting headquarters for the agency.

In his welcome remark, Secretary to the agency, Shadrach Haruna, commended Marwa for providing inspiring leadership that has in three years transformed NDLEA into the same class with its counterparts across the world in terms of professionalism, capability and capacity.

He said: “The commissioning of our headquarters today is part of the incremental but well-laid agenda for the repositioning of the Agency by the chairman. We have witnessed some monumental achievements since 2021, including increasing the staff strength of the Agency from 5,000 to 15,000. Promotion of officers, opening up of vacancies, payment of accumulated allowances to staff and widows of our fallen officers, the recent amendment of the ange enabling law by the National Assembly, and many more.

Christian and Islamic prayers were offered for President Tinubu and Nigeria while a commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the event.

NDLEA Relocates to New Headquarters in Abuja

Zulum Reaffirms Commitment to Dignified Resettlement of Boko Haram Victims

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to resettling victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in a dignified and sustainable manner.

The Governor made this pledge during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on Tuesday, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

Addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Governor Zulum stressed the unsustainability of prolonged stays in IDP camps, citing donor fatigue as a pressing concern.

“IDPs have stayed too long in camps; it is no longer sustainable. We want them to move out and earn their livelihoods. While UN organizations and NGOs have done commendable work, there is no consistent funding to sustain people in these camps,” Zulum stated.

The Governor emphasized the need for durable and sustainable solutions to address humanitarian challenges, including the resettlement and empowerment of displaced persons.

He pledged to collaborate closely with agencies under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to expedite the safe and dignified repatriation of refugees.

In response, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, announced the ministry’s plans to integrate Borno’s humanitarian model into a comprehensive Humanitarian Response Plan.

He commended Governor Zulum for his focus on return, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts, which have been pivotal in restoring infrastructure and reviving social life in the state.

“Governor Zulum has provided exemplary leadership by aligning state efforts with national and international partners, ensuring that livelihoods and social activities are gradually returning to Borno,” the Minister remarked.

The Minister further outlined plans for the repatriation and reintegration of Nigerian refugees back to their ancestral homes, with a commitment to empowering them towards self-reliance.

The Minister was accompanied by Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding Programme, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, along with senior officials from the ministry.

Zulum Reaffirms Commitment to Dignified Resettlement of Boko Haram Victims