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West African Traditional, Faith Leaders, Others Gather in Abuja Against SGBV
West African Traditional, Faith Leaders, Others Gather in Abuja Against SGBV
By: Michael Mike
Traditional and faith leaders from across West Africa, government officials, and representatives from international organisations have gathered in Abuja for the inaugural Annual High-Level GBV Prevention Summit.
In Africa, many instances of GBV are justified under culture and tradition. Harmful gender norms and practices rooted in traditional customs and religious misconceptions perpetuate violence against women and girls.
It is believed that the authority and platforms of traditional and religious leaders can be instrumental in addressing the root causes of GBV, such as patriarchy and gender stereotypes, by mobilizing communities towards change. Recognizing this, UN Women, with support from the Ford Foundation, organized a GBV prevention summit to take stock of achievements made by leaders in their respective jurisdictions and facilitate a space for sharing critical and inspiring insights.
In her opening remarks, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria & ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong expressed her profound appreciation to the Ford Foundation for their unwavering partnership on the Traditional and Cultural Leaders for Ending GBV by Advancing Advocacy, Policy, and Social Norms Change in Nigeria and West Africa (LEAP) program.
She noted that this initiative acknowledges the critical role of traditional and religious leaders in challenging harmful social norms perpetuating GBV, particularly violence against women and girls.
She emphasized the importance of challenging societal norms that condone violence, noting Africa’s rich cultural heritage while acknowledging the imperative to confront practices that deny human rights and dignity. Ms. Eyong also highlighted the pervasive nature of GBV, stating that “GBV is not just against our women and girls, it’s against our economic growth, stability, and our emergence to become a continent that has all it takes to be great and prosperous.”
Also speaking at the event was His eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic affairs beckoned the traditional and religious rulers to work hand in hand to end all harmful practices against women and girls, adding that: “We are 100% behind you in this fight.”
Echoing his commitment, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni Of Ife, urged the traditional rulers to ensure that the outcomes of the summit are implemented in their various communities.
Ford Foundation President, Mr. Darren Walker, who was also present at the summit, expressed the need to continue investing in the prevention of GBV to create a more equitable society for women and girls in Nigeria. Mr. Walker was also decorated as a He4She for his commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria and West Africa.
Despite some progress, disparities persist, with West Africa grappling with high rates of child marriage and female genital mutilation. There is therefore a need for radical shifts in mindsets to end violence against women and girls, which can be achieved through dialogue and knowledge sharing among distinguished leaders from Nigeria, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana.
The summit marks a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to combat GBV in Nigeria and across West Africa. It builds upon the momentum generated by initiatives like the Spotlight Initiative and the LEAP project, focusing on enhancing traditional leaders’ skills and partnerships to prevent and shift harmful social norms and practices.
West African Traditional, Faith Leaders, Others Gather in Abuja Against SGBV
Police repel bandits, rescue six kidnapped victims on Yankara-Funtua highway in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Police in Katsina State have successfully rescued six kidnapped victims after intercepting an armed bandit attack on Yankara-Funtua highway in Faskari Local Government Area.
Sources said on Jan. 24 at about 1:25 a.m., unidentified armed bandits blocked the highway and abducted six occupants of a green Honda Civic, registration number AAA 518 BC, en route from Funtua to Faskari.
The DPO Faskari, on routine patrol, promptly engaged the hoodlums in a tactical gunfight.
The bandits were overpowered and fled into the bush, abandoning their mission. All six victims, Rabi Hamisu, Safare Musa, Abubakar Samaila, Shehu Umar, Sara’u Yahaya, and Ibrahim Babangida, were rescued unharmed and safely returned to their homes.
Intensive patrols continue in the area, while efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing.
Police repel bandits, rescue six kidnapped victims on Yankara-Funtua highway in Katsina
Suspect arrested for trespassing, attempting robbery at Bauchi Emir’s palace
By: Zagazola Makama
A 20-year-old man, Umar Hamza, was apprehended Wednesday night for trespassing and attempting to steal from the Emir of Bauchi’s residence.
Sources said Hamza entered one of the Emir’s son’s rooms carrying a bunch of keys and tried to commit theft around 8:20 p.m. on January 23.
He was intercepted shortly after the act and taken into the Police custody for questioning.
Police said Preliminary inquiries indicate the suspect intended to steal from the palace.
Suspect arrested for trespassing, attempting robbery at Bauchi Emir’s palace
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja, Says Nigeria Firmly Back On Global Economic Frontline
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after a week-long diplomatic and economic mission to Guinea-Conakry and Switzerland.
This is just as he said Nigeria has reclaimed a frontline seat in global and regional policy conversations.
VP Shettima arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of Guinea’s President, Mamadi Doumbouya, and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos.
According to the Vice President, the trip is part of Nigeria’s renewed commitment to regional solidarity in West Africa and its determination to reposition the economy under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The Vice President had departed Abuja for Conakry, where he attended President Doumbouya’s inauguration, reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership role within ECOWAS, while opening new pathways for bilateral cooperation in agriculture and manufacturing.
From Guinea-Conakry, Senator Shettima proceeded to Davos, Switzerland, where he led the Nigerian delegation at the WEF 2026.
One of the highpoints of his engagements in that country was the commissioning of Nigeria House Davos, the Nigeria’s first-ever sovereign pavilion on the Davos Promenade, designed as a permanent investment hub showcasing opportunities in solid minerals, agriculture and the digital economy.
At a high-level WEF session titled, “When Food Becomes Security,” the Vice President outlined Nigeria’s new national food security framework, describing agriculture as a strategic pillar of national security and macroeconomic stability.
Vice President Shettima also joined former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, to advance the Accra Reset Initiative, a forum advocating African industrialisation driven by domestic capital and value chains rather than foreign aid.
On the economic front, the Vice President told investors that Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators were stabilising, citing a projected 4.4 per cent GDP growth in 2026 and a decline in inflation to 12.94 per cent.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s imminent transition into a net exporter of refined petroleum products, anchored by the Dangote Refinery, and the growing export of digital talent.
VP Shettima Returns To Abuja, Says Nigeria Firmly Back On Global Economic Frontline
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