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Women Affairs Minister Promises to Take the Lead in Fight against GBV
Women Affairs Minister Promises to Take the Lead in Fight against GBV
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim has told Nigerians to count on her as she take the lead in championing and reviewing policies that will strengthen the fight against sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria.
She gave this promise at the sidelines of a music show to roundup the French embassy activities to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
Speaking to journalists at the event which featured a performance by Nigerian artist Morell, who created a special Hausa song for the occasion, and a documentary screening by Anti-Sexual Violence Lead Support Initiative ASVIOL, the minister emphasized the need to triple efforts in providing reliefs for victims.
She noted that the scourge of SGBV is everybody’s problem, and that anybody can be raped, and not just the less privileged alone.
She however expressed that victims should be supported, promising that she would lead from the front, assuring that a stakeholders meeting will be convened next year where all partners who are passionate about protecting the rights of women and children would meet to deliberate on the way forward.
She said: “There is no reason why anyone should face any kind of violence. We must as stakeholders chart a course to end SGBV. Decisive actions must be taken now, and we must not cultivate rapists.
“We must review also the legal instruments, and strengthen it, so that offenders would know that they will end up being prosecuted and will end up in jail.
“Sexual and Gender based violence is everybody’s problem because anybody can be raped, so it is not limited to the less privileged alone. Count on me to take up police review, take charge and carry out necessary interventions.
“I had encounter with some survivors few days ago in Lagos, and I listened to their stories which are heart rendering. All I can say is that we need to support victims. It’s a Clarion call. They have suffered. Let’s provide immediate support. Let’s triple up our efforts.
“I am here to lead, to support development partners, non-governmental organisations, Nigerian women and the media. We will keep on convening this kid of webinars and the time is now.
“Another challenge we have is that we do not have enough shelters or safe homes, but despite that, we should be intentional. Yes we have scarce resources but we need to tap into the resources of our developmental partners, and we must align to a national action plan which must be accelerated.”
The Minister however called on all stakeholders to bring up their suggestions so they can work together in ending the monster called gender based violence against women and children.
Women Affairs Minister Promises to Take the Lead in Fight against GBV
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
By: Zagazola Makama
A 47-year-old Indian national, identified as Kalidass Arunachalam, has died after suddenly slumping while on duty at a factory in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the deceased was a production manager with Green Hills Agricultural Products Ltd. He was said to have collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday while working at the company premises.
Company representatives, including another Indian national, Tushar Tukaram Phadtare, along with the Managing Director, Suleman Dauda, and the Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Thompson Udom (rtd), rushed him to God’s Spring Best Care Hospital in the Obaretin Community for urgent medical attention.
A medical doctor at the facility, identified as Dr. Kingsley Dele, later confirmed Arunachalam dead while efforts were still being made to revive him.
Officials later visited the hospital where the body was found lying face up on a hospital bed with a drip attached. No visible marks of violence were observed on the corpse.
The remains of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary, and efforts are ongoing to contact the Indian Embassy to inform his next-of-kin and facilitate diplomatic procedures.
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
At least three persons, including a two-year-old child, are missing after a boat capsized on Friday night while ferrying passengers and vehicles across the Namnai River in Taraba State.
Zagazola Makama reports that the boat, which was transporting several passengers and three vehicles, capsized around 8:40 p.m. due to overloading and reckless navigation by the operator.
According to sources, the operator defied standing safety protocols by loading three vehicles onto the boat instead of the approved maximum of two. The mishap occurred while the boat was attempting to dock at the riverbank, when a strong wave destabilised it, causing it to overturn.
While many passengers were rescued by local divers and first responders, three victims identified as Aishatu Rilwanu, Baharatu Danasabe, and Yusuf Badaru, a two-year-old child all residents of Jantaro Ward in Mutum Biyu remain unaccounted for.
Rescue team were mobilised to scene as both community members and security personnel intensify the search and rescue efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, the rescue operation is still ongoing.
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Ogun have arrested 22 suspected members of the Aiye confraternity during a coordinated raid at Hilltop Hotel in Osiele, Odeda Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on Friday night, followed credible intelligence received by officers at the Odeda Division regarding the unlawful gathering of cultists at the hotel.
The sources confirmed that a joint tactical team comprising officers from Aregbe Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Anti-Cultism Unit stormed the hotel and apprehended the suspects.
Among those arrested were 19 males, three females, and two serving military personnel, suspected to be linked to the cult group.
Items recovered from the suspects include one UTC axe, a cut-to-size barrel gun, and several blue beret caps, all identified with the Aiye cult group.
The sources said that the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Cultism Unit at Eleweran has been directed to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident, while further profiling of the suspects is underway.
The sources said individuals or groups found engaging in such criminal acts would face the full weight of the law.
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community
Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba
Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers
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