National News
Women Stakeholders: Women Political Participation Would Stimulate Diverse Perspectives, Empower Communities
Women Stakeholders: Women Political Participation Would Stimulate Diverse Perspectives, Empower Communities
By: Michael Mike
The Coalition of Women Political Participation Partner’s Working Group is calling for constitutional gender inclusion to drive women’s political participation, which is necessary for diverse perspectives in decision-making and the promotion of good governance.
The group during a meeting to brainstorm on actions that should be evolved to ensure gender equality in political representation in the country, said women’s political participation would stimulate diverse perspectives and empower communities.
At the coordination and strategy meeting on affirmative action reforms to increase women’s political representation in the ongoing constitution review process in Abuja supported by the United Nations Women, the President of Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), Ms. Ebere Ifendu, stressed the need for affirmative action to strengthen advocacies and to effectively influence policymakers in the ongoing constitution review to promote women’s political participation.
She said: “The Nigeria’s constitution review presents a unique opportunity to rectify the underrepresentation of women in politics. We must seize this moment to create a more inclusive democracy, harnessing the potential of all citizens, regardless of gender. As advocates, we believe that affirmative action is an important tool to address past injustices and ensure fair representation of women in the political landscape. We need more participation of women in politics. We need a quota system. We need affirmative action because for all the countries that have a certain percentage of women in governance, it is due to legislation. Without legislation, we may not achieve anything.”
She added that the meeting was to coordinate all efforts, including advocacy for the adoption and enactment of reforms to boost women’s political representation in the constitution review process.
“The current constitutional review process presents a unique opportunity to incorporate gendered affirmative action reforms into Nigeria’s legal framework, demonstrating a commitment to equity, equality, and inclusivity,” Ifendu said.
She added that: “As Nigerian women, we went to court and got a judgment on the National Gender Policy. We are saying that since there is a judgment, we should begin to work on implementation and be able to demand the implementation of the court order. We heard that the government has appealed. We have not received any notice of such an appeal. So, we want to believe that the law, as we speak today, is that the gender policy must be respected, and it’s talking about 35 percent affirmative action.”
On her part, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and women’s advocate, Professor Joy Ezeilo, said it is time to have total inclusion that accommodates and recognizes the rights of women, youths, and persons with disabilities to participate and be included in governance and decision-making in the country.
She said: “We are so behind other countries. So, what are we talking about that we cannot operationalize 35 or 30 percent? And we are still talking about something below? Women should not accept anything below 35 percent of political positions. We went to Beijing in 1995 and it was agreed that at least 30 percent affirmative action be given to us over 25 years ago. We have to find a way that this constitution becomes inclusive while addressing other problems in Nigeria.
“There is also the issue of justice, fairness, and equity in the application of resources for the greater benefit of all Nigerians. So, it is time to take action to rectify these wrongs of the past and these structural inequalities and discrimination against women.”
The former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs. Ene Obi along side the Director of Planning and Statistics at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Jummai-Idonije
emphasized the need to engage the legislature, media, grassroots women, and other stakeholders to increase women’s political representation.
They also called for collaboration and commitment from women politicians to increase the number of women in leadership positions.
The stakeholders urged the 10th National Assembly to operationalize the 35 percent affirmative action, as observed in other countries and in line with international standards, to promote equity, fairness, and justice.
The coordination and strategy meeting, supported by UN Women is to unify efforts among diverse organisations to establish a coordinated programmatic approach that leverages the strengths and resources of each participating organisation towards a common goal in advocating for affirmative action reforms to increase women’s political representation
Women Stakeholders: Women Political Participation Would Stimulate Diverse Perspectives, Empower Communities
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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