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UN Survey Reveals Poor Response To Violence Against Nigerian Gender

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UN Survey Reveals Poor Response To Violence Against Nigerian Gender

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A survey carried out by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, under the Northern Nigeria Women, Peace and Security Programme, has revealed that the response level of law enforcement agencies at local and state levels to gender-specific forms of violence is ineffective and unsatisfactory.

Baseline Report of the survey, which was funded by the European Union, was launched in Abuja on Thursday with a total of 90 partners and stakeholders in attendance, including the UN Women; United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the European Union, Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, IPCR, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, among others.

The Baseline Survey was conducted in Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau States to generate findings on the nature and level of women’s participation in peace building and conflict management processes in the target states, as well as the level of access girls and women affected by violence have to reporting mechanisms and protection services.

Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam, a professor and leader of the research team presented a summary of the Baseline Survey Report, highlighting some of the findings.

She stated that women are conspicuously marginalized from the top hierarchy of decision-making structures, adding, however, that they are active in intra-family peace building and conflict management.

Para-Mallam explained that “cultural and religious factors limit women from being engaged in formal peace negotiations. At state level, women have low decision-making powers, particularly in elective posts which are as follows: Gombe (0%), Adamawa (6.3%) and Plateau (9.2%).’’

Earlier in her welcome address at the launch of the report, the UN Women Programme Manager, Women, Peace and Security, Njeri Karuru, said the aim of the survey was “to understand at what level women are engaged in peace and security structures in target states of Northern Nigeria.”

She said that it was worrying that women are hardly engaged in peace-building, but expressed optimism that the report will “provide relevant information for policy and strategic programmatic interventions on peace and security by stakeholders at all levels.”

“We also look towards strengthening partnerships with those who are working on peace and security issues,’’ she said.

The event also featured an interactive session where participants shared experiences and discussed the need for security agencies, especially the Police, to protect women suffering from Gender-Based Violence.

Special commendation was reserved for the women vigilante groups in Adamawa State who work to provide security for their communities.

There were also presentations from UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

Copies of the report were distributed to all participants at the event and it is expected to provide relevant information for policy and strategic programmatic interventions in peace building efforts, and to create awareness of the gaps in women’s engagement in peace and security in Northern Nigeria.

Yobe Residents Laments Difficulties In Getting National ID Card

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Yobe Residents Laments Difficulties In Getting National ID Card
NIMC DG, Aliyu Aziz
NIMC DG, Aliyu Abdul-Aziz

Residents of Potiskum local government in Yobe State have appealed to the Director -General, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC,  Aliyu Abdul-Aziz to provide facilities to enable the citizens register before the stipulated dateline.

Abdullahi Ibrahim, a resident, lamented the difficulties faced by residents in the state in getting the national identity card.

According to him “we want the DG NIMC to come to the aid of the Commission’s office in Potiskum by providing all the needed equipment for registration.

“In the light of fact, I spent more than a week in the queue before I was registered .During the registration, we observed that their facilities are over stretched, we are many here waiting for them some of us decided to go because they cannot wait” he said.

The Potiskum office is said to have only two sets of Computers, two thumb printers, two signature scanners and two cameras they were not functional.

A staff of the Commission who spoke on the condition of anonymity said “we are operating under serious challenges,  we have only two sets of computer,  no air conditioner our gadgets become hot and stops working until they are allowed to rest” he said.

He stated further: “Now I am speaking with you, look at the entry Gate and our office premises full of people wanting to be registered but the system are not enough, in fact, in a day we register over 120 people against the standard of 40 person per day, the place is overcrowded since the commencement of the exercise.

“Moreover, Potiskim is densely populated with 11 electoral wards, we made a  case to the state and local government but yet no positive response. ”

The concerned citizens have also appealed to federal and state government to provided more equipment to the commission in order to solve the crowed.

Shehu Sani Reveals Role In Chibok Girls Release

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Shehu Sani Reveals Role In Chibok Girls Release

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Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani has revealed the part he played in the release of the 21 Chibok girls.

The human rights activist on Friday said that he linked the Swiss government with the commanders of Boko Haram for the negotiations which eventually culminated in the release of the girls on Thursday.

Sani stated that he had contacted the Swiss government through their embassy in 2014 and negotiations had commenced but he accused the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan of not showing commensurate seriousness in the negotiations.

“In the course of looking for a mediator, I first went to the European Union, then British Embassy and then the Saudi Arabia,” Sani said.

“Vehemently, the Saudi Arabia rejected to be involved. It was after all these efforts failed that I contacted the Swiss government through their Embassy.”

He said he linked the Swiss government officials with a legal practitioner, Mustapha Zannah who served as a negotiator.

He however declined to explain the method adopted in the negotiation, saying: “It is not good to disclose the method used because most of the girls are still with the sect.”

FG To Develop Gas Policy

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FG To Develop Gas Policy
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Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu

The federal government has assured that it is working to develop a creative and innovative gas policy as well as regulatory frameworks to meet the aspirations of the Nigerian people and prospective investors.

Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, made this known during the Powering Africa Conference in Abuja on Friday.

Kachikwu, represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Fiscal Matters, Timothy Okon, said that going by the large gas reserves in the country, Nigeria should be a gas-based economy and not one hinged on oil.

The minister said that Nigeria had been exposed to a favourable international gas environment marked by high prices, strong global demand and large flows of investment.

He said that opportunities abound for investments in emerging markets for power and gas- based industrialisation such as in petrochemicals, methanol and fertiliser.

Kachikwu said that government had over the years developed various initiatives to encourage investment in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the gas value chain.

He said that government’s vision was to extend gas penetration in the domestic market to facilitate the growth of electric power and the industrial sector.

Other reasons, he said, were to ensure the presence of Nigerian gas in the international market as well as to end gas flaring and address environmental challenges.

Buhari Tasks Next UN Secretary-General On Reform

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Buhari Tasks Next UN Secretary-General On Reform
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Incoming UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Portugal’s Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres, on his appointment as the next UN Secretary General and urged him to spearhead immediate reform of the world body.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari said he was confident that Guterres’ wealth of experience as a former Prime Minister as well as head of UN Refugee Agency for several years, eminently prepared and qualified him for the new position.

The President added Nigeria is looking forward to working with the incoming UN boss to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

The statement read in part, “The President strongly believes that for the UN to remain relevant in the 21st century, the new UN Secretary-General must redouble efforts and spearhead essential reforms of the world body to enable it effectively address current global challenges.”

Top among the challenges President Buhari feels the Guterres should focus on include: defeating terrorism and violent extremism, reducing poverty, tackling the devastating effects of climate change; as well as confronting the causes of migrants and refugee crisis.

Buhari also commended the outgoing Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon on his successful tenure and dedicated service to humanity.

The New UN Secretary-General will officially assume office on January 1, 2017.

Raids On Judicial Officers Expose Them To Criminals, Says NJC

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Raids On Judicial Officers Expose Them To Criminals, Says NJC
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed
Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Mahmud Mohammed

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has said that the raid on some judges of the federation has left judicial officers prone to attacks by criminals.

While describing the raid and illegal arrests as a threat to the independence of the judiciary, the NJC added that the actions of the DSS “have subjected judicial officials to insecurity, as criminals might take advantage of the recent incidents to invade their residences under the guise of being security agents.”

This was part of the position taken by the NJC after its two-day emergency meeting to discuss the arrest of some judges by the DSS.

In a statement released on Thursday night after its meeting, the NJC said that “no judicial officer shall be invited by any institution in the country, including the DSS, without complying with the rule of law and due process.”

The council said it considers the DSS’ action as a clear attempt by the DSS to “humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the judiciary‎”.

The judicial council noted that when the DSS wrote to the council asking that Justice Mu’azu Pindiga should appear before it, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Mahmud Mohammed directed that the said Judge answer the DSS’ summon, “which His Lordship did.”

It added “That the National Judicial Council has never shielded, nor will it shield any judicial officer who has committed any misconduct.

The statement also pointed out that “contrary to the claim by the DSS and as published in the electronic and print media, council has never received any petition against the aforesaid judicial officers: Hon. Justices Ngwuta and Okoro of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, by the DSS”.

The statement read further: “The council vehemently denounces a situation whereby the psyche of judicial officers in the federation is subjected to a level where they would be afraid to discharge their constitutional judicial functions, without fear or favour, intimidation, victimisation or suppression.

“The council will not compromise the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

“The council wishes to reassure the public that any person who has a genuine complaint against any judicial officer is at liberty to bring it up to the council for consideration, after following due process vide its Judicial Discipline Regulations.”

Meanwhile, the NJC at the two-day meeting, also “unanimously agreed to recommend Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, as the most senior, suitable and competent justice of the Supreme Court to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), to succeed Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who retires from office on the 10th November 2016.

‎The council also restated its “absolute confidence” in President Buhari’s administration and its determination to “uphold the principles of democracy, separation of powers and the rule of law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the United Nations Charter, of which Nigeria is a member.”

“‎That it shall continue to support the President Buhari administration in its fight against corruption in all its ramifications in the federation; and in cleansing the judiciary of corrupt judicial officers.”

Only One Chibok Girl Has A Baby – Osinbajo

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Tears of joy and relief freely flowed at the presidential villa Abuja when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received the 21 released Chibok girls.

The Vice President also noted that contrary to media reports that most of the girls had babies, only one of them has a baby.

He added that the negotiation for the release of the remainder of the girls is ongoing, expressing optimism that all of them will be released soon.

He said: “We must be sensitive to the fact that the government wants these girls back and alive. Again, we must balance this against the security and safety of the country.

“In the process of negotiation, we will look at all options and we will weigh the options carefully and decide what to do.

“We believe that in the next few days and months, we will be bringing in more of these girls using exactly the same kind of negotiation and the same template that we used.”

Osinbajo said that the released girls were in good health condition but will remain in a medical facility so that experts would ascertain that they are perfectly alright.

“About an hour ago, I met with the 21 Chibok girls who have been brought back and they are in good health, considering the circumstances they have been held in and they are now being well taken care of in a medical facility,” he said.

“They will be staying there for some time until we are satisfied about their health. Their parents will be coming to join them, hopefully by tomorrow (today).

“There will be therapy, there will be counselling. Of course, we can imagine what they have gone through.

“So, we expect that a lot of psychological therapy and so much needs to be done to get them back.”

First Lady Reveals She May Not Support Her Husband’s Re-Election

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First Lady Reveals She May Not Support Her Husband’s Re-Election
Aisha Buhari
Aisha Buhari

Wife of the Nigerian president, Aisha Buhari has hinted that she may not support her husband for the 2019 presidential bid if he does not reshuffle his cabinet.

In an interview with the British Broadcast Corporation, BBC, Aisha implied that most of the people currently heading government ministries and agencies were foisted on the president.

“The president does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.”

“Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.

“You will know them if you watch television,” she said.

Asked whether she would support the President for a second term bid, She replied: “He is yet to tell me but I have decided, as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again.”

The wife of the president however commended Buhari for the gains so far recorded in the fight against terrorism in the northeast region of the country.

“No-one is complaining about being attacked in their own homes,” she said

“Thankfully everyone can walk around freely, go to places of worship, etc. even kids in Maiduguri have returned to schools.”

When she was asked whether she was convinced that her husband was in charge of his government, Aisha replied: “That is left for the people to decide.”

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed had a rough ride since assumption of office in May 2015.

The decline in the international price of crude oil has also not helped matters, Nigeria being a mono-economic country.

Already the economic recession currently being experienced in the country seem to have worsened matters as unemployment is on the rise as investors continue to lose money.

However, the President constantly assures citizens that the economic challenges facing the nation will be a blessing in disguise as it would enable the country to diversify its economy.

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FG Releases Names Of the Rescued Chibok Girls

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FG Releases Names Of the Rescued Chibok Girls

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The federal Government has released the names of the 21 Chibok school girls who were freed from Boko Haram captivity on Thursday.

The names were posted on the social media handle of the Office of Digital Engagement in the Presidency.

They include: Mary Usman Bulama; Jumai John; Blessing Abana; Luggwa Sanda; Comfort Habila; Maryam Basheer and Comfort Amos.

Others are: Glory Mainta; Saratu Emmanuel; Deborah Ja’afaru; Rahab Ibrahim; Helen Musa; Maryamu Lawan; Rebecca Ibrahim and Asabe Goni.

The rest are: Deborah Andrawus; Agnes Gapani; Saratu Markus; Glory Dama; Pindah Nuhu and Rebecca Mallam.

Meanwhile reports say the second round of negotiation for the release of more of the girls will open on Monday.

The Swiss Government, the Red Cross and a local humanitarian NGO based in Maiduguri, Borno State were said to have been involved in the release of the girls.

However, the Swiss Government and the Red Cross immediately issued a disclaimer saying they were not part of the deal.

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DAILY TRUST newspaper reports that representatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, and the Maiduguri-based NGO handled the final stages of deal.

The report said that the reason the Swiss Government and Red Cross distanced themselves from the deal was so that they would not be perceived as publicly going against the international convention which prohibits negotiating with terrorist organizations.

 

The Defence Headquarters also denied knowledge of the deal, apparently for the same reasons.

Meanwhile the Bring Back Our Girls, BBOG, campaign group has expressed its delight at the release of the 21 girls.

In  a statement signed by Aisha Yesufu and former education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, the group said: “we take this opportunity to salute the work of our security services at the front lines – the commitment, resilience and tireless efforts of our members of the Multi-national Joint Task Force and the civilian JTF.

“Following this development, we trust that our government will continue to work to keep the safety, security, and well-being of the other girls a high priority.”

Also, Amnesty International, through its Regional Advocacy Director, Netsanet Belay, while commending the Nigerian government for the release of some of the girls, urged it to protect their privacy.

Belay stressed the necessity that the girls “receive adequate physical and psychosocial counseling and support so that they can fully reintegrate in their communities.”

Wole Soyinka Centre Invites Entries For Best Investigative Reporter Award

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Wole Soyinka Centre Invites Entries For Best Investigative Reporter Award

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The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, WSCIJ, has called on journalists across the country to apply for the 2016 edition of its annual best investigative reporter award.

Application for the award is open to Nigerian journalists or team of journalists, full or part-time, with stories published between 4th October 2015 and 3rd October 2016.

The awards, which is in its eleventh edition is focused on works that report cases of corruption, human rights abuses, and regulatory failures.

Categories for this year’s edition are print, online, photo, editorial cartoon, television and radio.

The call for entries emphasises that the submitted stories should be targeted and received by a Nigerian audience.

Entries will be collated using the entry coding system and judged by a panel of experts from the media and related professions who are keen on investigative journalism.

Judges would score stories based on ethical reporting, courage, individual creativity and public interest slant.

Applications are to be submitted at the Wole Soyinka Centre office, No 18A Abiodun Sobanjo Street, Off Lateef Jakande Street, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

Online entries are to be sent via email to entries@wscij.org.

Deadline for the submission is by 4pm on Monday, October 24, 2016.

The 2007 edition of the Wole Soyinka awards saw Lara Owoeye-Wise, a board member of icirnigeria, emerging winner for the broadcast (TV) category, with her report on the human rights abuses and government failure that followed the Ilado Pipeline Fire incident which occurred in December 2006.

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