By Oluwafunke Ishola

A gender expert, Mrs Esther Eghobamien-Msheila says cultural stereotypes and myths are real and should be eliminated to break silence and have a gender-based free society.

Eghobamien-Msheila, Vice-Chairperson, United Nations Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (UN-CEDAW), said this during a webinar on Wednesday in commemoration of International Womens Day.

The webinar organised by Hubert H Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association (HHHFAA), Nigeria, with the theme: Breaking the Silence on Domestic Abuse.

Eghobamien-Msheila noted that no country in the world has fully eliminated discrimination against women and girls, or achieved full gender equality.

According to her, discrimination persists in all areas of life and transcends national, cultural and religious boundaries, often fueled by patriarchal stereotypes, economic deprivations, threats, among others.

She said that research had shown that GBV has significant lifelong impacts on a persons health and well-being.

Eghobamien-Msheila noted that the economic costs are tremendous and estimated at two per cent of global Gross Domestic Product.

Keeping quiet in the face of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) erodes trillions of dollars from countries, we must work together to break the culture of silence, she said.

Eghobamien-Msheila said that the challenge of providing evidence was a major issue that contributed to the culture of silence by survivors of SGBV in Nigeria.

She said that some NGOs are training survivors of SGBV on using digital tools to gather evidence and upskilling them economically to make them financially independent.

Also, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, said the state government had declared zero tolerance for all form of SGBV crimes.

Vivour-Adeniyi said the state does this through a multidisciplinary approach of enacting laws and policies geared toward preventing and providing support to survivors of SGBV.

According to her, statistics have shown that 70 per cent of survivors economically depend on their abusers, thus making some of them choose to remain in an abusive relationship.

She said that the state government initiated an empowerment programme for survivors to serve as a pathway to new beginnings, financial independence and encourage more survivors to speak out.

Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that the states law protects survivors of SGBV from all forms of discrimination, stigmatisation and ensure that they have access to medical legal and counseling assistance.

Similarly, Dr Funmi Akinola, the Chief Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Oshodi, said more awareness and collaboration was required to support survivors of SGBV.

Akinola said that violence could have lifelong impacts on a persons health and well-being, noting that psychological effects are rarely seen but have devastating effects.

According to her, the effects can include physical and mental health conditions such as anger, guilt, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and death.

Akinola said support should be provided to survivors in getting them to a safe house and rebuilding their self-esteem on their road to healing.

Also, Mrs Abosede Oyeleye, President, HHHFAA Nigeria, said violence undermines the safety and dignity of women and girls.

Oyeleye, however, called for increased enlightenment on the need for mutual respect among citizens. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Patience Yakubu

Two travel agents, Clement Ekhueorohan, 30, and Courage Chinonso, 38, were on Thursday sentenced to four years imprisonment each by a Kaduna Chief Magistrates Court for visa fraud.

The duo, both residents of Kabala Coastain, Kaduna, were charged with conspiracy, fraud and theft.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel held that both Ekhurorohan and Chinoso were guilty of defrauding Philip Adetutu and five other victims of N11. 6 million.

The magistrate did not give the convicts an option of fine.

He also ordered the convicts to restitute N2.1million each as compensation to the victims.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the convicts between March and Oct. 2022, in Ungwan Rimi area of Kaduna, obtained N2.1million each from Adetutu and 5 other victims to procure a French, Australian and Malta visa/ tickets for them.

Leo said that after fraudulently collecting the money from the victims, the duo failed to fulfil their own part of the bargain and all efforts made to collect the money from them failed.

The offence, he said, contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Leaders of Atunluse Initiative

By Segun Giwa

A socio cultural organisation, Atunluse Initiative, has inaugurated local government coordinators across the 18 LGAs of Ondo State.

This is as the Chairman of the Organisation, Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola, charged coordinators and members of the organisation to dream big ahead of the coming projects.

Akinbobola stated this on Thursday in Akure, during the inauguration of the coordinators.

He explained that the inauguration would have taken place in the last quarter of 2022 but was postponed till after the general elections.

Akinbobola, who was a former Special Adviser on Political and Mobilisation to the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, urged the coordinators to see the task ahead as a personal assignment and a test of their capacity.

He said that the task ahead was beyond the current political schemes, saying with hard work and prayers, its achievable .

Let us dream big and work towards achieving the dream in line with the mission and vision of Atunluse Initiatives.

Our mission is to ensure a better life for everybody, a society where affordable and quality education, good health care, good roads, constant electricity with safety of life and property will be available for all.

Its important for you to take into cognisance that while youre building Atunluse, you are also building yourself through the big Atunluse platform, he said.

Also, the Director General of the Organisation, Elder Sikiru Adetona, while congratulating the coordinators, charged them to be hard working and remain focused in the face of challenges.

See yourselves as God chosen and endeavour not to disappoint yourselves and the organisation; you are our ambassador in your respective local government areas; I therefore urge you to work assiduously to achieve the set goals.

Many are called, but few are chosen; once again, I congratulate you all for being among the few that were chosen, he said.

The Co-ordinator of Atunluse Initiatives, Mr Shalom Olaseni, enjoined others to spread the gospel of Atunluse Initiatives in every nook and cranny of the state.

Olaseni urged them not to hesitate in contacting and intimating him periodically on the progress of their assignment.

I urged you all to work in unity with other grassroots leaders in your local government areas, to make Atunluse great, urging them to do the job like their personal job.

Akure South LG Co-ordinator, Mr Alaba Asekunowo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, promised to work hard and spread the gospel of Atunluse Initiatives across local governments.

We are ready to take the organisation to the nooks and crannies and we are also ready to work for ourselves; we will take this responsibility beyond the expectations of the leadership of group, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

============
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, March 8, 2023 (NAN) Some indigenes of Plateau living in the U.S., on Wednesday, have urged all political parties and candidates in the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections to abide by the signed Peace Accord and accept the outcome of the elections.

This is contained in a statement issued by Plateau State Association USA, Inc. (PSA-USA), signed by its National President, Dr. Barth Shepkong and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

In the upcoming gubernatorial and house of assembly elections, we encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as they cast their votes.

We urge all political parties and candidates to abide by the signed Peace Accord and fully commit to supporting all efforts that ensure that only the Nigerian people decide who wins the election(s).

It is imperative for Nigerias stability and democratic
consolidation that the process is conducted and concluded safely and credibly.

We encourage all actors to calm tensions and avoid violence of any sort proactively, he said.

Shepkong said the association would support and partner with whoever won the election in the state as we continue to advocate for good governance.

Working with Plateau State citizens in the Diaspora will help create a sense of belonging and cement our passionate interests in contributing significantly to our states socioeconomic and political development.

According to him, PSA USA will continue to partner and advocate for a fair democratic process that reflects the will of our people and our collective goal for a #BetterPlateau.

Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve the chance to choose their future freely and fairly.

Finally, the future belongs to all of us. Lets work together to make it what we want.

Its time we separate tribe and religion from politics, remember, change begins with you and I. Let us consciously work in building a better society, he said.(NAN)(www.nanmews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr James Christoff (2nd left) and Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive, Connected Development (CODE) (3rd Left) with others at an event to to mark the International Womens Day in Abuja on Wednesday

By Angela Atabo/ Bukola Adewumi
Canadian High Commission to Nigeria and Connected Development (CODE) have tasked the Federal Government on the need to enact policies that will protect women and girls.

They made the call at a news conference on Wednesday, in Abuja to mark the International Womens Day (IWD) and to share key findings on CODEs GMAA-K project.

The project Galvanizing Mass Action Against Gender-Based Violence in Kano State (GMAA-K) was implemented in Kano State address inequality among others.

Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive, CODE. said the call to enact women friendly laws was imperative to address the ills against women in the society .

Lawal said Nigeria ranked 123rd out of 146 countries on the World Gender Gap Gender Equality Index of 2022.

He said that prior to the World Gender Gap ranking, Thomson Reuters Foundation conducted a survey in 2018, and Nigeria ranked 9th in the top 10 list of most dangerous countries for women.

He said that Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) was widespread in Nigeria, with 30 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 having reported experiences of sexual abuse.

He added that 43 per cent of girls were married off before age 18, and 17 per cent married off before they turned 15 and Kano State, in the Northwestern part of the country is a reflective of these peculiarities.

SGBV fueled by cultural and religious factors continues spreading and the state lacks enabling laws to address SGBV, or sanction offenders and ensure victims/survivors get the multidimensional support they require.

Today, we are celebrating International Womens Day and calling all stakeholders across Nigeria to embrace equality not by mere show of words but by actions such as enacting policies that will protect women and girls in society.

The action plan got inputs from various Kano state actors and non-state actors. As of Dec. 1, 2022, the State Assembly held a public hearing on the Child Protection Bill but the house failed to pass the bills as committed to all stakeholders.

It is disheartening to say that policies such as this that ought to protect women and children in society are given a back seat in our society, in Kano state.

Lawal said that commitments from government stakeholders had not been upheld, particularly on the creation of more Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) in each Kano emirate council as Kano state only has one.

The reason CODE commissioned research is to highlight the impact of the project in the state, on lessons learnt, and recommendations for future direction of SGBV programming in Kano state.

Lawal said that to address SGBV in Kano, CODE through funding from the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria inaugurated the Galvanising Mass Action Against Gender-Based Violence in Kano State (GMAA-K)project.

He said the project aimed at galvanizing the public and empowering women to mount advocacies against SGBV and domestic abuse as well as engage the government for the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law.

He said CODE in January 2021, implemented the first phase of the GMAA-K in Kano, as the Canadian High Commission seeing the inroads being made with the project in Kano supported the second phase of the project in November 2021.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr James Christoff, said this years IWD was a reminder that all women from all ages and walks of life have a place in every aspect of the society.

Today, we celebrate the achievements of all women and girls who are building a stronger and more inclusive future, but we cannot forget that there is more work to be done.

In Nigeria, this is particularly important as we know Nigeria is facing an SGBV crisis .

At homes, in schools, on the streets, at work, on the internet, between conflict zones and IDP camps; SGBV has become normalised and most often goes unpunished sometimes blaming survivors.

Certain groups such as women with disabilities are at greater risk to experience gender-based violence, the scale of this issue is tremendous.

Christoff said that gender equality and empowerment of women and girls were at the heart of the Canadas Feminist Foreign policies due to thebelief that gender equality was key to building a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.

He said that the commission under its Canada Fund for Local Initiatives had been working with CODE over two years to galvanise action against gender based violence in Kano state.

He however, hoped that the report would chat the way forward to curb SGBV.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo, and the Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Haruna, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Naval Headquarters in Abuja, on Wednesday (8/3/23).

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Navy and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop navys capacity in ship building and maritime technology.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammad Haruna and the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo, sealed the deal at Naval Headquarters Abuja, on Wednesday.

Gambo said the MoU was another milestone in the Nigerian Navys efforts at strengthening interagency collaboration for enhanced security within the nations maritime domain.

The CNS commended NASENI for changing the dynamics of engineering, and facilitating research and development initiatives across sectors in the country and beyond.

He said that as part of the collaboration, a NASENI team had visited the Naval Dockyard in Lagos to refine the Nigerian Navys local shipbuilding, construction and fabrications for the maritime industry.

According to him, the indigenous shipbuilding effort has enhanced the presence of the Nigerian navy at sea which led to significant reduction of piracy.

Gambo said that the efforts had culminated into the delisting of Nigeria from the international list of piracy-prone countries in the world.

This has ultimately reduced high insurance premium which is known as risk premium, usually factored into shipping costs due to prevalence of piracy incidents around any part of the world.

These high costs are passed on the consumers, you and I, which enables shipping companies recoup their losses, as it were.

Now the good news is that prior to delisting Nigeria from the International Maritime Bureau list of piracy prone countries in March last year, the insurance premium has been reduced from ,000 to .

I assure you that the Nigerian navy will sustain this feat by the grace of God, he said.

The Naval chief said the MoU would re-ignite partnership between both organisations in several ways, including research and development for enhanced security.

He added that it would also foster operations and administrative engagements to achieve sustainable blue economy for Nigeria.

Gambo said the sustained efforts and support from the federal government was instrumental to the successes recorded by the Nigerian navy and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support.

I wish to assure you that the Nigerian Navy is well positioned to meet the terms of this unprecedented memorandum of understanding and I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership for the benefit of our great country.

I therefore, implore both parties, the Nigerian Navy and NASENI to be committed towards the attainment of the objectives of the memorandum of understanding for the good of Nigeria and benefit of Nigerians, he added.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammad Haruna, said the MoU would help to save foreign exchange and produce what was needed locally to enhance national security.

Haruna commended the Navy for its creativity and ingenuity in developing local capacity.

He said that the Navys stride at its Dockyard in Lagos would ease the collaboration in terms of research, fabrication of spare parts and ship building.

According to him, the MoU will provide tangible results for the benefits of our country,

The Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Adm. Suleiman Garba, said the MoU was a milestone in the joint technology revolution in Nigeria.

Garba said that the navy needed fruitful partnership with technological agencies such as NASENI to aggregate their human and financial resources to be self reliant.

Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Engineering, Rear Adm. Suleiman EL-Ladan, said the MoU was designed to harmonise the capacity of the navy and NASENI to take ownership of engineering and technical development for Nigeria.

El-Ladan said the arrangement started in 2016, adding that the two parties would constitute a joint implementation committee to ensure proper execution of the MoU.

According to him, under the agreement, the Nigerian navy will provide research and development focus areas, capacity to start off, design and construction of fishing vessels as well as oil tankers.

He said the MoU had a five-year lifespan, after which it would be expanded. (NAN) ()

Edited by Benson Iziama/Maharazu Ahmed

============================

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa

Source: NAN News

Some women who participated at the IWD organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Emmanuel Jime, says the council has surpassed the 35 per cent affirmative action of the United Nations on gender equality.

Jime said this while celebrating the International Womens Day (IWD) with the Women in Logistics and Transport Nigeria (WILAT), in Lagos on Wednesday.

The event had the theme: Embrace Equity through Innovation and Technology.

Jime was represented by NSCs Deputy Director of Human Resources, Mrs Ada Okam.

He said that the council was gender-friendly as reflected in the number of women in its top management cadre.

Precisely, women constitute 45 per cent of the high-profile cadre as well as occupy other juicy positions.

In line with embracing equity, the council has already trained over 65 per cent of its female staff locally and abroad in different capacity building programmes to properly position them in the organisation.

Council will do more where our female members of staff demonstrate the requisite capacity. I commend our female staff for showing capacity by performing excellently in their designated offices, he said.

The Chairperson of WILAT, Mrs Khadijat Sheidu-Shabi, said that 15 years ago, the percentage of women in the maritime industry was about seven.

According to her, women currently occupy more administrative positions.

She said, however, that there were not enough women in the technical sector of the maritime industry.

She listed the areas still dominated by men to include engineering and seafaring.

Mrs Ufon Usoro, National President, Chartered Institute of logistics and Transport (CILT), urged women to create opportunities for themselves.

We should create opportunities and make the society to realise that we are hardworking, smart and ready to contribute, she said.

Usoro urged women to avoid giving excuses but put in their best in any given assignment.

You just need to rearrange yourself and do what the men do to get to the top, she said.

She expressed satisfaction at the theme of the 2023 IWD celebration.

I am very pleased about the theme of the IWD which is equity through technology. We need to create opportunities for ourselves, encourage our girls to be good in science and mathematics because that is where you start if you want to be good in using technology, she said.

The state Chairman of CILT, Alhaji Bashir Ambi, said that no society would be complete without women.

Ambi appealed to the Federal Government to encourage more education of women in technology especially in rural areas. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

========
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News

Khuraira Musa, President, Arewa Development Support Initiative

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Arewa Development Support Initiative (ADSI), has urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu to ensure youth and women empowerment, as well as girl-child education, especially in the northern part of the country.

In a congratulatory letter signed on Wednesday in Abuja, the President of the initiative, Khuraira Musa, aligned with the vision of the President-elect in the actualisation of economic empowerment, skills acquisition, capacity building and inclusiveness for nation-building.

According to her, ADSI desires to partner with the incoming administration in the actualisation of a grassroots campaign manifesto in these areas which are part of its activities over the years.

Musa said: We the board and members of Arewa Development Support Initiative (ADSI) extend warm congratulations to you as the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

You demonstrated resilience in running a hard-fought campaign by symbolising hope, unity, patriotism and economic success.

But importantly, ADSI is excited to read about your trademark of fast-track development, excellence and filling the best person for the job which hallmark is required to addressing the many challenges our country is facing.

She said the initiative was aware of how Tinubu impressed Lagosians with a clear vision and ability to get the job done against the most formidable opposition.

Musa added: As you get on with the business of government as President- elect, ADSI desires to be your worthy partner in the actualisation of some of your grassroots campaign manifesto to our northern brothers and sisters.

Which largely was on economic empowerment, skills acquisition, capacity building and inclusiveness for nation-building which are at the heart of ADSI objectives.

ADSI trusts that you will continue to work for improved youth programs, gender equality especially in the northern part of Nigeria as well as women, girl-child education and most importantly, having more women in your cabinet.

She said that the initiative was a developmental, capacity building and SDG advocacy organisation with an impressive presence in all 19 states of the North and FCT.

Musa said: Our large membership comprises personalities of all vocations from all walks of life mainly of northern extraction of all faiths.

We wish you much success in your demanding office, good fortunes and firm health, as well as to the entire members of your family. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

Bola Tinubu

By Deji Abdulwahab

The Amalgamated All Progressives Congress (AAPC) Support Groups has called on political parties to embrace the hands of fellowship and brotherhood extended to them by Sen. Bola Tinubu, the nations President-elect.

The Director-General of the group, Dr Kailani Muhammad, made the call on Tuesday at a meeting with the Leadership of APC Grassroots Independent Campaign Council in Abuja.

Muhammad urged them, as patriotic Nigerians, to join Tinubu in nation-building so as to move the country forward.

We are calling on the opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and their members to accept the hands of fellowship and brotherhood extended to them by our principal, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

We saw PDP leaders and their members yesterday parading themselves on the streets of Abuja, belittling themselves after they have gone to court to challenge the election of the president-elect.

They have already gone to court and it has given them a note that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should give them the result sheets, which INEC is ready to do.

We are happy domestically here in Nigeria that all and sundry supported the Feb. 25 presidential election where Tinubu and Shettima emerged as winners.

They should know that it is not selection, but an election and that is why international community has also confirmed that the election was free and fair, he said.

The director-general said that various groups on the platform had been deployed to 28 states to ensure victory during the March 11 Governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

We have also set up committees to go round 28 states as we did in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

We deployed them to man all the 146,000 polling units in Nigeria, he said.

In his remarks, Mr Silas Agara, the National Coordinator, APC Grassroots Independent Campaign Council, said that purpose of the meeting was to unite various APC support groups.

According to him, the meeting is to promote unity, cohesion, mutual understanding, among the APC Support Groups. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News