Foundation calls for collective action on girl-child challenges

By Talatu Maiwada

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Sunday in Abuja urged all stakeholders and governments at all levels to unlock the girl-child potential through better initiatives.

Dr Echey Ijezie, AHFs Nigeria Country Director, in a statement, said there was now the need to invest in initiatives capable of empowering and developing leadership potentials in the girl-child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was in relation to the commemoration of the 2020 International Day of the Girl-Child across the world on Sunday.

The International Day of the Girl-Child is commemorated annually on Oct.11 to celebrate the importance, power, and potentials of girls around the world.

The days theme, Empowered Girls Brighter Future, is aimed at celebrating girls worldwide, by keeping them healthy, confident and providing opportunities for them to succeed.

For us at AHF therefore, the 2020 International Day of the Girl-Child is another auspicious moment for stakeholders to rally round for the well-being of girls.

The opportunity has come again for everyone to contribute and lift up our girls by investing in initiatives that are capable of developing their leadership potential.

These are the provision of water and hygienic toilets in schools, provisionof free sanitary pads to indigent girls and considering lowering the age of consent from 18.

This will be a strong statement of our support for their well-being, Ijezie said.

He pointed out that AHF had since 2016 made young women and girls their top priority with the global Girls Act programme.

This is out of the belief that girls everywhere should stay safe, healthy and able to achieve their goals, Ijezie added.

He recalled that on Sept. 30 members of AHF-Nigeria Girls Act had an interface with the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control (ATM).

Ijezie said the group sought help from the parliamentarians in improving the well-being of girls in the country, particularly to create unhindered access for girls to reproductive health services that are youth-friendly.

During that visit to the National Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Dahiru, Chairman House Committee on ATM, in his response, had promised that his committee would lead the effort to improve the well-being of girls in Nigeria.

That is heartwarming for us at AHF, he said in the statement.

It also quoted Terri Ford, AHF Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy, as reaffirming the need for government and stakeholders globally to provide vital keys for the success of the girl-child.

They should be able to stay in school, avoid unplanned pregnancies and persons that are HIV-positive should remain on treatment.

COVID-19 has been devastating, but the limited access to services for sexual and reproductive health and other vital areas for girls and young women are making the situation increasingly worrisome, Ford stated.

Also, Loretta Wong, AHF Deputy Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy, took a look at the United Nations Population Fund prediction.

The Fund predicted that there could be up to seven million unintended pregnancies and an increase in cases of gender-based violence as a result of the pandemic.

We however urge governments and stakeholders globally to do more to ensure girls are protected and have access to the health services they need.

Source: NAN News

APC backs SARS disbandment, Police reform

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday in Abuja, said it welcomed Federal Governments decision to disband the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

The party said this in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its Deputy National Publicity Secretary.

It said it viewed the responsive decision as a major and concrete step toward President Muhammadu Buharis affirmed resolve to achieve better policing and necessary reforms.

From the recent #BlackLivesMatter social movement to other global clamours for review of police operations, particularly in regard to citizens they are empowered to protect the need for police reforms in Nigeria is urgent and continuous.

With benefit of experience and public outcry over the operations of the disbanded SARS, the APC is confident that the new policing arrangement promised by the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed will balance the need to effectively combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country, he said.

Nabena expressed optimism that the police reform would also ensure humane, professional and accountable police operations in the country.

He called on Nigerians to take advantage of the Citizens and Strategic Stakeholders Forum formed to regularly interface with police leadership at all levels and advise on its activities as they affected the general public.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there had been pockets of protests by some individuals in some parts of the federation calling for the scraping of SARS over harassment and intimidation by some of its officers.

The Inspector-General of Police, while announcing the disbandment of SARS across the 36 states of the federation, on Oct. 11, said its operatives would be redeployed to other police formations and commands.

The announcement came after days of online and offline protests against the brutality and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives nationwide.

The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force otherwise known as SARS is hereby dissolved in all the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory, the IGP had said.

Source: NAN News

Judiciary Sports Day

By Emmanuel Afonne

The 2020 Judiciary Games will likely hold on a yet to be determined date in November in Bauchi, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Mr Emeka Ndili, President National Sports Association for Judiciary (NASAJ), disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Sunday.

Ndili said Kogi and Bayelsa States have been placed on standby in case Bauchi State failed to meet up with preparations.

COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the world and we are trying to marshal out a format for the games; we are planning on non contact games for 2020 depending on what the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 says.

The PTF are yet to approve contact sports; if they lift ban on contact sports, then, we will include them because football is the king of sports, we want to have football.

We hope to have our games this year in late November, tentatively in Bauchi, while Kogi and Bayelsa States are on standby,he said.

According to Ndili, North Central, South East, South South and South West states are participating in the judiciary games, while efforts are ongoing to make North East and North West active.

He noted that the judiciary games had come to stay following the massive supports of a former and current Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The NASAJ president said the support from the judiciary authorities led to the superlative performance of the Supreme Court FC in the Nigeria National League.

We have our own staff members playing for the Supreme Court FC, he said.

NAN reports that Ndili was elected unopposed on Thursday as NASAJ President in an election which saw the withdrawal of other candidates.

Ndah Sunday was elected Vice President as Obasi Ndubuisi clinched the post of the Secretary-General among other six elected officials to run the Association for the next four years. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) headquarters, Abuja

By Edith Nwapi

The National Human Rights Commission has commended the Federal Government for promptly dissolving the Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), an action it said showed the qualify of a listening government.

The Commission spoke in reaction to an announcement on Sunday by the Inspector General of a Police, Mohammed Adamu, dissolving the special squad.

According to a statement by Mr Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, on Sunday in Abuja, the NHRC has been monitoring reports from individual victims and the media with respect to human rights violation of innocent members of the public by SARS operatives as well as other police units across the country.

He said that the Commission is equally aware of the public outcry to scrap SARS so as to put an end to these violations, revealing that the Federal government, by its action, has demonstrated its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights of Nigerians.

The Right to protest is a constitutionally protected right as long as it is carried out responsibly and without resulting in the violation of the rights of any member of the public, including law enforcement personnel.

He said with the dissolution of SARS, as recommended by the Presidential Panel, the stage is now set to implement the other recommendations of the panel.

He added in this regard, the government had requested the Commission to constitute a broad-based implementation committee, inclusive of relevant government agencies and civil society organizations.

According to Ojukwu, this is to ensure the transparent, comprehensive and accountable implementation of the white paper on the presidential panel report.

The Commission assures Nigerians that the federal government is wholly committed to protecting the human rights of all Nigerians in accordance with the 1999 Constitution as amended, Nigerias international human rights obligations and respect for the rule of law.

Nigerians should appreciate the critical role being played by the Nigerian police and Special Anti-Robbery Squad in bursting armed robbery and other heinous crimes in the country even at the risk of their personal safety and some of them have paid the supreme sacrifice too.

However, law enforcement must be carried out bearing in mind constitutional guarantees of human rights, including respect for the life and dignity of the human person and with utmost professionalism, he said.

Consequently, he said, the SARS/police officers tarnishing the image of the government and the police force should be made to be accountable.

Ojukwu pledged that the Commission is committed to working with all stakeholders, state and non-state actors to raise the bar of human rights protection and enforcement in the country.

He urged Nigerians, including the protesters, to be more vigilant, law abiding and give the ongoing process a chance to resolve all the current issues. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Orji Kalu

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu has commended the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for respecting the wishes of Nigerians on the recent call to dissolve the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Orji Kalu Media Office on Sunday in Abuja, the former governor of Abia said that the disbandment of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad was in the right direction.

Adamu said that the operatives would be redeployed to other police formations and commands.

The announcement came after days of protests against brutality and extra-judicial killings by SARS operatives nationwide.

The Inspector General of Polices action has shown his concern for Nigerians especially the youths who have been accused, oppressed and subjected to all forms of abuse and brutality by some reckless members of the SARS, he said.

Kalu said he had in the past written privately to the I-G for a total reform of the SARS , adding that what Nigeria needs is a trusted police force which is guided by the respect and protection of the rights of Nigerian citizens.

According to him Police must ensure that their actions are in accordance with the fundamental principles for the development of a just society.

When people live in fear, they will be skeptical of what is coming next in their lives and that is not right.

Some of the SARS act with impunity.

Many Nigerians have complained about how tensed they feel in check points even when they have their required papers, Kalu said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Akeredolu on the move

Idowu Gabriel

Speaker of the Ekiti House of Assembly, Mr Funminiyi Afuye, has congratulated Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state on his re-election at the poll on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti by his Special Adviser on Media, Tai Oguntayo, the Ekiti Speaker described Akeredolus victory as a deserved one.

Afuye, who also congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that Akeredolus victory is a testimony of his good works in the last three and a half years as governor of the state.

He further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a job well-done.

The Ekiti lawmaker said that the election went without bloodshed and there were no complaints of card reader malfunction during the exercise.

The people of Ondo State also deserve commendation for conducting themselves in an orderly manner before, during and after the election, he said.

Speaking further on the Partys victory in Ondo State, Afuye said; this is a good omen that APC will also win for a consecutive time in Ekiti come 2022, because Gov. Kayode Fayemis achievements will also speak for him.

He, however, advised Akeredolu to keep the flag flying by continuing to provide quality leadership and good governance for the people of Ondo State.

Continued victory for APC in Ondo State after your tenure will be determined by the legacies of excellent works you achieve in your second tenure in office, Afuye said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Foundation calls for collective action on girl-child challenges

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The Racheal Udenna Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation, has called for collective action from well meaning individuals in addressing the challenges of the girl-child.

The foundation said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja by Rachael Udenna, its founder, in commemoration of the 2020 International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC).

The challenges of the girl child are enormous but can be effectively addressed if all hands are on deck.

The International Day of the Girl Child brings to the fore the plights of the girl child and we all have a part to play in making sure that these challenges are surmounted in the shortest period of time, she said.

Udenna noted that there were 1.1 billion girls across the world who could grow up to change the world if they were given access to secondary education, proper nutrition and family planning services.

In fact, experts around the world believe secondary education for girls could be the most successful and cost effective investment against climate change.

Researches have also shown that educated girls are less likely to contract HIV and when women are educated, they tend to cater more for the family with their well paid jobs, she said.

She expressed optimism that if all girls attended school for 12 years, the world would be better for it.

She also said that if nations worked towards educating their children irrespective of the sex, the risk of war would be cut down by 50 per cent.

In reality, though, over 130 million girls are out of school worldwide, with the exception to China, one in three girls are married in the developing world before reaching their 18th birthday, she said.

This, Udenna said, meant that 47,700 girls were coerced into underaged marriages on a daily basis.

She noted that at least 500 million women and girls lacked a private place to change their sanitary protection, a fact she said led to reproductive tract infections and fewer girls in school.

She maintained that there was need to change the narrative to ensure a better society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2020 IDGC is: The Future of a Girl Child.

This year is the 25th International Day of the Girl Child since Oct. 11 was first set aside by the United Nations in her Beijing Declaration to recognise girls rights and the unique challenges the girl-child faces.

The day aims to shed light on the reasons the global society should address the challenges, biases, dangers, and injustices young girls deal with all over the world.

The day gives particular focus on parts of the globe where child marriage is widely practiced, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa. (NAN

Source: NAN News

Minister of State FCT, Dr Ramatu Aliyu

By Salisu Sani-Idris

FCT Minister of State Ramatu Aliyu has condemned the abductions of the former Vice Chairman of Kuje Area Council and some councillors by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Mr Austine Elemue, on Sunday in Abuja, the minister described the incident as unfortunate and heinous.

She regretted that the cases of abductions had become rampant, especially in Kuje area council of the territory.

Aliyu, who assured residents that the FCT administration would take drastic measures to address the menace, appealed to them to remain calm as efforts were being made to rescue the victims.

It is regrettable and unfortunate that we are still having cases of abductions and kidnappings in the FCT.

It is particularly saddening because this is the seat of government. We must do everything possible to put an end to these senseless killings and abductions of residents.

I want to appeal to residents, especially those in the area councils, to remain calm as the FCT administration is working to protect lives and property.

I also want to assure them that the security agencies are on top of the situation, the minister stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed Pegi community on Sunday and abducted the former council Vice Chairman, Mohammed Baba, some councillors and political aides. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chelsea beat Manchester City, Arsenal go top of Womens Super League

England international Fran Kirby made one goal and scored another as champions Chelsea eased to a 3-1 home win over title rivals Manchester City in the Womens Super League on Sunday.

Norways Maren Mjelde put the home side ahead with a penalty in the 36th minute, and Kirby set up striker Sam Kerr with an excellent first-time ball for the second in the 57th minute.

Chloe Kelly pulled one back for City from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute but six minutes later Kirby latched on to a long ball for a breakaway goal that made it 3-1.

The win leaves Chelsea third in the standings with 10 points from four games, while City are fifth on seven points after a disappointing start.

Arsenals 5-0 thrashing of Brighton

Gov. Sanwo-Olu

By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, was a victory for Nigerian youths.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dissolution followed nationwide protests against the anti-robbery squad.

Sanwo-Olu said this on Sunday while speaking with journalists on arrival in Lagos from Ondo State where he was Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign team.

He said that the protests, held across the world, showed the beauty of democracy and that people had the right to express their views.

The governor commended the youths for being very peaceful during the protests, and promised that the government meant business about the disbandment of SARS.

The beauty of democracy is that people have the right to protest, to air their views, to speak out when things are not going right and I have identified with them.

This is real democracy being played out. They have the right as our youths, as our citizens to correct and say we do not want this.

Let me commend all of our youths that have come out in Lagos. I have been monitoring on a daily basis and it has been very peaceful. That is what we want, you can actually make your point in a peaceful and orderly manner, Sanwo-Olu said.

He urged the youths not to doubt the governments sincerity, as it was the first time government would be disolving the group.

Sanwo-Olu said that the youths had his full support on their demand, as he would not sit back and allow any residents be maltreated.

He said the statement of government was very clear on the disbandment and there would be measures that would be taken afterward.

The governor said he had spoken with the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) on the way forward.

We thank the FG for listening to the voice of the people via peaceful but powerful protests showing the peoples commitment to protecting each other irrespective of gender or tribe, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News