Connect with us

News

Gender-Based Violence: NASS Pledges Stiffer  Legislations

Published

on

From Alhasan Bala ,Abuja

 

 

 

 

The National Assembly has pledged to make stiffer legislation or amend existing laws that will strengthen the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Nigeria to conform with global best practices.

 

The Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele stated this in Abuja Thursday, when he represented the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan at the official launch of the UNSUB web and mobile application, as a response platform for victims of SGBV in Nigeria.

 

The Senate President observed that issues of SGBV have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and across the globe, “saying there is a need for us as a nation to come together, brainstorm and fashion out best ways to tackle the menace.

 

According to the Senate President who is also the Chairman of the National Assembly, “injection of technologies would always minimize the potency of criminal actions and expand the range of management, in the concerted bid to rid the system of these crimes”.

 

He said the theme of this launching, which is “Exploring Innovative Routes to tackling the escalation of SGBV in a pandemic”, is very apt as it captures the essence of creativity in dealing with a malaise, made rife by the pandemic.

 

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu Esq. in his statement noted that perpetrators of rape and other Sexual and Gender-Based Violence will no longer go unpunished following the launch of UNSUB Platform by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with other partners as the platform will ensure accountability for these heinous crimes.

Advert

 

According to the Ojukwu, UNSUB Platform is designed by a technology company, CANs to support responders to cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence to get justice for the survivors and victims, as well as pave the way for the punishment of offenders in accordance with the law.

 

The Chief Human Rights Officers in Nigeria disclosed that UNSUB Platform is launched in collaboration with CANs, OSIWA, Office of the Vice President, and Embassy of Switzerland to facilitate synergy amongst stakeholders in handling cases of rape and SGBV.

 

“The Commission has observed with admiration the upsurge in efforts by various stakeholders through varying activities all geared towards tackling the global monster of SGBV from their respective corners and there is no doubt that the various efforts have helped in no small measures in addressing the problems of SGBV which is highly commendable”, the Executive Secretary stated.

 

Ojukwu recalled that before the launch of UNSUB Platform, the Commission had carried out a series of advocacy to stamp out the increasing cases of SGBV which he pointed out include an automated 24 hours call center with gender-sensitive attendants that operationalize the UNSUB Platform.

 

The Human Rights Chief Executive Officer said that the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Office of the Vice President have concluded arrangements to include NHRC as one of the response agencies in the national Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) “to avail us the use of 112-toll free number as an added number for reporting SGBV and other human rights abuses all over the country”.

 

He also used the opportunity to appreciate the support of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, SAN for always leading from the front on the fight against rape, SGBV, and other human rights violations.

 

In his remarks, the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matter, Hon. Simon Karu who represented the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. John Dyegh said that they are ready to collaborate with the Commission to ensure that the disturbing issues of rape and other SGBV cases are tackled head-on.

 

The climax of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by NHRC’s Executive Secretary and CANs Managing Partner, Olajide Abiose to ensure a smooth operation of the UNSUB Platform.

 

Abiose said that the UNSUB Platform will serve as a veritable platform to encourage reportage of SGBV cases because “it inspires confidence and allows for anonymous reporting”.

 

Other partners in the fights against SGBV and other related violations who were represented at the occasion include OFFICE OF THE AGF, IGP, NAPTIP, WACOL, FIDA, WRAPA, OSIWA, etc.

 

 

News

APC Extends Membership Registration, Reschedules Congresses and Convention

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a revised timetable for its internal activities, extending its electronic membership registration and rescheduling upcoming congresses and its national convention.

The decisions were reached during the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party outlined the key changes.

The electronic membership registration exercise has been extended from January 31 to February 8, 2026. According to the statement, the extension follows requests from party stakeholders and is intended to allow more supporters and members to register or validate their membership.

Advert

Furthermore, the schedule for party congresses has been adjusted. Ward congresses are now set to hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the National Convention has been rescheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

The statement also clarified that some states would be excluded from the forthcoming state congresses. Osun State, Ekiti State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are exempted due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded because of the subsisting tenure of the current party executive committees in the state.

Additionally, the NWC confirmed the constitution of a National Convention Planning Committee. The party noted that further details regarding the adjusted timetable and the composition of the planning committee would be communicated in due course.

These changes mark a significant recalibration of the APC’s internal electoral calendar as it prepares for its national convention and subsequent political engagements.

Continue Reading

News

Turaki-Led PDP Faction to Appeal Court Ruling, Affirms Legitimacy

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced it will appeal a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that refused to grant its request for an order of mandamus. The court, in its Friday judgment, stated that granting the order would amount to reviewing decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction—a ruling the faction described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the faction confirmed it has directed its legal team to file an appeal immediately and take all necessary legal steps to defend its standing.

Advert

Despite the legal setback, the faction asserted that its leadership, which emerged from the PDP’s Ibadan convention, remains legally intact and unaffected. The statement called on members to stay calm and resolute, assuring them there is “absolutely no cause for alarm” and that the party’s “rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”

The development is part of an ongoing internal dispute over leadership and legitimacy within the PDP, with rival factions seeking judicial affirmation. All eyes are now on the appellate courts, whose decisions could significantly influence the party’s structure and direction ahead of future political activities.

The faction expressed confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold its position, stating it “awaits the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”

Continue Reading

News

Fayemi Denies Alleged Closed-Door Meeting with Kwankwaso

Published

on

 

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

Advert

According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

Continue Reading

Trending