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How To Check Violence Against Women – Amaechi

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Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says one way to curb violence against women and sexploitation of women is to address the economic imbalance in the country.

Amaechi spoke as the chief host of a one-day conference on, “Violence Against Women and Sextortion” organised by the National Association of Women Judges in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

“I look at this issue of ‘sextortion’ from the economic realities in Nigeria. I doubt if there is any woman born on earth who wants to use her body to the detriment of herself. But when you face economic challenges…,” the situation evolves.

According to him, when people are so denied of what they truly need to live comfortable lives with, they feel seriously compelled to engage in any kind of livelihood without actually considering whether or not such means of survival is morally right or wrong.

He further noted that when some poor parents could not pay school fees for their grown- up daughters, they may be compelled by such economic challenges to give out their daughters for sexual activities for financial gains.

“So, we must agree that the economic challenges we currently face as a nation could be linked to what you judges refer to as sextortion”.

“The only time the judges can begin to redefine sextortion is when those who are in public office begin to give equal opportunities, I did not say money, I say fair opportunities for people to compete favourably. What drives a lot of people into ‘sextortion’ is the economic challenges they face from day to day. They become victims of such economic challenges,” Amaechi said.

The Rivers State governor said whatever social misbehaviour people exhibit in earning a living has a direct link with the country’s economy.

He expressed concern that morals have sharply fallen among Nigerians as a result of social inequalities.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) argued that this harsh situation has made women more vulnerable in their bid to survive, adding that in 2011, the National Bureau of Statistics said 71 per cent of Nigerians are poor.

 

Governor Amaechi believed that naturally, women are imbued with pride but pointed out that because of the poor economic climate, not a few have jettisoned such virtues just to survive the harsh economic times, while also blaming the eroding family values system for the menace.

 

He argued that unless the economic imbalance is addressed, whatever law put in place to fight the menace may not be effective.

 

The governor suggested that other measures should be adopted to check the vice and that such measures should be in tandem with social realities.

 

Also, Speaker of the House of Representative, Aminu Tambuwal, who declared the conference open, lauded the association for organising the forum.

 

He stated that such conference will help address the plight of women and charged them to continue in their quest to improve the lot of womenfolk. “Sextortion is a great violence against women and it’s good that you make your position known”, he said.

 

Tambuwal, however, decried the rising spate of women in drug trafficking, as he urged the group to address the problem.

 

Speaking earlier, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu had observed that the conference is timely considering the situation.

 

He described violence and sextortion as a vice that has affected all the sectors of society.

 

“All of us are born by women and we will do everything to protect them”, he assured.

 

Earlier in her remarks, President of the National Association of Women Judges in Nigeria, Justice Binta Nyako had stated that the conference is to address and condemn the vice, stressing that it is a huge challenge, especially to women in the justice system.

 

She said “sextortion is the currency of corruption and eats the fabric of society and it is in all sectors of the society”.

 

Justice Nyako averred that the existing laws are not sufficient to tackle the vice hence the need to bring the matter to the front burner of public discourse.

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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