Nation

Senate Moves To Ensure Speedy Trials Of Cases Of Violence Against Women

Published

4 years ago

December 1, 2021

Rising cases of violence against women and girls caught the attention of the Senate, yesterday as the upper chamber mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to ensure an end to the issue of delay in the prosecution of perpetrators .
The position of the Senate came on the heels of the approval of the single prayer to a motion on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women sponsored by the Chairman , Senate Committee on Women Affairs; Senator Betty Apiafi (Rivers State)
Senator Apiafi who came under Order 52 of the Senate ( Matter of urgent National Importance) told the Senate that Violence Against Women and Girls ( VAWG) has become one of the most widespread persistent and devastating human rights violation world over.
The lawmaker , identified this gender abuse as intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide), sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances,
Others include child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cybersex-harassment)
Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation), Female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage were also pointed out as forms of VAWG.
She regretted that even as such criminal act escalates, It remains largely under reported due to impunity, silence stigma and shame surrounding it while those who brave it to seek justice battle their cases with snail speed judicial system that keeps traumatising them the more .
Her words “ Gender based violence (GBV) or Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a global epidemic that affects one per cent in three women worldwide;
“ Women and girls are more likely to face food insecurity;. Only on in ten victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) will go to the law enforcements agencies for help.
“These figures are mirrored in Nigeria with 30% of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 years reported to have experienced sexual abuse.
“Insurgency and protracted conflicts have exacerbated Gender Based Violence in the North East of Nigeria and several areas in other geo-political zones in the country. Harmful practices such as child marriage which is still prevalent in Nigeria with 43 per cent of girls married before the age of 18 years, while 20 per cent of women aged 15-49 years have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
As at 24th November, 2021, a total of 5,204 Gender Based Violence cases were reported, of which 3,125 survivors are demanding justice and only 33 perpetrators have so far been convicted with over 972 cases pending in court.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

Nation

NGOs Urge RSG To Prioritise Child Protection Funding

Published

7 days ago

June 20, 2025

The Tide

The South South Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention Info Hub, in partnership with the Child Protection Network(CPN), Rivers State and the Gender and Development Action (GADA) has called on the Rivers State Government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence(SGBV), and put measures in place to facilitate transformative reforms in the State’s budgeting and planning, to prioritise children’s rights, with focus on combating SGBV.

The NGOs, which made the call during a media briefing as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Day of the African Child in Port Harcourt last Monday, said Rivers State particularly faces a severe SGBV crisis, profoundly affecting children and caregivers.

They noted that this year’s theme of the Day of the African Child, ‘Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights:Progress Since 2010’, is apt and timely, as it urges African Union(AU) member states to assess progress in integrating children’s issues into national budgets since 2010 and adopt child rights-based budgeting approaches.

According to the media statement signed by Inyingi Irimagha of the Gender and Development Action(GADA); Darling Ogbulu Peter of the Child Protection Network (CPN); and Loretta Ahuokpeme of the South South SGBV Prevention Info Hub, in Rivers State, SGBV, inadequate funding, and political instability exacerbate vulnerabilities, leaving critical social services under-sourced.

The NGOs frowned at a situation where Rivers State is the only State in the South South without accredited Sexual Assault Referral Centres(SARCs), saying, this leaves child survivors without critical medical care, psychological support or legal aid, thus, resulting in prolonged trauma, physical injuries, and social stigmatisation, violating their rights to safety and well-being.

They, therefore, urged the state government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of SGBV, contending that as the only State in the South South region without an accredited SARC, Rivers State must act swiftly to establish explicit budget lines and engage stakeholders to address critical issues affecting children and caregivers.

To align with the African Union’s theme for this year’s Day of the African Child, they called on the State to reform her budgeting, to prioritise SGBV and child protection; and the State’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Finance, to prioritise funding for critical infrastructure supporting vulnerable populations.

The organisations equally urged the state government to adequately fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to protect, safeguard and rehabilitate susceptible children and persons, and harped on the need for the government to strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs to enhance its legal capacity.

They challenged the government to without further delay establish SARCs in the State and allocate funds to build and operate them; fund safe spaces and halfway homes to shelter SGBV survivors and at-risk children; strengthen child protection infrastructure by investing in shelters, counselling centres, and legal aid, to safeguard children from abuse and exploitation; as well as support caregivers by implementing vocational training, microfinance, and financial assistance to empower them, preventing child abandonment and supporting children’s right to a family.

The NGOs called on the state government to enhance law enforcement capacity by training and equipping the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) to handle SGBV cases, ensuring children’s right to justice; and also strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs by establishing a legal department within the Ministry to handle SGBV cases and refer them to courts. They also advocated for a special SGBV court, to expedite justice, ensuring swift prosecution of offenders and perpetrators.

They stressed the need for the state government to fully fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation by providing adequate resources to enable effective protection, safeguarding and rehabilitation services for vulnerable children and persons, thereby reducing the burden on NGOs, saying, the government could as well improve inter-ministerial coordination by funding regular meetings among Ministries and agencies like the police and NAPTIP, for cohesive responses.

The NGOs urged the government to promote transparent budget tracking by establishing monitoring mechanisms for child- specific allocations, ensuring accountability in accordance with AU standards.

The event also featured the presentation of a short film screening highlighting the dangers of SGBV against children and vulnerable persons.

Nation

Oceans Exhibition Understand And Act: Raising Awareness Through French Language

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

The Alliance Française Port Harcourt recently hosted a- 4 Day programme in conjunction with the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference ( UNOC:3) to mark the World Environment Day, 2025.

The Programme which was supported by the Embassy of French in Nigeria was focused on ocean protection and held from 9 to 13 June, 2025 at the premises of the Alliance Franchise.

The Tide News reports that the week long event was inspired by the Educational booklet “Understand Ocean And Act” created by the French Development Agency (AFD),was free and open for all.

The exhibition adapts complex environmental challenges into engaging educational contents for learners of all ages. It also placed special focus on French Language Learners at the beginner level( A1-A2) and school students.

According to the Director of Alliance Française Mrs Marina Lacal, 130 pupils from six schools in Port Harcourt and additional 60 students from local Universities participated in the guided visit and interactive activities.

Schools that took part in the Programme include Cornerstone International school, Vine, International, Greenoak, Gold gate Montessori, Helm Bridge and Virgo Praedicanda International school.

Others are the University of Port Harcourt,(UNIPORT) Rivers State University (RSU)and the Ignatius AJuru University of Education (AUE)

Mrs Lacal further said that through this initiative Alliance Française Harcourt and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to educating younger generations and promoting global awareness through language, culture and environmental engagement

However, the exhibition witnessed interactive tools such as French-Language game, quizzes, memory challenges, fill-in -the -blanks. It also provides a platform to explore major ocean issues including climate change,biomliversity loss, plastic pollution, sustainable fishing and climate induced migration all through a linguistic and civic lens.

In line with it’s eco conscious approach , all displayed banners used for the exhibition will be recycled into eco friendly souvenirs such as(key chains) that would be given to participants after the event, to further help reinforce the message that every action counts.

It would be recalled that all snacks and drinks provided during the visit were served with low plastic packaging in line with the environmental message of the event.

Nation

Deputy Commandant Hails Tinubu For Signing NFSS Bill Into Law

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Anti- Bunkering Agency, Amb Wachukwu Adah, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction. The operatives of the NFSS are known as forest guards.
Amb Adah, who made the commendation during the official structuring of the Nigeria Forest Security Service Anti-Bunkering team and induction of legionnaires in Omoku Town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, described President Tinubu as the best President of Nigeria following his monumental achievements in office.
He said the Local Government Autonomy Bill recently signed into law by the President Tinubu administration has tremendous impacts on the lives of the average Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.
He noted that by this singular gesture, the President had hit the ground running, for the meaningful development of the country.
Amb Adah reiterated that Rivers youths would utilise the opportunity to serve the country to the best of their ability, acknowledging their readiness to do the needful by ensuring that the forests across the nation are adequately secured.
The Deputy Commandant General also applauded the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying, the Minister has turned Abuja to London.
He, however, appealed to the Minister to assist Rivers youths to get sensitive positions in the new Nigeria Forest Security Service ,saying, there is need for him and other leaders to assist the youths who are interested in jobs at the NFSS to secure them, as it is done elsewhere.
“ We need your backing on securing the jobs at NFSS”, he said.
Amb.Adah, who represented the National Commandant, Amb Joshua Osatimehia, said the youths are fully ready to contribute to the security, progress and growth of the nation, and emphasised the essence of character, professionalism and quality service delivery at the NFSS.
In his address, the Administrator of Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council, Dr Ndu Ajie assured the security outfit of the total support of the council.
Dr Ajie, who was represented by the Secretary of the council ,Mr.Onyedibia Ndulaka, praised the determination and sacrifices made by the security operatives in ensuring and fostering the peace and security of the State.
On their part, heads of security agencies in the local government area, including the Joint Task Force(JTF); the Police; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), commended the efforts of the security outfit in the security of national assets, assuring them of collaboration to achieve common goals.
During the event, the 23 LGA commanders and other ranking officers were commissioned.
Recall that President Tinubu had commissioned the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and a committee to work out modalities on the operations of the NFSS.
The former State Commander of NFSS, Chief Will Wegwu showered encomiums on the Deputy Commandant General for his sacrifices and untiring efforts to keep the flag flying.
Chief Wegwu assured the participants that the officers and men would continue to support the Deputy Commandant General to succeed in his assignment.
The Omoku Police Area Commander, ACP Mahe Mohammed; and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omoku Police Division, CSP John Landan, were among a host of other security chiefs and personalities that graced the occasion.