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ActionAid Urges FG, States To Prioritise Girls’ Education
ActionAid Nigeria has implored the federal and state governments to prioritise education for children, girls and people with special needs.
Its Country Director, Ene Obi, made the appeal, yesterday, in Abuja, during the Learning and Close-Out Meeting of Tax Justice and Gender Response Public Services Project (Breaking Barriers).
Obi, also, called on governments to institutionalise existing mechanisms to curb sexual and gender abuse-based violence in schools.
On what ActionAid Nigeria has done to tackle the high level of illiteracy, she said the organisation in partnership with ActionAid International, secured four-year funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD) a project targeted at reducing illiteracy.
According to her, the project tagged: ‘Breaking Barriers’ was aimed at ensuring that children, especially girls and marginalised children, access free, quality, public-funded, inclusive public education in Lagos and Sokoto states, respectively.
She explained that within the lifespan of the project, “it addressed some barriers that prevent children, especially girls and children with disabilities from enjoying their rights to free, quality and inclusive public education.
“These barriers include discrimination, inadequate financing, and the proliferation of private schools as low-cost schools.”
She added that “in driving the agenda, two locations were selected for the execution in Nigeria: Lagos and Sokoto states.
“In Lagos, three local governments; Alimosho, Epe and Badagry, were selected. In Sokoto, 3 local governments; Tambuwal, Sokoto South and Bini were selected.
“The project was implemented in 30 schools in Sokoto and Lagos states. three primary schools, 12 secondary schools in Lagos and three primary schools and 12 secondary schools in Sokoto State.”
On the success achieved, she said, “the project has contributed to the fiscal policy changes in Sokoto State internal revenue law that have led to increased revenue generated in the state.
“Similarly, the project has supported the drafting of an inclusive education policy that will drive the education of children with disabilities and continuously advocate for increased allocation which has led to the two states progressively prioritising education in the annual budget.”
As part of the recommendations, she said: “We urge the Federal Government and other state governments to replicate the successes achieved through various ministries and agencies by prioritising inclusive education for children, especially girls and children with disabilities and addressing other barriers such as infrastructural gaps.
“Support the school-based management committee, and institutionalise or strengthen existing mechanisms to curb sexual and gender-based violence in schools.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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