News

34 States Domesticate Child Rights Act

Published

3 years ago

November 25, 2022

The Child Rights Act, which addresses issues including child abuse, child labour, forced marriage, and other challenges in Nigeria, has now been domesticated by 34 of the 36 states that make up the federation, Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen has disclosed.
She said the remaining two states which she refused to mention have given assurances that the Act will be domesticated in their states before the year runs out.
The proposed law named “The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015)” had been domesticated by just 13 states as of 2019, raising concerns in government and child rights circles.
“We have made progress on the domestication of the Child’s Right Act 2003. When I assumed office, we had only 12 states that have domesticated the Child’s Right Act and without the Act, we cannot achieve our desire of educating female children.
“With the Child’s right Act, the girl child is guaranteed to be in school up to senior secondary school, minimum when she will be about 17-18 years and by then, she would have crossed the early marriage stage,” she added.
Tallen, who appeared at the 59th edition of the Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, said the outcome is a result of active advocacy to ensure that all states key into the initiative.
The minister said she had personally met with key stakeholders and speakers of State Houses of Assembly to stress the need for them to pass the bill into law for their governors to assent to.
Tallen said: “We go to the traditional rulers, we go to community leaders, we go to religious leaders, and we go to the state assemblies.”
She also noted the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari provided in the effort to have all states domesticate the act, complemented by the First Lady, Aisha Buhari and the Forum of First Ladies.
The minister said cases of Gender Base Violence is on the increase daily and urged men to join the fight against the scorch, saying it was the reason the UN system instituted the He4She slogan and decorated Nigerian leaders including President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who believe without women they cannot get it right.
“As I said the world is now taking the face of a woman and is addressing gender balance. Without having more women at the decision table, we can never get it right. Once we have women, the difference will be clear because men cannot know it all, and that was why woman was created by God. So, ignoring women is going against the will of God.”
She disclosed that as of November 22, 2022,out of 11,053 reported gender-based violence, 401 ended in fatality, 33 perpetrators have been convicted, 592 cases have been closed, while 3,507 cases are still open.
“We have a total of 11, 053 cases of gender-based violence reported, fatal cases, 401, closed cases, 592, very sad and we had only 33 persons convicted for this deadly act and that is unacceptable and that is why we are calling on the justice system to act fast on cases of gender-based violence because justice delayed is justice denied,” Tallen stated.
The minister also disclosed that under Nigeria for Women Project, supported by World Bank over N3billion has been disbursed to 67,358 women beneficiaries.
She added that A total number of 6,142 beneficiaries from the eight pilot States have profited from the disbursement of the National Women Empowerment Fund (NAWEF), a micro-credit intervention Fund to provide loans up to N100,000.00 to women in collaboration with the Bank of Industry.
The beneficiary states are Abia State – 644; Adamawa State – 791;AkwaIbom State – 939;Borno State 1,074;Jigawa State – 442;Nasarawa State – 388;Osun State – 174; and Yobe State – 1,690.
The minister, who emphasized that girl child education is key in all societies, used the occasion to call on parents to ensure that they train their girls to at least secondary school level before giving them out for marriage.
“The education of the girl child is key to the ministry without education, you can’t get it right. Education is top on our agenda and that is why we work hand in hand with the Ministry of Education because that is what will equip the woman for life.
“Without education, we will not have women representing us at the international level. Without that, Amina Mohammed wouldn’t have been there making us proud at the UN, likewise, Dr NgoziOkonlo-Iweala would not have been at the World Trade Organization.
“I’m happy because the President of Nigeria, MuhammaduBuhari has insisted that every Nigerian child deserves to be educated especially the girl child. When you educate a woman, you educate the family and society at large but when you educate a man, you are educating a single person,” she said.

News

Tinubu Commissions Bayelsa Gas Turbine, Other Projects Today

Published

1 hour ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate four legacy projects, including a state-owned gas turbine, during a one-day state visit to Bayelsa State, today.

To this effect, the Bayelsa State Government has declared Friday (today) a work-free day, and ordered the closure of markets ahead of the President’s visit.

The state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, disclosed this yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital.

She said, “As we all know that the state is ready and we are ready as a people to receive the father of the nation, our father and leader in the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who will be in the state on a one-day visit to inaugurate four legacy projects.

“In view of this, the state government has declared tomorrow, Friday, April 10, 2026, a work-free day to enable workers and other residents of the State to participate in the programmes lined up for the one-day official visit to Bayelsa State.”

According to her, Tinubu is expected to inaugurate key projects during the visit, including a state-owned gas turbine at Opolo-Elebele, a 60-kilometre dual carriageway from Onopa to the LNG axis, and a 630-metre bridge linking Angiama to Oporoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

Koku-Obiyai urged residents, including traders, to comply with the directive and turn out to welcome the President.

The government said the measures were part of efforts to ensure a smooth and successful visit.

The Tide reports that Bayelsa is the third state President Tinubu will visit for project commissioning in the last one week.

The President was in Ogun State last Saturday to commission the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Iperu, together with the state’s new airline, Gateway Airline, and its two newly acquired aircraft.

He also inaugurated logistics and trade infrastructure, and launched the Nigeria Customs Service’s N73bn hub that has a residential barracks, training college, warehouse and hospital.

The president also launched mobility, security and agriculture assets, including 1,000 electric motorcycles (EV bikes), and 80 units of security vehicles.

Tinubu was also in Lagos on Wednesday on a two-day state visit to commission key legacy projects of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

Though represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the president inaugurated the newly constructed Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, Lagos State Geographic Information Service (LAGIS) building, and Lagos Multi-Agency Building in Alausa.

Other notable projects commissioned by the President were Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Abijo, Ajah, Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, and Maracana Stadium, comprising 19 mini-football pitches, built side-by-side in Ajegunle.

News

RSG Seeks Horticulturists’ Partnership To Restore Garden City Status

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has called for stronger collaboration with horticulturists as part of renewed efforts to restore the aesthetic appeal and environmental quality of Port Harcourt, in line with its urban renewal agenda.

The Commissioner for Urban Development, Sir Amairagha Edward Hart, made the call during an interactive session with private horticulturists and flower dealers at his office in Port Harcourt, recently.

He said the present administration remains committed to reviving the famed Garden City status of the state capital through deliberate policies and strategic partnerships, noting that professionals in horticulture have a key role to play in achieving that vision.

The Commissioner stressed that the state government is placing high premium on environmental sustainability, beautification of public spaces, and the creation of a serene urban atmosphere that reflects global best practices.

The Commissioner urged horticulturists to align their operations with government’s urban development guidelines, adding that their expertise and experience are essential in transforming Port Harcourt into a model city.

According to him, the collaboration will not only enhance the city’s visual appeal but also contribute to improved environmental health and economic opportunities for practitioners in the sector.

He, however, cautioned against practices that undermine urban order, particularly the obstruction of walkways and indiscriminate occupation of public spaces meant for other uses.

Hart emphasized that while the government encourages business growth, such activities must be carried out in a manner that supports urban planning objectives and promotes public convenience.

In a move to further support the sector, he disclosed plans by the Ministry to establish a dedicated “Flower Village” that will serve as a central hub for horticulturists and flower dealers across the state capital.

He explained that the proposed initiative is aimed at restoring sanity to the use of walkways and road corridors, while also creating a structured environment that will enhance business operations and boost revenue generation.

Responding on behalf of the practitioners, Evang. Caroline Nabo highlighted some of the challenges faced by horticulturists, including theft of plants and materials by scavengers and scrap metal dealers.

She appealed to the state government for intervention to safeguard their investments, even as she and other stakeholders commended the Ministry’s proactive steps and pledged their support towards the successful greening and beautification of Port Harcourt.

King Onunwor

News

TUC Demands Subsidy To Cushion Rising Fuel Prices

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC ) has called on the Federal Government to deploy excess crude oil revenue to subsidise local refineries as a way of cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices on Nigerians.

President of the Congress, Festus Osifo, who made the call during a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday, warned that the price of Premium Motor Spirit could climb to as high as N2,000 per litre if urgent measures are not taken.

Osifo said the persistent increase in the pump price of petrol, driven by global crude oil price volatility and exchange rate challenges, has worsened the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers.

The TUC leader attributed the surge partly to international developments, including tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have affected global oil supply dynamics.

Osifo also linked the rising cost of petrol to the depreciation of the naira, warning that the continued weakening of the currency is compounding inflationary pressures and reducing the real value of workers’ earnings.

To address the situation, the TUC president proposed that the government should utilise excess revenue generated when crude oil prices exceed the budget benchmark to support local refining.

He explained that with the 2024 budget benchmarked at $64.85 per barrel, any price above that threshold results in additional revenue shared by the three tiers of government, adding that at least 60 per cent of such excess funds should be channelled into subsidising crude supplied to domestic refineries, including the Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries.

He also urged authorities to take deliberate steps to stabilise the currency, noting that exchange rate stability would significantly reduce the cost of imported energy and other goods.

The TUC said it would formally communicate its proposals to the Federal Government, including the Presidency, with a view to ensuring the prompt implementation of measures to ease the hardship facing Nigerians.

He said, “Today, the cost of petrol is heading towards N2,000 per litre, depending on the part of the country that you are in. It has deeply affected the purchasing power of the salaries that we earn as Nigerian workers.

“Let the government take that excess fund that was never budgeted for, take at least 60 per cent of it, and use it to subsidise the crude being supplied to Dangote Refinery.

“The same should be done for Dangote Refinery and all modular refineries, where crude is supplied to them at that subsidised rate.

“Take the difference from the excess crude revenue, take about 60 per cent of it, and use it to subsidise the price at which crude is supplied to the refinery.

“When you subsidise crude, it cannot be abused because you are subsidising production directly. When that is done, we are going to see an immediate reduction in the price of petroleum products.”