Nation
NGO Backs NURTW On SGBV Policy Dev In Kaduna
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), says it will support the Kaduna State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to develop policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
EWEI’s Technical Adviser, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, Ms Jelilat Abioye, said this in Kaduna on Friday, at a one-day seminar to review existing policies and laws that address SGBV issues in the state.
Abiyoye explained that developing the GBV policy would help protect the members and their passengers against any form of sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence.
According to her, the measure is part of EWEI’s efforts to create safe spaces for everybody, especially women and girls in public places.
“When there is an existing policy on GBV, it will be easier to punish perpetrators of SGBV and get justice for survivors.”
Abiyoye, who is one of the facilitators at the seminar, educated members of the union on strategic advocacy, which she said was critical to mobilising stakeholders to support the development of the policy.
The NURTW State Secretary, Special Duties, Mr Hassan Ibrahim, commended EWEI for the support, describing it as timely, considering the rising incidence of rape, domestic violence and other GBV.
Ibrahim pledged the commitment of the union to work with EWEI to develop the policy from drawing from the union’s constitution, bylaws, and other government instruments to strengthen prevention of SGBV in motor parks.
He disclosed that the union’s constitution encourages women’s participation in the activities of the union and makes provision for their empowerment and protection against SGBV at home and/or motor packs.
“If a member has a problem with his wife and she reports the issue to us, we will look into it and if the husband is found wanting, he will be sanctioned.
“Our constitution and bylaws guide our code of conduct with specific sanction ranging from expulsion, suspension, fine to other forms of punishment for any act that disgraces the reputation of the union.
“These provisions have helped us significantly in checking excesses of our members, particularly gross misconduct that tarnishes the image of the union and other social vices,” he said.
On her part, the State Coordinator, Kaduna Civil Society SGBV Coalition, Bukola Ajao, commended NURTW for making specific provisions to protect the interest of women in the constitution.
Ajao, who took the participants through existing laws and policies that addresses SGBV issues in the state, also commended the union for making provisions to punish misconduct, including SGBV.
She said that the development of the SGBV policy for the union would consider provisions in various policies and laws in the state that address SGBV concerns.
She identified some of the legal instruments as Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, Penal Code Law, Child Welfare and Protection Law and other related government policies.
Earlier, EWEI’s Programme Officer, Gender, Mr Mendie Jeremiah, said support was under the NGOs “We for Them” project, being implemented with support from the African Women’s Development Fund.
Jeremiah explained that the project was designed to mobilise 4,500 critical stakeholders to curb sexual and gender-based violence in public places in Kaduna state.
He said EWEI is working with the NURTW and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, in implementing the two-year project, 2022 to 2024.
Nation
ICT Centre Set To Be Establish In Omuku
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Nation
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
Nation
NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor
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