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UNSC Resolution: RSG Launches Implementation Action
The Rivers State Government says it is in active partnership with both local and international organisations to adequately empower women and girls socially, economically and politically.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo stated this during the launching of the Rivers State Action Plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR1325) at the Ministry of Women Affairs in Port Harcourt.
According to the deputy governor, the partnership was not only on the implementation of the state action plan but also the sustainability of the campaign to eliminate violence against women and girls as well as the promotion of activities in conflict prevention, peace building and post-conflict recovery.
She said the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration takes security and well-being of women as top priority, explaining that this was why the governor has continued to appoint women with capacity to sensitive positions.
She said for the first time in the history of Rivers State, a female chief judge, in the person of Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha was appointed, and after her retirement, another qualified woman, Hon Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, who was next in line was appointed as the chief judge without prejudice.
Banigo said Wike also appointed Hon. Justice Christy Nwankwo as the first female president of the Customary Court of Appeal, underscoring the gender-friendly posture of the governor.
“His Excellency takes the security and well-being of women in Rivers State as a priority so much so that he chose a female in the person of my humble self to hold the position of deputy governor; Wike has not relented in appointing women into key positions in the state,” she said.
Banigo gave the assurance that the state government will work to uphold the five pillars of the state action plan which includes Prevention and Disaster Preparedness, Participation and Representation, Protection and Prosecution, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Early Recovery and Crisis Management.
“We will ensure that this action plan is utilized to the fullest. As you are aware, I am passionate about the plight of women and girls in our society. That is why I put together ‘The Protect The Girl-Child Initiative’. Since its commencement, more people have become aware of how and where to get help in relation to abuse and violence against women and girls”, she stressed.
In her presentation, Mrs. Susan Bassey-Duke said the ultimate objective of the Revised State Action Plan (SAP) was to vastly improve and advance strategies for the participation and inclusion of women in all levels and areas of decision-making while developing strategies for protecting them from all forms of gender-based violence.
Prof. Nkoyo Toyo, who presented a paper on opportunities and challenges for women in peace building, decision making and governance, expressed the need to adopt sustainable peace approach to conflict resolution.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Atosemi Teetito said the state action plan was meant to be developed and domesticated based on the conceptualization of the UNSCR 1325 and designed in such a way that it will address and respond to the growing violence against women and girls.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Inime Aguma, who decried the rate at which women were emotionally and physically abused, said it was important for women to collaborate with their male counterparts to achieve set goals.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.