News
Gender Violence: NUJ Urges Govts To Establish Social Courts
The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguzo, yesterday urged government at all levels to establish social courts for gender violence in the country.
Isiguzo made the call in Abuja during a one-day training for gender reporters and activists on ”How to Report Sexual and Gender Based violence in the society.
He also criticized the practice of cross-dressers, adding that the act was becoming rampant and unbearable in the society.
According to him, it has become necessary that government at all levels must establish social courts for the trial of people that are involved in any form of violence in the society.
“The establishment will make it easier for violent issues to be attended to at the right time.
“If we continue to leave it to the open courts, of course, we all know how we go about with our judicial system in the country.
“Maybe we will start the case today and end it in the next 20 years and by that time the essence of the trial in the first place would have been defeated.
“That is why it is important that we have the courts just like tribunal courts; when we do election, we have such tribunals that election matters will be attended to.
“So, the social courts will be able to handle these violent cases.
“There is another thing that is becoming a dangerous threat and we seem to be overlooking it.
“It is the issue of cross-dressers. It is becoming a major challenge to us today.
“If you go through the social media today you will see one man that is so much in a hurry to transform to a woman and if they tell you what they went through, you will be so amazed.
“Therefore, National Association of Women of Journalists (NAWOJ) must engage on strong crusades to fight against this terrible act.
“It is very sad, we cannot continue like this because if we keep harboring this act, in the next 10 years, all men will now aspire to become women.
“The result at the end is going to be dangerous to our society,’’ he said.
The president advised the participants to pay attention to enable them to acquire better knowledge on how to report gender issues effectively, adding that it would help to reduce issues of violence in the country.
Ladi Bala, National President, NAWOJ, while addressing the participants, said that Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) was a complex societal issue that had imparted on the society negatively.
Bala said that the act had also adversely affected the dignity of survivors and violated their fundamental human rights.
“It is saddening to note that the issue of SGBV is now a pandemic and poses huge challenge to the development efforts judging by the increasing number of cases of violence against women and girls.
“Even boys are not left out.
“The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the situation due to the lock down, a development that led to an increase in the cases.
“Available statistics show that one in every five women and one out of 71 men, must have experienced one form of SGBV in their lifetime.
“Most worrisome is the fact that most of the times, the survivor is left to wallow in pain while the perpetrator goes about scot-free,’’ she said.
She said that the training was aimed at enhancing the capacity of reporters by providing in-depth knowledge and skills on thematic areas.
She gave such areas as poverty, democratic governance, investigating journalism, and security of journalists among others.
Also, Mrs Rebecca Ukpero, NAWOJ member, who spoke on behalf of the participants, said that the training would increase the knowledge of participants on gender issues in the country.
Ukpero said that the training would also help survivors get justice and change the narrative of silence and stigmatisation.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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