Women In Uniform Programme Holds In Lagos On Monday

 The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos State Command in partnership with #sisterART Global Visual Arts Community is set to host the maiden edition of women-in-uniform in commemoration of 2021 UN International Women’s Day coming today Monday, March 8, 2021

This was made known by the Chairman of the planning committee, Assistant Corps Commander, Emma Fekoya in a statement signed by the command’s Deputy Public Enlightenment Officer, FRSC, Jesutomipe Mala.

Fekoya said: “women-in-uniform” is an event put together to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of all the women working with different military and paramilitary organizations in Lagos, Nigeria. The gallant efforts of these women in keeping their home-front together while serving in different capacities in their various organizations especially in this era of the pandemic cannot be overemphasised”

“Also, taking a cue from the UN’s theme for this year which is ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world’, (Choose to Challenge) she reiterated that women’s contributions to ensure appropriate safety protocols are designed to help curb the spread of COVID-19 needs to be discussed more.

Fekoya also added that the Lagos State first lady Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu would be the guest speaker at the programme among other guest expected at the event, which include Lagos State Secretary to State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Rtd. CC Adija Olanike Akinbote former Zonal Head of Admin and Human Resource FRSC Zone RS2 Lagos, Mrs. Morayo Afolabi-Brown, YourView Host, Princess Theresa Odozi of Green House Art Empowerment Centre and Managing Consultant CHAMP Exceptional Women Network Mr. Abiola Champ Salami.

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International Women's Day : ActionAid Urges More Assistance And Care For Nigerian Women

 ActionAid Nigeria, a social justice non-governmental organization working to promote women’s rights, combat poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria has called upon the Nigerian government and all government agencies to prioritize the incorporation of “Care” at the center of re-organizing the economy and society.

Speaking in Abuja, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi says “The commemoration of the 2021 International Women’s Day is a strong reminder of the unanticipated struggles of Nigerian women who were the hardest hit by social and economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020. Many lost their paid jobs and women became saddled with the unpaid responsibility of caring for sick family members and providing their needs often in vulnerable, low paid roles with little protection. Reports of domestic violence doubled amidst an almost paralyzed support system for survivors of violence due to the lockdowns.

Currently, insecurity has further plunged the country into multiple and intersecting crises with women as primary targets and easy preys. As the country re-strategizes to rise above this current situation, we call for the adoption of a care-centered approach which recognizes that care and well-being are critical to sustaining societies, economies, and the environment. A care-centered approach also entails investing in gender-based violence prevention and response in all public and private spaces. Care needs to be valued, redistributed and should be integral to humanitarian preparedness and response policies.”

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is apt “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world. Today, we recommit to challenging and calling out gender bias and inequality.  We join the world to amplify #ChooseToChallenge and call on all Nigerians to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive Nigeria where the empowerment and fulfilment of the rights of women and girls is normalized.

As the world beams a spotlight on women, we call on the Nigerian government to reflect and move from policy to action. Governments at all levels should classify and prioritize all GBV services as essential services and ensure that they are publicly funded, universal and gender responsive including services for excluded populations without discrimination. ActionAid Nigeria also calls for a scale up of investments in public services, including public healthcare services in order to reduce and redistribute women’s unpaid care and domestic work; and ensure women public sector workers who are at the frontline have decent work and a guarantee of international labour standards

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Senior Police Officer Kidnapped In Benin

Gunmen broke into the Benin residence of the victim identified as ASP Clement Amoko in the early hours of Sunday and whisked him away.

He was reportedly taken away in the presence of his wife and children.

A source said that the abductors have already made contact with the family members to demand ransom.

The police have reportedly commenced an operation for the release of the officer.

When contacted the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Princewill Osaigbovo, confirmed the incident, saying: “The DPO of Ogida division just confirmed the incident, investigation is on the rescue the officer.”

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Army Prevents Boko Haram's Attempt At Taking Over Damaturu - Maiduguri Highway

 

Soldiers on Sunday prevented Boko Haram fighters from mounting a barricade on Damaturu-Maiduguri highway in Borno State.

The soldiers reportedly engaged the insurgents in a gun battle around Mainok and Jakana towns.

A commercial driver said that the incident happened shortly after the usual daily road closure was eased in the morning.

Troops usually close the road in the evening and open it at 7am every day.

The driver said suspected insurgents who were about to mount road barricades and attack travellers were overpowered and driven away by soldiers.

“We were on our way to Maiduguri after spending the night in Damaturu when we were stopped by soldiers at a place after Mainok.

“We were earlier asked to turn back and later we were told to stay there. Shots were later fired ahead of us, which sounded like gunfire exchange. We were asked to proceed after about thirty five minutes,” he said.

He said extra patrols were stationed along the road.

A military source said two of the attackers were killed while the remaining ones who fled are suspected to be hiding in the bush.

He said, “Soldiers have gone after them.”

Boko Haram has made life a hell for those who ply that route. It was on the route that a newlywed bride was abducted last week but she was freed 24 hours after.

Before decorating the new service chiefs on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari gave them a few weeks to tackle the widespread insecurity in the country.

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35 Years After : Late Mamman Vatsa's Family Calls For State Pardon Over Coup

 Thirty-five years after his execution for alleged involving in a coup plot, family of the late General Mamman Vatsa has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to grant him a state pardon.

Vatsa  and military officers were executed on March 5, 1986 after their alleged involvement in a coup plot, and the day was set aside by his family and the Vatsa community, Gulu in Lapai Local Government of Niger State for remembrance and special prayers for his soul.

Speaking to newsmen after marking this year’s anniversary of his death with special prayers and a visit to orphanage, spokesperson for the family and former commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, Jonathan Vatsa, said every March 5 is marked with sadness and sorrow by the family.

“Every March 5, is always a dark day for the entire Vatsa community and the immediate family. We mark that day with sadness and sorrow. On that day, something was taken away from the family and the entire community,” he said.

Vatsa, who is a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), said the family decided to mark this year’s anniversary with an appeal to President Buhari to see reason to grant the late Vatsa a state pardon to enable the family run a foundation in his honour.

Vatsa, who is younger brother to the late General Vatsa, said though his brother was alleged to have plotted a coup, the family is passionately appealing to President Buhari to consider him for a state pardon as it has been done to others.

“The same way former president Olusegun Obasanjo, General Oladipo Diya, the late MKO Abiola and many others were granted state pardon and integrated into the society, President Buhari should also consider our late brother and grant him state pardon,” he said.

“As a former minister for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), our late brother contributed immensely to the development of Abuja. As at the time he was implicated in the alleged coup, he was just a minister of FCT, and not commanding any troop. He was only fighting contractors for the development of Abuja.

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Police Arrest Several Partying Homosexuals In Anambra

 Anambra State Police Command has arrested some unidentified number of suspected men alleged to be involved in gay activities at a hotel in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were arrested by police operatives attached to Ukpo police station.

It was gathered that the suspects mostly men of different age brackets where arrested following a tip off of information from one of the workers.

An indigene of the community, who pleaded anonymity, explained that homosexuals were holding a party at the facility when trouble ensued, leading to the invitation of Policemen from Ukpo Police Division.

It was gathered that the suspects were taken to Police Anti-cult Office in Ukpo for further investigations.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra Police Command, CSP Haruna Mohammed, said the report of the incident has not come to his desk as of the time of filing this report.

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What Buhari Said About Yemi Osinbajo At 64

 “I'm proud to have selected Osinbajo as my running mate and he has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015, he is a cool-headed gentleman who puts the interest of Nigeria above other narrow considerations.”

 President Muhammadu Buhari in a message to celebrate Osinbajo @64

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