Nigeria: Women’s Leadership Key to Peacebuilding – U.S.-based Scholar

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12/10/2025

By Justina Auta

An Associate Professor at the University of Florida, Dr Anisah Ari says women’s courage and grassroots leadership are crucial tools for sustaining peace in Nigeria’s conflict-affected communities.

Ari stated this in a paper titled “Reclaiming Peace Through Truth Appeal: The Imperative of Tough Conversations in Nigeria’s Fragile Landscape”, shared with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

She cited widespread banditry, abductions, armed robbery, and killings as factors destabilising communities and exposing Nigeria’s fractured national identity and fragile security architecture.

“The country is overdue for a shift from reactive security to proactive dialogue.

“Peace cannot be imposed, it must be nurtured through truth and sustained civic engagement,” she stated.

Referencing her doctoral research, “Emerging Leadership Practices in Extremity,” Ari noted how women in Plateau State assumed peacebuilding roles when traditional institutions failed to act effectively.

She said Plateau women redefined peace not as an endpoint, but as an ongoing process requiring everyday commitment, resilience, and active participation from all community stakeholders.

Ari highlighted the women’s relational and inclusive leadership approach, which played a critical role in rebuilding trust and restoring communal harmony in violence-affected regions.

“These women’s experiences offer a practical, replicable model for national peacebuilding, especially vital as Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity and deepening social divisions,” she said.

She urged policymakers, peacebuilding experts, and civil society groups to learn from those women-led initiatives and incorporate their methods into national peace and security strategies.

Ari stressed that women’s involvement in peacebuilding was not optional, but essential for achieving long-term stability, cohesion, and justice across Nigeria’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.

“To move forward, Nigeria must embrace dialogue as foundational to unity, not a threat. Silence has cost us dearly. We owe future generations a better, just, and inclusive nation.” (NAN)

Nigeria: Kanwan Katsina Lauds NIPR’s Role In National Development

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12/10/2025

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The Kanwan Katsina and District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara mni, has Commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, for its role in promoting public enlightenment and national development .

The traditional ruler made the remarks when he received a member of the NIPR Governing Council, Alhaji Ahmad Sajo, along with newly inaugurated executive members of the Katsina State Chapter of the Institute, who paid him a courtesy visit.

A group Photograph with the visitors

Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara described the revival of NIPR activities in Katsina as a positive step that will enhance the work of public relations officers across the state.

He urged the newly inaugurated committee members to use both conventional and modern media platforms to encourage Public Relations officers to register with the Katsina Chapter of NIPR and become certified professionals inline with the new law which stipulates that only registered members of NIPR will be appointed as Public Relations Officers (PRO) in any government or private establishment.

Kanwan Katsina being decorated as Fellow of the Institute, fnipr

The Kanwan Katsina while calling for the establishment of an office for the state chapter to ensure effective operations, pledged his full support to the Institute.

The Mornach recalled that he was a reporter at the Newsroom of Federal Radio Nigeria Kaduna FRCN and was also the Customs Public Relations Officer at Apapa and Tincan Island Port command respectively for 10 years and won an Award as the best PRO of Nigeria Customs Service in 1999 during the annual Customs Conference held in PortHarcourt.

In his remarks, Alhaji Ahmad Sajo said he was in Katsina on behalf of the national president of NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku to inaugurate the Katsina State Chapter of the body.

He commended the Kanwan Katsina for his continuous support to public relations practitioners and journalists, describing him as one of the pioneer members of NIPR from Katsina State during his days as PRO in the Nigeria Customs Service.

Nigeria: Early Marriage Threatens National Growth – Minister

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10/10/2025

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By Justina Auta

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim says early marriage continues to hinder Nigeria’s development, with 44 per cent of girls married before age 18, and 18 per cent before turning 15.

She said this during the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) celebration on Friday in Abuja, supported by Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria and Pink Up for Girls Initiative.

The minister described child marriage as a sobering violation of rights, stressing it perpetuated poverty, inequality, and robbed girls of education, voice, and opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.

“In spite of progress, the statistics are distressing. According to UNICEF, 44 per cent of Nigerian girls marry before 18, and 18 per cent before 15. Each figure represents a dream deferred and potential lost,” she stated.

She said early marriage increased maternal mortality, deepened poverty, and weakened human capital, further stalling national progress and denying generations of girls the right to a better future.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for increased investment in safe education, mentorship, and empowerment, stressing that girls must be given the tools to thrive without fear or limitations in any environment.

“Beyond advocacy, we must build safe spaces at home, school, and online.

“Parents must protect, communities must reject harmful traditions, and religious leaders must act as moral guides,” she added.

The minister highlighted education as the most powerful tool to break poverty, noting that an educated girl transformed not just her life but that of her family, community, and the nation.

She urged girls to speak out against abuse, exploitation, and discrimination, saying they were the change-makers Nigeria needed for a future shaped by bold voices and fearless leadership.

“Your courage is needed on the front lines. Your brilliance can light up this nation. For the girl you are, you are the change we need,” she declared.

Mr Duncan Harvey, Country Director of SCI, emphasised the importance of viewing girls as leaders and innovators, not merely as victims of challenges such as poverty, insecurity, and displacement.

He noted that in spite of those challenges, girls were rising as powerful advocates, designing community projects to end child marriage and improve education and healthcare access in their communities.

Harvey reaffirmed SCI’s commitment to child rights and gender equality, adding that the organisation would continue supporting girls to become active changemakers and leaders within their societies.

Also speaking, Mrs Bukky Maiye, CEO of Pink Up for Girls, called for sustained efforts to protect and empower girls, ensuring they reached their full potential across all sectors.

Maiye, represented by Mrs Ginika Ukoha, Abuja Chapter Lead, The Women International, said the group created safe, transformative spaces for girls and women across Nigeria to grow and lead.

“We gather not out of pity, but purpose. Millions of girls still face marriage, poverty, school dropout, and abuse. Yet, they are not just victims, they are future leaders,” she said.

Other highlights of the event included student presentations advocating girls’ rights to safety and education, and an award ceremony recognising exceptional young girls excelling in various fields.

A panel discussion titled “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead” featured girls sharing how they are leading change, proving they can be active agents in transforming their communities and nation.(NAN)

UN Women, IOFS Launch Climate-smart Cassava Project for Women

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10/10/2025

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By Justina Auta
UN Women and the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) have launched an initiative to equip women farmers with climate‑smart technologies to boost cassava yields and reinforce Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said at the Cassava Value Chain Stakeholders’ Debriefing & Consultation in Abuja on Wednesday that the programme would drive inclusive transformation of Nigerian agriculture.

Eyong underscored women’s pivotal role in agriculture, especially cassava, saying that despite comprising over two‑thirds of the workforce, women face persistent barriers to land, finance, technology, and markets across West and Central Africa.

She claimed addressing those gaps could raise yields by 30 per cent, increase food output by 4 per cent, and cut malnutrition by 17 per cent, offering substantial gains for food security and public health.

She noted that women in cassava value chains were often confined to low-income, labor-intensive roles, lacking improved seedlings, modern processing tools, credit, and secure market access to scale operations.

Eyong called for women to gain access to climate-smart technologies, microfinance, cooperative support, and formal market linkages to help them move from subsistence to viable agribusiness.

She reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to making women leaders, not just beneficiaries, in food security and climate resilience, increasing their agency in the sector.

“Let us expand women’s access to climate smart technologies, finance, and markets; strengthen policies that recognise and protect their roles; and create green jobs for a resilient, equitable Nigeria,” she said.

Dr William Agyei-Manu, IOFS Representative, said the initiative placed women at the core of food security and climate-resilient agricultural systems across OIC member states.

“Together, we can transform cassava from subsistence farming into a growth driver, inclusive development, and women’s economic empowerment across Africa.

“Let us build a future where no woman farmer is left behind, where her contributions are recognised as central to sustainable food security,” he added. (NAN)

Media Urged to Lead Nutrition Advocacy in Nigeria

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10/10/2025

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By Justina Auta

Journalists have been urged to intensify advocacy and public awareness on food nutrition and food systems to help tackle malnutrition and promote healthier eating habits among Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations.

This call was made on Wednesday during a two-day training workshop on Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy, organised by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.

The workshop, themed “Strengthening Capacity of Media Professionals for Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy,” aimed to equip journalists with the tools to cover food and nutrition policy issues effectively.

Victor Ekeleme, Senior Associate, Communications at GAIN Nigeria, highlighted the media’s vital role in shaping public narratives and strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition ecosystem through responsible and informed reporting.

“We know the media plays a powerful role in shaping how people think, talk, and act about food and nutrition.

“This training empowers storytellers to drive a healthier food system,” he said.

He urged media professionals to use their platforms to educate the public on adopting nutritious diets, combating malnutrition, and encouraging behaviour that supported a stronger, healthier food system nationwide.

Ekeleme reiterated GAIN’s commitment to ensuring Nigerians not only accessed food but also benefited from nutritious options that supported better health, especially in underserved and food-insecure communities.

Dr Olapeju Phorbee, food systems consultant and CEO of the Food Agricultural Nutrition Network (FANN), called on the media to raise awareness about the benefits of nutrition for public health improvement.

“Since the public trusts the media, they should report more on nutrition, build knowledge in nutrition education and help promote healthier behaviours within the food system,” she said.

She encouraged Nigerians to prioritise safe, healthy, and diverse diets, noting that food should be regarded as medicine.

Speaking on food systems and nutrition-sensitive interventions, Sumit Karn, Public Health Nutritionist with UNICEF, urged journalists to go beyond headlines and investigate root causes of Nigeria’s nutrition challenges.

Damilola Ojetunde, Data Journalist with the BBC, encouraged participants to use verifiable data in nutrition reporting and present it through compelling narratives that engaged policymakers and spark meaningful action.

“Data reveals hidden patterns, inequalities, and the impact of policies.

“Journalists must use it to tell impactful, solutions-driven stories that can shape national development,” Ojetunde explained.

Habibat Lawal, a resource person, advised journalists to always fact-check their reports, ensuring accuracy and countering widespread misinformation and disinformation around nutrition and food security issues.

Chibuike Alagboso of Nigeria Health Watch, urged reporters to pursue credible, evidence-based responses to social challenges, analyse successful models, and identify limitations to improve policy and public outcomes.

Some participants said the training deepened their knowledge of nutrition and food systems and would help them report more effectively on programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food and health systems. (NAN)

Expert Cautions Public on Dangers of Unsafe Food

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10/10/2025

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By Justina Auta

A leading food systems consultant, Dr. Olapeju Phorbee has urged Nigerians to prioritise safe, healthy, and diverse diets while warning against the dangers of consuming expired or unsafe food products.

She issued the warning during a two-day workshop on Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy, organised by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja on Wednesday.

The workshop, themed “Strengthening Capacity of Media Professionals for Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy,” aimed to equip journalists with essential skills to report on nutrition and related food policy issues.

Phorbee, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Food Agricultural Nutrition Network (FANN), said food should be seen as the first form of medicine for maintaining good health.

“Food is medicine. If they don’t take food as medicine, medicine will be their food.

“Safe, healthy, and diverse nutrition should be a top priority in every Nigerian household,” she stated.

She warned that consuming expired or unsafe food, even during harsh economic times, could lead to severe health complications, stressing that hunger should not justify putting lives at risk.

“People are hungry. They take whatever is given to them. These vulnerable individuals often have no choice. That’s why we must protect them from unsafe food,” she said.

Phorbee stressed that eating unsafe food might cause more harm than temporary hunger, urging Nigerians to prioritise safety over desperation in food consumption decisions.

She called for stricter oversight and accountability in the distribution of food palliatives, especially those supplied by government agencies or donor organisations to vulnerable populations.

According to her, circulating expired or unsafe food is a breach of public trust and a silent but dangerous threat to the nation’s overall health security.

“These people are hungry. They eat whatever they get. That’s why we must scrutinise what is being distributed. It’s better to go hungry than eat unsafe food,” she added.

She urged those responsible for distributing food aid to stop sharing expired products, emphasising that the poor often lacked the power to choose and were therefore at greater risk.

All social intervention programmes, she said, must strictly comply with Nigeria’s Food Safety and Quality Standards to ensure safety and nutritional value for recipients.

Phorbee warned that unsafe food distribution not only undermines humanitarian efforts but also worsens malnutrition and increases the risk of disease outbreaks in low-income communities.

“If palliatives must be shared, they must be safe and nutritious. We cannot continue to justify endangering lives simply because people are hungry,” she warned.

Highlighting Nigeria’s rich food diversity, Phorbee said the country had more than enough resources to support healthy living if existing food systems were properly harnessed and managed.

“We have enough to live healthy lives if only we realised it. Safe, healthy, diverse food must be a national priority. Again, food is medicine,” she said.

She urged journalists to strengthen public education on food and nutrition, noting that the media played a vital role in shaping national attitudes and public awareness on health-related issues. (NAN)

Religious Freedom Violations: Don’t Label Nigeria “Country of Particular Concern – Kaduna Baptist Seminary To US Senate

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10/10/2025

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The 65th Annual Ministers Conference of the Baptist Theological Seminary Kaduna, North West Nigeria, has appealed to the United States Senate not to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged violation of religious freedom.
The Conference notes that while it acknowledges that Christians in Nigeria face persecution, not only through killings but also through various forms of discrimination based on faith, it appeals to foreign governments and international bodies not to place Nigeria on the CPC list.

The Conference in a communique, argued that labelling Nigeria as a CPC could inadvertently escalate violence that could result in limiting access to military assistance against combating terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
The 10-point communique which was signed by Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman Board of Governors and Rev. Dr. Mannaseh Panpe Ag. President of the Seminary acknowledged the efforts of both the Federal and Kaduna State governments in national unity and security Coordination.

The Conference among others frowned at silence by church leaders over the prevailing moral decay and injustice, apathy towards electoral process and financial burdensome wedding and burial practices.
HERE UNDER IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE COMMUNIQUE

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 65TH ANNUAL MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE OF THE BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY KADUNA OF THE NIGERIA BAPTIST CONVENTION.
Held at the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna | 6th – 10th October, 2025.

The 65th Annual Ministers’ Conference of the Baptist Theological Seminary Kaduna of the Nigeria Baptist Convention for Her Pastors in Northern Nigeria was held at the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, under the theme “The Authority of Scripture and the Mission of the Church in Troubled Times.”

The Conference brought together pastors, theological scholars, and church leaders from across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), representing a community of about four million Baptist members across the Northern States,over 4,000 pastors, and more than 5,000 local churches. After a week of prayers, reflection, and deliberations on spiritual and national matters, the following communiqué was issued:

1. The Conference reaffirmed the absolute authority of the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God and the final guide for faith, morality, and conduct. Delegates emphasized that obedience to God’s Word remains the only path to spiritual renewal, moral reformation, and lasting national peace.

2. The Conference resolved that the Church must not only preach salvation but also exemplify honesty, humility, and compassion in leadership. It charged pastors to build congregations that live out biblical values, confronting corruption and social decay through integrity and service.

3. The Conference cautioned against elaborate and financially burdensome wedding and burial practices that discourage intending couples and families under the guise of culture. It stressed that the Holy Scriptures remain superior to societal norms and urged the Church to model moderation, contentment, and godly marriages that honor Christ.

4. The Conference lamented the growing silence of some church leaders in the face of moral decay and injustice. It warned that such silence undermines the Church’s moral authority and called on ministers to speak truth to power with wisdom and courage. The Church, it resolved, must remain the conscience of the nation and a voice for the voiceless.

5. The Board of Governors of the Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening theological education and leadership development. The Conference commended the Seminary’s ongoing reforms, expressed gratitude to its management for hosting a spiritually enriching event, and announced plans to appoint a substantive President soon. Delegates lauded the Seminary’s partnership with Bethel High School as a model of vision-driven Christian education.

6. The Conference expressed concern over the apathy of many Christians toward the electoral process. Pastors were tasked to mobilize members to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Delegates emphasized that political participation is both a civic and moral duty that enables believers to promote righteousness in governance.

7. The Conference acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State in improving national unity and security coordination. While noting visible progress, it urged governments at all levels to sustain reforms, strengthen local peacebuilding initiatives, and prioritize justice and welfare for victims of violence.

8. Delegates noted with concern the move by the United States Senate to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom. While the Conference acknowledged that Christians in Nigeria face persecution, not only through killings but also through various forms of discrimination based on faith, it appealed to foreign governments and international bodies not to place Nigeria on the CPC list, emphasizing that such a designation would not resolve the underlying issues of insecurity and religious tension.

9. Delegates further cautioned that lableling Nigeria as a CPC could inadvertently escalate violence, as such action may limit access to military assistance and legitimate security equipment, thereby weakening the nation’s ability to combat terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes. The Conference therefore urged foreign partners to adopt other constructive and collaborative measures to support Nigeria in addressing its security and religious freedom challenges.

10. The Conference decried the persistent hardship confronting Nigerians, noting that banditry, insurgency, and unemployment have disrupted livelihoods and weakened community bonds. It called on the government to lead with the fear of God, formulate people-centered economic policies, and prioritize human welfare above political interests.

Signed:
Rev. Joseph John Hayab
Chairman, Board of Governors,
Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna

Rev. Dr Mannaseh Panpe
Acting President of the Seminary.

Date: October 10, 2025

Tinubu Mulls Female INEC Chairman To Replace Mahmood – By Gbenga Bolaji

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News Editor

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09/10/2025

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Against the backdrop of the recent story going round on the likely successor of the immediate past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Professor Mahmood Yakubu whose tenure came to an end due to his sudden resignation after the completion of his two consecutive terms in office.

A strong source disclosed that contrary to the insinuation made by Engr Buba Galadima the jostling for the emergence of the chairman of the electoral umpire is being promoted by three different powerful groups including a powerful serving minister on a solo engagement.

A powerful serving minister is pushing for a candidate from the south. A former Governor with strong political connection to the President from an oil rich South South is in the first group pushing for a candidate from his state. He recently influenced the cross over of his former state Governor to the APC.

Closely followed is another group promoting the interest of some powerful people from Lagos axis supported by some elements in the security sector working for the emergence of a former female candidate from Delta state. Their selling point is on the need to have a strong female chairperson with capacity to reform the system and restore electoral fidelity to the institution.

This group have sold the idea to the administration on the need to have a female chairperson in charge of INEC for the first time in order to curry the Nigerian female constituency to boost support and confidence to PBAT administration.

In the build up to the nomination of the new Chairman, the name of an influential former INEC Director from Delta State came up. The source disclosed that expectation is high on materialization of emergence of the strong willed lady as the next chairperson of the electoral management board. Her credentials are irresistible and record of her past dealings with all political parties is going to vindicate her. The involvement of her influential former Deputy President of the Senate from Delta in the major push couldn’t be ascertained.

The last group is the one spearheaded by hawkish politicians within the ruling party hell bent on installing an INEC Chairman who can deliver the forthcoming 2027 general election at all cost.

According to the source, the job is a very difficult one and therefore cannot be given to an entirely new person that may need at least two years to learn the job. Such person may likely be undermined by vested interests and other powerful individuals within the commission in charge of the department of operations, ICT and logistics before, during and after the 2027 general election.

“The issue of Justice Liman and other names being speculated about this is completely false and not on the card.”

Considering the history of the umpire and list of the past chairmen of the Commission. South East and North have held the position at several times. Therefore, the issue of some one or a serving National Commissioner from the south west is technically out of considering. Also principles of fairness dictates that the President cannot not nominate his fellow south westerner to supervise an election from his zone in which he is a contestant.

The only zone to produce INEC Chairman in the present circumstances is south south region. All former Head of States/Presidents nominated chairmen of the electoral body outside their zone. From reliable sources, the President Tinubu is following similar route based on the same principles.

Some have argued that the south south have produced many chairmen of the electoral body in the past. But to most people, the issue goes beyond this narrative. According to them, one time Chairman of INEC from the region voluntarily resigned based on principles and refusal to be teleguided. Also likely hood of not having a south south as a candidate of any of the major political parties on the ballot during the forthcoming polls is another important factor. It seems President Tinubu is not bothered by certain divergent positions and all the noise by other politically motivated ideas and speculations to fizzle out soon.

The international community are going to welcome the idea for the appointment of a female chairperson of the electoral body to the eternal credit of Tinubu’s sense of gender inclusion credentials.

Gbenga Bolaji

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