By Ugo Willies

Save the Children International (SCI) in Nigeria has called for a concerted efforts by all stakeholders that will end the worrying violence perpetrated against girls and women.

The call is coming as the World Marks the International Women’s Day with the hash tag, #BreakTheBias.

Commending this year’s theme, “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” Kunle Olawoyin, SCI’s Media and Communication Manager in Nigeria in a press release, said contribution of women and girls around the world, who are exerting exemplary effort in response to climate change, building resilient communities and a sustainable future for children, girls, men and women, has remained relevant today.

Purity Oriaifo, Save the Children International Nigeria’s Girl Champion, lamented violence against women and girls saying, “in our communities today, girls continue to suffer from gender inequality”.

She said, “in conflict, displacement and disaster situations, girls are being abducted, raped, and forced into marriage. The issues with girls extend beyond child marriage, female genital mutilation, as it affects the girls’ entire life”.

She also said, “Millions of girls were not privileged to enjoy their childhood but subjected to take responsibilities they were not prepared for. That is why women, girls and I will continue to advocate, raise awareness and fight for a gender equal Nigeria”.

This year’s celebration also focuses on one of the huge threats to “sustainable tomorrow”, which is, climate change.

It has been identified as a threat to the rights of children, girls, women and particularly those living with disabilities.

They are the first and worst affected by the impact of climate change whether by climate-related natural disasters or the impact of climate change on food production, access to water, livelihoods and basic social services.

Country Director, Save the Children International Nigeria, Mercy Gichuh said, “Protecting the environment is about preserving the planet earth for children, girls and women, to have a liveable environment, “sustainable tomorrow” and a brighter future. It is about peace, survival, social and economic justice and sustainable development.”

She urged all responsible actors, including the government, private sectors, CSOs, FBOs, CBOs and communities to double and intensify efforts to achieving the global targets of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

She also called for integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; and improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning systems, which can save the lives of many children, girls and women who are the most affected by the climate crisis.

The organization then called upon families, communities, local, state and national governments to join hands in making the society free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination against girls and women, but respect and celebrate their potential and contributions in creating “sustainable tomorrow” for all.

The release said, Save the Children will continue to campaign and advocate with, and for the rights of the most marginalized children in Nigeria to ensure that no girl child is left behind or excluded from the opportunity to access quality, safe, free, uninterrupted and inclusive education, health, nutrition and other social services in a bid to achieve the sustainable development goals.

By Joseph Edegbo

Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF is to train the new executives of the Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ on leadership.

It will also support the Council in developing it’s 3 years strategic plan, as well as engage in periodic training on Journalism skills for members of the Council.

A Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed on Monday in Kaduna by the Deputy Executive Director of AMDF, Mrs Sekyen Dadik and Hajiya Asmau Yawo Halilu, Chairman of the Council.

Under the agreement, AMDF would provide the necessary expertise in planning and implementing trainings, provide resource persons, materials and Venue, while the Council would mobile it’s members for the training.

The agreement which would last throughout the tenure of the new Exco, shall be reviewed yearly to ensure that the purpose is on track.

Earlier, Mrs Dadik had explained that the partnership was in fulfilment of the commitment made by AMDF to the Council shortly after its assumption of office in December 2021.

It was also inline with AMDF’s avowed commitment to promoting professionalism among members of the Union, she emphasized.

On her part, the Council Chairman, Hajiya Asmau Yawo Haliru thanked AMDF for the partnership, saying that the opportunity would be zealously guided for the benefit of members.

The Council Chairman promised to mobilize Excos, even at Chapel level for the leadership training.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by a national officer of the Union, Comrade Garba Mohammed, the Council Vice Chairman, Daniel Duniya among others.

Ugo Willies, Gombe

Generation Unlimited, a global public-private-youth partnership Nigeria, has set to equip 20 million young Nigerians with access to data, digital learning, job-related skills, and livelihood opportunities by 2030.

With over 65 million young people aged 10 – 24, Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, representing an extraordinary opportunity for development and growth, given that the youth unemployment rate currently stands at 37 per cent in Nigeria,

With this in mind, the initiative will also benefit those in underserved rural and peri-urban communities, says Blessing Ejiofor, Communication Officer, UNICEF Nigeria in a press release shared to Journalists

Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA), was launched by the Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on 27 July 2021 and has already made important headway in providing, connectivity, digital skills and job opportunities to over 300,000 Nigerian youths.

According to Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, “Young people are a tremendous resource for Nigeria, and we can help realize their potential by listening to their challenges and empowering them to find the solutions.”

He also said the programme will be of great benefit to the country and Africa as a whole because, “Nigeria’s huge youth population represents a great economic potential that guarantees a sure return on investment.

“They also have the right to fulfil their potential and their dreams. If we get it right in Nigeria, it will make a huge difference for the African continent as a whole,” he stressed.

Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Tony Elumelu Foundation said, “This initiative is especially important to us at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, as the core of our work revolves around empowering young Africans.”

He added that as Africa’s leading philanthropic organization. “We remain committed to doing this because we know that the future of Africa rests in the hands of young people, and we want to keep playing a key part in shaping Africa’s future.

“We are proud to be part of this historic transformation in the lives of 20 million Nigerian boys and girls. The possibility for growth is truly unlimited when a large percentage of young people are well prepared to fulfil their dreams,” he emphasized.

With over 20 implementing partners currently onboard GenU 9JA, millions of Nigerian school children and youth will be connected to the internet and have access to digital learning.

They will also have access to individualized learning pathways, social impact tasks, and livelihood opportunities through the “Youth Agency Market Place,”

End.

Ugo Willies, Gombe

A front line politician in Gombe State, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has called on the people of the State to come out and actively participate in the political processes in the build up to the 2023 general elections.

Gwamna, a PDP stalwart made the call through a release signed and made available to newsmen by his Media aide, Ibrahim Sani Shawai.

Dr Gwamna said the call had become necessary following the release of the 2023 general election guidelines by INEC.

He tasked the good people of Gombe State to exercise their freedom of politicking with all sense of decorum and responsibility.

According to him, the electorates and politicians must always prioritize the interest of Gombe State before making any political decision for the overall betterment of the state and country at large.

He charged the people to ensure that they get enlightened politically ahead of the elections to be able to make the right choice for Gombe State and Nigeria.

He said, “politics cannot work without peace, hence, citizen’s approach to politics should be peace-oriented while eschewing violence in all forms”.

“The attitude of not wanting to participate in electoral processes starting from not getting voter card and others should be jettisoned because it is the voice of the majority that count in a democracy and every vote matters for the majority to carry the day”, he stressed.