Towards enhanced  access to clean water through private sector interventions

By Abiemwense Moru, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Access to safe water is the most basic human need for health and well-being, according to the United Nations (UN).

It says billions of people will lack access to this basic service in 2030 unless progress quadruples.

The World Bank estimates that 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water.

It also says that no fewer than 70, 000 deaths are recorded annually in the country among children under the age of five from diarrhea-related diseases.

Demand for water is rising owing to rapid population growth; urbanisation and increasing water needs from agriculture, industry and energy sectors.

The demand for water has outpaced population growth and half of the world’s population is already experiencing severe water scarcity at least one month a year.

Water scarcity, according to UN, is projected to increase with the rise of global temperatures as a result of climate change

According to WaterAid, an international NGO, the private sector is increasingly acknowledged as an important development partner in the water and sanitation sector.

It says although there were some reservations about the ability of the private sector to meet the needs of the poorest citizens.

WaterAid says it is contributing its quota towards meeting the clean water needs of rural community dwellers.

Recently 10, 000 residents from four communities in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, had access to clean water through the NGO and its partner’s water intervention projects.

Mr Williams Kolo, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator, Bwari Area Council, said this during a WaterAid Project Closed- Out meeting for a 14 months intervention project.

The meeting, tagged: Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery Project in Bwari Area Council, was organised by WaterAid Nigeria in collaboration with the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).

Other partners in the project included Bwari Area Council and was funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Kolo, while presenting an overview of achieved outcomes of the project, said 10, 000 residents now have access to clean water, WASH management skills and sanitation promotion messages.

“10, 000 people gained access to clean water, 647 people gained access to safely manage sanitation facilities, 3,500 people, including women and children, were reached with sanitation promotion messages.

“The organisation constructed and rehabilitated 10, 000 litres and 20, 000 litres capacity solar/electric powered water boreholes in four communities and one school, including water kiosks.

“Also, 115 members, comprising 67 males and 48 females of WASH management structures and hygiene promoters were trained across the four beneficiary communities.

“It is also notable that these water points have been certified to have zero coliform level in the five water facilities procured in the four communities and school”, Kolo said.

The beneficiary communities, he listed, were Baran-goni, Zuma II, Sabon-Gari, Dakwa and LEA primary school, Tudun-fulani.

Kolo further said that in order to sustain and replicate the intervention, an investment plan had been mapped out by the partners, to help the council construct more of the infrastructure in other communities.

This, he also said, was to ensure other communities in the council gain access to clean water, while assuring that the WASH unit would help ensure funds for such projects were included in the council’s subsequent budget.

Speaking on the progress of the project, Mr Nanpet Chuktu, Head of Programmes, WaterAid Nigeria, said the 14 month project was aimed to strengthen WASH delivery in selected communities in the council.

This, he further said, was designed to complement the efforts of the government in addressing access to WASH services, while improving hygiene behaviours and outcomes among the target population.

The project, he added, focused on increasing access to WASH services by constructing and rehabilitating water facilities in the selected communities and providing gender-inclusive public sanitation facilities and participation.

He said: ” Today’s meeting with partners and WASH committee representatives is to close out a one year mini project we currently have in the council.

“It is to show accountability and say we started this last year, this is what we promised and this is what we delivered.

“Bwari Area Council is still a work in progress, the council and RUWASSA are the key institutions we are supporting, and therefore, we are still on ground with similar projects.

“This is to first demonstrate a model they can use to improve the status of WASH in the communities and at the same time charge the government to use the models to grow.

“We would like to see that by the next budget cycle, the council has dedicated funding for similar projects in other communities and not just rely on donor organisations.”

He also appraised the council’s inclusion of 40 per cent women to the WASH committee, while adding that their active participation was impressive.

One of the committee members, Mrs Safiya Rafiu from the Baran-goni community, appreciated the effort by the partners while praying for God’s blessings on all who strived to put smiles on the faces of the people.

She said that the initiative had not only improved sanitation in her community but had helped the WASH committee sell water at subsidised rate to residents in an effort to maintain and sustain the facility.

Mr Peter Saidu, a resident of Zuma II and a WASH committee member in the area, appreciated the initiative, while saying that it was a dream come through for his community.

According to him, the Zuma II community had always had challenges with accessing clean water but the intervention has made it possible to have 24 hours water supply.

He thanked all partners and donors for the knowledge impact on sanitation and hygiene, while promising to keep the flag flying in the community.

WaterAid Nigeria, alongside its partners, also formed and trained WASH committee members from each of the communities, to promote and enhance sanitation and hygiene practices in the areas.

Deepening the public-private partnership in the water sector is key to achieving the SDG No.6, according to The Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), a global coordinating body for private sector engagement in SDG 6.

This informed its partnership with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (AWEN) and other stakeholders to create sustainable interventions across the six geopolitical zones of the country, says OPS-WASH National Coordinator, Dr Nicolas Igwe.

While the private sector is contributing its quota, the Federal Government said it will ensure that the water gap in the country was addressed.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, gave reassurance when the National Water Sanitation and Hygiene Network paid her an advocacy visit in Abuja.

“The major problem in the IDP camps is the issue of WASH, but we have some groups and agencies under the ministry working towards addressing these issues.

“We also build a friendly environment where the issue of wash is taken to the highest level in the country”, the minister said.

For the private sector to contribute more effectively to addressing the nation’s clean water challenges, governments at all levels should provide them with the enabling environment,  regulations and logistics support.  (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria. 

By Tosin Kolade, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In need of cash for your children’s school fees? Salaryvance (Pseudo name) has you covered. Dial *5858# to secure a salary loan today. No guarantor needed!

Get a flexible salary loan repayable in 18 months without stress. Apply now by dialing *5858# and get credited within minutes.

Congratulations! NGN 90,000 is available for you based on your good credit. Check out: https://frimonideeplink.onelink.me/ZUzi/ztf8xid9.

Exciting offer: Apply for a loan facility from Alliance Trust Microfinance Bank (Pseudo name), for more details, call Uriviri Endurance at 08164934333 or WhatsApp 08071895576.

These are just some examples of the unsolicited text messages inundating Nigerians mobile phone spaces daily.

Many Nigerians continue to voice the excruciating pain and frustration associated with repayment plans for loans obtained from microfinance banks (MFBs) or institutes (MFIs) and sometimes, from faceless groups now popularly known as loan sharks.

Loans sharks because of the aggressive manner they execute their debt recovery processes.

Such loan subscribers, mainly petty traders, civil servants and local artisans, the primary borrowers, often endure significant stress as they struggle to meet their weekly installment payments.

The fear of defaulting leads to palpitations and anxiety among borrowers, who face harsh consequences if they fail to make payments on time.

Defaulters are frequently subjected to humiliating punishments, such as being confined in toilets or publicly paraded to beg for alms, further exacerbating their plight.

But why this surge lately?

Industry experts say several factors contribute to the rise in unsolicited loan offers via text messages.

First, the accessibility of mobile technology has facilitated direct outlet by financial institutions and lenders to potential borrowers.

Additionally, they say that the growing demand for quick cash and credit, especially during economic uncertainty and hardship, provides fertile ground for such offers.

Another factor is the cumbersome nature of processing loans in conventional banks coupled with their astronomically high interest rates, which sometimes hovers between 23 to 27 percent inclusive of ‘hidden charges’.

Moreover, the lack of robust regulatory frameworks in some regions may embolden lenders to employ aggressive marketing tactics.

Financial experts say though mouthwatering, unsolicited loan offers require thorough consideration before entering into debt agreements.

They advise Nigerians to approach debt clickbaits critically and verify information before making financial decisions.

Nigeria, like many countries, has a diverse range of perspectives on debt, influenced by culture, economic, and individual factors.

According to the World Bank, financial inclusion refers to ensuring that individuals and businesses have access to affordable financial products and services tailored to their needs.

These includes transactions, payments, savings, credit, and insurance, in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Financial inclusion is recognised as a catalyst for achieving seven of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The G20, a group of 19 countries and EU as well as African Union, has pledged to promote financial inclusion globally and has reiterated its dedication to implementing the G20 High-Level Principles for Digital Financial Inclusion.

The World Bank Group views financial inclusion as a critical driver in reducing extreme poverty and fostering shared prosperity.

The proliferation of fintech startups across Africa has expanded access to financial services, but has also exacerbated the issue of predatory lending, trapping borrowers in cycles of debt.

Some fintech companies lure potential borrowers through unsolicited text messages and calls, offering loans with steep interest rates.

In spite of the modest loan amounts, borrowers can swiftly accumulate substantial debt through mobile loans, often facing late fees, harassment from lenders, and escalating interest rates.

When borrowers struggle to repay, creditors often resort to intrusive measures, such as contacting the borrower’s family and friends to coerce repayment.

Exposure to loan sharks also exposes the beneficiary to financial security hazards such as identity theft such as BVN.

In recent times, Nigeria is abuzz with conversations surrounding the alarming increase in fraudsters exploiting the Bank Verification Number (BVN) for loan frauds.

Initially introduced to identify individuals in the banking sector, the BVN has now become available across various financial and non-financial institutions, serving as a crucial tool for identity verification.

However, alongside its utility, the BVN has also become a target for cybercriminals seeking to perpetrate fraudulent activities.

In response to this growing threat, a recent webinar titled “Fighting BVN and Loan Fraud” gathered industry experts to discuss strategies for protecting individuals’ financial security and combating the pandemic of BVN-related fraud.

Leading the discussions were Ayomide Oso, co-founder of Dojah, Gbenga Omolokun, Managing Director of VFD Microfinance Bank, and Razaq Ahmed, CEO of Cowrywise.

Omolokun shed light on the various methods fraudsters employ to obtain BVNs through registration agents creating “ghost BVNs,” devoid of any biometric data, making them untraceable.

According to him, this can be done by exploitation of less privileged individuals in villages and IDP camps, where fraudsters input their own phone numbers during BVN registration for those unaware of the significance of safeguarding their BVNs.

He said it could even be done through the utilisation of stolen or lost SIM cards to dial the 5650# USSD code and retrieve BVNs attached to those phone numbers.

“Once in possession of legitimate BVNs, bad actors exploit them for various fraudulent schemes, with loan fraud being particularly prevalent.

“In this type of fraud, perpetrators use victims’ identities to secure loans and default on payments, leaving victims to bear the financial burden”.

Mr Razaq Ahmed, CEO of Cowrywise, recommends several strategies that fintech providers can adopt to prevent BVN fraud by ensuring data privacy and security to safeguard customers’ data.

From a user perspective, Ahmed offered practical fraud prevention strategies to include the need to exercise caution when sharing BVN and personal details with applications.

He said there was the need to conduct thorough research to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate businesses.

He added that contacting financial institutions directly to confirm the authenticity of any strange or urgent requests is crucial.

It is worth mentioning that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced plans to block loan apps that harass customers.

Acting Chairman of FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, stated in a recent interview that these loan platforms, often known as loan sharks, will soon be history in the country.

According to Abdullahi, these loan apps provide quick money to Nigerians for urgent needs but resort to sending unpleasant messages and pictures to all contacts of those who fail to repay on time.

This harassment has caused significant issues in Nigeria, including job losses due to embarrassment and disgrace.

While the FCCPC does not directly handle these harassment issues, they do not condone such practices.

To tackle the problem, the FCCPC has involved the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Human Rights Commission to form a committee.

“Given that these loan companies operate online without physical offices or managing directors, the FCCPC has approached Google and Apple to remove their apps from their stores.

“Additionally, the FCCPC has coordinated with the CBN to block all accounts associated with these loan companies”.

Experts say the surge in BVN exploitation underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and individuals to combat fraud effectively.

They say by implementing robust security measures and fostering greater awareness among users, Nigeria can mitigate the risks associated with BVN-related fraud and safeguard the integrity of its financial ecosystem. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

Standing in the gap: Journalists as advocates for women, girls’ safety

By Justina Auta, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Favour, a 12-year-old primary five student, solemnly observed as mourners streamed into their home to offer condolences to her father for the loss of her 28-year-old mother, Rebeccah.

Amidst the sorrow, Favour’s thoughts drifted to the haunting memories of violence and abuse in the hands of her father that ultimately claimed her mother’s life, leaving behind a void too deep to fathom.

Rebeccah’s story is tragically familiar, reflecting the harsh reality faced by many women whose lives were cut short by domestic violence and abuse.

The UN defines GBV as any act that results in physical, sexual, or mental harm, violence against women remains a pervasive global issue.

According to WHO statistics, nearly one-third of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner.

In Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs reveals alarming figures, with over 27,000 recorded cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) recorded between 2020 and 2023 in select states and the FCT alone.

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders, including the media.

Recognising their pivotal role, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) , a women-oriented pressure group among Nigerian journalists, has taken proactive steps to empower journalists as advocates for ending GBV.

Through capacity-building workshops like the Women Voice and Leadership (WVL) Project, funded by Action Aid Nigeria, NAWOJ aims to equip journalists with the tools and knowledge to effectively report on gender issues.

Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice-President, Zone D, NAWOJ, emphasised the importance of gender-sensitive reporting, urging journalists to highlight not only the challenges but also the resilience and achievements of women.

She said amplifying women’s issues in the media space would promote empowerment, crucial as Nigeria aims to address social, economic, and political challenges while striving for sustainable development.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Osaretim Osasebamwen, FCT Council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), emphasised the need to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women to society.

He stressed the importance of inclusive reporting that amplifies women’s voices and experiences.

In a call to action, Mr Chris Isiguzo, NUJ president, urged journalists to move beyond mere lamentations and embrace solutions-based journalism.

He emphasised the importance of highlighting not just the problems but also the pathways to change.

As journalists engage in critical dialogue and introspection, they have the power to challenge unconscious biases and shape a more inclusive media landscape“, he said.

Mrs. Bassey Ita-Ikpang, FCT Chairperson, NAWOJ, said women’s voices have often been marginalised or overlooked in mainstream media coverage.

“To address this imbalance and foster more inclusive and representative reporting, journalists must work actively to amplify women’s voices in their reporting”, she said.

On his part, Malam Ali Muhammad-Ali, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), is of the opinion that the media space should focus more on reporting the consequences of perpetrating GBV.

Ali, like so many other gender right advocates, believes that punishing perpetrators of violence or harmful traditional practices would serve as a deterrent to others who might have the tendency to do the same.

“The media should stop celebrating or promoting GBV, if they must, they should report it from the perspective of punishment and justice not celebrating GBV.

“If the media keep objectifying women from advertising to marketing, that will encourage GBV.

“We should begin to highlight in the media space the consequences of perpetrating GBV, it will serve as a deterrent to others from committing such acts’’, he said.

Mrs Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs during a sensitisation and capacity building for journalist as part of the 16 days of activism to end GBV advocated the speedy prosecution of GBV cases.

“I call on our law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to be more responsive in their prosecutions, ruling and passing judgement on perpetrators of GBV.

“We need stiffer penalties against sexual offenders, indeed at our last Council on Women Affairs meeting, members agreed on castration or death penalty without option of fine for perpetrators of rape.

“I urge the media to report issues affecting women, children, the vulnerable and persons living with disabilities’’, she said.

Similarly, in a bid to end GBV, the then governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El’rufai signed into law the amended penal code 2020, which prescribes surgical castration for a rapist upon conviction.

Dr Adaora Jack, the Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) a Non-Governmental Organisation, urged media organisations to prioritise women empowerment to promote gender inclusivity.

She said the need to ensure gender accountability prompted the Gender for Agenda project with support from MacArthur Foundation and Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism.

“Nigeria, like many other countries, has been grappling with gender disparities, limiting the full potential and contributions of its female population.

“By empowering women, the country stands to benefit from a more diverse and inclusive workforce, increased economic growth, improved societal well-being, and enhanced political representation,” she said.

Stakeholders, contend that media, as vanguard for societal change have also and are still playing their parts in more awareness about gender based violence.

It is important that media professionals should go beyond reporting, but rather seek solutions to challenges affecting women and girls.

Gender activists say by advocating gender rights, safety and ensuring that all important issues are highlighted in the media towards bringing about the desired change, media professionals would be going beyond mere news reporting to the realm of concrete solution providers. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

By Funmilola Gboteku, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Adoption of mobile money systems started in the mid-2000s with the Philippines, Kenya and Tanzania being among the first to do it.

The first mobile money system was launched in the Philippines in 2001.

In 2007, Kenya launched M­ PESA, which represents the most successful mobile money platform.

Since then, this innovation has spread across countries.

In Nigeria, eTranzact, a financial solution company, in December 2010, piloted the scheme and started with the brand name eTranzact Mobile Money before changing the name to PocketMoni in January 2011 after it was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to fully continue with the operation alongside 11 other operators.

After two decades of remarkable expansion, mobile money is now a widely-used financial service that features in the day-to-day lives of many people.

For millions of people around the world, it remains a reliable way to buy goods and services, send money to loved ones at home and abroad, purchase health insurance, etc.

Today, more money and more transactions flow through mobile wallets, bringing a range of financial products into the hands of hundreds of millions of users and disrupting traditional financial services.

Based on data collected between 2013 and 2022, the total Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in countries with mobile money services (“mobile money countries”) was almost 1.5 per cent higher than it would have been without mobile money services.

Mobile Money Operators in Nigeria, comprising the likes of OPay, Palmpay and others, witnessed a surge in transactions in the first quarter of 2024, hitting N17.2 trillion.

This is according to data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS).

Mobile money transactions figure for the first quarter of 2024 represents 89 per cent year-on-year growth when compared with the N9.1 trillion transactions recorded in the same period in 2023.

An analysis of the three-month data shows that mobile money transactions maintained steady growth each month.

In January, transactions valued at N5.2 trillion were recorded, and by February, mobile money deals shot up to N5.5 trillion, while the figure went up higher to N6.5 trillion in March.

According to a Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) state of industry report, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to be the global leader in mobile money adoption.

The region’s sustained momentum has been largely helped by growth in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

Since 2013, the number of registered mobile money accounts in West Africa has doubled, driven mostly by growth in these three countries.

This has made Sub-Saharan Africa central to mobile money’s success, as it now boasts of almost three-quarters of the world’s mobile money accounts.

Some industry experts are of the opinion that adoption of mobile money system has had a positive and statistically-significant impact on most economies’ GDP.

Mr Mats Granryd, the Director-General of GSMA, during a recent webinar organised to release the Mobile Money State of Industry Report 2024, said that mobile money was often considered an African success story.

He added that Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest levels of mobile money adoption in the world.

According to Granryd, there are 1.75 billion registered accounts processing $1.4 trillion a year, or about $2.7 million a minute.

“In 2023, SSA accounted for $912 billion of the global transaction value, with West Africa contributing $347 billion.

“East Africa remains the largest mobile money market in the region, with $488 billion in transaction value.

“Mobile money’s impact extends beyond transaction volume. In the 10 years to 2022, it contributed $600 billion to the GDP of countries with a mobile money service.

“Between 2013 and 2022, mobile money increased GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa by more than $150 billion or 3.7 per cent,” Granryd said.

According to him, today, millions of users are making and receiving payments, taking out productive credit to meet short-term financing needs, paying for government services or accessing savings and insurance products to protect themselves from shocks.

“Mobile money growth has also led to a surge in mobile agents, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where registered agents grew to 18.6 million, while active agents grew to 8.3 million in 2023.

“These agents were responsible for digitising more than two-thirds of all the money entering the mobile money ecosystem: $307 billion in 2023, 12 per cent higher than the previous year.

“The rise of mobile money penetration is closely linked to improved financial inclusion and access to digitally-enabled services in places like Nigeria.

“Overall, as more mobile money providers have emerged, digital payment use has grown in Nigeria,” GSMA added.

Mr Jide Awe, a science, technology and innovation policy advisor and Founder of Jidaw.com Ltd., believes that mobile money has boomed in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria, due to several reasons.

He is convinced that a major driver is the limited traditional banking and finance structure nationwide.

Awe says the mobile phone offers a large number of the underbanked and financially excluded a convenient and accessible route.

He says the rapid growth in mobile phone penetration contributed greatly to enabling the offering of mobile money services.

Awe strongly believes that, as with any service, especially digital service, the proven reliability has grown trust.

He adds that this has led to wider acceptance.

“The additional features beyond sending and receiving cash are a real driver of adoption.

“It should be said that government has been supportive of financial inclusion with particular emphasis on mobile money.

“The Naira cash shortage in 2023 also led many individuals and organisations to adopt mobile and digital money options in order to survive,” he argues.

According to him, Nigeria’s tech-savvy youths are a major driver.

”They are comfortable in the mobile and digital environment and have embraced the mobile money culture.

“They have been active users, entrepreneurs, advocates and influencers, ” he says.

On job creation, Awe says mobile money operations have significantly created direct and indirect jobs.

He explains that the direct jobs are those linked directly to mobile money operations such as mobile money agents and mobile money providers’ staff, who develop and manage mobile money services.

These, he says, include product developers and managers, information technology professionals and software developers, operations managers, and compliance and regulatory officers.

“The indirect jobs are those not directly employed by mobile money providers but which support the mobile money environment with some as spinoffs and spillovers from the growth of mobile money,” Awe says.

According to Awe, this category comprises marketing and advertising professionals and customer service representatives.

Awe, however, notes that there are challenges associated with mobile money operations.

He listed them to include fraud, money laundering, extortion, blackmail, physical robbery of agents, and terror financing.

” These are some issues of criminality attached to it.”

He says such crimes cause harm to mobile money users and providers and erode trust.

He equally regrets that the crimes threaten the growth and sustainability of mobile money services and the digital economy itself.

On his part, Mr Ahmed Ogundimu, a Senior Product Manager at Amazon, points out that in Nigeria, infrastructure deficit, including inadequate internet access, remains a major challenge faced by operators in the mobile money market.

Ogundimu also admits that other logistical issues also hinder mobile money operations in Nigeria.

He argues that Nigeria does not have adequate access points for financial services, adding that low quality of mobile phone service in Nigeria has made users to constantly complain of low quality of mobile money services.

He lists the complaints to include those about glitches in transactions and network interruptions.

Analysts are convinced that ensuring a strong mobile money market in Nigeria and the entire Africa is important for economic transformation.

They call for more government support for mobile money system in appreciation of its impacts on financial inclusion, job creation, innovativeness and economic growth.

They also urge efforts to tackle the challenges associated with mobile money operations as well as proactive focus on digital inclusion. (NAN Features)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

***If used, please credit the writer and the agency **

By Joy Odigie, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Ms Augustina Effong (not real name), a 28-year-old single mother, faces the heart-wrenching reality of raising her six-year-old son alone. His father, Mr. Francis Osagie, has abandoned them, refusing to take responsibility for their child.

Efiong recounts how she became pregnant for Francis, who initially promised marriage but later reneged due to tribal differences.

“His family members told him not to marry me because I am not from their tribe. I am still single but the father of my son is now married to another woman who has children for him.

“I am a cleaner and earn N15, 000 monthly. This money is too small for me to take care of myself and my son.

“My son doesn’t know his father because his father left me when I was pregnant. He is aware that I have a child for him, but he hasn’t come to see his son. I learnt that he lives in Benin with his family.

“All I want is for the father of my son to take full responsibility of his upkeep, education, health and otherwise.

I will not allow my son to have any dealing with him in future if his father doesn’t take care of him now”, she explained.

Mrs. Loveth Osaro (not her real name), a 30-year-old health worker in Edo, shares a similar tale of suffering. Married to an Uber driver in 2021, Loveth endures constant beatings and neglect from her husband.

“He does not provide for my upkeep and that of our child, he beats me anytime we have misunderstanding. He is a commercial driver and he is financially okay, but he doesn’t want to take care of his family.

Desperate for justice, Loveth learned about the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law through a friend who connected her with a Non-Governmental Organisation in Edo.

The VAPP Law aims to punish perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and provide justice for victims like Loveth.

Following the NGO’s intervention, her husband has stopped physically abusing her, but his family pressures him to evict her from their home.

Loveth is not certain about his intentions especially as he communicates with another woman.

In recent years, GBV has become a major social issue in Nigeria, with Edo being among the worst hit.

The UNDP’s GBV Factsheets: January 2020 –July 2022, recorded about 7, 349 incidents of GBV in Nigeria.

According to 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey statistics, 28.3 per cent of women aged 15-49 in Edo State have experienced intimate partner violence, compared to the national average of 23 per cent.

In response to this alarming trend, the Edo government passed the reviewed VAPP law in 2021 to eliminate violence in private and public life, provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punish offenders of GBV.

The law is aimed at protecting both male and female, and vulnerable groups from all forms of violence, including domestic violence and sexual harassment.

It also criminalises harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and imposes stiffer penalties on offenders.

Notwithstanding the good intention of the law, stakeholders, including civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, and legal practitioners, argue that awareness about the law is abysmally low hence it is not achieving the desired results.

According to Mrs Ufuoma Akpobi, Coordinator, Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (AACSGB), Edo chapter “the domestication of the VAPP law in Edo State will help to reduce the crisis in the state when people are aware of the law.

“A lot of people are not aware of the VAPP law. During one of our sensitization programmes at Uselu community in Benin, we realise that there’s the need for awareness creation of the law because most persons we interacted with were not aware of such law,” she said.

She said though there had some convictions that were tied to the VAPP law, a lot still needs to be done.

“Justices have been served using the VAPP law, one is the case of the girl that pepper was inserted into her vagina, the perpetrators were convicted using the VAPP law.

There are also some rape cases that have been prosecuted using the law”, she said.

Mrs Nosazeme Lambert-Okao of Edo State Ministry of Justice said that sensitisation about the law would enable victims to seek redress through  proper channels.

“The male gender needs to know that rape and other forms of GBV are wrong. They should also know that there are laws put in place to punish violators and that justices must be served.

“Let people know that there is a VAPP law that says that such violence are offences; we know that violence is both ways, however, the women are the ones that suffer more than the men.

“People should know that the VAPP law is in place and that anyone who perpetrates violence against anyone will be prosecuted.

“The truth is that a lot of offenders do not know that they are committing crimes, some know and they believe that they can get away with it. But right now in Edo, nobody gets away with GBV.

“Everybody is against it and all hands is on deck to make sure that this menace is curbed; and the ministry tries to attend to such cases speedily and efficiently”, she said.

Mr Olumide Dosumu, Edo State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, concurs that more publicity should be given to the law.

“Unfortunately, quite a number of people are not still aware of the law especially law enforcement officers, particularly the Police.

“A situation where someone who is meant to enforce the law doesn’t know about the law, it becomes difficult. Once they have the law, the next step will be to train them on the implementation”, he said.

He also advocated community-based women sensitisation on the contents of the VAPP law, saying that “this will help to eliminate violence against women and girls.

“Our advocacy should centre more hence forth on building the capacity of women and girls to become socio-economically strong to take decisive discussions that can lift them away from toxic environments and relationships.

“Achieving gender equity and empowerment of women and girls is not only a key human rights issue but also one of the 17 Sustainable Goal enshrined on goal 5 and also mainstreamed throughout the whole Agenda 2030”

Similarly, Dr Bright Oniovokukor, Project Manager, Indomitable Youth Organisation, said although the domestication of the VAPP law was helping in the mitigation of GBV cases in Edo, there was a need for more awareness.

“The VAPP law is currently in use in the courts and a couple of progress has been made in the utilization of the law.

“We believe that with continuous awareness creation and use of the VAPP law, significant improvements would be made with respect to reducing the prevalence of GBV cases.

“However, awareness about the VAPP law remains very low. During a recent programme, we organised in Egor Ward 6, the research aspect of it revealed that awareness on the VAPP law is still low’’, he said.

According to Blessing Eromon, Programme/ Administration Officer, CLEEN Foundation, and NGO, sensitisation should be taken down to the family unit to allow for much impact in the larger society.

“The adult man is raised as a child in the family; once we start training the male child to respect the rights of the female child, he will do that when he becomes an adult’’, she said.

She further said, apart from advocacies and sensitization, the society should be intentional about mitigating GBV.

“We should focus on a set of persons, like children within the ages of 5 and 10 years; let’s start imbibing in them values because the value of our system is falling and it hurts a lot to see that the values that we upheld are now fading away.

“We should bring back the values, teach our children, so that they grow with them for a better future.

“As CSOs, we cannot reach everybody, so everyone should have the correct knowledge about GBV and share it with others especially at the community level.

“A lot of persons need to be aware about GBV and the VAPP law and Gender Policy are good documents to handle GBV, so that people don’t talk laws into their hands and do jungle justice”, she said.

Mr Obi Oyenbuchi of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons said: “It is better that we stop preventing GBV from happening by raising awareness about actions and laws that crimilisizes violence.

“We should at all times try to protect the fundamental human rights of everyone; both male and female.

“The message is that we should create more awareness to let people know about their rights. Most of the times, ignorance is a cause of SGBV.

“A child is being abused but the parents don’t know that it is their right to report the perpetrator for justice to be served.

“They think t it is wrong for them to report and it is also exposing the child to stigma”, he said.

Gender rights activists say the VAPP law is a step in the right direction towards tackling GBV in Edo.

It is therefore important that all stakeholders work together to ensure that awareness about the law as well as its implementation is created in a manner that will facilitate the achievement of its aims and objectives.

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

By Chijioke Okoronkwo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

On May 14, the High Powered-Presidential Committee on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project was in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The committee came to brief President Bola Tinubu on recommendations given to Nigeria regarding its submission for an extended continental shelf by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

The briefing was led by veteran diplomat, Amb. Hassan Tukur, the Chairman of the committee.

The update with the president featured technical presentations by Prof. Larry Awosika, a renowned marine scientist and Mr Aliyu Omar, Member/Secretary of the Committee and former staff of the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

Omar also served as the Desk Officer for the project office in New York for several years.

Worthy of note, Nigeria’s request to have it continental shelf extended was approved by the CLCS in August 2023.

The project, which aims to extend Nigeria’s maritime boundaries in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has granted Nigeria sovereignty over an additional 16,300 square kilometers of maritime territory.

This is roughly five times the size of Lagos State.

The CLCS is mandated to, inter alia, consider the data and information submitted and provide recommendations on the outer limits submitted by the coastal state.

Article 76 of UNCLOS (1982) allows a qualifying coastal state to extend its continental shelf up to a maximum of 350M (350 nautical miles) or 150m nautical miles beyond its traditional Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 nautical miles.

Continental shelf is the natural submerged prolongation of its land territory.

The journey to extend Nigeria’s continental shelf project began in 2009 with the country’s submission to the CLCS.

The project faced delays due to a lack of funds and administrative challenges; in 2013 the Senate of the Federal Republic in its resolution of Feb. 14, 2013, urged the Federal Government to fund the project and set up an independent body to handle it.

However, it was only in November, 2015 that the then President Muhammadu Buhari revitalised it.

Subsequently, he appointed the High-Powered Presidential Committee (HPPC), headed by the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Malam Abubakar Malami, to oversee the project.

The HPPC operated as an independent technical body, effectively managing the project by cutting down on government bureaucracy.

Omar had led the Nigerian Technical Team through the question-and-answer sessions with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

He was also the Member/Secretary of the HPPC with strong institutional memory of the project, highlighted this during the committee’s briefing to President Tinubu on May 14.

Omar said that when the HPPC briefed Buhari in 2022 on the status of the project, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) was still considering Nigeria’s submission and having technical interactions with the HPPC.

”These interactions and consideration have now culminated in the approval for Nigeria to extend its continental shelf beyond 200M (200 nautical miles).

”As it stands now, the area approved for Nigeria is about 16,300 square kilometers, which is about five times the size of Lagos State”, he said.

Nigeria’s extended continental shelf is in an area that is referred to as the ‘Golden Triangle of the Gulf of Guinea’ due to its abundance of natural resources such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, and a variety of solid minerals.

Awosika, a pioneer member and former Chairman of the CLCS, explained that the technical team’s work involved lengthy processes.

He said it also required highly technical steps in the acquisition, processing and analysis of extensive marine scientific data offshore Nigeria’s margin for the submission to the UN CLCS.

He said that the Nigerian team had to defend the submission with the CLCS which involved highly technical question-and-answer sessions and provision of additional data and information.

Receiving the report, Tinubu commended the members of the technical team for working tirelessly.

He applauded their high technical and scientific expertise and solidarity to national cause throughout the eight years of service to the nation before an agreement was finally reached with the UN CLCS in August, 2023.

It is instructive to note that Tinubu highlighted the interactions he had with his predecessor, Buhari, on the project; given that it was him, Buhari, who set up the HPPC to oversee the project in 2015.

Tinubu recounted how Buhari briefed him on the importance of the project.

”This is big congratulations for Nigeria. I commend the team and we must take advantage of this and invite you again to have a repeat of this knowledge exploration on geography, hydrography and the marine life.

”Nigeria is grateful for the efforts that you put into gaining additional territory for the country without going to war; some nations went to war; lost people and economic opportunities.

”We lost nothing but have gained great benefits for Nigeria; we will pursue the best option for the country,”Tinubu said.

Tinubu has also promised to ‘pursue the best option for the country’ on the project, even though the CLCS recommendations fall short of Nigeria’s submitted claim.

Perceptive observers say the achievement is a lesson on the importance of continuity in government projects. Abandoning projects due to changes in administration can lead to wasted resources and lost opportunities.

The extended continental shelf is a significant achievement of Tinubu’s administration and to Nigeria.

According to experts, this is something that has never happened in the nation’s history, and may never happen again.

By learning from the ECS project, Nigeria can improve its approach to governance and project management, ensuring that with perseverance and continuity strategic initiatives are completed despite challenges.

The ECS project, initiated in 2009, faced delays and funding issues but persistence through the efforts of the immediate past administration paid off, and was finally approved by the UN in August 2023, shortly after Tinubu assumed office.

The country has taken note of articles 7 and 8 in the Annex II to the Convention on the Law of the Sea concerning recommendations received from the CLCS.

The project also demonstrates the importance of long-term thinking in governance.

Discerning stakeholders hold that while the project’s benefits may not be immediate, it will surely have a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy and maritime boundaries in the future. (NANFeatures)

By Tosin Kolade, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In Nigeria, flooding remains the most prevalent natural disaster, particularly affecting vulnerable communities residing along riverbanks and floodplains.

The ramifications of floods extend beyond loss of lives and property, encompassing disruptions to agriculture, industrial productivity, infrastructure, and overall socio-economic stability, health and academic activities.

Consequently, effective flood forecasting and early warning systems are imperative in mitigating these adverse impacts.

Nigeria has encountered severe flood disasters, with the 2012 and 2022 floods being particularly devastating.

The 2022 flooding in Nigeria, as reported by the Global Rapid (Post Disaster) Damage Estimation (GRADE) Assessment Report, indicated losses ranging from $3.79 billion to $9.12 billion based on statistics available until November 25, 2023.

The report highlighted severe damage to crops, water infrastructure, fisheries, and livestock, with over 650,000 hectares of crops destroyed, resulting in an estimated loss of $1.8 billion to the agricultural sector.

Jigawa, Rivers, Taraba, Cross River, and Delta were identified as the worst affected states, emphasising the critical need for comprehensive flood mitigation strategies.

In response to these challenges, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Flood Mitigation, Adaptation, Preparedness, and Response.

The committee was tasked with developing a roadmap to enhance Nigeria’s flood resilience and response capabilities, underscoring the government’s commitment to proactive disaster management.

The 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), unveiled by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), identifies 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in high flood risk areas across 31 states, and 249 LGAs in moderate risk zones.

The high flood-risk states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.

Others are; Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe.

Additionally, urban centers such as Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt are susceptible to flash and urban flooding, while coastal regions face the threat of severe flooding due to rising sea levels and tidal surges.

Recognising the importance of proactive measures, NIHSA has disseminated the AFO publication and maps to state governors, urging swift action and preparedness.

The theme for this year’s flood awareness campaign, “Promoting the use of Data Analytics and Modeling for Flood Risk Assessments and Food Security,” aligns with the government’s commitment to food security and poverty alleviation.

Recall that Nigeria aims to uplift millions out of poverty and foster sustainable economic growth, hence the crucial role of flood resilience in achieving these objectives.

As outlined in the AFO, Stakeholders and decision-makers are urged to heed the insights and collaborate on effective flood mitigation strategies, including aggressive sensitisation campaigns and improved waste management practices.

Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasised that the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook serves as a vital tool for strategic planning and risk reduction efforts.

He said by prioritising early warning systems, community engagement, and coordinated response mechanisms, Nigeria aims to minimise the impact of floods and safeguard its citizens and infrastructure.

Utsev said state governments have alerted residents living in flood-prone areas to consider relocating as the rainy season approaches.

This proactive measure, he said ensures necessary preparations are made to mitigate flood impact in affected states.

Corroborating Utsev’s position, Mr Ola Oresanya, Commissioner for Environment, Ogun, issued a flood advisory during a news conference recently on the 2024 flood alert.

He said the Federal Government had notified 31 states, including Ogun, about expected flooding between April and November 2024.

According to him 16 out of the state’s 20 LGAs are expected to experience the highest rainfall, emphasising the need for residents in wetland areas to relocate to safer ground or elevate their residences before heavy rain.

Regarding agriculture, Oresanya said the farming season in coastal areas spans between 250 to 292 days, while inland areas experience a shorter growing season ranging from 200 to 250 days.

Other state governments have implemented similar policies, urging relocation to higher ground and the avoidance of floodplains.

Following the FG’s directives, Benue is demolishing riverside buildings, Lagos State is directing residents near rivers, canals, and the Atlantic Ocean to relocate.

Ongoing campaigns for environmental protection are also taking place in Sokoto and Edo states.

State governments stress the importance of clearing drainage systems and flood paths to mitigate flood risks, aiming to safeguard lives and property during the rainy season.

Stakeholders have observed that early preparedness and effective disaster management strategies are key to saving lives and reducing disaster impacts.

At a recent workshop organised by NEMA and the World Bank, the agency’s Director-General, Zubeida Umar, underscored the importance of drawing lessons from previous flood disasters to avert their repetition.

Umar highlighted the devastating impact of floods in 2012 and 2022, which resulted in significant loss of lives, injuries, and displacement across Nigeria.

The workshop aimed to identify areas for improvement and promote Nigeria’s emergency preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly in the face of ongoing climate-related hazards like flooding.

Collaborating with the World Bank, NEMA sought to provide insights into systemic opportunities for enhancing emergency preparedness at both national and sub-national levels.

The workshop provided a platform for key government officials and emergency relief entities to engage in constructive dialogue, evaluating Nigeria’s systems, procedures, and experiences related to emergency response.

Drawing lessons from the 2022 flood disaster, participants discussed strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities, with a focus on coordination and collaboration among relevant stakeholders.

A senior disaster risk management specialist at the World Bank, Nkem Joseph-Palmer, stressed the critical need for investing in disaster preparedness and response systems in Nigeria.

He cited a striking statistic that for every $1 spent on preparedness, up to $18 in potential disaster response costs could be saved.

He noted the importance of strengthening systems and capacities at all levels of government to protect local communities during disasters.

Dr Clement Nze, Director-General, NIHSA, urged stakeholders, policymakers, and relevant government departments to heed the information outlined in the 2024 AFO and prepare proactively.

He said there was need for collective efforts in maintaining cleanliness in the environment, waterways, and flood paths, alongside proper waste management practices to mitigate flooding.

Nze highlighted floods as the most common natural disaster in Nigeria, emphasising their profound impact on vulnerable populations living along river courses and dependent on fertile floodplains for their livelihoods.

Stakeholders believe that addressing Nigeria’s annual flood disasters through preparedness requires a multifaceted approach involving proactive measures, collaboration among stakeholders, and community engagement.

Experts say by adopting a holistic approach to flood preparedness, Nigeria can reduce the impact of annual flood disasters, protect vulnerable communities, and build resilience to future flood events.

They argue that through proactive measures and collective action, the country can minimise loss of lives and property, safeguard livelihoods, and promote sustainable development. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria