By Kazeem Akande

A 53-year-old marriage has won the 2023 Family Week competition organised by Mushin Local Government under the leadership of the Council Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Bamigboye.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the council organised the Family Week screening at the Secretariat to choose the family that will represent Mushin at the grand finale coming up at the state level.

Bamigboye said after thorough screening and assessment, the family of Chief and Mrs Femi Okuyemi emerged winner with 80 per cent, to beat the families of Alhaji and Mrs Taiwo Odunsi, who came second with 65 per cent.

According to him, Alhaji and Mrs Isiaka Emiola got 56 per cent to get the third position.

“The criteria used in the screening exercise included punctuality to the venue, length of marriage, parental contributions to the achievements and success of their children.

“At the same time, contributions with commitment of the family to their community was another criteria,” he said.

The Executive Chairman, who was represented by the Supervisor for Agriculture and Social Services in Mushin Local Government, Mr Shakiru Oyefolu, commended the families for upholding their marriages.

He added that the chairman was interested in upholding the tenets of marriage as established by God.

Oyefolu said that the programme was targeted at strengthening marriages at the community level and to encourage huge investments in child development and the future of the community.

“Marriageable is an institution established by God for procreation and contribution of human capacity for productivity, with internalisation of norms in their children for social development in the society.

“Being the basic unit of the social system, the state government in partnership with the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, has organised annual family week celebration to strengthen family ties.

“This development will encourage unity among couples and influence parental responsibility for quality child upbringing in the society,” he said.

According to the council boss, Okuyemi, who is in his 90s and his wife in her 70s, with over 53 years in marriage, has produced Medical Doctor, Accountant, Lawyer and Insurance expert as children.

He said the couple would be representing the local government at the grand finale coming up at the state level.

Mrs Aderonke Ogundiran, the Council Head of Agriculture and Social Services Department, in her votes of thanks applauded all the families who participated in the Family Week and screening exercise.

Ogundiran said that the programme was aimed at encouraging couples to stay together and protect their marriages, for the success of their children in future.

NAN reports that the 2022 edition of the grand finale organised by the state, Mushin got the third position, through its representative, Alhaji and Mrs Tunde Okuwobi’s family, who came home with the Bronze medal. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Some stakeholders in the humanitarian sector have restated their commitment towards providing durable solution to displaced persons in the country.

They expressed the concern during a road walk on Monday in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 World Refugee Day with the theme “Hope away from home”.

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), said that Nigeria had recorded a lot of milestones and there were still a lot to be done.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that the Federal Government had been supportive in providing succor to persons of concern in the country.

She said that the aim of the programme was to recap on the journey so far and the future for refugee management in the country.

According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, there are over 90,000 refugees from about 34 countries in Nigeria and the number was changing everyday.

“We have recorded a lot of milestones and there are still a lot to be done, we have a lot of policies in place, and we are still going to strengthen the internal framework.

“The theme of this year is apt, that is what the programme represents, giving them hope away from home. They flee for safety, from area of persecution.

“So, it is paramount that they build a home and also rebuild their hope, so whatever programme we are putting in place is to ensure that we help to strengthen their resilience and coping mechanism,” she said.

While commending the partners, the commissioner restated that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen its partnership with relevant stakeholders.

Similarly, Ms Bernadette Muteshi, the Deputy Representative of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said that the essence of the event was to commemorate the plight of refugees, people who fled their countries because of persecution.

Muteshi also expressed worry that in spite of all the efforts made so far by countries, the number of displaced persons kept on increasing.

“Ten years ago in 2013, we had 51.2 million people displaced, 10 years on today, we have 110 million people displaced globally.

“So, the situation is becoming dire which requires that we reinforce our efforts and give all the support that we can to hold back the trend.

“We do not want the numbers to go up, we want the numbers to come down and each of us can contribute in supportive and lending to that course,” she said.

To improve on the situation, Muteshi said that countries should adopt a legal framework that support all the other related support that can be followed from the time a refugee arrived at a border.

She said that there should be access to the country’s facilities to register and document them to ensure that they are legally protected in whatever asylum country they find themselves.

“Ensuring that they have basic assistance but more importantly ensuring that they also share in the national and social services such as education, health and other means of restarting their lives again.

“We are calling on awareness of the international communities not to forget these categories of people because they all need our support.

“They are people just like us, they have dreams and aspirations, and they were not able to fulfill them in their countries of origin for various reasons – war, conflict or persecutions,” Muteshi said.

She said the refugees are here to seek support until they are able to go back home or find some other durable solutions.

Muteshi said this was because anyone could be a refugee.

“So when you bear that in mind, it holds upon us to lend the human hand and be cognizant of the fact that nobody chooses to be a refugee,” she added.

On her part, Mrs Blessing Onu, a member, representing Otukpo Federal Constituency, Benue, said that in Benue there were good number of refugees’ camps including internally displaced persons.

“They are being catered for, nobody wishes for war or the situation that they are in but we are trying as much as we could to strengthen the policies that protect them and refugees,” Onu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Refugee Day is an international day organised on June 20 every year to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Razak Owolabi

By Ebere Agozie

Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice has called for urgent measures to combat School-Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) in Nigeria.

Jeddy-Agba made the call at the inauguration of the Committee on Legal Pathway for the Prosecution of Perpetrators of School Related Gender-Based Violence on Monday in Abuja.

She said the discourse about SRGBV has been on the front burner in different fora as an emerging menace that can no longer be ignored and one which must be combatted decisively and squarely.

“SRGBV as the name implies, school related gender-based violence occurs in schools, around school or as a result of school
relationship.

“It is perpetrated based on gender norms or stereotypes and enforced by unequal power dynamics in the school environs.

“It occurs in multifarious dimensions and includes physical violence, sexual violence and psychological violence, teacher-perpetrated abuse, excessive punishment, sexual harassment or sexual coercion, bullying by peers, rape, physical assault, sexual assault and et al.

“SRGBV is pervasive in many schools globally and constitutes both a crime and a violation of the human rights of children and therefore, should be stopped at all costs,” she said.

Jeddy-Agba the committee was established to develop a Standard Operating Procedure as a standard working tool and guideline to guide key stakeholders in Basic Education Institution across Nigeria to respond to cases of SRGBV when they occur.

“The committee will, therefore, work together with the SGBV Response Unit to facilitate and develop this document to provide a routine procedure to respond to these cases in schools.

“This opportunity is critical, it is the result of the vision, the will, the commitment to create a safe space for our children and Nigeria”.

“I therefore, charge you to give these the focus and seriousness it deserves because we owe it to our children, and our Nation to resolve this task”.

Also speaking, Mr Stephen Onyekwelu, the representative of UNESCO said that gender-based violence cannot be eradicated without education.

“Education is key in trying to change one’s negative norms, attitudes and behaviour and we are doing several things to see how our educational system can address the issue of gender-based violence globally.

“We have worked with various secondary schools in the FCT establishing school gender classes, we supported in the revising the National Basic Education curriculum to improve some components of gender-based violence issues.

“We are working directly with the Federal Ministry of Education, currently revising the National healthcare policy for secondary schools which will be presented at the upcoming National Council of Education”.

He said that the event is the height of the effort in curbing gender based violence.

“Sometimes, when you go out, what you see is cases with no legal backing to pursue it, the police will tell you there are no supporting documents to back up their actions.

“But what we are doing today is certainly going to address most of these challenges that will enable us to effectively bring perpetrators to book, especially at the school levels.

Mrs Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, Head, SGBV, ministry of justice thanked the participants and pledged government resolve is addressing gender based violence issues.

“Rest assured that the legal partway will bring sanity in our school domain and create safe space for the children.

“It is our utmost desire that our efforts against this heinous crime will transcend to positive actions in the successful drafting of the standard operating procedure. (NAN)
EPA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ruth Oketunde/Angela Atabo

An NGO, the Global Initiative for Civil Stabilisation (GICS), has called on the federal and state governments to design skills acquisition programmes for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Mr Muhammad Al-Mansur, made the call at a one-day media capacity building workshop for journalists on Monday in Abuja.

He said it was important to introduce skills acquisition programmes for PWDs to enable them to be independent and live dignified lives.

“In Nigeria, we tend to relegate issues of disabilities to the background; we prefer giving persons with disabilities little tokens and we think that solves their problems.

“We are expected to look at a holistic way we can fully integrate these people into the society.

“A lot of these people beg for alms not because they want to be beggars, but because of the economic realities confronting them,’’ Al-Mansur said.

He noted that if educational programmes were designed for PWDs, they would be led to career paths and employment would be provided for them.

Also speaking at the workshop, Mr Odoh Diego, a development communication expert and facilitator, called for an end to the use of PWDs for alms begging.

“The law criminalises the use of PWDs to solicit for alms, but because of our cultural or religious norms, we think we are duty-bound to show them empathy.

“People need to be aware of the law. Since 2019, when former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the law, it became a crime to use PWDs for alms-begging,’’ he stressed.

In her remarks, Miss Mary Musa, a PWD, appealed for the implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.

“To pass a law is one thing; to implement it is another thing; so the bulk of the work lies on everybody to make it work,’’ she said.

The workshop has “Reporting for Deepening the Implementation of the 2018 Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act’’ as its theme.

The workshop, organised by the Differently Abled Civil Empowerment Programme of the NGO, was supported by the embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Joan Nwagwu

Amb. Abiodun Adejola, Chairman, Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), on Sunday pledged to showcase African continent to whole world during his tenure.

Adejola, who is the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, said this while speaking with journalists in Geneva, Switzerland.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria was elected as the ILO Governing Body Chair at the just concluded 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the ILO.

The conference was held from June 5 to June 16.

Adejola, who is Chairperson of the ILO Governing Body would chair the 2023-2024 session of the ILC.

He said that during his tenure, African countries would be brought together and be showcased to the world.

He also said he would support the vision of President Bola Tinubu-led administration for country.

According to him, I do believe that we are here to assist the enormous work going on in Nigeria and you will recall that in the last 15 days, a number of things have been done in Nigeria, particularly with the massive efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu.

“So we are here to actually ensure that we support his vision. We support his drive and then taking the world to Africa and indeed from Nigeria.

“You know, the ILO is a very unique body, that sits on the tripod, the constituents, so we can’t neglect anyone so we have to find a way to bring together the government, the workers and their employers in moving Nigeria forward.

“We need to ensure that we involve all constituents specifically,” he said.

He, however, said that as the Chairman of board of the ILO, he would ensure not to neglect workers and their welfare.

He said he would continue to build on the enormous work done by Dr Chris Ngige, former Minister of Labour and Employment.

According to him, Nigeria is a potential awaiting to happen.

“It is a massive country. I do believe that President Tinubu will make it a workstation where all hands will be on deck and no dull moment.

“It is also to ensure that we move our country to the next level,” he said.

Adejola, while chairing his maiden meeting, commended the Delegates for nominating and confirming Nigeria to preside over the affairs of the decision making and agenda setting body of the ILO.

“As Nigeria accepts the responsibility of continuing from where Chile handed the baton, we are confident that our two Vice Chairs will extend their warm cooperation and support to us to sustain the accelerated progress of our predecessor.

“We will count on the goodwill and support of all government members of the Governing Body to move the stake of our organisation higher.

“As we are no doubt aware, the demand for greater supervision, provision of technical assistance and share of quality research findings from the ILO as the leading authority in the world of work is greater now than ever,” he said.

He added that the soaring level of unemployment, disruptive impact of technology, the devastating effect of climate change and regional demographics are the stark realities staring us in the face.

He said that the agenda in future meetings should take on board the challenges, to confront and shape global discourse as a matter of urgency.

Our policy outcomes and decisions should inspire hope for a better quality of life and new opportunities.

“We are ready to deliver on the mandate entrusted to us, prepared to serve, listen and to align with our common goal of leaving no one behind.

“Together, we will harness our potentials and draw strength from our unique tripartite governance structure to consolidate on our post-centenary and pandemic gains. Our mutual and healthy respect, tolerance and maturity for contrary opinions will be helpful.

“Our diversity in economic development and vast tapestry of perspectives should enrich and balance our conclusions,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz