News - News Agency Of Nigeria

Sultan seeks protection of women’s rights (Page 645)

By Muhammad Nasir

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Nigerians to remain resolute in protecting the rights of women and the girl-child.

Abubakar made the call on Thursday during a high-level town hall on promoting peace and security through women’s inclusion and access to justice, in Sokoto.

The meeting, organised by Global Rights in collaboration with UK International Development and The Kukah Centre, served as a platform for inclusive dialogue on the interlinking issues of peace, justice, and women’s participation in conflict response and recovery.

Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, emphasised that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has become a growing phenomenon that requires an all-inclusive approach, describing it as a grave offense against humanity.

“We must stand for women. They are our mothers, wives, and daughters. Violating their rights is a violation of humanity and protecting them is non-negotiable.

“It is evidently clear that ending GBV in Sokoto and Nigeria is possible, and the path is clear for all of us.

“Moreover, women are peacebuilders and community-oriented; they remain the foundation of our brighter future,” he said.

Abubakar commended the state government for its sustained efforts in including more women in decision-making processes, noting that such initiatives have continued to yield positive results.

He also appreciated Global Rights and its partners for organising the meeting and urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to strengthen the initiative’s success.

In her remarks, Mrs Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights, expressed concern that the North-West region continues to face persistent security challenges.

“In the face of insecurity and violence, women continue to demonstrate resilience, sustaining families and building communities.

“Their experiences and leadership are of immense value, yet they continue to suffer various forms of violence.

“Women’s participation in peace and security processes, as well as their access to justice, remain very limited,” she said.

Baiyewu stressed the need to change societal perceptions about women, urging communities to recognise women as agents of peace, security, and justice.

She called on the participants to use the dialogue as a platform to promote inclusion, equity, and justice for sustainable peace in the North-West and across Nigeria.

Also speaking, Mr Cliff Gai, Senior Programme Manager, UK Integrated Security Fund (UK ISF), described the meeting as a strong demonstration of commitment to promoting access to justice in Sokoto and across the country.

“This gathering is not just a meeting but a strong commitment to promoting community participation in ensuring justice and addressing all forms of violence in our society,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Founder of The Kukah Centre, emphasised the need to strengthen peace and unity as prerequisites for achieving justice and security.

Kukah, represented by his aide, Mr Nuhu Ilya, said that there must be respect for the instructions and support for the security agencies.

“We must respect our institutions, support security agencies, and unite in pursuit of true justice. Peace cannot be achieved through violence but through justice,” he said.

Earlier, Alhaji Yahaya Rara, Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu on Human Rights, reaffirmed the state government’s sustained commitment to protecting human rights and enhancing the state’s security architecture. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Bashir Rabe Mani

Sultan seeks protection of women’s rights

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Muhammad Nasir The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Nigerians to remain resolute in protecting the rights of women and the girl-child. Abubakar made the call on Thursday during a high-level town hall onContinue Reading

Amupitan pledges to uphold electoral integrity

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Elections

With: 0 Comments

By Emmanuel Oloniruha Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has pledged to uphold integrity, transparency and discipline in the management of Nigeria’s electoral process. Amupitan made the pledge during his first meeting with directors of the commission in Abuja on Thursday. He said that the integrityContinue Reading

Building collapse: Bricklayers blame dependence on paper qualifications, imported ideas

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Metro

With: 0 Comments

By Oluwaseun Nubi The Lagos State Bricklayers Association has urged the state government to work more closely with its members to improve construction quality and reduce cases of building collapse. Mr Oyebamiji Dauda, the President of the association and National President of the Nigerian Bricklayers Association, made the appeal atContinue Reading

20 women, 100 students trained on Wiki ‘SheSaid’ campaign in Kaduna, Katsina

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Gender

With: 0 Comments

By Hussaina Yakubu Twenty women drawn from various women’s organisations have been trained on the Wiki Loves Women #SheSaid Campaign in Kaduna State. The training was aimed at improving the visibility of women and amplifying their voices on global digital platforms. The training, organised by the SheSaid Hausa Team ledContinue Reading

Bago declares free tuition for 809 new students of Abdulkadir Kure University

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Education

With: 0 Comments

By Mohammed Baba Busu Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger has declared tuition-free education for the 809 newly admitted students of the Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), for the 2024/2025 academic session. Bago made the declaration during the matriculation ceremony of the university held on Thursday in Minna. According to theContinue Reading

Shettima urges Govs to improve citizens’ lives rather than rhetorics

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Politics

With: 0 Comments

By Salisu Sani-Idris Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments to translate the optimism of the streets into real prosperity in homes and communities. Shettima made the call during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting attended by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The vice-president, who isContinue Reading

WAEC tests computer-based essay writing

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Education

With: 0 Comments

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has conducted a trial test on essay writing ahead of the Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates in 2026. The exercise, led by Dr Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, took place on Thursday at the WAEC Training and TestingContinue Reading

Leveraging artificial intelligence for improved productivity in Africa

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Features

With: 0 Comments

By Kadiri Abdulrahman, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) The world, no doubt, is increasingly becoming Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven, with all sectors integrating AI to enhance efficiency. At the recently concluded 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a central topic as officialsContinue Reading

Rotary urges mothers to champion polio eradication nationwide

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: Health

With: 0 Comments

By Monday Ijeh The District Governor of Rotary International, District 9141, Mr Anthony Woghiren, has urged mothers to become ambassadors in the fight against polio across Nigeria. Woghiren made the call on Thursday in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory, during an immunisation outreach held to commemorate the 2025 World Polio DayContinue Reading

NSE, Army partner to strengthen Nigeria’s defence infrastructure

By: Magdalene Ukuedojor

On: October 23, 2025

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Angela Atabo The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has forged strategic collaboration with the Defence Headquarters Department of Standards and Evaluation (DHQSE), to provide expert oversight for critical defence infrastructure projects. The NSE President and Chairman-in-Council, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, made this known when she received the DHQSE delegation inContinue Reading

Follows Us

Sultan seeks protection of women’s rights (Page 645)