By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, on Friday called on Nigerians to join in the fight against insecurity as the military could not do it alone.

Musa made the call at his maiden interaction with newsmen in Abuja.

“The security challenge we are facing is not only a military challenge; it is for everybody.

“That is why it is important for us to have a good understanding of what is going on so that we can clearly sensitise the public,’’ he said.

He said cooperation and support for the military and all other security agencies was critical to their successes or failures in the war against insecurity.

“I appeal that when you see something not going right, please report; even if it is our troops that are not doing the right thing, don’t just keep quiet and pass by.

“This is because whatever you see and pass by, you have approved of it.

“If you want changes, report so that we can take action and we want to take action,’’ Musa assured.

He noted that terrorism was always difficult to fight because it was ideology-based, but criminality had been added resulting from pressure exerted on terrorists by the military in the Northeast.

He noted also that good governance was critical to addressing insecurity, stressing that political leaders had a role to play to ensure that issues that promoted insecurity were not allowed to fester.

According to him, military solution is only 30 per cent of the strategy, while 70 per cent is good governance, equity, fairness and justice.

“The issue of policing is everybody’s responsibility. We must have good policing system that ensures that everybody is everybody’s brother.

“We must be our brother’s keepers for us to be able to assist and our correctional system should be correctional.

Earlier, Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the media had an important role to play in nation building and the role had serious implication on national security.

Gusau said there was the need for the military to partner closely with the media, hence the desire of the Chief of Defence Staff to interface with journalists as critical stakeholders.

According to him, the media is a force multiplier in the efforts of the armed forces to win the hearts and minds of Nigerians.

“Your role is critical and noble; always trying to ensure public support for the military and also boosting the moral of our troops while discharging our Constitutional responsibilities,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Abiemwense Moru

The UN Women on Friday organised a joint symposium to strategise towards reducing and eliminating violence against groups with special needs.

Mr Lansana Wonneh, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women, in a speech at the occasion, said that the symposium was part of UN’s 16 Days of Activism in Abuja.

Wonneh, represented by Mrs Patience Ekeoba, National Programme Officer, said that the decision to hold a symposium targeting special needs groups was borne out of UN’s insistence on leaving no one behind.

“This is a global campaign to end violence against women in 2023.

“The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence has become an annual strategic period for all of us to amplify the messages and actions toward ending violence against women and girls globally.

“Under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General’s UNiTE Campaign works in solidarity.

“They work in solidarity with relevant government, development actors, civil society, women organisations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire UN system annually, to call for an end to violence against women and girls.

“This global campaign is seeking to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations to end Violence Against Women and Girls once and for all.

“This is because Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world,” he said.

Wonneh said that there was the need to continue to invest in transforming social norms, addressing unequal gender power relations, strengthening essential services for survivors, and enabling safer environments.

He said that women living with HIV and disability, elderly women and young people experience violence differently.

“Other special need groups experience violence differently because of their vulnerability and special needs,” he added.

According to him, the situation of these special needs groups is further worsened by the burden of HIV, while women with disabilities face much physical, emotional, mental and psychosocial violence.

“Among such abuses are bullying and discipline in schools, social isolation, belittling based on disability, lack of access to reproductive care, and an increased risk of being trafficked.

“Abusers may also remove or threaten to remove modes of access such as communication aids, support animals, wheelchairs or canes.

“Additionally, abusers may financially abuse women with disabilities by reducing or controlling their access to, and use of, funds.

“Caregivers or others may also manipulate or steal from the women for whom they are supposed to be caring,” he said.

Wonneh said that while there was limited or documented evidence of violence against older women globally, the few evidence showed that older women face various forms of violence.

He said the violence older women face included neglect, abuse, isolation, abandonment, maltreatments, physical, sexual, emotional and psychological violence leading to poor health outcomes.

He added that young people also face various forms of bullying, both offline and online, from physical attacks to more severe sexual and physical assault, gang-related violence or homicide.

“Youth violence results in deaths, injuries, disability and long-term health consequences, including mental health problems and increased health-risk behaviours, which can lead to chronic diseases.

“It is further associated with higher rates of school-dropouts, negative impacts on cognitive development and opportunities to contribute to their communities.

“Violence against young people increases the costs of health, welfare and criminal justice services. It also reduces productivity.

“It is in the light of the above that the joint Symposium on Prevention of Violence Against Special Need Groups in Nigeria is being organised.

“Tackling multi-forms of vulnerability and violence through improved policies, programmes and funding mechanisms is very important.

“The symposium will, among other objectives, provide an opportunity for the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, and the other special needs groups to share their experiences of violence.

“Occasions like this one offer them the opportunity to relay their survivor stories and make demand for increased prevention interventions and response,” he said.

Wonneh said it would also enable relevant governments, the UN System, development partners and civil society organisations to discuss and advance prevention strategies and funding mechanisms to enhance prevention and mitigation services and actions for the target groups.

Mrs Lois Auta, President, Network of Women with Disabilities, in a remark, expressed concern on the way some people frustrate women living with disabilities and the barriers they face on a daily basis.

“Such people are more vulnerable to gender-based violence. It could be sexually, physically, economy-related and other forms of violence.

She called for an end to violence against women and urged employers to engage persons with disabilities to enable them move from solution to participation and from participation to representation.

On her part, Mrs Esther Hindi, President of the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ASWHAN), called for an end to stigma and discrimination being faced by women living with HIV.

She said that sustainability was very important to educating and sensitising women in the community, adding that the cooperation of partners and funding support were needed.

Hindi, who was represented by Helen Aphan, ASWHAN Assistant Secretary, appreciated the UN Women for organising the symposium. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, said Late Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former governor of the state, laid a solid progressive foundation for the development of Anambra.

Ezeife died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on Thursday aged 85.

Udeze, in a condolence message on behalf of the state Legislature, said that Late Ezeife governed Anambra when the state was nascent in all facets with no formal institution or organ.

“As the first Executive Governor of Anambra after the state’s creation in 1991, Ezeife laid the solid progressive foundation for the development of the state.

“He used his wealth of experience as a renowned Harvard-trained Economist and retired federal permanent secretary to hold the shaky economy of Anambra during his tenure as Governor.

“His ‘Think Home Philosophy’, introduced in 1991, led to the establishment of various indigenous industries and companies in the state by Anambra business executives.

“His numerous achievements as Governor in his barely two-year tenure motivated former President Olusegun Obasanjo to appoint him as his Special Adviser on Political Matters.

“He lived a fulfilled life as an accomplished politician, distinguished public servant and revered community leader with the title of ‘Okwadike Igboukwu’,” he said.

The Speaker described Ezeife’s death as a big loss to Anambra state and Nigeria at large.

He urged the people of Anambra to rekindle this vision and also called on politicians to emulate Ezeife’s humility, selflessness, prudence and dedication to duty.

He also prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi