NEWS
IDFP, UN Urge Faith, Traditional Leaders to Join Forces against GBV

From Attah Ede, Makurdi
A non-governmental organisation, International Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) in collaboration with the UN WOMEN, on Wednesday enjoined faith and traditional leaders in Benue state to take active part in the fight against cases of Gender Based Violence, (GBV) in the state.
The Co-chair, Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum for Peace on Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, Rev.
Abainitus Hamman Jr. made this call while welcoming stakeholders at a one-day Engagement Forum on Development and Validation of a Comprehensive Compendium for Faith Based Actors on Prevention of SGBV in Nigeria held in Makurdi, Benue State.The theme of the event was “Faith and Traditional Leaders for Ending GBV by Advancing Advocacy, Policy and Social Norms Change in Nigeria and West Africa LEAP Project.
” It’s a six months project to be implemented in Benue, Bauchi, Kaduna and Ekiti states.Hamman who explained that the gathering was to address one of the most pervasive and devastating issues facing the society noted that
“In our country, violence against women, girls, and other marginalized groups continues to be a severe violation of their dignity and basic rights.
He said from physical assault and domestic violence to sexual harassment and harmful traditional practices, the scourge of gender-based violence destroys lives, families, and communities.
He said as faith leaders, they are called upon not only to offer prayers but to take active and concrete steps to address the epidemic.
According to him, every major world religion, including Islam and Christianity, holds the sacred principle of protecting human dignity at its core and yet, despite these teachings, gender-based violence remains rampant in the society.
He said it was painful that religious communities are not always seen as champions of women’s rights and protection from violence insisting that the narrative must change.
“Faith communities have a profound influence on shaping societal norms, behaviors, and attitudes. We must leverage this influence to condemn gender-based violence unequivocally and promote the protection and empowerment of women and girls.
“Today, we call upon all religious leaders, Christian, Muslim, traditional, and others to join forces and take action, build a society where gender-based violence is not tolerated, where survivors are supported, and where prevention is at the heart of our community values.
“There is a need to condemn all forms of GBV, promote education and awareness in their communities about the harmful consequences of GBV and the importance of mutual respect between men and women”, he said.
The Co-chair further urged them to provide support for survivors in terms of giving them solace, safety, and support within their communities as well as offering shelter, counseling, and other practical assistance and work with governments and civil society to ensure that policies and laws protecting women and girls are implemented and upheld.
They must also encourage men’s involvement and also engage men and boys in discussions about gender equality and non-violence for true transformation.
Giving an overview of the project, the Co-Secretary IDFP and Co Project Director Imam Shefiu Majemu, quoted a UN WOMEN report stating that 43 percent cases of child early and forced marriage have been recorded while 23 million girls and women married as children.
He said the project seeks to develop effective mapping tools to source relevant data of GBV prevention Actors in West Africa for a better understanding of the ecosystem and to develop and publish a regional accountability framework for traditional and religious leaders on GBV and the promotion of SRHR.
The Co-Project Director said it is expected that at the end, there would evolve a Faith Based Prevention Actors using IDFP existing and new networks in the four states initialized while a comprehensive compendium of SGBV prevention actors would be developed, published, referenced and verified as a tool for intervention.
While taking participants through the Prevention of GBV and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), the resource person, Chief Justina Ngwogobia, called on families to instill good morals in their children especially the boy child.
She said while the world is focusing on the girl child in the discussion of GBV, they have abandoned the boy child. “Let us train the boy child to be a good member of the society and a good husband,” she said, insisting that involving the men and boy in GBV discussions and activities would go a long way to curtail cases of GBV.
The stakeholders drawn from the religious and traditional institutions appreciated IDFP and UN WOMEN for the program and pledged their commitment to activities that would end GBV in the state. They also promised to step down the activities and discussions to their followers.
NEWS
Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.
“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.
Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.
“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.
“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.
He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.
“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.
The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.
“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.
“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.
NEWS
C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.
Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.
The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.
Bassey Otu.The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.
She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.
“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.
‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’
Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.
According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.
“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.
Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.
Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.
NEWS
Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.
The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.
Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.
The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.
This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.