TheFCTA adopts pathfinding model to end violence against children Women Affairs Secretariats of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will adopt the pathfinding model to end violence against children across the territory. The Mandate Secretary, Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, on the side line of the two-day ministerial-level Regional Meeting of the Pathfinding Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children.

The Pathfinding Global Alliance brings together countries and relevant stakeholders committed to accelerating efforts to end all forms of violence against children by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goals. The alliance provides a platform for partners to share information, promising practices, and lessons learned, as well as to collaborate and demonstrate progress.Benjamins-Laniyi said that the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat would establish the FCT Community Network for Ending Violence Against Children.She added that a multisectoral approach, involving relevant sectors, would be strengthened to function with the full backing of a legal framework, for effective implementation of child protection programmes. She said that the move was in line with the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration’s commitment to providing the needed environment for children to grow, develop and thrive to their full potential.She said that for the Nyesom Wike FCT, “everything is a capital project.“So, it is not just road and other capital projects; it is also about women and children – the human capital project of renewed hope in the FCT,” she said.She described the pathfinding model and tool kit as a model of economy that invests resources into ending violence against children, thereby creating a trajectory for economic prosperity that impacts the GDP.The mandate secretary added that more emphasis would be placed on the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Acts, domesticated in the FCT about 10 years ago.She said that the pathfinding regional conference was a wakeup call to ensure the activation and operationalisation of the VAPP Act, to strengthen child protection mechanics in the FCT.“May 23 will mark 10 years of domestication of the VAPP Act in FCT with no form of implementation for a decade. “We are, therefore, taking every step to ensure the full implementation of the Act toward an uninterrupted growth and development of children in the FCT.“It will not be just a talk shop, but a concrete step towards profiling the 10-year existence of the VAPP Acts in the FCT and coordinating with children as principal stakeholders.“This will enable the children to bring their ideas in driving solutions and application of the pathfinding toolkit to end all forms of violence in the FCT,” he said.Benjamins-Laniyi said that FCT interventions also focus on the mother and the family unit, stressing that neglecting the mother would put a child’s future in jeopardy. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Dr Najat M’jid, inaugurated a tool kit to end violence against children.Mr Simon Halvey, Senior Economist, Cornerstone Economic Research, told Newsmen, that the tool kit is entitled, “Building the Investment Case for Ending Violence Against Children Tool Kit”.Halvey said that the purpose of the tool kit was to enable member countries and stakeholders in the child protection space around the world, to develop their own investment cases for ending violence against children.“The tool kit will enable countries to generate evidence on why investing to end violence against children is not just a social and moral imperative but also economically the smart and the right thing to do.“They can do this by demonstrating the massive returns in terms of outcome for children and in terms of long-term economic growth and development which can accrue by investing in preventing violence against children,” he said.Also, Mr Asmundur Dadason, a technical aide to M’jid, also said that the tool kit would help countries to make the needed budgetary provisions towards ending violence against children.Dadason, a former minister of children and education in Iceland, added that the tool kit would significantly help in addressing the investment drought in child protection. (NAN)

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Plateau State Police Command has burst a criminal hideout along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area of the State and recovered 500 rounds of 7.65mm ammunition.The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina addressed journalists on Wednesday at the Police Headquarters in Jos the state capital.

He noted that the success of the operation was based on credible intelligence that led to a raid on an abandoned Ash colour Golf Wagon with Reg. No. JJN 812 AH carrying the ammunition.”On 04/05/2025 at about 09:40pm, based on credible intelligence, a criminal hideout along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area of the State was raided and an abandoned Ash colour Golf Wagon with Reg. No. JJN 812 AH was recovered.”When a search was carried out on the vehicle by our operatives, 500 rounds of 7.65mm ammunition were recovered.”It will be recalled that a case of culpable homicide was reported on 03/05/2025 where a yet to be identified person was killed and we swung into action to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of the victim.”It was in the process of this investigation, the above recoveries were made. I want to assure you, that we are making frantic efforts to arrest the perpetrators and recover their operational weapons,” The CP notedHe expressed concerns that the successfully recovered cache of ammunition would have been used by criminal elements to unjustifiably take the lives of innocent citizens of the State and destroy properties.The Commissioner urged citizens of Plateau State to provide them with any relevant information that could help in their investigation as they launched a man hunt for those men of the underworld.Adesina maintained that the Plateau State Police Command remained resolute in its mission to protect lives and properties and maintain law and order in the state. “We are dedicated to creating a habitable environment for all residents of Plateau State,” he promised.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The outgoing Rector, Osun State College of Technology, OSCOTECH, Esa-Oke, Dr. Samson Akinbamide Omobayo Adegoke, has said his tenure recorded unprecedented academic excellence, infrastructural development and improved students and workers welfare.

Dr. Adegoke while answering questions from journalists during a personality interview, expressed profound gratitude to God, declaring that he is leaving the institution as peacefully as he met it when he assumed the office. The Ipetumodu born Rector, reflected on his tenure with a sense of fulfillment and calm satisfaction, saying he has every reason to be grateful to Almighty God. “I met OSCOTECH in peace, and I am leaving it in peace, that is no small blessing”.Sharing insights into his tenure, Dr. Adegoke emphasised that the relative tranquility enjoyed throughout his term was critical to the institution’s achievement saying, “Without peace, no meaningful progress could have been made”.Dr. Adegoke further maintained that OSCOTECH never experienced student or staff unrest under his leadership. “This is not my making but God, and the absence of protest or major distractions speaks volumes about the environment we cultivated” he asserted.Dr. Adegoke, who is also the Chairman, Committee of State Rector’s, COSREC, appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for his quick response and intervention on the institution’s needs, adding that his greatest wish is to see the OSCOTECH ranked number one in the Country.The Chairman, COSREC, said he came in with the determination to pursue aggressive institution and infrastructural development and we were able to achieve it through the Grace of God and unflinching support by Governor Ademola Adeleke.According to the OSCOTECH outgoing Rector, “Our amiable Governor Adeleke has been supportive in ensuring the progress of the entire institution with regular financial support for the infrastructures among other activities that enhanced complete development of the institution.”Also, I can’t forget the efforts of my board Chairman, Hon Diran Odeyemi, D-ROY, as his adequate support to the upliftment of the OSCOTECH cannot be over emphasised; he is very accommodating, loving and friendly”.Dr. Adegoke equally said his tenure enjoyed robust relationships with the stakeholders, staff and entire management of the institution in ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations laid down.The outgoing Rector said the journey was not without significant hurdles as he recalled the day he was attacked by gunmen along Esa-Oke road.Dr. Adegoke, however, admonished the students to pursue their goals with determination, believing in their own abilities and drawing strength from their inner resilience as he emphasised the importance of perseverance and faith in God when facing challenges.