Gender
NCWS Appeal to National Assembly to Address Gross Gender Imbalance
The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) has called on members of the National Assembly to address the gross imbalance against Nigerian Women.
The National President of NCWS, Mrs Laraba Shoda, stated this at a news conference in Abuja, while reacting to the five rejected constitution alteration bills for women.
She said that the passage of the bill would have signified the end to bias and discrimination against Nigerian women.
Shoda noted that the official figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBC) shows that Nigerian Women form half of the country’s population.
She, however, said that this does not reflect on political participation, representation, or in the management of public affairs.
“We have 13 women in the House of Representatives and eight in the Senate. This means that we are grossly underrepresented in the decision making processes in the country,” she said.
Shoda stated that the NCWS, as the umbrella body of all women organisations and groups in Nigeria, considers the rejection of the bill as a sad state of affairs.
Indeed, over the years, we have watched with alarm and sadness as the number of women in Nigeria’s states and federal parliament dwindled.
“Today, we have 13 women in the House of Representatives and eight in the Senate. In other words, we are grossly under-represented in the decision-making processes in our country,” she said.
Shoda called on the ninth assembly to stand tall and be on the right side of history; by immediately looking at ways to redress the gross imbalance.
“Let our men in the National Assembly do the needful to reverse this unfortunate situation, so history will look favourably upon them. The world is watching and history is being written as we speak.
“Nigerian women should not be made irrelevant to the progress and future of this country. Our voices deserve to be heard.
“We urge all women: to contact their representatives in both Chambers, and urge them to have a rethink on what can at best be described as unfair and unjust.
“Let us reject bias and discrimination and let us do what we know are the right measures for the progress of our country,” she said. (NAN)
A Nigerian bride who went for her pre-wedding photoshoot has insisted that men are scum.
The pretty lady was seen looking all glammed up while at the photo studio as she sent out a cautionary PSA to women.
She jokingly insisted that all men are scum. They’d make a woman get married to them, even if they don’t want to.
When someone asked what her husband-to-be is, she said that he’s her personal scum.
David Hundeyin had released an audio of the minister threatening victims of s3xual assault by Prof. Cyril Ndifon, Dean of the Faculty of Law.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, reiterated her commitment to justice, safeguarding and advancing the rights and welfare of Nigerian women, including the pursuit of justice whenever their rights were violated.
She emphasised her unwavering dedication to upholding due diligence and the rule of law, recognising that justice and fairness were the fundamental principles upon which equitable societies were built.
“I wish to express my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my comments and actions regarding the sexual harassment scandal at the University of Calabar.
“This is extremely regrettable, as my intentions were sincere and aligned with my consistent advocacy for the welfare of Nigerian women and the pursuit of justice.
“I stand for all Nigerian women and I stand for justice and it is my hope that we can work together to actualise the dream of a country where women’s rights are respected and protected and where our daughters feel safe in institutions of learning,” she said.
Some suspected victims of child trafficking in Imo state have been intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, spoke on Sunday while giving details of the agency’s activities across the country.
Babafemi said the operatives made the interception while on patrol along Aba-Owerri expressway on Wednesday.
According to the spokesperson, the girls were suspected to be victims of child trafficking.
He said they were picked up while being relocated from their hideout in the Naze area of Owerri, the state capital to another part of the city.
Babafemi identified the victims as Chioma Emmanuel, 15; Uma Faith, 15; Divine Adimonye, 17; Opara Gift, 15; and Amarachi Mbata, 16.
“In their statements, they claimed they didn’t know the men who impregnated them,” he added.
“The Imo state command of the agency has since been directed to hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for further investigations.”
Speaking on more activities, Babafemi said the agency arrested a passenger identified as Ugwu Peter Tochukwu who was travelling through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Oman on a Qatar Airways flight.
“Upon a thorough search of his luggage, 7.50 kilograms of skunk were discovered concealed inside crayfish mixed with dry bitter leaf,” Babafemi said.
“In the same vein, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations attached to some courier companies also intercepted Dubai-bound 2.9 kilograms of skunk and 14 grams of methamphetamine concealed in bags of semovita and soles of ladies’ high heel shoes respectively.”
MORE ARRESTS IN ABUJA, OGUN, KOGI
Babafemi said two suspects identified as Moses Akowe, 32, and Sunday Gabriel, 31, were arrested with 227.1kgs of cannabis on Tuesday in Ikebe village, Ankpa LGA of Kogi state.
The agency said 27-year-old Kingsley Chimaobi was arrested with 6,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup along Lokogoma-Abuja road on the same day.
“A total of 100 blocks of cannabis weighing 55kgs and 600 bottles of codeine-based syrup seized from the duo of Salisu Murtala and Shafi’u Dahiru on Tuesday 11th September along Abuja road have been traced to two other suspects: Muntari Nasiru and Yusuf Ali who were arrested in follow up operations in Kano,” the statement added.
“Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday 13th September sentenced to five years imprisonment a drug dealer, Segun Odeyemi for trafficking and dealing in 3,842 kilograms of skunk.
“He was arrested on Saturday 1st July while conveying 89 jumbo bags of the illicit substance in his truck around Eleganza area of Ajah, Lekki. He was subsequently charged in suit number FHC/L/388C/2023 presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko.”
Babafemi added that the agency is committed to ridding the country of illicit drugs.
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