SR SahelReporters

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja A civil rights movement under the aegis of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre on Monday shed light on why the rate of sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions in Nigeria had remained very high. The organisation attributed it to the absence of justice for victims of the crime. CISLAC said that the refusal of victims to speak out due to perceived distrust in the University system was also aiding the menace. Speaking in Abuja at a stakeholders consultative forum on sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Executive Director, CISLAC, And Transparency of Nigeria, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the crime is mostly committed by high profile individuals in the schools. At the event, CISLAC launched an electronic channel, TIMBY, a platform for reporting cases of sexual exploitation and where victims could pursue psychological support and redress. Rafsanjani lamented increasing cases of girls and women being extorted when reques

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja There was a mild drama on Tuesday in Abuja as Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State put a stop on attempt to play Nigerian national anthem during the opening session of a workshop on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The governor, who was apparently surprised that the programme- Subnational Strategy Workshop on AfCFTA, which had commenced before his arrival, was to be paused for the national anthem and prayer, prompting him to react in protest. “National anthem is a recurring decimal, it should not just be a permanent thing anytime we just gather in public occasion,” he said. The governor’s comment elicited laughter among some of the participants as the programme proceeded without the playing of the national anthem. Fayemi, who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), which jointly organised the workshop with the National Action Committee on AfCFTA, said trading under AfCFTA’s banner would support the nation’s economy in the area of tr

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Presidential Think-Tank on Defence and Security is set to forge a common front to address the ugly development at an upcoming national summit for major stakeholders in Abuja. This is alarmed by the increasing rate of insecurity and insesane destruction of the the country's critical infrastructure in the recent past,  The task force put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of efforts to address the nation’s general insecurity, headed by Major Gen Abdulmalik Jibril (rtd), who disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Abuja stated that the security of “lives, properties and national assets is a collective responsibility of all and sundry” and such should be given priority attention. Other members of the Committee includes; retired AIG, Henry Adebayo Fadairo; (rtd); AVM Dick Iruenabere (rtd),  Codr Manu Yagada (rtd). According to him, “To this, the group will be organising a summit on the theme: ‘Protecting Nigeria’s Critical Infras

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja A civil rights movement under the aegis of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre on Wednesday shed light on why the rate of sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions in Nigeria had remained very high. The organisation attributed it to the absence of justice for victims of the crime. CISLAC said that the refusal of victims to speak out due to perceived distrust in the University system was also aiding the menace. Speaking at a stakeholders consultative forum on sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Executive Director, CISLAC and Transparency International, Nigeria, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the crime is mostly committed by high profile individuals in the schools. At the event, CISLAC launched an electronic channel, TIMBY, a platform for reporting cases of sexual exploitation and where victims could pursue psychological support and redress. Rafsanjani lamented increasing cases of girls and women being extorted when requesting ba

....Ask FG to Demilitarize South East By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The chairman of the Igbo Elders Council, Dr. Chukwemeka Ezeife, has asked the Federal Government to demilitarize the South East, as well as take other administrative and non-kinetic measures restore peace in the zone. The Elders Council made their position known on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja, also demand the immediate released of over 5000 Igbo Youths arrested by the security agencies. He said the increasing militarization of the south east has built up tension and security challenges in the zone,  thus threatening the hitch-free conduct of the Anambra general election. He added that, the insecurity in the south East has taken a frightening dimension and remain a terrible and worrisome puzzle that must be taken care of for the Independent National Electrical Commission, INEC to conduct a free, fair, and credible election in the state. Ezeife who expressed dismayed over the dehumanizing

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Association of Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria says it would partner the anti corruption agencies and other institutions to boost the fight against corruption in the public sector in Nigeria The association said that it is poised to sanitize the procurement process by strict enforcement of the procurement Act of 2007 by promoting due process, accountability, transparency and value for money in government and private organizationsions. The group further stated that, the regularisation of the practice of public procurement in the country to international best practices was critical to national development, insisting that the country's economy will benefit more when procurement is done with due  diligence and transparently. In a statement signed by its National President, Mr Emem James Kanico and Director of Inter governmental affairs, Mr Austine Omang and made available to newsmen in Abuja said that, the leadership has set strategi

By Our Reporter Comite International Geneva, (CIG) has donated food items to 33,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable people in Uikpam, Guma Local Government Area (LGA), Benue. Mr Jessey Andrew, the  Economic, Security and Generalist Field Officer, disclosed this in an interview with Sahel Reporters on Saturday at the IDP Camp in Uikpam, Guma LGA of the State. Andrew said that each beneficiary was given 50kg of rice, 10kg of vegetable oil and 1kg of table salt. "Beans is supposed to be given to the beneficiaries too but it is out of stock now but arrangements are in place to get it for them in a record time. "We are given the food items to vulnerable people in the host community too in order to reduce tension. "If only the IDPs are given there will be tension between the IDPs and members of  the community. "There is hunger in the land and we are trying to close the hunger gap. This is one of our cardinal mandates,

....Asked FG to Demilitarize South East By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The chairman of the Igbo Elders Council, Dr. Chukwemeka Ezeife, has asked the Federal Government to demilitarize the South East, as well as take other administrative and non-kinetic measures restore peace in the zone. The Elders Council made their position known on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja, also demand the immediate released of over 5000 Igbo Youths arrested by the security agencies. He said the increasing militarization of the south east has built up tension and security challenges in the zone,  thus threatening the hitch-free conduct of the Anambra general election. He added that, the insecurity in the south East has taken a frightening dimension and remain a terrible and worrisome puzzle that must be taken care of for the Independent National Electrical Commission, INEC to conduct a free, fair, and credible election in the state. Ezeife who expressed dismayed over the dehumanizing condition

By Our Reporter The Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command, AVM IG Lubo, said an officer with rifle but cannot aim and kill his enemy is useless. Lubo stated this on Tuesday at the 72 Battalion Army Range in Ikpayongo, Gwer Local Government Area, Benue during the Small Arms Range Classification Exercise (SARCE) organised by the command. He pointed out that it was in view of the above that the military do carry out routine exercises on shooting range. “Shooting range exercises are aimed at improving the standard of weapon handling of officers, airmen and women of the command. “There is no doubt that the exercise will avail commanders of units in Makurdi the opportunity to assess and appreciate the standard of personnel especially in weapon handling. “This is very vital particularly now that the military is deeply involved in ongoing fight against insurgency, banditry and other criminalities in the country,” he said. He further enjoined the officers to take the exe

NIDO-UK South Chairman, Hon Prince Henry Egenti, PhD, receiving an award from the continental Europe chairman emeritus and deputy ADC Party leader, Hon Kenneth Gbandi at Abardeen, Scotland. By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The  Nigerians in Diaspora, Nido-UK South, under Hon Prince Henry Egenti, PhD, won three awards during the just concluded NIdo AGM meeting/ Business Investment Conference held in Abardeen, Scotland. With him Minister Polinus Nwokoro, envoy from the Nigeria High Commission. The awards were in recognition of the best  represented chapter of NIDOE AGM 2021. Best chapter chair contribution to membership growth and development of the chapter, through NIDO Vision and Aims and as well as the best chairman to have been democratically elected as the chairman of NIDOE UK South chapter and inducted as member of the NIDO- Europe continental Board of Trustees. With him is Ambassador Ijeoma, Nigerian Ambassador to Dublin The event also highl

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in partnership with TotalEnergies green stations school project, has embarked on fruit trees planting at Government Secondary School Tudun Wada, Abuja The project will involve planting of fruit trees and setting up of nurseries, as well as establishment of conservation clubs in the schools community.  According to the Regional Coordinator, CNF, Garba Mohammed Boyi, stressed that trees are very important to human existence and must be encouraged amongst younger generations He said that the trees provides medicine, shelter, food, to human existence and as well play a vital role in mitigating climate change because it has the ability to absolved carbon from the atmosphere which he said was very useful to man and other animals. He noted that the foundation has provided over 50 trees which are to be planted by the students, also followed by environmental sanitation in order to keep their

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Child marriage is more prevalent in the North West and North East of Nigeria, where 48% of girls were married by age 15 and 78% were married by age 18 44% of girls are married before their 18th birthday and the country records as one of the highest rate of child marriage globally   A statement released by the Media and Communications Manager, Kunle Olawoyin, Save the Children International SCI, recently in Abuja revealed that, a staggering 78% of girls in the northern region of Nigeria are married before the age of 18 According to the statement, In Nigeria as a whole, 44% of girls are married before their 18th birthday and the country records as one of the highest rates of child marriage globally.  The “State of the Nigerian Girl Report - An Incisive Diagnosis of Child Marriage” explains the current and prevailing socio-cultural norms and practices in Nigeria around child marriage to capture the approximate state of Nigerian girls. It shows that chi

Graduands, Chief of Air Staff, Rep. Of Minister of Defence, Rep. Of Giv. Samuel Ortom, Commandant Air Force War Collage in a group Photograph. By Our Reporter The Chief of the Air Staff CAS, Air Marshal IO Amao, said that the Air force War College has so far trained 135 Military Officers since its establishment in 2016. Alao disclosed this during the graduation of the Course 7/2021 graduation in Makurdi on Friday He said that the officers were making good use of the knowledge acquired in various theatre formations across the country. “Airforce cannot justify its existence without critical manpower hence the need for training and retraining of its personnel. “The force is committed to securing lives and property of Nigerians at all times,“he said. Alao also said the service has continue to partner with foreign war colleges to on the trainings of its officers to enable them tackle insecurity. He urged the graduating officers to use  the skills and knowledge acquired during th

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja A group, AKUME for All Progressives Congress National Chairman Campaign Organization, AFANCO, has thrown it's weight behind the aspiration of the Hon. Minister, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, calling on him to take up the leadership of the party in the forthcoming convention. Drector General of the group, Chief Patrick Open who made the call on Wednesday during a world press conference in Abuja said, their conviction was predicated on the fact that Sen. Dr. George Akume has served meritoriously as former Governor, Senator and now Minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria. He also said that, the Minister has the Acumen to succeed Mai Mala Buni and lead the APC to a more Adventurous exploits and political conquest, bountiful harvests and national Prosperity than any other aspirant.  According to him, Akume is tested, trusted and a certified Administration, moving through the ranks and ladder as a public officer

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved the sum of N6,396,159,060.00 for 217 research proposals recommended by the National Research Fund (NRF) under the 2020 grant cycle exercise.  Executive Secretary of TETFund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro, made disclosed this at the inauguration of the Fund's National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC) and Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Tuesday in Abuja, said the amount approved under the  grant cycle that was concluded in January 2021, almost equalled the N6.7 billion that was disbursed for 240 research grants between 2012 to 2019. His words : "From 2012 to 2019, a total of 240 Research Grants have been awarded at a total cost of N6,708,367,736.25. "Also in 2020, a key development in the NRF grant administration was the introduction of an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) to automate the hitherto manual processes associated with receiving and

By our Reporter The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue said it was bemused by Barrister Iorwase Hembe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant's declaration that he would abolish the monthly Joint Account Meetings of Local Government councils if given the mandate to govern the State in 2023. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Bemgba Iortyom, the Publicity Secretary of the party and issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Makurdi. "We are particularly bemused by Hembe's declaration that he will abolish the monthly Joint Account Meetings of Local Government Councils. "Considering that the meeting derives in specificity from Section 162(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 As Amended) which states inter alia that each state shall maintain a special account to be called State Joint Local Government Account into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Fede

.... Says, Nigeria has the third highest rates of SGBV in the world. Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Connected Development (CODE), in  partnership with the Canadian High Commission has launched the second phase of its Galvanizing Mass Action Against Gender-Based Violence (GMAA-K) campaign in Kano The program is targeted at developing a multi-year Kano State Action Plan to end all forms of gender-based violence as well as drive the adoption and integration of the Violence against person prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child’s Right Act. Speaking on Tuesday during a Press conference on the organization’s approach of extirpating SGBV, Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive of CODE revealed that during the course of the first phase of the project, the Kano State government opted to harmonize the VAPP Act provisions into the Penal Code Law in Abuja. Hamza noted that, the GMAA-K campaign which is supported by the Canadian High Commission is a direct response to the menace of sexual a

 ......Says Nigeria Ranks Third Highest Rates of SGBV in The World   By Aviashima Toom, Abuja Connected Development (CODE) is taking peculiar steps towards eradicating gender-based violence in northern Nigeria, focusing on Kano State.  The Connected Development (CODE), in  partnership with the Canadian High Commission has launched the second phase of its Galvanizing Mass Action Against Gender-Based Violence in Kano (GMAA-K) campaign. The program is targeted at developing a multi-year Kano State Action Plan to end all forms of gender-based violence as well as drive the adoption and integration of the Violence against person prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child’s Right Act. Speaking on Tuesday during a Press conference on the organization’s approach of extirpating SGBV, Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive of CODE revealed that during the course of the first phase of the project, the Kano State government opted to harmonize the VAPP Act provisions into the Penal Code Law

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) is conducting Defence Advisers/Attachés Annual Conference and Maiden Retreat for the 2021 with the theme "Advancing Counter Terrorism Efforts Through Enhanced Inter-Agency Cooperation: A Whole of Government Approach". The event is scheduled to hold from 8-13 November 2021 at Headquarters Defence Intelligence Agency and Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Asokoro Abuja respectively.  In a statement signed on Saturday by the Acting Assistant Director Defence Intelligence Agency, Joseph Afolashade Major in Abuja, noted that the event is one of the veritable platforms designed  by the Agency to examine and re-appraise Nigeria's Defence Advisers/Attachés and foreign defence relations. It will also assist in articulating new strategies in intelligence gathering.  He said, the event will no doubt be the first in the annals of the Agency since it's establishment. This is owing to the fact that no pla

Hon. Richard Tersoo Mnenga, is a Member Governing body Federal University Otuoke Bayelsa State, a Board Member Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Representing North Central. A graduate of Political Science, BUK. Had his Master's Degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation, Basel University Switzerland. Currently a Law student with BASE University, Abuja. He is also a Benue state Governorship hopeful under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, Party APC. In this interview with Journalists in Abuja, He bares his mind on the green revolution policy of his Administration, insecurity and other challenges confronting the state; Aviashima Toom, was there for Sahel Reporters. Except; Qts; Sir, Your assurance of Making Benue Regain it's lost Glory of Food basket of the Nation? Ans; Thank you very much. As you must know i was privilege to go through the manifesto of all the governors of benue state. The only Governor that had something similar with what i wa