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By Kone Adams

In a united show of force against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and child marriage, top government officials, religious leaders, legal experts, and civil society actors gathered in Kaduna State and signed a public declaration to end all forms of violence against women, girls, and vulnerable populations in Kaduna State.

The public declaration stands as a joint commitment to prevention, justice, and societal change—a multi-pronged approach that Kaduna State hopes will reduce, and eventually eliminate, GBV.

The event, which took place at the Centre for the Study and Resolution of Domestic Violence (CERSDOV), Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area of the State on Saturday, June 28, 2025, marked a major step forward in the state’s fight to eradicate GBV and promote Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).

The declaration followed months of intensive capacity building for stakeholders, including community and religious leaders, healthcare professionals, security agents, and members of the judiciary.

Signing the document on behalf of the State Government, Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, reiterated the commitment of the current administration to ensure everyone in the State lives a dignified life.

Represented by Senior Special Adviser, Hajiya Mariam Muaz’u, the Commissioner noted that another legal instrument has just been added to the administration of justice in the State.

“The administration of Senator Uba Sani is not joking with peaceful Kaduna State.

“This is why Mr Governor is working hard to ensure justice for all groups including women, children and other vulnerable groups,” she said.

She thanked all stakeholders including development partners like CERSDOV, Norwegian Government and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), traditional and religious leaders, civil society and the media for the feat.

Executive Director of CERSDOV, Professor Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf, said the declaration was not just symbolic; it reflected a collective determination to eradicate gender-based violence, especially sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and to challenge the harmful practices still prevalent in our communities.

The varsity don emphasised the importance of the collaboration between civil society and the state, just as she acknowledged the participation of key government actors.

“We are pleased to have the Honourable Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development represented by Hajiya Mariam”, she said.

She further expressed appreciation to the Norwegian Government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for their long-standing support.

“We do not take this support for granted. CERSDOV remains fully committed to delivering on the mandate to end GBV and promote SRHR in Kaduna State,” she added.

Barrister Sarah Peters, Senior State Counsel at the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, made it clear that the declaration has direct legal implications.

“Legally, the implication is clear: GBV will no longer be treated with leniency or indifference. It is not business as usual.

“As prosecutors, we are more prepared than ever to pursue justice. All existing laws against sexual violence, child marriage, and forced marriage will be fully enforced. And if there is a need to strengthen them further, we are ready,” she stressed.

She called on police and other investigative agencies to improve collaboration and commitment.

“We are ready to go all out to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that survivors receive the support they need. But our ultimate goal is prevention. We don’t want to wait until these crimes happen,” she maintained.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Reverend Ma’aji Caleb, said the initiative was aligned with Christian values.

“Our Holy Book, the Bible, does not support violence, especially against any person created by God.

“No individual has the right to oppress another, regardless of status or background. We are all created in God’s image,” he said.

Reverend Caleb emphasised the role of religious leaders in shifting societal attitudes, saying, “By involving pastors, priests, deacons, elders, and women’s groups, we can help build mutual respect and promote peace within families and communities. That is the essence of the Church,” he stated.

In a similar tone, Secretary of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Kaduna State chapter, Ibrahim Issa Kufena, affirmed that Islam already provided a strong framework against GBV.

To him, “This declaration supports what Islam already commands. It is not outside our teachings. It reinforces them.

“Nowhere in Islam is it allowed to beat, harass, or force anyone to do something against their will.”

He noted that JNI has already mobilised its grassroots structures to take the message to the local level.

“We’ve informed all our branches, down to the ward level. We are using our Friday sermons, community preaching, and religious gatherings to pass the message across,” the Islamic leader remarked.

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has expressed joy and pride as three of its distinguished members were conferred with national honours during this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

The awardees include Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, who received the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON); renowned poet and political thinker Odia Ofeimun, and former senator and human rights activist Senator Shehu Sani, both awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

In a joint statement signed by ANA President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji, Ph.D, the association congratulated the recipients for their lifelong commitment to literature, democracy, and nation-building.

“We celebrate our illustrious members on this well-deserved recognition,” the statement read. “Their honour is a testament to the enduring power of words, ideas, and principled action in shaping our national journey.”

The association also commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for recognizing literary icons and public intellectuals as deserving of the nation’s highest honours.

“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all citizens as we mark 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance,” the statement concluded.

By Izuchuku Obinna

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating allegations of money laundering, misappropriation, and criminal diversion of public funds at the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA) in Kaduna.

Findings reveal that over N105 million was allegedly siphoned through fake companies, while staff lament unpaid arrears approved by the government. Meanwhile, equipment worth millions of naira has been vandalized and stolen under suspicious circumstances.

The allegations, under EFCC scrutiny, are levelled against the agency’s Director-General, Mr. Kolawe Michael Ogunbiyi, whose leadership has been marred by claims of corruption and administrative inefficiency since his appointment in 2022.

Federal Government’s Steel Revival Plan at Risk

The Federal Government’s agreement with Russia for the revival of Nigeria’s steel industry—and plans to boost the nation’s GDP—may face setbacks if NSRMEA, the primary raw materials supplier, remains entangled in corruption allegations.

A petition submitted to the EFCC in 2023 contained detailed evidence of financial misconduct, including diversion of funds. Investigations reportedly found Ogunbiyi culpable, yet the case has not been prosecuted, raising concerns over possible cover-ups.

Frustrated by the delay, the petitioners’ legal counsel wrote to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on March 4, 2025, demanding a discreet investigation into why the EFCC’s findings were being ignored. Meanwhile, Ogunbiyi continues to oversee the agency, with staff morale at an all-time low.

How N105 Million Was Allegedly Stolen

Documents show that N105,130,504.94 was withdrawn in a single day—December 21, 2022—and distributed among four questionable companies:

Alakrity Global Concept – N59,873,253.80

Gatplus Dynamic Resources – N13,330,712.00

Bitcnot Nigeria Ltd – N11,604,612.00

Teminote Concept – N20,321,927.14

Unpaid Staff Arrears and Dubious Deductions

The Federal Government had approved N1.2 billion to settle hazard and medical allowances owed to staff between 2009 and 2015. Ogunbiyi chaired the committee responsible for compiling beneficiaries and payment schedules. However, heavy, unexplained deductions were made from each beneficiary’s entitlement.

Payments were disbursed in four installments via IPPI:

25% on April 6, 2022

25% on May 11, 2022

25% on June 14, 2022

Final 25% on June 22, 2022

Shockingly, no beneficiary was allowed to verify their payment details, fueling suspicions of fraud.

Further investigations revealed that the Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRAI) and the NSC Cooperative Society allegedly colluded with the committee to divert funds. The computation process bypassed internal audit, violating government financial regulations.

Staff on Payroll Despite Absconding, Unresolved Transfers

Some staff who absconded from duty, some reportedly living abroad, remain on the agency’s payroll, allegedly protected by Ogunbiyi.

Additionally, transferred staff from sister agencies—including Ajaokuta Steel Company, National Metallurgical Development Centre, and National Lottery Regulatory Commission—have been unpaid for two years or more after Ogunbiyi reversed their transfers despite completed documentation. Efforts to enroll them on IPPIS were blocked, leading to an ongoing lawsuit at the National Industrial Court.

Controversial Appointment & Violation of Federal Guidelines

Ogunbiyi’s appointment itself is under scrutiny.

A 2011–2019 circular signed by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, mandates that ministerial appointments of agency heads must follow due process, with approvals routed through the SGF.

However, Ogunbiyi’s appointment was directly conveyed by former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, via the office of ex-Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, bypassing proper channels.

Mass Theft of Agency Equipment

Reports indicate rampant theft of agency equipment, including a case where a senior staff was caught stealing electrical cables but shielded due to his ties with the DG.

“Only a forensic audit can reveal the full extent of the damage,” an anonymous staff member said.

Call for Government Intervention

With Nigeria’s steel revival plans at stake, stakeholders are urging the Federal Government to investigate NSRMEA’s operations, recover stolen funds, and prosecute those responsible to restore accountability in the agency.

ENDS

Izuchuku Obinna is an investigative journalist covering governance and financial crimes in Nigeria.

A youth group known as Omenuko Ndigbo United has raised concerns about how Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, is behaving in the current plans to unite opposition parties for the 2027 elections.

In a statement released on Thursday in Owerri, signed by the group’s President, Comrade Benjamin Madu, said Mr. Obi is not showing real interest in working with other opposition leaders to challenge the ruling APC.

“We are not happy with Peter Obi. Instead of joining hands with others to rescue Nigeria, he seems to be focused only on himself. This is not the time for selfish politics,” the group said.

They accused Obi of repeating what he did in 2023, when his actions helped divide the opposition and made it easy for APC to win.

According to the group, the 2027 election is very important for Igbo people, and they must not make any mistake this time.

“The current president is from the South. This is the best time for Ndigbo to push for the presidency. But we need unity. If Obi leaves the coalition, it will be harder for an Igbo person to become president in 2027 or even in 2031,” they warned.

They also questioned whether Obi might secretly be working to help APC and President Tinubu, saying his silence and lack of involvement in the coalition are suspicious.

“Obi is not fully part of the plans, and it’s starting to look like he is playing another game. We need to know what he really wants,” they said.

They added that recent attacks on Obi by APC supporters like Reno Omokri remind them of similar tricks used in the last election to create confusion. They also mentioned that journalist David Hundeyin had warned the opposition not to repeat past mistakes.

The group asked Peter Obi to come out and say clearly if he wants to join the coalition or not.

“Nigerians deserve honesty. Peter Obi should stop pretending and tell us where he stands. We will not allow what happened in 2023 to happen again, especially if it will hurt the Igbo cause,” they concluded.

It was a moving scene of joy, laughter, and emotional healing as the Nurture Special Education Needs Foundation (NSENF) hosted a remarkable Children’s Day Play Therapy Event at JPEC Chimel Academy in Zaria on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The event, specially designed for children with neurological and psychosocial disabilities alongside their neurotypical peers, blossomed into a vibrant celebration of inclusion, empathy, and community resilience.

The programme aimed to provide a safe and expressive space for children with special needs to thrive through play, social interaction, and creative engagement. The day featured a rich array of therapeutic activities including a Sensory Play Corner, a Creative Arts Zone, music and movement sessions, and puppet-led storytelling. These activities were carefully curated to support sensory integration, emotional expression, and confidence-building in the children.

One of the most touching moments of the day was the “I Am a Star” recognition ceremony. Each participating child was called forward and honoured for their uniqueness, courage, and contributions. The room resounded with applause as children beamed with joy while receiving their certificates and hearing affirming words from facilitators and volunteers.

A key feature of the event was an expert-led dialogue with parents and caregivers, which offered guidance on managing developmental challenges and promoting inclusive learning at home. The interactive forum also gave caregivers a rare opportunity to share their personal experiences and find solidarity among others walking similar paths. Many described it as a healing space where they felt deeply seen and heard.

Despite challenges such as limited funding, overstimulation among some participants, and a last-minute change of venue, the event was well attended. Organisers recorded the participation of 17 children with special needs, 5 neurotypical children, 13 parents and caregivers, and several professionals from the media, education, and humanitarian sectors.

The success of the event was made possible by an energetic team of volunteers and key partners who contributed time, materials, and expertise. These included the Centre for Girls Education (CGE), FAM Initiative, and Quatech Photography. Special commendations were extended to Hajiya Habiba Mohammed of CGE and Jecinta Egbim of FAM Initiative for their donations and tireless coordination efforts.

“This is more than a celebration; it is a movement for empathy, awareness, and sustained support for our children,” said Aisha Ibrahim Ahmad, Executive Director of NSENF, during her closing remarks. She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to championing inclusive development and called on government agencies, civil society groups, and the general public to prioritise the needs of children living with disabilities.

While modest in scale, the Zaria Play Therapy Event left a lasting impact on participants, caregivers, and volunteers alike. It offered a hopeful glimpse of what is possible when communities rally around their most vulnerable with compassion, creativity, and commitment.

NSENF hopes this initiative will inspire similar events across the country, advocating for inclusive education and therapeutic support systems for children with special needs—not just on Children’s Day, but throughout the year.

A group known as Tinubu Next Level has criticized the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, for allegedly masterminding the fiasco that greeted the APC North-East zonal meeting on Sunday.

The group, in a statement signed by its President, Alhaji Ango Zubair on Wednesday, noted that the action of the Zulum-led dissidents brought, “rude embarrassment to President Bola Tinubu and APC members across the country.”

The statement said further it was basically the prerogative of the zonal branch of the party to endorse a candidate of its choosing in any given election.

The statement reads in full: “We wish to register our utter displeasure to the actions of Governor Babagana Zulum in insisting that the zonal endorsement accorded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu be extended to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“We find such a stance as being rude and orchestrated to embarrass the President and every member of the APC in Nigeria and abroad.

“It is within our rights to endorse the President for re-election, such as it is the right of the President to make the pick of his running mate in an election.

“Asking the North-East zone of the party to force the President’s hands into appointing Shettima as his running mate is against the principles of democratic politicking in a presidential system of government.

“For emphasis, Vice President Kashim Shettima will not be the first Vice President to be dropped in a second term bid, and he would not be the last.

“What Governor Zulum has expressed by his action and his other supporters is that their loyalty is not to the President, but to Shettima. That is where we have a major disagreement with them.

“If the President so wishes, he could as well orchestrate an impeachment of Vice President Shettima. But President Tinubu, out of the magnanimity of his heart, has not travelled this route in kicking Shettima out.

“If the President has shown decorum in the case of managing the workings of his presidency, the faction led by Zulum has shown lack of it, and that is very disappointing,” the group noted.

It will be recalled that on Sunday, a caucus meeting of North-East APC members held a meeting to announce their endorsement of President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Their endorsement left out Vice President Shettima, who hails from the North-East zone.

The action sparked reaction from the pro-Shettima faction, which is led by the Borno State governor, Zulum.

The situation has since thrown the ruling party into a gale of controversy, fueling speculations that President Tinubu would not pick Shettima as running mate in 2027.

The controversy has thus opened the ruling APC to internal wrangling, with the pro-Shettima faction insisting that their support for President Tinubu’s election would be based on Vice President Shettima being on the ticket.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has lauded Senator Henry Seriake Dickson on speaking truth to power by condemning the anti-democratic actions of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Dickson had shortly after President Tinubu delivered his State of the Nation Address before a joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in the country, kicked against the anti-democratic posture of the present administration.

Addressing the press at the National Assembly, Dickson who represents Bayelsa West on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 10th Senate slammed Tinubu for not mentioning the state of emergency he imposed on Rivers State and the arbitrary suspension of including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

He also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of suppression for not allowing his point of order earlier in the Senate Chamber before the joint sitting session where he moved to complain about letters from the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, seeking Senate’s confirmation of nominees for appointment into the State Electoral Commission as well as Civil and Local Government Service Commissions of Rivers State.

He commended Dickson for his patriotism and courage in pointing out the irony in the Democracy Day celebration with fanfare by the executive and legislature while a state in the country is under military rule.

He described Dickson as a hero and present day defender of democracy in the country by courageously opposing the democratic aberration in Rivers state imposed by Tinubu.

Frank said: “Senator Dickson played the role of a true opposition by speaking the minds of ordinary Nigerians. He did not just make me proud as a citizen of Nigeria, he has made me proud as an Ijaw son.

“He has made me proud as a Bayelsan. He has made me proud as a Niger Delta son and he has made the entire country proud by speaking truth to power against those destroying our democracy and the country.

“He spoke the truth at a time when so many politicians cutting across party divides in Nigeria have become political cowards and sycophants, he came out boldly to speak the truth.

“Posterity will remember him for his principled stance in condemning undemocratic tendencies of he of the Tinubu administration.

“History will never forget him because when Nigerians expected leaders especially those in government to speak the truth, he’s the only one who has confronted the truth and the true position of our democracy.”

He lamented that the ruling APC and Tinubu’s Government don’t believe in democracy and the rule of law. They believe in impunity, dictatorship and one party state.

He added: “What Dickson has done is akin to what lawmakers often do in foreign countries where democracy is being practiced like the United States and the United Kingdom and even South Africa where you see lawmakers confronting the president with the truth and expectation of the people.

“It might look like he is alone, but we want to let him know that the Nigerian masses are with him.

“Even if his colleagues across party lines may not support him due to cowardice in his bid to save our democracy, Nigerians and the world are with him, and we are encouraging him to do more by being fearless as usual.”

He noted that other members of the National Assembly during the joint session knew that the president’s speech was highly laced with propaganda and deceit but because of sycophancy they kept singing the praises of the President.

He added: “We know that with what Dickson has done there might be plans to suspend him the way the Senate did to other senators who have stood up for the truth in the past but let him not be perturbed because God and Nigerians will fight for him.

“For it is better for him to be with God and the people who are in the majority than to take sides with the evil and satanic leaders who are working to destroy democracy in Nigeria.”

According to him, “It is shameful that the minority caucus in the Senate has been totally compromised because if there was a strong opposition, the minority leader of the Senate is supposed to have taken the action that Dickson took.

“Unfortunately, we have a compromised minority leader who is only doing the bidding of the ruling party. Since Abba Moro became the minority leader, he has not been able to condemn or criticize the anti-democratic and unconstitutional policies of government.

“Were Nigeria a country practicing true democracy, someone like Senator Dickson would have been the minority leader of the Senate in this political dispensation.”

According to him, a government that is doing well is not supposed to be forcing or intimidating people to join their political party but this is what we are witnessing in Nigeria where harassment and intimidation of the opposition has become the new state policy.

He condemned politicians who have sold their conscience, history will judge them harshly someday because they see the suffering in the land but have turned their faces away from the people because they want to be in the good books of the ruling party.

“But whether now or later, this government will go and Nigeria will remain and they too would remain to face the consequences of their action and inaction,” Frank said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured prominent Nigerians, including Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani and former lawmaker and rights activist Senator Shehu Sani, for their pivotal roles in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.

Speaking during the 2025 Democracy Day celebration on June 12, President Tinubu acknowledged the sacrifices made by several pro-democracy advocates during Nigeria’s years under military rule. In a speech delivered before a joint session of the National Assembly, the President commended the bravery and enduring commitment of individuals like Uba Sani and Shehu Sani in advancing democratic ideals.

“These patriots stood firm when it mattered most,” Tinubu said. “Their courage helped shape the democratic foundation we stand on today.”

As part of the commemorations, President Tinubu conferred national honours on several distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to the democratic journey. The list includes academics, journalists, politicians, civil society leaders, and posthumous awardees.

Key honourees include:

Prof. Wole Soyinka – Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON)
Senator Shehu Sani – Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
Governor Uba Sani – Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah – CON
Barrister Femi Falana, SAN – CON
Dapo Olorunyomi (Publisher, Premium Times) – Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
Bayo Onanuga (Presidential spokesman) – CON
Ken Saro-Wiwa (Posthumous) – CON
Alhaja Sawaba Gambo – CON
Chief Bola Ige – CFR
Mobolaji Akinyemi – CFR
Others honoured include rights activists, lawmakers, journalists, and late pro-democracy campaigners such as Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Balarabe Musa, Chief Frank Kokori, and Odia Ofeimun.

The recognition, Tinubu said, is part of a broader effort by the federal government to memorialize the efforts and legacies of those who played vital roles in shaping Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

Former lawmaker and human rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has called on Nigerians to show empathy and compassion toward the orphans, widows, and widowers affected by the devastating floods in Mokwa, Niger State.

Senator Sani, who personally donated food items to the victims and their families, described the Mokwa flood as not just a disaster, but a national tragedy.

In a statement he personally signed, Senator Sani said, “The Mokwa tragedy is a dark cloud of responsibility hanging over the sky of our country.” He emphasized the need for the nation to learn from the incident by channeling its resources toward improving the lives of its people.

The former senator also urged the Federal Government to create a special budget aimed at rebuilding Mokwa into a modern town, as a tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives in the flood.

Musa Maye

Kaduna,

The Coalition of Gbagyi Nationality in Kaduna State has issued a scathing rebuke of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of launching “unwarranted verbal attacks” against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu out of bitterness over his failed ministerial nomination.

At a press conference held in Kaduna on Monday, the coalition condemned El-Rufai’s recent public criticisms of the Tinubu administration, labeling them as “self-serving” and “a serious threat to national unity and democratic stability.”

“Since Mallam El-Rufai lost the opportunity to be appointed a Minister in President Tinubu’s administration, he has remained inconsolable and has resorted to making divisive and antagonistic statements,” the group declared. “His actions are not only self-serving but pose a serious threat to national unity.”

The Gbagyi coalition also used the platform to recount what they described as the harsh and discriminatory policies suffered under El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023. According to the group, Southern Kaduna communities, including Gbagyi people, endured demolition of homes, exclusion from governance, and neglect of infrastructure.

“El-Rufai’s time in office was marked by destruction of properties, marginalization, and the exclusion of Southern Kaduna communities and Christians from governance,” the coalition said. “Markets were demolished without alternatives, roads were abandoned, and banditry was poorly addressed.”

The group questioned the moral authority of El-Rufai to criticize President Tinubu, arguing that his motives were rooted not in principle, but in political vendetta.

“Let us ask ourselves: If he had been appointed a Minister, would he be attacking President Tinubu today? The answer is a resounding NO,” the statement emphasized.

They also dismissed what they described as El-Rufai’s emerging political coalition aimed at challenging Tinubu’s leadership in 2027, warning Nigerians not to be deceived by his “crusade of bitterness.”

“It is laughable that he now seeks to rally those he previously scorned, in a bid to unseat President Tinubu… Let it be known: El-Rufai has no moral standing to criticize the President.”

The Gbagyi coalition ended the briefing with a strong endorsement of President Tinubu’s leadership, urging Nigerians to support his administration in navigating the economic and security challenges facing the country.

“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for tackling the deep-rooted challenges inherited from past administrations. The Gbagyi people say: NEVER AGAIN,” the group concluded.