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  • Tinubu mourns Bukola Saraki’s mother

    Tinubu mourns Bukola Saraki’s mother

    Mourning

    By Salif Atojoko

    Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to former President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, over the passing of his mother, Chief (Mrs) Florence Morenike Saraki.

    “President Tinubu mourns the matriarch, stating that she lived a long and fruitful life as a servant of her community, a servant of God, and a beloved guardian and mother to many.

    “The President also commiserates with the entire Saraki family – Mama’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and everyone mourning this loss, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said in a statement on Wednesday.

    He said the President prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed matriarch and grace to her family to bear the immeasurable loss. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SA/SOA

    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • Cattle menace: Ogun Assemby seeks implementation of anti-open grazing law, others

    Law
    By Yetunde Fatungase
    Abeokuta, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, on Wednesday urged necessary government agencies to ensure a holistic implementation of the state’s Anti-open Grazing Law.
    Elemide who said this during plenary added that it would be with a view to controlling the movement of herds across the state.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Speaker was commenting on the report received on Tuesday that some herders were moving cattle on major roads in the state.
    “The full implementation of the law will bring about sanity and enhance safety of the motoring public. The attitude of herders is against the existing law,” Elemide said.
    He also spoke on the menace of land-grabbers terrorising some residents of the state, as reported by a member representing Ewekoro State Constituency, Yusuf Amosun.
    Elemide urged the people to approach the court of competent jurisdiction on matters relating to land-grabbing and forceful invasion of landed property for redress.
    He noted that it was high time everyone saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the Anti-Land Grabbing Law braced up and ensured sanity in land administration.
    ”This will help to avoid unlawful exploitation of the people and possible breakdown of laws and order,” the Speaker said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    YAF/OIF/OLAL
    =============
    (Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Olawale Alabi)

  • NOC holds seminar for female coaches, administrators in S/East

     

    Seminar

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Female sports coaches and administrators have been urged to encourage more sportswomen to attain the peak of their careers.

    Prof. Florence Adeyanju, Chairperson, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Women’ Commission, made the call in Akwa on Wednesday at a one-day capacity  seminar for female coaches and administrators in Southeast.

    Adeyanju said the two groups should work harmoniously considering the importance of their work.

    She said that while administrators make sports policies, coaches implement them to achieve the set goals.

    “Coaches establish good relationships with athletes, administrators, management and stakeholders and gain their support.

    “They must adapt methods to fit the athletes and situation, and provide constructive feedback when necessary, as good communication skills are vital,” she said.

    She added that the job of coaches  was to help young athletes to discover and develop their talents.

    Adeyanju, however, commended female coaches and administrators for the success of Nigerian sports women, noting that they were doing well in spite of the challenges facing them.

    She noted that female coaches should be provided with all the support they needed to succeed as well as strategies to manage their strengths and weaknesses.

    Adeyanju urged female coaches to be mindful of gender issues and encourage inclusiveness and also take cognisance  of the organisational structure within which they operated.

    She urged administrators to review their training curriculum, while coaches should endeavour to update their capacities.

    She listed some obstacles militating against the success of women coaches to include poor coaching philosophy, lack of transparency in dealing with athletes, poor anger management, lack of tolerance, low level training and lack of confidence.

    In his goodwill message, Habu Gumel, President of NOC, said the seminar was to enhance the capacity of female coaches and administrators in the country.

    Gumel who was represented by Kemi Obidahunsi, Secretary of NOC women’s Commission, commended women for their contributions to sports in Nigeria, and assured that the Commission would continue to support them.

    On her part, Princess Ugonwaezeh-Agugo, Coordinator of the event, welcomed the participants and expressed optimism that the programme would benefit them.

    Ugonwaezeh-Agugo, a Rugby administrator commended the NOC for the seminar which was the first of its kind in the Southeast.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four presentations were made at the event which was attended by no fewer than 60 participants from the five states in Southeast. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/EMAF
    ========
    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • Kwara distributes farm implements, boats, others to boost food security

    Agriculture
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Wednesday in Ilorin launched the distribution of the fourth phase of agricultural and infrastructural assets under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
    AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, said the fourth phase targets 600,000 beneficiaries across different categories in the state’s 16 local government areas (LGAs).
    He said it was taking another giant step forward towards supporting farmers and vulnerable agro-entrepreneurs with high-value assets such as fishing and passenger boats, hand tillers, grinding machines, among others.
    “This is in addition to the donation of various categories of hospital equipment to support vulnerable communities in health delivery and add to the stock of beneficiaries already recorded.
    “Today’s ceremony, therefore, attests to the commitment of the state government to full implementation of NG-CARES. This is geared towards improving the welfare of the people.
    “The two-legged programme also had at least eleven communities that benefited from the distributed hospital equipment support.
    “They include Alanamu, Atiku-Apata, Lade, Kajola, Kere, Patigi, Isanlu-isin, Araromi, Igbaja, Omoda and Baba Dudu communities,” the governor said.
    AbdulRazaq said not less than two million residents across Kwara have benefitted from the various programmes and interventions under the NG-CARES.
    He said these programmes include FADAMA, Social Cash Transfer, labour intensive public workforce, and social development agency.
    “The State CARES Steering Committee was inaugurated on Dec. 14 2021.
    “NG-CARES, being the first attempt to use the Programme for Result (P for R) approach to deliver goods and services to the most vulnerable in the state, has been very successful as it is making an impact in the lives of the residents since its take-off.
    “This is made possible by the continuous and constant support of the state government to ensure that poor and vulnerable individuals and businesses affected by economic crisis are supported through different initiatives.
    “Our gathering this afternoon is another phase in our continuous efforts to bring ease to the people through multi-faceted interventions.
    “At every stage of our journey so far, our administration has a record of deploying all available resources to make life easy for the people,” the governor added.
    AbdulRazaq urged the beneficiaries of these high-valued assets and equipment to consider these assets as their own and optimise the benefits.
    The Chairman, State Steering Committee for NG-CARES programme, Dr Hauwa Nuru, on her part described the intervention as a beacon of hope.
    She said it was designed and supported by the World Bank to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and complement Gov. AbdulRazaq’s eforts in making life bearable for all the residents.
    “The objectives of NG-CARES programmes for results are clear and very impactful. This intervention will expand access to livelihood support and ensure food security and among other benefits,” Nuru said.
    The State Coordinator for NG-CARES, Ibiyinka Olatunde, in his remarks, appreciated government for taking the bull by the horns by keying into the programme.
    He described it as laudable and highly beneficial to the people of the state.
    “NG-CARES has been delivering goods and services to vulnerable members of our society,” he said.
    Beneficiaries such as Alhaji Ahmed, Ganiyu Adebayo from Alanamu community and Alhaji Sambo Magaji of the Lafiagi Emirate, took turns to eulogise the AbdulRazaq administration for “the kind gesture”.
    “These items (hospital equipment) will go a long way in impacting the lives of our people. The gesture will specifically serve as a model for other states to emulate,” Adebayo said.
    Magaji, who spoke on behalf of FADAMA beneficiaries, said the items provided would assist farmers a lot in their farming activities and thanked the governor for being passionate about their well-being.
    AGF/OIF/OLAL
    ============
    (Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Olawale Alabi)

  • We’re defending Rivers against predators – Fubara  

    Defense
    By Precious Akutamadu
    Port Harcourt, June, 26, 2024(NAN)Rivers governor Siminalayi Fubara has said that he was not fighting anybody.
    “I am, rather, defending the state against predators; I am protecting Rivers against those who feel that they own the life of others,” he said in Port Harcourt on Wednesday when the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, paid him a courtesy visit.
    Fubara stated that the failed attempt to detonate an explosive device at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, was a deliberate ploy to strengthen the call for a state of emergency.
    “It is the handiwork of detractors who want to undermine the state to achieve their evil plans,” he declared.
    The governor alleged that some youths were hired to engage in a protest to demand for extension of tenure for former local government chairmen who had served out their statutory three-year tenure.
    “The protesters and their sponsors were aware that some members of the National Assembly were guests at the Hotel Presidential, that was their reason for the attempt to detonate an explosive device near the facility.
    “In fact, there was a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential because you people were there. But, this God that we serve, it happened that the man, who was trying to do it, detonated it, but just few seconds after, it blew his hands off.
    “The idea was that as you were hearing state of emergency, by the time they finish, when you return to have your sitting tomorrow, the debate will be from somebody from this state who called you people to tell you not to come.”
    Fubara wondered why the law is silent or slow to take its course over offenders because somebody appears to be bigger than the law.
    “Is there nowhere in the country where tenure elongation for former local government chairmen has been an issue?” Fubara asked.
    Fubara opined that there was no Governor in Nigeria who could take 10 percent of the abuse railed at him by former local government councils.
    “Is it that the Constitution that governs Nigeria is different from the one that operates in Rivers? These are the very pertinent questions we should ask.
    “Why should it be that when it comes to the case of Rivers, the law is always silent? Is it that there is somebody bigger than Nigeria? That is the question I want you to go back with,” Fubara said.
    Fubara told members of the committee to factor in the interest of Rivers as they recommend the privatisation and commercialisation of public companies, saying that when the state buys stakes in such companies, they could be protected and supervised to be viable.
    “I will also appeal to you that in this process of privatisation, anything that has to do with our own state here that needs to be privatised, the Rivers Government will be interested.
    “So, as a committee, if there is anywhere you can support us; if there is anyone that is still available, let us know, and let us get the details so that we can own it.
    “It is only when we own it that those assets can be protected. It is only when we own it, that is when those assets become viable to the state, and also become viable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.
    Committee chairman Orji Uzo Kalu had earlier said that the team was in Rivers to carry out oversight duties on some projects under its purview.
    Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, commended Fubara for his love for peace and his determination to offer quality governance.
    He also commended him for keeping pace with providing the right climate to engender economic growth.
    Kalu urged FCT minister Nyesom Wike to shealth the sword and call his supporters to order to
    foster peace in Rivers.
    “Wike must put the interest of the state above all considerations,” he said.
    Kalu commended Fubara and his team for the good things they were doing in the state, pointing out that it was good to have peace.
    “I want to thank you because you look like a very peaceful man. Your face shows a peaceful man. Your laugh shows a peaceful man. So, I want you to continue in that manner of peace.
    “There is nothing like peace. Let people who are eating from this problem stop eating from it.
    “We want to plead with you; continue to hold your people back because if your people demonstrate like the other people, we will have a state of anarchy, and it is not good to have anarchy.
    “I want to plead with you to abide by the rules of the land. I plead with you to abide by what the Constitution says. I plead with you to also abide by the decisions of the Judiciary.
    “Wait for every judicial interpretation and act on judicial interpretation,” he added.
    Kalu pledged the readiness of the committee to work with the state government to achieve mutually beneficial goals that would advance the interest of all Nigerians.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PA/ETS
    ======

  • Imo hoteliers hail FG’s ban on patronage of hotels by underage girls

    Imo hoteliers hail FG’s ban on patronage of hotels by underage girls

    Ban
    By Victor Nwachukwu
    Owerri, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Imo chapter of the Nigeria Hotel Association has hailed the Federal Government’s ban on patronage of hotels, brothels and motels by underage girls.
     The Chief Servant of the association in Imo, Mr Chima Chukwunyere, said this while speaking with newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday.
    Chukwunyere was reacting to a decision of the Federal Ministry of Woman Affairs, conveyed by the Minister, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, in a meeting held with the national leadership and state Chairmen of the association in Abuja, last Thursday.
    Chukwunyere said the minister frowned at the lodging, bullying and abuse of underage girls in hotels and placed a ban on their use of such facilities.
    He added that hoteliers are advised  to display a notice of prohibition of underage females from using their facilities and present the Federal Government Age Declaration form to suspected underage females to ascertain their real age before they check into hotels.
    He called on all hoteliers in Imo to abide by the decision as serious sanctions would be imposed on defaulters by a mobile court established across the states of the federation by the minister.
     “ The minister, while addressing us, harped on the need for holistic partnership with hoteliers across the country to shutdown brothels and checkmate the spate of abuse of underage girls in hotels and motels.
     “ To this end, hoteliers must put their eyes to the ground to ascertain the actual activities of customers and device means of protecting young girls from perpetrators of child trafficking, drug abuse, sex for grades and other vices.
     “ On no condition should any student in school uniform be found in an hotel or similar facility where alcohol is sold, as such outfits, when found, shall be shut down and be made to face the mobile court “, he said.
    Chukwunyere however added that though times were tough, hoteliers must synergise with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure that lives of children are saved and their morals preserved. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    VIN /VIV
    ====
    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

  • SON urges manufacturers to get their products certified

    Certification

    By Mujidat Oyewole

    Ilorin, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on Wednesday in Ilorin urged manufacturers to get their products certified through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

    Engr. Timothy Abner, SON’s Director of Human Resources, while presenting MANCAP certificates to four companies said certification was a programme put in place by law for manufacturers in Nigeria.

    He explained that certification would enable consumers to know that a product had maintained a minimum standard requirement, and it has become necessary for SON to ensure the law was implemented.

    “The programme is to recognise those that are abiding by the law and consistently showing that they are operating according to standard, as well as encourage other manufacturers,” Abner said.

    SON’s Kwara Coordinator, Mr Ayeni Feyisara, said the organisation has been sensitising manufacturers and encouraging them to get their products certified, in order for their customers to purchase quality products.

    “Most manufacturers want to have their products displayed in the market, but not interested in certifying them.

    “The fact that a product is acceptable does not mean that it is excellent. So, the certification is for products that are excellent, consistent and ready to meet up with acceptable limits,” Feyisara said.

    The State Coordinator stressed that there was the need to applaud companies which followed due procedure and acquired their certificate, in order to encourage them to continue and motivate others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four companies certified are HMA Nigeria Ltd., LUBCON Ltd., B&Q ventures and Muhrima Bildej Nigeria Ltd. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
    MOB/ISHO/OLAL
    ==============

    (Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Olawale Alabi)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Education key to combating drug, substance abuse – Otti

    Drugs
    By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
    Umuahia, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said that mass education is critical in empowering the people with the relevant information they need to resist drugs and substance abuse.

    Otti said this on Wednesday during the celebration of this year’s United Nations Day Against Illicit Trafficking and Drug Abuse in Umuahia.

    The theme of the celebration, organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), is
    “The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention”.

    The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, described the theme of the event as apt.

    According to him, understanding the effects, risks and consequences of drug use helps individuals make informed decisions and seek appropriate help when needed.

    He said that the journey of life must be approached with the intention to excel.

    Otti said that any youth that desired to succeed should set goals for themselves and be focused on their goals.

    He, therefore, advised Abia youths to avoid drugs and bad influences to secure their future success and contribute to societal development.

    In a speech, the Governor’s Wife, Priscilla, said that prevention remains the most effective strategy for tackling the challenge of drug abuse.

    Represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, Priscilla said that drug abuse and illicit trafficking could be defeated through initiatives that cut off illicit drugs supply channels.

    She commended NDLEA for its commitment in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and consumption.

    “You have led the fight with great courage, admirable professionalism and a genuine sense of service to the community,” she said.

    Earlier, the State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Amos Adelanwa, said that drug abuse had become a global problem, which requires concerted effort from stakeholders to tackle.

    “We have a problem of substance abuse in Abia going by the seizures recorded during our mop up in the communities.

    “We receive a minimum of five applications from people seeking to bring their wards to our rehabilitation facility.

    “The investment needed in this fight should come from society, supporting the agency to achieve a drug-free society,” Adelanwa said.

    He urged parents to create time for their children and perform their parental duties with diligence.

    He also called on all the stakeholders to support the agency, adding that patent medicine dealers should desist from selling psychotropic substances.

    Speaking in an interview with NAN, a secondary school student, Daniel Ogbonna, said that the celebration had given him the opportunity to learn about the dangers of drug and substance abuse.

    Ogbonna also said that he had become better informed about the guidelines to follow in living a healthy and drug-free life as a youth. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    INA/OIF/USO
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo

  • High yield crops: Regional hub for fertiliser launched in Ibadan

    Fertiliser
    By David Adeoye
    Ibadan, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, on Wednesday in Ibadan launched the West Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Hub.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility was launched at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.

    The hub is to address the challenges that threaten food security and economic stability, low fertiliser use and continuous degrading soils in the West African region.

    Toure-Litse, in her address, noted that the West African region was blessed with vast natural resources and rich agriculture heritage.

    ”But it is faced with unprecedented challenges that threaten its food security and economic stability.

    “Low fertiliser use and continuous degrading soils are factors that were significantly holding back crop yields in the region,” she pointed out.

    The ECOWAS official however said the challenges were posing a direct threat to the livelihood of millions of farmers and the well-being of various communities.

    She noted that West African lands were rich with several resources, stating that “its soils not only nourish our people but also can feed the world”.

    Toure-Litse said low use of fertiliser was due to either its high cost, limited access to quality fertiliser, lack of farmers’ awareness and education on proper fertiliser use.

    “Poor infrastructure for distribution and inadequate government policies are issues hampering the ability of the region to achieve highly agricultural productivity.”

    She said this was why in 2006, having recognised the gravity of the region’s agricultural challenges, its leaders convened the first fertiliser summit in Abuja.

    “Eighteen years has passed and the progress has been slow, yet current estimates placed fertiliser use in our region at around 20 kilogrammes of nutrients per hectare compared to the global average of more than 100 kilogrammes per hectare.

    “This disparity has just called for urgent need for action, as new challenges have emerged compounding the old ones and the urgency of our situation should be addressed.

    “With the support of financial and technical partners, efforts to implement, coordinate and monitor the roadmap that address all these issues have began early in October 2023,” the ECOWAS Commissioner said.

    She further explained that African leaders, under the leadership of the African Union (AU) Commission, convened another summit in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2024 in response to the challenges.

    Toure-Litse said the summit renewed the commitment to increasing productivity, enhanced fertiliser use to improve soil health and encouraged fertiliser use so as to restore degraded soil and boost productivity.

    “And, to better ensure its implementation in West Africa and the Sahel, ECOWAS endorsed the Nairobi declaration after adoption.”

    She said key recommendations of the roadmap include supporting countries in the region to develop their own action plan for fertiliser and soil health, aligning with the local need and opportunities..

    Toure-Litse said the launching of the West African fertiliser and soil health hub was in the context of implementation of the roadmap.

    She said the hub would provide countries in the region the necessary technical support to implement respective action-plan through capacity-building and services provision in the area of fertiliser and soil health.

    “I am optimistic that the hub will be a cornerstone solution for the regional agricultural challenges,” the ECOWAS Commissioner noted, saying it would help in addressing the problem of high cost of fertiliser, limited access to fertiliser and lack of education among farmers.

    She said the roadmap’s significant achievement was made possible through IITA’s technical leadership and the coalition of technical partners, including International Fertiliser Development Centre, African Plant Nutrition Institute, among others.

    Toure-Litse further stated that the hub, along with the roadmap and action plan, would provide a powerful framework to achieving the set goal.

    “I charge all stakeholders to seize the opportunity and build a more sustainable, secured and prosperous future for the region.

    “I urge all the stakeholders, government, financial institutions, technical experts and farmers to work together so that they can turn the tide of food and security in West Africa.”

    She assured all the stakeholders of the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to continuing to play its leadership role to ensure the achievement of secured food security in the region.

    “To ensure the success of the initiative we must integrate the voices and needs of farmers, particularly women and youths, because they are the backbone of our agricultural sector.

    “We must provide them with training on proper fertiliser application techniques and empower them to make informed decisions about soil management,” the ECOWAS Commissioner said.

    In his address, Dr Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director, General Research, IITA, said the hub would provide technical assistance to countries in the region.

    He said this would be on what they can do to increase their fertiliser use and the efficiency of fertiliser.

    Vanlauwe said activities of the hub would have significant impact on food productivity in the region.

    The priorities of the ECOWAS Fertiliser and Soil Health RoadMap for West Africa and Sahel include market information on agricultural inputs and strengthening fertiliser quality control regulations.

    Others are improving fertiliser trade within ECOWAS, increasing local production of fertiliser and expanding agricultural inputs distribution networks.

    Highlights of the event was the signing ceremony of ECOWAS-IITA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the ECOWAS Agriculture Policy (ECOWAP) and West Africa Fertiliser Hub.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    DAK/OLAL
    ==========

    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

     

  • Group advocates improved awareness on violence prohibition law in Kogi

    Group advocates improved awareness on violence prohibition law in Kogi

    Group photograph of participants at the capacity building training for stakeholders on Kogi State VAPP Law 2022, on Wednesday in Lokoja

    VAPP

    By Stephen Adeleye

    Lokoja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) A group, The Participation For Behavioural Change In Development (PIBCID), has called for improvement in the awareness on the existence of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022 in Kogi.

    The Executive Director of PIBCID, Rachael Akande, made the call at a workshop organised for critical stakeholders on Wednesday in Lokoja.

    The workshop was organised by PIBCID and Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) in collaboration with Kogi  office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC).

    Akande said that the VAPP law was enacted as a result of prevailing cases of  gender-based violence (GBV) and human right abuse in Kogi.

    According to her, the main thrust of the law is to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons such as rape, maiming of spouse, forceful ejection from home, forced isolation, acid bath  and killing, amongst others.

    She said that the VAPP law was meant to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and other related matters.

    Akande noted that the VAPP law was domesticated in Kogi in June 2022, but decried the low level of awareness by the general public.

    She stressed the need to sensitise and train the critical stakeholders to create awareness and its effective implementation to curb GBV in the state.

    “The level of awareness of the provisions of VAPP Law 2022 in Kogi is still very low. We want more people to know about the law and take advantage of its provisions.

    “This workshop is to create more awareness and involvement of relevant stakeholders that would champion the fight against gender based violence in Kogi,” Akande said.

    She urged the participants to step down the training in their various organisations and increase the awareness at the grassroots across the state.

    Akande also called for the provision of adequate funding for government’s relevant agencies and critical stakeholders, stressing that the issue of GBV is everybody’s responsibility.

    Also speaking, the Director General of PDCRC in Kogi, Mr Musa Idris, said the VAPP law in the state was enacted in June 2022 and domiciled with Commission.

    Idris said that the PDCRC had successfully handled several cases including domestic violence and rape, resolved several family issues as well as other cases free of charge.

    He noted that offences such as rape that attracted a penalty of 40 years imprisonment under the Penal code, now attracted a life imprisonment under the Kogi  VAPP law, 2022.

    Idris emphasised that the workshop was part of the commission’s effort to sensitise the populace about the provisions of the Kogi State VAPP law, 2022.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that resource persons at the training spoke on several topics, such as “Appraisal of the Provisions of Kogi State VAPP Law, 2022”, and “Overview of Offences and Punishment”.

    Others included: “the Roles of Protection officers in the implementation of the VAPP law”, as well as “Roles of critical stakeholders under the Kogi State VAPP law, 2022”.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Challenged Parenthood Network Initiative (CPI), Eunice Agbogun, said that the successful implementation of the VAPP law in Kogi demanded a collaborative effort from all stakeholders.

    “By working together, these entities can create a system that empowers victims, strengthens the justice system, and ultimately fosters a safer environment for all citizens in Kogi,” Agbogun said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ASA/ISHO/IU

    ==========

    Edited by Yinusa Ishola/ Isaac Ukpoju