The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Ubah, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
According to a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a brief plenary session on Thursday, Ubah said his defection was due to irreconcilable differences in the YPP.
The letter further explained that Ubah’s decision is in the interest of his constituents.
Born on the 3rd of September, 1971, Ubah is a Nigerian business mogul, politician and philanthropist. He was also the Vice Chairman of the Petroleum Upstream Senate Committee from June 2019 to June 2023.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted permission for the London Academy of Business School (LABS) in partnership with University of Sunderland, United Kingdom, to operate in Nigeria.
To that effect, their first academic session is expected to commence in January 2024 at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) in Abuja.
Already, a delegation from University of Sunderland led by Dr. Derek Watson, an Associate Professor from the Faculty of Business Law and Tourism, has assured that students in Nigeria will have the same academic standards with their counterparts in UK, while the management at the same time promised to respect the environment and guidelines from the NUC.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with the Executive Secretary of NUC, Dr. Watson said, “The meeting with the Executive Secretary was very productive, the University of Sunderland has over 30 years of experience.
“What we have agreed on today is the criticality in following the compliance procedures. In addition to that, we would source credible academics to deliver our programmes from LABs who are qualified teachers and also practising consultants. The students will get the same experience as those students studying in England.”
Also speaking, the President/Director of Studies, London Academy of Business School (LABS), Dr. Larry Jones-Esan, explained that the visit to NUC was to get the operational licence to operate in Nigeria.
According to him, “The meeting with the NUC today is for us to get the recognition that we are allowed to run the Sunderland courses in Nigeria. So, we do not need the NUC accreditation, what we need is recognition, that is very important because if we run any course in Nigeria without them recognising it, that degree is useless and they cannot do NYSC, so we do not want that to be the case.
“So for us to do that, we have to get their permission first before we go out their and start recruiting students, otherwise, we will be shooting ourselves in the foot. If they come here and say you are doing something illegal, you will pay fine and before you get out of that, it will be too much.
“So what we have done is that we bring those people in and come in myself as the CEO of the London Academy Business School, make sure that we have them aware of what we are doing.
“Today is a very important day for the London Business School in partnership with the University of Sunderland. We met with the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission discussions went as planned, making sure that we do things right.
“One thing that came out very clear is that they want people to work with them but work in a way that they respect the authorities and respect the system and the environment.
“So we are going to make sure that everything we do follows the guidelines. We have a very beautiful guideline but if you fail to follow them, you might run into trouble. If two million people apply for university admissions every year in Nigeria and only 700,000 are getting a place, that is a problem and that is a challenge and they want to solve that problem and we think we have came at the right time.
“We thank the delegates from the University of Sunderland working with the London Academy of Business School in making sure that this gives result as quickly as possible.”
Asked whether the NUC granted licence to them, he said, “This is the reason why we are here, we have gotten the license, that is recognition to run this process, that will be done within a week, and we are hopeful this will be done shortly.
We will start running the university from January 2024.”
Earlier, the team visited the Public Service Institute of Nigeria along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, which is going to serve as the study center and they were received by the Administrator and CEO of the Institute, Abdul-Ganiyu Obatayinbo.
The PSIN Administrator said the environment was far better than what the University of Sunderland has in the UK, adding that the institute is saddled with the responsibility of building the capacity of public/civil servants in Nigeria.
He said said that the institute has 500-seat auditorium, 12 different halls of 30-seater capacity each, hostels with 202 bedrooms, hospital, security quarters, sports complex, entrepreneurship center, among other facilities, that would make teaching and learning conducive.
Some of the courses to be offered at the undergraduate level include, computer science, business and management, network system engineering, among others, while business administration, international business management, education leadership, among others, will be offered at the master’s level.
[Leadership]
The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Ubah, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Young Progressive Party (YPP).
Born on the 3rd of September, 1971, Ubah is a Nigerian business mogul, politician and philanthropist. He was also the Vice Chairman of the Petroleum Upstream Senate Committee from June 2019 to June 2023.
Recall that Ubah had said he supports the Anambra Government in the fight against sit-at-home and insecurity in the South-East state.
Ubah, in an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on July 13, 2023, said his initiative was intended to augment the existing mechanisms of the Anambra state government to curb the insecurity crisis in the state and the Southeast region at large.
He said, “For me, in Anambra State, my coming on board is to add to what the governor or the government of Anambra is doing. We’re working in partnership with the governor; he’s the chief security officer.
“I felt that there are some missing links; he has the state apparatus and security network in the state. I wanted to complement it by giving a little support to already existing vigilante groups in my constituency.
“We’re working with a vigilante group from just one local government, so that we can test the pilot scheme, which the governor kindly approved, and he came to uphold the launch of it.
“We’re using it as a template that if it works well, we can now move to other local governments with the permission of the governor.”
[NaijaNews]
The wife of Gabon’s deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest since the coup in the Central African country in late August, has been jailed.
Francois Zimeray, her lawyer, disclosed this on Thursday.
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, suspected of embezzling public funds, was jailed late on Wednesday, Zimeray told AFP, denouncing the “arbitrary… illegal procedure”.
Bongo’s wife was charged on September 28 with money laundering, forgery and falsification of records.
She has been under house arrest in Libreville, following the August 30 military coup that ousted her husband as president.
Their eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has already been charged with corruption and embezzling public funds with several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers.
Bongo, 64, who had ruled the central African country since 2009, was overthrown by military leaders moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election.
Ali Bongo was elected after his father Omar died in 2009 after nearly 42 years in power. Gabon is Africa’s third-richest nation in terms of per-capita GDP but one in three people lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.
[DailyTrust]
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.
Olukoyede’s appointment followed the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency for a renewable term of five years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.
”By the powers vested in President Bola Tinubu as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, that “the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President,” President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.
”Mr. Ola Olukoyede is a lawyer with over twenty-two (22) years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence. He has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023). As such, he fulfills the statutory requirement for appointment as Chairman of the EFCC.
”Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda is a public administrator with extensive experience in public finance management who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Business Administration from the same university. He began his career as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. From there, he went into banking, including successful stints at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank,” the statement reads.
President Tinubu therefore tasked the new leadership of the Commission to justify the confidence reposed in them.
[DailyPost]
The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday said it would continue to embark on industrial actions until the government meets its demands.
Subsequently, the union is against any plan by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to include private universities in the country as beneficiary institutions of its projects.
The President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, made the union’s position known at a two-day interactive session between TETFund and all unions of beneficiary institutions.
Osodeke maintained that such a move would lead to the proliferation of private universities devoid of quality.
While commending TETFund on delivery, he urged the fund to work more on the monitoring method of its projects across the country stressing that the level of performance by the beneficiary institutions is not in tandem as some of them received the same amount of money.
He also called on TETFund to apply sanctions on non-performing institutions and advocate for the abolition of what he referred to as the “stakeholders fund”.
According to him, “ASUU will continue to embark on strike until the right thing is done in our tertiary institutions. Stakeholders fund should be abolished”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed that the interactive session was conceived as a proactive engagement against the backdrop of the prevailing challenges in the sub-sector.
Echono noted that the engagement was also for the purpose of sustaining steady growth and development of tertiary education while stressing the need to consistently engage and challenge one another on how best to improve the situation.
“It is our fervent hope that this interactive session will provide an enabling environment for us to understand some of our challenges and difficulties in the delivery of quality education in our institutions and thereby make meaningful contribution to the successful execution of the objective of the Fund.
“As you all know our primary mandate is to rehabilitate, restore and consolidate Tertiary Education in Nigeria, using funding alongside project management.
“The session is also expected to serve as a platform to discuss and mitigate incidences of industrial disputes in the tertiary education sector and look at ways to prevent and avoid their occurrences,” he said.
He further stated that the interactive session will afford the opportunity to build and solidify cooperation and collaboration between the fund, its beneficiary institutions and the unions on matters that affect the growth and development of tertiary education in Nigeria.
“As stakeholders and partners, we intend to share with you all that we have done and continue to do,” he added.
On his part, the former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke on ‘The Role of Trade Unions in TETFund Intervention Activities’, commended the fund for its strident commitment to the elevation of university education and experience for both lecturers, non-academic workers and the student population in various campuses all over the country.
Wabba noted that the NLC has benefitted a great deal from the ideological clarity and consistency of the unions in the tertiary institutions.
“The patriotic and historical resistance of the Congress against the debilitating influence and impact of neo-liberal policies of successive government in Nigeria drew a lot of inspiration and verve from the intellectually sound positions advanced by unions in our tertiary institutions,” he said.
[Punch]
Like a befuddled mind jolted out of deep slumber, Peter Obi, Labour Party’s presidential candidate, hugged a podium to echo a script authored by Atiku Abubakar, his senior partner and co-traveller on a dark ignominious alley to nowhere.
At his press conference earlier today, Mr. Obi blathered on about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s identity and academic record, like a broken voice note of Atiku Abubakar, cutting a pitiful profile as though forced to read a prepared statement by his unimaginative handlers, and mendacious associates in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Unwilling to miss out in the orchestrated campaign of calumny against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his certificate from the Chicago State University, Obi jumped on the tailboard of Atiku’s bandwagon to satisfy his uncanny and insatiable thirst for cheap media attention, long after his Labour Party had dissociated itself from a bogus call to action by the former Vice President.
In his drivel, Peter Obi, demanded that the President reintroduce himself to Nigerians, as though the 8.9 million Nigerians who voted him last February were all groggy when they made their free democratic choice.
Mr. Obi must know that President Tinubu does not need a re-introduction. He does not have any identity problem, except the one contrived by the Atikus and Peters of our political firmament.
The 8.9 million Nigerians who voted him into office were, and remain, aware of his outstanding record and accomplishments as a defender of democracy, freedom, social and economic justice for over three decades. Nigerians know President Tinubu as a thoroughbred professional and former auditor and treasurer of Mobil Nigeria, now ExxonMobil.
Nigerians know the President as a former Senator of the Federal Republic where he served as Chairman of the influential Finance and Appropriations Committee.
They know him as a former Governor of Lagos State who designed and paved the pathway to the growth and prosperity of present day Lagos, the 5th largest economy in Africa.
Nigerians know who they voted for as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They voted for him with full faith and confidence that his track record and wide competences would help in the re-engineering of our country’s economy for the good of the greatest number of Nigerians.
In marked contrast, Nigerians have flatly and serially rejected Atiku Abubakar, and denied Peter Obi’s presidential bid in the last election election.
Beyond regaling Nigerians with false and embarrassing statistics for which he has gained notoriety, Peter Obi cannot be said to be known for any outstanding performance as governor of Anambra State for eight years with no worthy legacy standing to his name.
As for President Tinubu’s academic record at the Chicago State University, the facts are clear and settled except for those political jaundiced by the trauma of electoral defeat.
The Chicago State University has unequivocally stated over and over again, and in a deposition, under oath, by the Registrar, Caleb Westberg that President Tinubu attended the school and graduated with Honours.
Nigerians are now familiar with stellar academic performance of President Tinubu as evidenced by his transcript as released by the CSU with 18As, 10Bs and 3Cs grades.
It is disturbing and utterly contemptuous of the courts of our land for the duo of Atiku and Obi to rail and pollute the public space with the very same issues that they have submitted to the court for adjudication. They have continued to perpetrate public deception, operating, simultaneously, as accusers and judges in their own base cause.
We condemn the sordid and disgraceful attempt by Obi, Atiku and their cheerleaders to use the mainstream and social media to intimidate the judiciary, incite the public to violence, disparage Justices of the Appeal and Supreme Court, and we urge all well meaning Nigerians to condemn this anti-democratic and irresponsible conduct of both political naggers. For the records, our team of lawyers stand advised to explore all available judicial mechanisms towards bringing Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar to justice for their ceaseless contemptuous conduct.
In our democracy, the office of the President is not filled by intimidation, blackmail or reckless self help. It is filled by the people, by their lawful votes at the polls just as they did on February 25, 2023 when they elected Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Felix Morka, Esq.
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to withdraw all charges against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Ohanaeze said the appeal comes in light of the recent release of Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba Nation activist, from Beninoise prisons.
In a statement on Wednesday by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze commended President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic for the release of Igboho through the intervention of Yoruba leadership and political leaders, urging Tinubu to emulate Talon.
It said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses its heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering contributions of Yoruba leaders such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and Pa Ayo Adebanjo towards the release of Sunday Igboho.
“The organisation recalls its October 1, 2023 Independence Day plea for the release of both Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that this is an opportune time for President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate similar gestures and drop all charges against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, allowing him to regain his freedom.”
The group added that the release of Kanu would play a pivotal role in restoring peace in the South-East region and help address the prevailing security challenges.
It also called on all Biafran groups to cease all acrimonies and offensive media wars against the Federal Government, urging Igbo leaders to focus on the importance of doing what was necessary for the betterment of the region.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly believes that President Tinubu will be hailed as a national hero if he seizes this opportunity to release Nnamdi Kanu.
“The organization acknowledges that Nigerians who felt denigrated by Kanu’s actions should find it in their hearts to forgive him, as his release will mark a significant step towards national unity and reconciliation.
“We express our gratitude to President Talon, Yoruba leaders, and political figures for their efforts in securing Sunday Igboho’s release. The organization remains hopeful that President Tinubu will embrace this historic opportunity and contribute to the restoration of peace and harmony in Nigeria,” it added
Sunday Igboho regained freedom on Sunday after being held in Benin Republic for two years.
He had fled Nigeria in the wake of a midnight raid on his Ibadan home by the Department of State Services in July 2021.
Igboho stirred the hornet’s nest when he began a campaign for the secession of Yoruba from Nigeria and also launched a campaign to chase killer herdsmen and kidnappers out of the South-West states.
Following the midnight raid, the Federal Government placed the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service on alert to stop him from leaving the country, but Igboho resurfaced in Benin Republic.
He was, however, arrested at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou while attempting to flee to Germany.
FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, charged African leaders to find home-grown solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the continent.
Obasanjo stated this while addressing a delegation of students and youths, across African countries, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Abeokuta, in Ogun State.
The delegation, which included students’ leaders from Ethiopia and the Tigray Region, was led by the President of All-Africa Students’ Union, AASU, Osisiogu Osikenyi.
The students were on a ‘thank you’ visit to Obasanjo for facilitating the permanent cessation of hostilities agreement between the government of Ethopia and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front, TPLF, in Pretoria, in 2022.
The former President, who said it was important for Africa to consider the peculiarities of its people in designing and implementing workable home-grown solutions to the problems confronting the continent, said: “No problem in Africa is too great for us to solve.
“It is a great lesson for us to know that yes, whatever may be our problem – political, economic, social in Africa, we can solve them if we go about seeking solutions rightly.
“What is very important and which I want you to take very seriously is that what we were able to achieve in Tigray between TPLF and the Government of Ethiopia is what you and I will regard as finding African solutions to African problems.
“This is what our leaders have been clamouring for even from independence in the early 1960s.
“No problem in Africa is too great for us to solve.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday revealed some former governors, former ministers, and some ministry officials are under investigation.
The Commission which confirmed that it has received a petition against them added that details of the investigation against the former Governors, ex-ministers and others will soon be made public.
The spokesperson of EFCC, Dele Oyewale also disclosed that the commission has recovered N27 billion and $19 million in three different cases it has investigated.
Oyewale said, “The Commission’s works are progressing in line with our mandate.
“Petitions were received in respect of several public officials, some of them former governors, some former Ministers, and some Ministry officials. I can tell you investigations are ongoing on those petitions
“Details of their involvement and our investigations will soon be made public.
“Also, investigations are ongoing in respect of monumental fraud involving some officials of the Federal Ministry of Power and Agricultural Procurement fraud. Funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects are diverted through sundry Bureau de Change operators. For now, several houses purchased with the funds are being recovered. The houses are in Abuja, Lagos and Cross River State.
“Similarly, in three different cases, the Commission has recovered N27, 184, 357, 524, and $19, 084, 419 and we are still recovering.
“Our prevention initiatives, risk assessment, and recovery efforts are being intensified.”
More...
The factional national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Lamidi Apapa in a recent interview shed light on the crisis within the party.
Apapa in the interview with BBC Yoruba distanced himself from the claim that he is working for President Bola Tinubu.
According to Apapa, he has never received any money from Tinubu as widely believed by some.
He called on people who have evidence to support the claim that he is working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate to come forward with it.
Apapa noted that he voted for Obi during the February 25, 2023, presidential election, adding that he does not have any issue with Obi.
Speaking on the allegations against him he said, “What I am angry about is that some people accused me of working for President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As at the moment I speak before you, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never given me money but he might do that later. The truth of the matter is that I don’t support him. During the election, my vote was strictly for Mr Peter Gregory Obi.
“For those who think I support Tinubu, I have two questions. First, will I help him get more votes after the election? Second, am I the top judge handling Peter Obi’s lawsuit against him? These are the important questions to consider.”
In his take on Obi joining the Labour Party, he said, “I was really excited when Peter Obi expressed his interest in joining our party because it gave us the opportunity to lead the country and gain more attention. This is something many of us who’ve been with the party for a long time have been hoping for.”
Speaking on the crisis in the party, Apapa said, “The important thing to know is that there was a legal case in a federal high court in Abuja. In this case, Barrister Julius Abure and three other important members of our political party were told not to act like leaders of the Labour Party, but they didn’t listen. This is why there was a fight at the presidential election tribunal. Up to now, there’s no proof that I agreed to support Tinubu for his candidacy.”
[PRESS STATEMENT] NGOs and CSOs Unite to Urge The Gambia's Government to Uphold Landmark Law Banning Female Genital Mutilation
AdminBanjul, The Gambia, October 12, 2023 - The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in The Gambia (TANGO), the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), and the Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV) are joined by over 160 civil society organizations from across Africa and around the world in co-signing this open letter urging the Government of the Republic of The Gambia to stand firm in its commitments to protect women and girls by upholding the law prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This letter is in response to deeply troubling comments recently made by some religious and political leaders advocating for the decriminalization of FGM, including regressive statements in the national parliament calling for the law to be repealed.
Landmark conviction for female genital mutilation
In 2015, The Gambia took a momentous step by amending the Women's Act 2010 to explicitly criminalize FGM under sections 32A and 32B respectively. The Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015 prohibits FGM, stating that, “a person shall not engage in female circumcision… a person who engages in female circumcision commits an offense” and is liable on conviction to “imprisonment for a term of three years or a fine of fifty thousand dalasis or both; and where female circumcision causes death, to life imprisonment.”
Current attempts to remove legal protections were sparked by the convictions in August 2023 of three women for carrying out FGM on eight infant girls. Each offender was ordered to pay a fine of 15,000 dalasis (around $230 US) or serve a one-year prison sentence. The landmark judgment by the Kaur/Kuntaur Magistrates’ Court marks the first conviction since the law banning FGM was enacted eight years ago.
Sustained efforts are required to accelerate FGM’s eradication, and we hail the significance of these convictions and their role in addressing impunity. This case underscores the need to bolster enforcement mechanisms and awareness-raising throughout The Gambia, where UNICEF estimates 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 have been subjected to this illegal practice.
However, we are concerned about the leniency of the sentences, as a fine of just D15,000 does not adequately reflect the crime’s seriousness.
Furthermore, some political and religious leaders have openly supported the convicted individuals. Concerningly, they are also publicly advocating for the law against FGM to be repealed, some influential figures have even recommended that FGM be continued. This is despite the promotion or incitement of FGM being criminalized, and such injurious comments being in direct contradiction to the principles of justice, protection, and welfare of women and girls.
Wide spread concerns over regressive calls to repeal the law against FGM
A joint statement by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) expresses their “deep concern on the current regressive Parliamentary debate” advocating for the repeal of The Gambia’s laws prohibiting FGM.
The UN in The Gambia has also released a statement reaffirming its commitment to supporting the fight to end FGM in The Gambia, highlighting that the prohibition of FGM under the law is in line with The Gambia’s international and regional human rights commitments.
FGM has no health benefits and harms girls and women in many ways. It involves the removal and damage of healthy and normal female genital tissue and disrupts the natural functions of the body. Immediate complications can include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage (bleeding), tetanus or sepsis (bacterial infection), urinary retention, open sores and swelling in the genital area, and damage to nearby genital tissue. FGM can result in death.
Long-term effects can include recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections, cysts, painful scar tissue, the need for subsequent surgery, sexual health problems, and mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. FGM can also cause infertility and increased risk of complications during childbirth, such as excessive bleeding and obstetric tearing, which can lead to maternal and infant death.
The Gambia has one of the highest FGM prevalence rates in West Africa, and the Foundation for Research on Women's Health, Productivity and the Environment (BAFROW) reports that seven of the country’s nine ethnic groups practice FGM.
The Gambia’s Government must safeguard women and girls from FGM
We, the undersigned, will not relent in our efforts to ensure every girl and woman enjoys her fundamental human rights and has her dignity respected and defended. As such, we stand in solidarity with the survivors, organisations, and activists in The Gambia who have tirelessly advocated for the rights of women and girls, and our commitment remains focused on the experiences and realities of those who endure the trauma of this harmful practice.
We condemn in the strongest terms the actions of people who misdirect social and religious adherence to promote FGM to the detriment of the welfare and rights of women and girls, who bear indelible scars while their bodies are reduced to political tools. Regrettably, thousands more in The Gambia remain at risk.
The Gambia has demonstrated admirable leadership in taking legislative action against FGM, and the positive ripple effects extend far beyond its borders, influencing other West African nations in their endeavours to combat this entrenched form of gender-based violence. Neighbours have looked to The Gambia as a source of inspiration, drawing valuable lessons and momentum from its progress.
Repealing the anti-FGM law would undo the considerable gains made in safeguarding the rights and well-being of women and girls. Furthermore, reversal would potentially weaken the resolve of other nations, undermining the continent’s collective struggle to eradicate FGM and overshadowing many lives throughout West Africa and beyond.
As Africa celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol which under its Article 5 on Ending Harmful Practices, obligates the 44 state parties including The Gambia to end female genital mutilation; we urge the government of The Gambia to stay firm and committed to upholding its obligations under this treaty. We look to The Gambia to continue demonstrating its leadership in the criminalisation of FGM and for the Government to fulfill its obligations to protect the rights and welfare of women and girls, which entails upholding its commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).
In that regard:
1. We request that the Government and the Ministry of Justice impartially uphold the law against FGM and ensure that those who partake in, support, or advocate for FGM face appropriate consequences according to the law.
2. We call for the protection of the rights and well-being of FGM survivors. They merit our unwavering support, empathy, and access to requisite services.
3. We urge the Government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Justice to call for a national dialogue that is inclusive of all stakeholders to address the FGM issue. .
4. We pledge to tirelessly raise awareness about the detrimental effects of FGM and replace this practice with culturally enriching alternatives that respect the dignity and well-being of women and girls.
5. We invite all Gambians to stand with us in this endeavour to foster a country where the rights and the dignity of every woman and girl are upheld and defended.
*END*
Notes to editors:
Media contact: Mr. Fallu Sowe, National Coordinator for Network Against Gender-Based Violence, Tel: +220 4398122/ 763 8129, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mrs. Yadicone Njie Eribo, Chairperson of The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in The Gambia (TANGO), Tel: +220 733 3820, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tijan Bojang, Information and Communication Officer, GAMCOTRAP, Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel:00-220-7130117/3463073
About Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting:
FGM is a human rights violation deeply rooted in gender equality and discrimination. It violates various human rights under international and national law, including women’s and girls’ rights to equality, life, the security of the person, dignity, as well as freedom from discrimination and torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
FGM often results in lifelong health problems, increased risks during childbirth, psychological trauma, and even death. At the time the practice is carried out, risks include severe bleeding, shock, infection, other serious injuries, and even death can occur.
A girl or a woman who has been subjected to FGM can experience a range of issues, including problems passing menstrual blood or urine, urinary tract infections, pain during sex, less or no sexual pleasure, psychological problems, infertility, and increased risk of complications during childbirth.
The importance of eliminating FGM is publicly highlighted by the United Nations within Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which outlines a blueprint for achieving gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls. Target 5.3 under this goal requires all 193 countries that signed onto the SDGs to take action to “eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation” by 2030.
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) banned FGM in 2003 (Article 5), and the following treaty monitoring bodies have all interpreted FGM as a human rights violation in breach of those treaties:
● the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
● the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
● the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
● the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights,
● and the Convention against Torture
Signed by:
ACT Alliance Tanzania Forum
1 Action Aid Ethiopia
2 Action for COmmunity Task (ACT-SL)
3 Africa Coordinating Centre for Abandonment of FGM/C
4 African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies ACDHRS
5 Afya Afrika, Kenya
6 Agency for Culture and Change Management UK (ACCM UK)
7 Akina mama wa Africa
8 Amnesty International
9 Amref Health Africa
10 AMREF Health Africa
11 Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW)
12 Asia Network
13 Associate of Karenni Policy Support
14 Association des blogueurs du Bénin
15 Association des femmes juristes du Burkina Faso (AFJ/BF)
16 Association des Mairies des Jeunes du Bénin ( AMJB)
17 Association for Egyptian Female Lawyers,
18 Association Tin Tua (Burkina Faso)
19 AWASH
20 Case Salone Centre for Advocacy and Sustainable Empowerment
21 Center for Social Value and Early Childhood Development ( CESVED)
22 Centre de Formation en Mécanismes de Protection des Droits Humains
23 Centre for Community Mobilisation and Empowerment (CECOME)
24 Child Protection Alliance (CPA)
25 Circuit Pointe
26 Climate Live Tanzania
27 Coaches of Influence Foundation (COIF)
28 Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW)
29 Come Together Widows & Orphans Organisation (CTWOO)
30 Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization
31 Commission Indépendante des Droits de l'Homme en Afrique du Nord (The Network of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa)
32 Compassion CBP
33 Concern for Women
34 COVAW
35 Covenant Foundation for Girls (COFGIRLS)
36 Democratic Socialist Women of the Phillipines (DSWP)
37 Droits Pour Tous
38 End FGM European Network
39 End Female Genital Cutting Singapore
40 Equality Now
41 FABSA Foundation
42 Fact Check Centre The Gambia
43 FAMEDEV-Le Réseau Inter Africain Des Femmes,Médias, Genre et Développement (Inter Africa Network for Women, Media ,Gender and Development)
44 Fantanka
45 FAWEGAM
46 Female Lawyers Association Gambia (FLAG)
47 Finnish Mission in Uganda
48 Fondation des Jeunes Amazones pour le Développement (FJAD-ONG)
49 Forum Against Harmful Practices
50 Gambia Association of deaf and hard of hearing.(GADHOH)
51 Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP)
52 Gambia Family Planning Association (GFPA)
53 Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU)
54 GAMNASS
55 Girl2Girl Empowerment Movement (G2G)
56 GirlKind
57 GirlKind Kenya
58 Girls Talk Organisation
59 Girls’ Pride Gambia
60 Hamia Hapa (Uganda)
61 HEFORSHE –THE GAMBIA
62 Himiza Development
63 Hope Beyond Foundation
64 Hope for Women (HFW)
65 I-REP FOundation
66 Iceland Gambia Friendship
67 IFRAH Foundation (Somalia)
68 Il’laramatak Community Concerns (ICC), Kenya
69 Indigenous Women for Health and Equality (DRC)
70 Initiative for Girls Right and Health Development (Uganda)
71 Inua Mama Njane CBO, Kenya
72 Joy for Children, Uganda
73 Kadirat 74 Kalyanamitra
75 Keep the Drum and Loose the Knife
76 Kenya Council of Imams and Preachers
77 Kenya Council of Imams and Ulamaa
78 Kids Come First Foundation
79 l'Association des Mairies des Jeunes du Bénin ( AMJB)
80 L’Association Malienne pour le Suivi et l’Orientation des Pratiques Traditionnelles (AMSOPT)
81 LHRC
82 Maine libres
83 Malaysian Doctors for Women & Children
84 Men End FGM Foundation
85 Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Cameroon
86 Mothers’ Health Foundation
87 Mtoto News International
88 Musawah
89 MUTAPOLA The Gambia
90 National Forum of Women with Disabilities
91 National Youth Parliament
92 Network Against FGM/C in Somaliland (NAFIS)
93 Network against Gender-based Violence (NGBV)
94 Network for Reorientation
95 Network Gender Advocators’ Gambia (NGAG)
96 Network of Gender Journalists for Women and Cultural Advancement
97 Network of Girls against Human Trafficking
98 NGO Universal Education
99 Nisa Ul Haqq fi Bangsamoro
100 Nova Scotia Gambia Association (NSGA) ONG Droits Pour Tous
101 ONG CO-GNA Niger
102 ONG Éducation Universelle
103 ONG Women Initiative for Peace and Security (WIPeS)
104 Orchid Project
105 Oxford Against Cutting
106 Pan African Female Youth Leaders (PANAFYL)
107 Paradise Foundation Initiative
108 Peace Ambassadors The Gambia
109 Peace Hub The Gambia
110 Peace of Mind
111 Praise Foundation, Sierra Leone
112 Project21
113 Purposeful
114 Raise The Young Foundation
115 Raising Teens Uganda
116 Réseau Nigérien des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (RNDDH)
117 Rural Development Foundation (RDF), Pakistan
118 Rural Initiative for COmmunity Empowerment (RICE-SL)
119 Rural Women Rights Structure
120 Safe Hands for Girls 121 Sahiyo
122 Sainte Philomène, l'espérance
123 Salimatou Foundation for Education
124 Samburu Girls Foundation
125 Silver Lining Kenya
126 Spread Truth Africa
127 State Department for Gender, Kenya
128 STEWARDWOMEN
129 Tanzanian Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA)
130 Tasaru Ntomok Initiative (TNI), Kenya
131 The Association for the Defense of the Right of Household and Domestic Aid Gambia (ADDAD)
132 The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in The Gambia (TANGO)
133 The Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP)
134 The Five Foundation
135 The Girls’ Agenda (TGA)
136 The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative
137 The Survivors of Presidential Alternative Treatment Program (SPATP)
138 The Uncounted 139 Think Young Women
140 Together Africa Gambia Organisation (TAGO)
141 TOSTAN
142 UNFPA Burkina Faso
143 UNRCO/ Uganda Spotlight
144 Voices for the Voiceless Woman Sierra Leone (VVW-SL)
145 Voix de Femmes (VdF)
146 We Speak Out India
147 Wassu Gambia Kafo
148 WAYASS
149 We Can Cox's Bazar
150 WILDAF-Bénin
151 Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES-SL)
152 Women and Children Aid The Gambia
153 Women In Liberation and Leadership (WILL)
154 Women Initiative for Self Help (WISH) Lib. Inc
155 Women Pathfinder
156 Women’s Action for Human Dignity (WAHDSL)
157 Women’s Studies Centre (WSC),
158 Yakarr Justice
159 Yayasan Kesehatan Perempuan
160 Young People in the Media
161 Young Women Christian Association
162 Youth Anti-FGM Network Kenya
163 Youth Association for Development
The Academic Staff Union of Universities ((ASUU), has kicked against any plan to include private universities in the country as beneficiaries to Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions.
The President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke who stated this during a two-day interactive session between TETFund and all unions of beneficiary institutions on Wednesday, said that such a move will lead to proliferation of private universities devoid of quality.
While speaking on TETFund projects in many public tertiary institutions, Osodeke urged the Fund to work more on the monitoring method of its projects across the country to ensure that quality projects are established.
He also called on TETFund to apply sanctions on non-performing institutions and advocate for the abolition of what he referred to as “stakeholders fund.”
“ASUU will continue to embark on strike untill the right thing is done in our tertiary institutions. Stakeholders fund should be abolished,” he said.
Speaking on ‘The Role of Trade Unions in TETFund Intervention Activities’, former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, commended the Fund for its strident commitment to the elevation of tertiary education in the country.
Wabba noted that the NLC has benefitted a great deal from the ideological clarity and consistency of the unions in the tertiary institutions.
“The patriotic and historical resistance of the Congress against the debilitating influence and impact of neo liberal policies of successive government in Nigeria drew a lot of inspiration and verve from the intellectually sound position s advanced by unions in our tertiary institutions,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed that the interactive session was conceived as a proactive engagement against the backdrop of the prevailing challenges in the subsector.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said it cannot win the war against corruption alone, but through the collective efforts of every Nigerian.
The Commission stated this on Tuesday, when it received Post-Graduate Auditing and Forensic Management Students of Nile University at the Commission’s Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Represented by the Acting Director, Public Affairs Department, Wilson Uwujaren, the Acting EFCC Chairman, Abdukarim Chukkol, said, “Fighting corruption is not for EFCC alone, because no matter what we do on our own, we can’t win this war without the buying in of the people, and young people like you.
“You have a role to play in this exercise. One of our former Chairmen said that one of the most important stakeholders that we have in fighting corruption are the citizens, and you are all citizens, as you have a great role to play in this fight.”
The Acting EFCC boss further highlights that corruption is one of the problems that is affecting the progress of Nigeria.
“…there is nowhere you look at in our society today that you can’t find evidence of corruption. Our nation is highly blessed in terms of resources, materials resources, but despite the potentials that we have as a nation, we have not been able to make progress because of corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Media & Publicity Unit of the EFCC, ACE1 Dele Oyewale, stressed the need for new Ideas in driving the anti-corruption fight.
He specifically called for new insights through digital applications, creative resistance to corruption and musical engagements of youths and other Nigerians to shun all shades of corruption.
Oyewale said, “We need fresh thinking to tackle corrupt practices. As youths, digital interventions, creative resistance to graft and musical re-orientation are important.
“The task of fighting economic and financial crimes is a task for everyone, because we are all suffering the effects of corruption across the country, we should also be involved in fighting it”.