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NGO wants security agencies to support women, girls reporting gender based violence

Published

5 years ago

March 12, 2021

An NGO, Development Aid for Children, Women and Youth Initiative (DEV-AID), has tasked security agencies to stop intimidating women and girls who report cases of sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Its Acting Executive Director, Mrs. Ngozi Izuora-Songu, made this call at a Sensitisation meeting with community members in Kabusa Village in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities to commemorate the 2021 International Women’s Day with the theme, ‘Choose to Challenge: Realizing Women’s Right, Women Can’.

She noted that it was worrisome that a large number of women and girls suffer violence in different forms from known persons, but were further intimidated while reporting in police stations.

According to her, ending gender-based violence is essential for social, political, and economic development, saying there was the need for security personnel to see victims as victims and for their rights to be protected.

“Police desks in charge of gender-based violence need more training and more information on how to treat victims, victims are not to be blamed when such occurrences happen.

“A case in hand was a 13-year-old girl who was raped by her uncle, but her family covered it because they felt it was a shame, but with the help of the community leader, it was pushed and the violator right now is in the police station awaiting sentence.

“One other thing that needs to be done is to get police desks well informed that it is not the victims’ fault but the person who rapes or violates one’s right that has a fault.

She said the organisation would continue to advocate for more awareness with the security persons in the vicinity for more awareness and educate community members on what to do to reverse trends of gender based violence.

She noted the importance of continuous community engagement for proper information at critical times, adding that men have a great role to play in stemming the tide of gender based violence in the country.

“One thing that can be done differently is to sensitise community members, during the COVID-19 period, we have received several complaints not less than seven cases of Child rape, molestation and also domestic violence within this community.

“And one thing we realized was that people were not even aware of where they should actually report such cases, some persons had said they had actually reported at police stations and even the police desks has its own limitations.

“We need to engage community members and women themselves because sometimes we assume that they know, but honestly, they do not know. Sometimes they are being violated and they don’t know even know because they can’t recognize what is happening.

“We also want to inform the men so that they can be able to support the women to ensure that they know what’s to be done of any of such happens”.

Izuora-Songu added that the event was an opportunity to provide information on available laws to address gender-based violence as well as create a platform for experience sharing on domestic violence post-COVID-19 era.

Some participants told NAN that the event was enlightening, which has given them more knowledge on what to do in instances of gender-based violence.

“There have been many cases like rape by stepfathers taking stepdaughters, husbands beating their wives, sometimes we run to the police station and money will kill the matter.

“Sometimes, the victim may be poor to pursue the matter and it stops, with the help of the organization, we now understand how to act and stop the violence against women and girls.

“I am happy to have benefited from the meeting, I now know what to do and how to assist when anyone around me or me myself is suffering from any form of violence,” Alice Ayuba, a community member said.

Ayuba called for more frequent visits from the organisation to train more people.

March 8 is celebrated annually to highlight the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also calls for awareness on women’s equality and advocate for accelerated gender parity in the country.

NAN

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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