News

Bauchi Community Leader Lauds NGO On Reduction Of R*pe Cases

Published

2 years ago

July 22, 2023

Mr. Abdullahi Mahmood, Community Leader of Kuletu in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi state, has commended a non-governmental organisation ‘Mennonite Economic Development Associates’ (MEDA) for playing a significant roles in the reduction of r*pe cases in the community.

Mahmood made the commendation in Bauchi on Saturday during the graduation ceremony of some boys and girls trained by the organisation across seven Local Government Areas of Bauchi state.

According to him, hitherto the coming of the NGO into his community, cases of r*pe were on the high side due to lack of sensitisation and training of the boys and girls as executed by the organization.

He explained that their children were trained by MEDA in collaboration with other Bauchi based NGOs like the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) and Child is Gold Foundation (CIGF) as implementation partners.

The Community Leader added that the programme was also designed to reduce the rate of out-of-school children, street hawking, early or forced marriages, drug abuse by empowering the adolescents with basic life skills and financial inclusion services.

“Before they came, there was news that was fabricated in order to stop the programme in my community. As a teacher, I thought about it and when they phoned me, I promised them that they would get 30 girls in my community to train.

“Some of the false news they were spreading about this programme is that they will indoctrinate our daughters and sisters not to get married until they are over 18 years and that s*x is good, marriage is bad.

“When they finally came to my own community, I personally attended the lectures and realised that all these news against them is not true.

“What they are teaching our children is contrary to what we were told earlier. I had to convince all the Imams of mosques in my area.

“On the issue of hawking, they trained our daughters that if you must hawk, you don’t go into the rooms of boys as you could be r*ped.

“Initially, cases of r*pe were so rampant but now, if there is any case of r*pe, the girls feel confident to approach me directly as their Sarki and explains what has happened which I do take action immediately by inviting the police, taking the victim to the hospital for treating and prosecuting the culprit.

“This is made possible by the kind of training received from MEDA which has made them to know more about their rights. They now know how to invest, they know the value of education unlike before when we were completely living in darkness.

“At the end of the training, in my area now, almost all the girls that dropped out or left schools went back to school,” he said.

Mahmood, who thanked God for the coming of the programme to his community, prayed that it would be extended to other localities that have not benefited and the state in general.

Also speaking, Mrs Dinah Istifanus, the Executive Director, FAWOYDI, one of the implementation partners, said no fewer than 1,198 youths comprising of 948 girls and 250 boys in 37 communities across Seven LGAs of Bauchi State have been trained within the past seven years in various skills acquisition programmes.

She listed the seven LGAs to include; Bauchi, Dass, Gamawa, Jama’are, Katagum, Toro and Warji LGAs, saying the programme is about looking critically on what girls in particular could encounter in their lives and how to help them overcome it.

“This is a programme that is being supported by MEDA and is all about supporting the girls, boys within the age of 11 to 18 on the life skills to run their lives without hitches.

“The programme is all about what are the possible challenges that girls would likely encounter in their lives especially, in the area of education, sociocultural norms and financial support that they need.

“Looking at the economic situation of the country, how can they sustain themselves in this kind of situation,” she said.

News

Okpebholo, Idahosa Bag UNIBEN Distinguished Service, Leadership Awards

Published

31 minutes ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo and his deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa have been awarded the University of Benin Distinguished Service and Leadership Awards, respectively, for their exemplary leadership styles since assumption of office on November 12, 2024.

The awards, which were conferred on them by the university’s Vice Chairman, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, is part of the activities lined up for the institution’s Faculty of Social Sciences golden jubilee celebration.

The deputy governor who received the awards said expressed delight for the recognition by the university as an alumnus.

“It is an honour to be part of this historic occasion marking the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

“For five decades, this faculty has produced outstanding scholars and change-makers who have contributed immensely to national and global development,” he said.

The deputy governor commended the faculty’s legacy of excellence, describing it as “a beacon of research, critical thinking, and civic engagement.”

He praised the university for its role in shaping generations of leaders who continue to influence public policy and nation-building.

Reflecting on the governor Okpebholo-led administration’s priorities, Idahosa reiterated the governor’s commitment to revitalising education in the state.

“The administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo is committed to strengthening the education sector, with a particular focus on inclusivity and infrastructure.

“We are determined to guarantee access to quality education for all, including children with special needs,” he stated.

Idahosa concluded with an appeal to students to steer clear of vices, particularly cultism, stressing that the government would deal decisively with anyone found engaging in such acts.

“You are our most precious assets and the hope of a prosperous Nigeria. Shun all forms of vices and violence. Focus on your studies and become agents of positive change,” he pleaded.

Speaking on a lecture titled: ‘We Will all Be Consumed Unless,’ Prof. Brownwell Amadasun, sparked lively reactions among attendees as the academic delved into Nigeria’s foundational challenges and their lingering impact on national development.

Amadasun critiqued the ideological roots of the Nigerian state, asserting that the nation’s founding fathers laid a framework deeply entrenched in ethnic and religious divisions.

“Our national leaders were ethnic leaders. They laid the foundation we are struggling with today. Ethnicity and religious allegiance continue to hinder national growth. We must move away from it or we will all be consumed,” he said.

He called for a fundamental shift in leadership philosophy and collective mindset to foster unity and sustainable progress.

The Faculty’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue throughout the week with lectures, exhibitions, and alumni engagements celebrating five decades of scholarship, service, and societal impact.

News

Reps Move To Regulate Cryptocurrency, POS Operations

Published

11 hours ago

October 6, 2025

Editor

Concerned about the growing cases of cybercrime, money laundering, and terrorism financing linked to digital finance platforms, the House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee to review the economic, regulatory, and security implications of cryptocurrency adoption and Point-of-Sale (POS) operations in Nigeria.

Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, who inaugurated the committee on Monday in Abuja, said the move became necessary amid increasing concerns over fraud and consumer exploitation in the country’s rapidly expanding digital finance ecosystem.

He noted that while Nigeria’s resilient economy has the potential to support cryptocurrency growth, the risks associated with its unregulated operations, including its use for illicit financial flows, cannot be overlooked.

Abbas explained that the absence of clear regulatory guidelines, coupled with the volatility and complexity of digital assets, compelled the House to intervene and establish a regulatory and consumer protection framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), including cryptocurrencies and crypto-assets.

He said Nigeria’s economy has consistently demonstrated resilience, often recovering from recessions and recording growth in non-oil sectors, making it a potentially strong environment for cryptocurrency trade. However, he cautioned that the vulnerabilities inherent in digital currency operations must not be underestimated.

“It is because of this absence of clear rules, coupled with the volatility and complexity of the technology, that the House of Representatives found it imperative to establish regulations and consumer protection measures that will regulate the activities of Virtual Assets Service Providers, including cryptocurrencies and crypto assets,” Abbas said.

He added that the committee’s mandate includes conducting public hearings to gather input from stakeholders that would guide the House in developing legislation for a comprehensive regulatory framework governing cryptocurrency and other digital finance platforms.

The Speaker urged members of the committee to discharge their duties with patriotism and integrity, ensuring that the best interests of the nation guide their work.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Olufemi Bamisile (APC–Ekiti), described the assignment as one of national importance aimed at striking a balance between financial innovation and national security.

“We have been entrusted with a task of national significance — to review the economic, regulatory, and security implications of cryptocurrency adoption and Point-of-Sale operations in Nigeria,” Bamisile said.

He added that the committee would work closely with key regulatory and security agencies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force.

News

World Habitat Day: Okpebholo Commends Building Control Agency For Developmental Milestones

Published

12 hours ago

October 6, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has commended the management and staff of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency (ESDBCA) for their significant contributions to urban growth and infrastructural development across the state.

The governor gave the commendation on Monday when he played host to the delegation of the agency in his office as part of programme to mark this year’s World Habitat Day celebration.

The deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa who received the team on his behalf, commended the agency led by the Managing Director, Mr. Imoisili Igabali, for its “selfless contributions” to the development of our dear state.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, Idahosa noted that the agency had played a pivotal role in driving urban renewal and enforcing modern building standards in the State, describing their efforts as vital to the government’s vision of sustainable city planning.

“We want to thank you for being part of the growth and development of our dear state. Your work has not gone unnoticed.

“What is most important to us is that we have the political will to ensure that this agency continues to fulfill its mandate effectively,” he stated.

He expressed optimism on the future of urban development in Edo State and pledged continued government support for the agency’s initiatives.

“On behalf of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, I want to thank you for this wonderful day.

“We congratulate you as a state, and we thank God for giving us a capable leader in Mr. Igabali, whose dedication and teamwork continue to yield results,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director of the agency expressed appreciation to the Governor and his deputy for their support and for taking the time to receive the agency’s delegation during the World Habitat Day observance.

The 2025 World Habitat Day celebration in Edo State was marked with renewed calls for sustainable housing, improved infrastructure, and enhanced urban management — key pillars of the Okpebholo administration’s development agenda.