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Edo: Gender Issues Ministry, UN Movement Advocate End To Female Genital Mutilation
In an effort to eradicate gender-based violence and female genital mutilation, Edo State’s Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, on Thursday launched an advocacy and awareness campaign in partnership with Edo State chapter of United Nations Women Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality (#HeForShe).
The awareness programme which held in Igoubazuwa, Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state, was part of activities to mark this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, which held February 6, every year.
The theme for year’s celebration is “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation”.
Speaking at the advocacy and sensitisation programme, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai, said the programme is a ministry initiative that calls on stakeholders including religious and traditional leaders, health workers, law enforcement officers and others to partner with men and boys so as to foster their engagement to “accelerate the elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the voices of women and girls. “
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Mrs. Joy Irenonsen Ihensekhien, Director, Gender Issues of the ministry, added: “To promote the elimination of female genital mutilation, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and we must engage whole communities and focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.”
On his part, Comrade Ehis Agugu, Focal Person, United Nations Women Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality #HeForShe, Edo State chapter warned that if female genital mutilation is not eliminated, the practice will kill the female gender.
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“If we do not eliminate this practice, this practice could eliminate our women and girls. Therefore, we, the HeForShe Champions call on men and boys worldwide to join us in speaking out and stepping forward to end female genital mutilation, for the benefit of all,” he added.
Resource person at the event, Hdiza Okunrobo of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, enlightened the people present at the event what the law says about female genital mutilation and the punishment for offenders.
According to her, “it is not rape alone or beating the woman that is regarded as violence. Anything that causes pain to the woman is regarded as violence.”
Odionwere, market women, religious leaders present at the event were thereafter urged to go to their respective areas and enlighten their people on Gender-based violence and dangers associated with female genital mutilation.
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
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The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
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La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
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“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
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