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Gender-based Violence: Edo First Lady Talks Tough, Warns Perpetrators

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2022

The wife of Edo State governor, Mrs. Besty Obaseki, has warned those involved in gender-based violence to desist from such act, threatening that anyone caught perpetrating such act would be punished in line with the law, no matter how highly placed such individual may be.

The Edo First Lady gave the warning in Benin on Tuesday at an event held to mark the end of a project for Nigerian Academy of Science-Gender Based Project with the theme: ‘Strengthening the Evidence and Response Pathway for Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Key States in Nigeria.’

The programme was supported by West Africa office of Ford Foundation and Coordinated by Nigerian Academy of Science.

Mrs. Obaseki who said no perpetrator of gender-based violence would go without facing the full weight of the law, urged those suffering from such act to speak out, adding that though some who suffer such act have been keeping mute due to fear of the unknown, activities of the GBV committee have really helped many to come to speak up.

“Some of the victims are afraid to come out and speak up because some of the perpetrators of this crime are persons in high places, so they do not know what will happen to them if they speak up.
But with our works, people are coming out to speak up, we now have many cases being reported

“We’ve increased prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of GBV; we now have sexual assaultry centre of which is here in Benin City.

“Let me say this, no matter who you are, if you are found attempting to cover up such crime case, you and the perpetrator will be prosecuted. Nobody is above the law, “ she declared.

Going down memory lane on how the GBV committee was set up in the state, the Edo First Lady said the death of a lady named Vera Uwaila Omozuwa prompted her to engage in an extensive campaign, which according to her, got attention of other First Ladies who also follow suit.

While lamenting that years after the University of Benin student (Omozuwa) was murdered, the killers have not been brought to book, Mrs. Obaseki said, though painful, Omozuwa’s death has brought about many positive changes as regards gender-based violence.

“I very sadly recall how this journey started. This whole work( GBV) started here in Edo State with the death of our beloved daughter, the young Vera Uwaila Omozuwa.

“Her death, by God’s intervention has brought the prevention of many deaths that would have happened daily if the fight against GBV did not come to life. She’s like a seed that died, buried and sprout again to bring about life. Uwaila’s death has brought about life to many young boys and girls; many women and men.

” It was upon her death, I carried a national campaign which got the attention of many other first ladies and attention of other people in government, and it gave birth to what we now call Nigerian governor’s wife against gender based violence.”

Related Topics:Edo first lady Mrs. Obaseki

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17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

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FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

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Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

Published

15 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

“Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”