Panel of discussants at an event to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, 2025 on Wednesday called for more campaigns against Gender-Based Violence, adding that it must start from the family.

The panel of discussants drawn from religious and community leaders, security agents, members of the civil society community, chiefs, etc, made the call in Benin in an event organised by Justice Development & Peace Centre (JDPC), Benin, in collaboration with Women Aid Collective (WACOL) with the theme: Multilevel Dialogue for Men, Women, Youth and Critical Take holders on the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The stakeholders, who said causes of GBV are enormous, called for more enlightenment and education in the family, community and the religious circle.

Security agents in the panel charged members of the public to report GBV cases to security agents regardless of the sex Involved, adding: “When GBV happens, it should be reported to the appropriate quarters. It doesn’t matter if the woman or the man is the victim. GBV perpetrators should not be covered up, they must be exposed. We are there to carry out the prosecution after carrying out the necessary investigation.”

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Earlier in his opening remarks, Executive Director, JDPC, Rev. Fr. Benedicta Onwugbenu, lamented that (GBV) remains the most prevalent in the society yet hidden because of silence from victims.

According to him, GBV knows no age, gender or race, adding that “It affects people of all ages, whether man or woman, boy or girl.”

“It affects people from different backgrounds and communities, yet it remains hidden because of silence, stigma, and fear. Victims of GBV are suffering in silence.”

On her part, Programme Director, WACOL, Mrs. Francisca Nweke, who said “women are more affected, and that is why we are emphasising on them,” stressed “we are empowering Christian women and women leaders of culture for prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria through the strengthening of grassroots organisations.”

Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), on Wednesday, called on government at levels to tackle the spate of insecurity in the country, saying, every citizen has a right to life.

The Coordinator-General of the group, Leftist Omobude Agho made the call in Benin during a roadshow to commentate the International Human Rights Day, 2025.

Agho, who lamented that Nigerians now live in palpable fear due to rising insecurity across the country, urged the Edo State governor to equip the local security networks to help stem the tides of the influx of bandits and terrorists that are trying to infiltrate the south-south region.

“We are using the World Human Rights Day as a speaking point that the level of insecurity in Nigeria is very very bad. We are very scared now more than ever.

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“We have heard rumours of the bandits or the terrorists already taking over our bushes and we think that the governor should wake up to his responsibility to govern and place high incentive on the vigilante, the one they call the state security network so that they can be on salaries.

“They can also be well equipped with good arms and ammunition so that they can be able to comb our bushes and our environment to scare away, because we cannot say to apprehend, to scare and chase away all these bandits and terrorists that are already traveling from the north to the southern side of Nigeria. We think the governor should wake up to his responsibility “, Agho said.

He also lamented the high level of impunity and oppression of the ordinary citizens either by the government itself or by some persons who have some political connections.

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He noted that the rally became absolutely necessary to enlighten and sensitize citizens of their rights so that they can seek redress when they are being violated.

Speaking also, the Secretary General of the group, Leftist God’s Power Okunbo, said though the level of awareness of citizens rights is on the increase in the state, a lot still needed to be done to ensure that citizens are abreast of their rights.

He said in ensuring that the citizens are acquainted with their rights, they have been able to create centres across the 18 local government areas of the state where they are being tutored on their rights, using Nigeria’s constitution as a guide.

The Nigerian Air Force has released the list of eligible applicants for the 2025 Basic Military Training Course aptitude test.

A statement on Wednesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the list has been published on the NAF recruitment portal and can be accessed at nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng.

According to the Air Force, the aptitude test will hold on December 13, 2025, at 15 designated centres nationwide, starting at 7 am.

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“All shortlisted applicants are advised to arrive early and must come with their acknowledgement slips and required writing materials, as these are compulsory for participation,” he said.

Ejodame said the service remained committed to a transparent and merit-based recruitment process “aimed at selecting the most qualified young Nigerians to serve with honour and professionalism.”