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Nigeria Ranks Third Highest In Female Genital Mutilation
The United Nations Children and Education Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative in Nigeria, Christiane Mundaute, has said that more than 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone Female Genital Mutilation.
Mundaute said Nigeria accounts for 10 percent of this figure which is estimated at 19.9 million.
Speaking in Ilorin, Kwara State , yesterday, at a symposium held to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation organised by the office of the First Lady of the State, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, Mundaute stated that, the development means that, “Nigeria holds the third-highest number of women and girls who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation around the world.”
According to her, “Despite a slight decrease in the prevalence of FGM in the country, recent data shows the practice remains widespread, here in Kwara.
“FGM prevalence is highest among women aged 15-49, reaching 58% and for the 0-14 age bracket, it stands at 35 percent this means approximately 1 in every 3 girls experienced Female Genital Mutilation,” she said.
“We must act with a collective commitment to change to address this issue comprehensively. UNICEF along with our sister agency UNFPA have co-led the largest global program on the elimination of FGM aligning with the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
She stated that. “In Nigeria, a UN Joint Program, initiated in 2014 in high-prevalence states, that is expanding to other areas with the practice.
“This demonstrated our commitment to eliminating FGM. This year’s theme is “Her Voice. Her Future. Investing in Survivors-Led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation” resonates with the journey we collectively embark upon to eradicate this harmful practice.
“In every survivor’s voice lies a testament to resilience, courage, and the unwavering spirit to shape a different future.
“Today, we amplify those voices—the voices of survivors who are not just reclaiming their lives but are also leading movements to end FGM.
“Their stories are a powerful testament to the strength within, inspiring us to action. A significant milestone achieved in 2023, ably led by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with UNICEF is the Movement for Good to End FGM. Facilitated by 10 youth-led Civil Society Organisations, this initiative has successfully scaled up grassroots social mobilization efforts – so far we have received over six million pledges – to protect girls at risk of FGM across the country.
“Furthermore, adolescent girls, equipped with the knowledge and skills are advocating for change through community engagement, resulting in more people openly disowning the practice and taking action to protect girls from FGM.
“Every survivor who steps forward contributes to a future where no girl will endure the pain and consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
“Let us join hands, amplify these voices, and invest in the movements led by survivors. Together, we can create a future where the echoes of pain are replaced by the chorus of empowerment, resilience, and a resounding declaration that FGM has no place in the lives of our girls, in our communities, and in our nation”.
On her part, AbdulRazaq has said, “While current statistics on the prevalence of the practice favours the State less, the Kwara State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the untoward trend is reversed.
“This is evident in the implementation and promulgation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and other existing protective laws to combat concerns relating to Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage and other such concerns while actively promoting the dignity of every child, girl and woman in the State”.
She added, “In complementing these efforts of the State Government and assuaging the concerns of women, children and youths, however, my office and the Ajike People Support Centre have trained and provided work tools to several thousands of women and youths in the vocations of their choice.
“We have also led advocacies to end all forms of gender-based violence, support girl child and indeed all children education and encourage healthy maternal and child nutrition among others.
“Further to these and in recognition of the fact that the leadership of women and girls is key to accelerating progress as well as contributing to equitable social and economic development the Kwara State Government signed into law the 35 percent gender inclusion bill while constantly supporting women development and inclusion in all spheres”.
According to the World Health Organisation, FMG is a traditional harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.