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Nigerian women activists issue 7-day ultimatum to lawmakers over rejected gender bills

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A coalition of Nigerian women activist groups, Womanifesto, has given federal lawmakers a seven-day ultimatum to consider urgently “re-convening, reconsideration, and immediately passing an all-women/gender-related bills by the National Assembly.”

The women group which has been staging a daily protest at the National Assembly in the past 10 days to register their anger over the recent rejection of all gender bills by the Assembly, said if at the expiration of the ultimatum, the legislators still refuse to revisit the bills, they would have no option but to completely occupy the Assembly.

Over the years, Nigerian women, led by Senator Abiodun Olujimi, have continuously clamouerd for more inclusiveness in politics and governance, and recently, have been making demands for the immediate passage of an all women/gender-related bills, including a bill giving women more seats in the State Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

But sadly, the Bill was rejected by the Senate in December of 2021, leading the Senator to with draw it with a vow to represented a reworked version at a later date.

They are also seeking the passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunities (GEOB) Bill, currently before the Senate, and the resuscitation and passage of a bill in support for “Women Participation in Elective and Appointive.”

The women also called for the immediate Domestication of the African Charters Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa,” which Nigeria ratified in 2004, the immediate domestication of the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified by Nigeria since 1985 and demanded to know the voting pattern on sensitive matters of citizen rights.

According to a 2019 report by a research outfit, Brookings, South Africa is the highest ranked African country when it comes to gender equality while Niger Republic ranks the lowest.

The report had also recommended that by 2025, other parts of Africa required an additional $316 billion to its GDP if every country is to improve its gender equality score to match the best performing country on each indicator.

In a statement at a press conference by one of the Coordinators of the protest, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the women coalition said:

“We acknowledge the efforts of Nigerian Women in occupying the National Assembly for ten days, the tenacity which they have demonstrated has shown that women can no longer be taken for a ride, and that we have decided to affirm our status as full citizens in this country and that our future cannot just be determined by few people who see us as lesser human beings.

“Our ten days’ occupation is a testament to our strength and our resilience; it is the emergence of a national movement.

“We can categorically say that the events in the last few weeks have played an important role in spotlighting these demands and demonstrated women’s optimism, motivation and resilience in leading positive changes through their dogged insistence.

“We also urge all Nigerians, especially its women, not to give up hope as we shall continue to apply pressure to persuade the NASS to act responsibly. We will continue to engage the media and state assemblies to vote in favour of the gender bill.

“While we await NASS to live up to its billing by reversing itself, we urge all citizens who want to see change to prepare to continue to stand against every form of injustice and contribute to the emergence of laws that will address the fundamental issues affecting all citizens.”

Metro

Zambia, Botswana sign cooperation instruments to enhance trade

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Zambia and close neighbours, Botswana, have signed 10 instruments of cooperation aimed at enhancing trade relations between the two countries.

The signing of the agreements has been hailed by many, including President Hakainde Hichilema, who noted that the cooperation between the two countries would contribute to the improvement of the livelihood of the citizens for both countries.

The 10 instruments of cooperation included agreements on political consultation as well as in the field of livestock, apiculture and aquaculture, crop production and science and technology.

The instruements which were signed in on Wednesday in Livingstone during the state visit of Bostwanan President, Dr Mokqweesti Eric Masisi, will also take in other agreements in Geo-Science, mining, minerals and value chain development and an agreement between the Zambia Development Agency and Botswana Investment and Trade Centre.

The two countries also signed an agreement on the establishment of the Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA), as well as Addendum number two to the “Agreement to Sponsor the Construction and Operation of the Kazungula Bridge.”

During the meeting the two eastern African nations, they also signed “sponsors agreement” for the bankable feasibility study and the construction of the infrastructure for the railway link from Mosetse in Botswana to Livingstone in Zambia through the Kazungula Bridge.

The two countries would also embark on the establishment of the Bi-National Commission (BNC), which will elevate the bilateral cooperation framework between the two countries from the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation and Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security.

While speaking during the epoch-making event, President Hichilema said “Zambia must prioritize what is produced in Botswana, and Botswana must also prioritize what is locally produce in Zambia.”

He also advised technocrats from both countries to ensure that what was contained in the signed documents are implemented and not “gather dust in the shelves.”

“Kazungula Bridge is an asset valued to Zambia and the region as it promotes regional integration through trade among countries like Botswana and Zambia,” Hichilemq added.

In his response, the Botswanan leader expressed his gratitude to the Zambian people and government for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay in Zambia.

Masisi, thereafter, extended an invitation to Hichilema to pay a state visit to Botswana on dates to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.

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Tinubu vows justice for slain soldiers, bestows national honours on them during burial

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President Bola Tinubu has once again reiterated that killers of 17 soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Delta State on March 14 will not go unpunished as he has mandated security agencies to go after them and make them pay for their crimes.

An angry President Tinubu, who made the renewed vow during the burial of the slain soldiers at the National Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday, assured their families, colleagues and Nigerians that those who perpetrated the dastardly attacks on the military personnel would be made to face the full weight of the law.

In his address at the solemn event, Tinubu declared that leaders in Delta State where the soldiers were ambushed, abducted and killed, must fish out the killers.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities,” President Tinubu said.

“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns, or other weapons. They were on a mission of peace. They kept faith with their military calling until the end.

“Those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them, and our departed heroes will get justice.’

“The elders and chiefs of Okuoma also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.”

President Tinubu also conferred national honours on the fallen soldiers, noting that they would forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of the gallant patriots who died that day,” he said.

“Therefore, the Commander-in-Chief posthumously conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) on the late Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. Abdullahi Ali; Major Salihu Shafa; Major Daniel Obi and Captain Usman Zakari,” Tinubu declared.

He also conferred the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on the rank and file soldiers including Sgt Yahaya Saidu; Corporal Yahaya Danbaba; Corporal Kabiru Bashir; Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna; Lance Corporal Sola Opeyemi; Lance Corporal Bello Anas; Lance Corporal Hamman Peter; Lance Corporal Ibrahim Abdullahi; Private Alhaji Isah; Private Clement Francis; Private Abubakar Ali; Private Ibrahim Adamu and Private Adamu Ibrahim.

“Each man now belongs to the hallowed list of servicemen and women who defended our country and protected their fellow Nigerians, not minding the risk to their own lives.

“They have all been awarded posthumous national honours. The four gallant Officers have been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger, MON.

“The thirteen courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal.”

He also announced government’s plans for the surviving widows, children agd relatives of the slain soldiers.

“The Federal Government will provide a house in any part of our country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

“The Federal Government has also approved scholarships for all the children of the deceased up to the university level. The military must, within the next 90 days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families,” the President added.

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