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AfCFTA: Forum calls for integration of gender in trade services negotiation

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Participants at the African Regional Council of Women conference have called for the integration of gender in Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiation in trade services.

The participants made the call in a communique issued at the end of a three-day conference tagged; “New Awakening for African Women” in Abuja.

The communiqué, which was made available to newsmen by the National President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs Laraba Shoda was organised by the council.

The conference was organised in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Partnership for Advancing Women in Economic Development.

The forum called for implementation of a trade facilitation agenda to improve safety and reduce the time and cost involved in trading, particularly for small-scale female traders.

The communique noted the need for women to be provided with targeted skills on development and training in local content and rules of origin requirements, sanitary and other technical requirements to meet AfCFTA trade standards.

They also called for the involvement of civil society, NGOs, including organisations representing female traders and women’s business associations in national AfCFTA committees.

The communiqué also called for provision of gender training for trade negotiators, to create a stronger understanding among technical officials of the links between trade and gender.

It also advocated investing in women employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, including Public-Private Partnership schemes.

According to the communique, there is the need to support mentorship, networks, information sharing and on-the-job training, re-training, technical education, especially product packaging and food security.

It said increasing the access of women-owned businesses to corporate supply chains and improving women’s access to finance through a range of innovative financing instruments ranging from micro loans to venture capital was key.

The forum also observed that proper partnership with the media to sensitise people on gender-based violence in the society should be encouraged.

It noted that the importance of housing as one of the fundamental needs of human existence apart from food and clothing was also noted.

The forum encouraged women to develop interest in the sector as developers.

“Even though the housing sector is considered as enterprise for men, women are known to be better home managers.

“Women have  also been charged to key into the partnership signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria/Family Homes by the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) for the provision of affordable houses,” it said.

The conference also called on government at all levels to address the rising cases of insecurity in the country, so that citizens would be able to carry out their responsibilities without any fear.

“We as mothers are committed to the unity of Nigeria as one indivisible nation. (NAN)

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Immigration Arrests ‘Fleeing’ Bobrisky At Seme Border

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye also known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border.

The Service in a statement on Monday night said the social media sensation was arrested while trying to flee Nigeria.

A spokesman for the Service, DCI KT Udo, described Bobrisky as a person of interest over recent issues of public concern.

Udo said, “He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

“The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the country’s borders.”

A blogger, Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, had alleged in viral videos that some officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) collected ₦15 million from Bobrisky during his naira spraying ordeal in April for the anti-graft agency to drop money laundering charges against him.

After that, a court sentenced the crossdresser to six months imprisonment and he was released in August.

The blogger also alleged that Bobrisky paid some millions of naira to secure a choice place in prison.

Bobrisky has since denied the allegations while the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) had ordered investigations into the allegations by the blogger.

The House of Representatives also waded in and invited those involved for a probe while the Federal Government suspended some NCoS senior officers.

On September 30, 2024, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, inaugurated a committee to probe allegations of gross misconduct against the NCoS.

The panel submitted its report on Monday saying the social media sensation served his six-month jail term in prison but he enjoyed several privileges including access to television and a fridge.

 

 

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Car Thief Storms National Assembly , Steals Staff Car

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…As Nation’s Parliament Gets New Serjeant-at-arms Boss

A yet-to-be identified thief entered the National Assembly premises on Wednesday 9th October, 2024 between 8:00am and 8:30 am, and successfully stole the car of a parliamentary staff member, Collins Osenun.

Osenun, who works with the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) in the House of Representatives, told THISDAY on Saturday that all efforts to recover his car since then had been futile.

According to Osenun, the wine coloured Toyota Camry Car with Registration Number ABJ 740 AE and chassis No: 4T1BG22KXYU731374 was stolen at the National Assembly premises despite the full security checks put in place by the various security agencies there.

He explained that he drove into the car park at the National Assembly Arcade around 6:50am on the fateful day and went to his office.

Osenun said, “I went to the office early to clear my table in preparation for a 9am event I had outside the complex.

“It was when my colleagues drew my attention to the fact that I was running late for the event that I hurriedly left the office around 8:30am.

“I was traumatised and shocked when I did not see my car. I raised the alarm immediately.

“I reported the matter to the heads of the Nigeria Police Force, Directorate of State Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the National Assembly Serjeant-at-arms.

“The police authorities in the National Assembly told me that signals had been sent out.

“The information I got at the DSS office was that the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) camera mounted in the National Assembly revealed that the thief was captured on camera when he entered around 8am, and pretended to be one of the numerous cleaners employed by private firms.

“I was also told that when the thief got to the car park, he attempted to snatch a Sport Utility Vehicle RAV4 but could not open the door.

“The secret police also told me that the camera captured when the man abandoned the RAV4 and went for my car and opened it, obviously with a master key manufactured by him and left.”

Osenun showed THISDAY, a print out of the CCTV camera which revealed the picture identity of the thief.

Investigation by THISDAY on Saturday revealed that the head of Serjeant-at-arms department, the constitutionally recognised outfit meant to provide security at the National Assembly, had retired along with his deputy.

The outfit, whose personnel had yet to be bearing arms had over the years, been relying on the police and other security agencies to protect lives and property in the nation’s apex legislative institution.

It was learnt that the former head of the Serjeant-at-arms department, a retired airforce general, Air Commodore Abdullahi Sanni Zakari (retd) retired from the service of the National Assembly recently.

He was said to have retired along with his deputy, Mr. Adedeji Alabi, a fellow of security studies (fss).

The management of the federal legislature had subsequently, appointed in acting capacity, Mr. Vincent Idike, a fellow of the Security Institute (fsi) and a Knights of Saint Molumba, to head the Serjeant-at-arms department pending the appointment of a substance head.

 

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Tragedy As 94 Die In Jigawa Petrol Tanker Explosion

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A petrol tanker exploded at Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State In a devastating incident on Wednesday morning, leading to the loss of lives of over 90 people, with 50 others hospitalised.

The explosion occurred around 12:30 AM when the driver of the tanker, travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University, Majiya.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer of Jigawa State Command, DSP Lawan Adam, the disaster was triggered by residents who had rushed to collect spilt petrol after the tanker overturned.

Although Channels Television obtained pictures of the badly burned victims, however, could not share them as they were gory.

“The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot,” DSP Adam explained.

“The incident left another 50 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.”

DSP Adam disclosed that the authorities have commenced a mass burial for the victims on Wednesday morning, with the entire community mourning the loss.

He described the scene as a “horrific tragedy,” emphasising the need for the public to understand the risks associated with scooping fuel from accident scenes.

Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, AT Abdullahi, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire people of Jigawa State.

“This is a heartbreaking moment for us all,” he said. “We share in the pain and sorrow of the families affected. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved.”

The commissioner called for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of petrol explosions and urged residents to report such incidents to relevant authorities.

“We appeal to the public to notify security agencies or relevant stakeholders when such accidents occur to prevent loss of life. Safety must be our priority,” he added.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as that of chaos and despair, with many struggling to rescue the injured amidst the flames.

A resident, Sani Umar who narrowly escaped the inferno, recounted, “It was terrifying. People were running in all directions, screaming for help. The fire spread so quickly that many couldn’t escape.”

 

source: CTV

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