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Kwara First Lady leads walk against gender-based violence

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By Steve Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State First Lady Olufolake AbdulRazaq on Saturday led thousands of women on a street walk against gender-based violence and sexual abuse in Ilorin, the state capital, calling for mass support against the scourge.

The rally, which began at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, saw the women walking through the popular Ahmadu Bello Way through to Challenge, Post Office-Sulu-Gambari Road and back to the starting point. Most of the walkers carried placards with inscriptions like Stop Child Abuse, Walk Against Rape, End Rape, Keep Hope Alive, and Kwara Says No to Domestic Violence.

Themed ‘Count me in, together we move Kwara forward’, Mrs AbdulRazaq said the advocacy walk was to create awareness on the prevalence of gender-based violence with a view to stemming the tide.

“Each year on the 25th of November, the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the ensuing 16 days of activism against gender based violence, culminating in human rights day on December 10th. These events provide a global platform for action by governments, organisations and individuals to mobilise and draw attention to the urgent need to end gender based violence,” she said.

She said gender-based violence comes in different forms and could be found in the family, community and in the society.

“It is an act of violence that results in or likely to result to physical, sexual or psychological harm or damages to the woman, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life,” the First Lady said.

She noted that the most pervasive form of gender based violence against women is rape as it affects all women regardless of their ages, race, culture or socio economic stature.

“As you may be aware, in June this year a 60 year old man allegedly raped a 4 year old girl here in Ilorin, it took the intervention of my office and the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to get the said man to face the consequences of his action, while the care of the survivor was taken over by the ministry.”

Mrs AbdulRazaq explained that gender based abuses were rooted mostly in the patriarchal beliefs, power and control that continue to create a social environment in which sexual violence is pervasive and normalised.

She expressed concern that the exact numbers of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual assaults were usually difficult to confirm due to the impunity of the perpetrators, stigma towards survivors and their subsequent silence.

“Being aware of this, I founded the Ajike People’s Support Centre where indigent women and youths can access empowerment through vocational skills acquisition and girls through scholarships for their education,” she said.

“When women and girls can live free from violence and are afforded equal opportunities in education, healthcare, employment and political participation, they will lift up their families, communities and indeed the country.

“There is the need for us to eschew all manners of abuse and gender-based violence and to depart from the usual practice of treating cases of abuse with silence. Where incidents of abuse occur, the perpetrators should be made to face the consequences of their actions, while the survivor is provided with help and counselling.”

AbdulRazaq called on the law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders to key into her drive to end all forms of abuse and gender-based violence.

Chairman of the Kwara State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Razaq Owolabi, urged parents to monitor the movement of their children, particularly females, to guide against all forms of abuse.

The State Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, also called for a collective responsibility in checking child abuse and sexual violence in Kwara State.

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2027: TMG Plans Mass Mobilisation for Tinubu

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The Tinubu Mega Group (TMG) has ignited what observers are already describing as a nationwide political wave, rolling out an aggressive, multi-layered mobilisation strategy ahead of its historic May 17, 2026 National Convention in Abuja.

In a bold declaration of intent, the group, a formidable coalition of over 1,500 organisations cutting across civil society, professional bodies, labour unions, artisan networks, and grassroots movements, stated that Nigeria is witnessing the rise of an unprecedented national alignment in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The development was made known in a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by Kennedy Tabuko on behalf of the National Secretariat. TMG announced that the countdown to May 17 will not be business as usual, but a relentless, coordinated national build-up designed to dominate public discourse, energise supporters, and firmly position the convention as the single most consequential political convergence in recent Nigerian history.

From the following days, the group will flood the media space with daily high-impact engagements, including front-page newspaper features, primetime television appearances, and strategic radio domination across all geopolitical zones. According to TMG, the objective is clear, to ensure that the voice of millions of Nigerians resonates in every corner of the country.

On the digital front, the group is activating a full-scale online offensive, deploying influencers, content creators, and grassroots digital networks to drive viral conversations under coordinated messaging. Daily videos, testimonials, and real-time mobilisation updates will showcase the growing momentum behind the movement.

Beyond the media, TMG revealed plans for simultaneous street-level actions across states, including coordinated road walks, market activations, and community rallies, transforming the build-up into a visible, people-driven movement.

In what it described as a “clear demonstration of unstoppable momentum,” the group confirmed that it will begin releasing milestone figures from its nationwide endorsement drive, building up to the formal presentation of 20 million signatures at the convention.

As the date draws closer, TMG will escalate its activities with a high-profile national media tour, massive outdoor visibility campaigns, and a final wave of coordinated engagements designed to ensure total national attention.

The group emphasised that the May 17 Convention will not merely be an event, but a defining national moment where a broad coalition of Nigerians will publicly and decisively endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This is not just mobilisation, this is a movement. This is the convergence of millions of voices across professions, regions, and social classes. Nigeria is aligning, and the message is unmistakable,” the statement declared.

TMG further assured that all activities will be conducted peacefully and in line with democratic principles, while urging Nigerians to be part of what it described as “a historic show of unity and national direction.”

With preparations now in full throttle, all eyes are on Abuja as May 17 approaches, a date TMG insists will redefine the scale and structure of civic and political engagement in Nigeria.

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NITDA Pursues Total Cyber Resilience, Drives Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Agenda

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is intensifying its push to position Nigeria as a globally competitive digital economy, pursuing an ambitious agenda spanning cybersecurity, digital literacy, artificial intelligence governance, and strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors.
Under the leadership of Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, the agency has been repositioned as a focal point for digital transformation and innovation, managing the national computer emergency response team, implementing the National Digital Literacy Framework, and driving the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, all geared toward building a sustainable digital economy.
The Citizen Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Stakeholders Engagement, Mahmud Bello, said Inuwa’s tenure has recorded measurable gains in staff performance, institutional development, capacity building, and digital skills development for Nigerian youth at a scale not previously achieved since the agency’s establishment.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting themed “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries,” the Director General described digitalization as the primary engine for economic transformation in an increasingly interconnected world, warning that Nigeria must deliberately position itself to harness technological advancements or risk being left behind in the global race for innovation. He noted that as Africa’s largest economy by GDP, Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroads where the digital sector offers a strategic pathway for economic diversification and job creation.
NITDA has already established over 100 information technology centres nationwide to support learning and bridge the digital divide, though the Director General stressed that the long-term sustainability of these infrastructures depends on deeper cooperation across all sectors of the economy.
On the cybersecurity front, Abdullahi sounded a major alarm at the 2026 GITEX Africa Summit, declaring that the era of treating cybersecurity as a routine IT problem is over. Speaking on the theme of Total Resilience, he argued that as artificial intelligence-powered threats grow more elusive and destructive, Nigeria’s defense strategy must evolve into a multi-dimensional approach involving every level of society, from government institutions down to individual citizens.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. It is a strategic imperative for national development. We must think beyond technology alone and build resilience through people, processes, regulations, and infrastructure,” he said.
Citing data showing that 95 per cent of all digital breaches originate from human error, Abdullahi argued that even the most sophisticated encryption is rendered useless when the human element is compromised. NITDA’s response is a drive to turn every Nigerian citizen into what it describes as a “human firewall,” the first and most critical line of defense against AI-driven attacks.
To that end, the federal government has launched a comprehensive National Digital Literacy Programme with a target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy nationwide by 2030, with an interim benchmark of 70 per cent by 2027. The “3 Million Tech Talent” programme complements this effort, developing Nigerian expertise across cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence through hackathons, innovation challenges, and mentorship schemes.
NITDA is also deepening its institutional partnerships to secure critical infrastructure, working with agencies including the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, the Federal Character Commission, the Corporate Affairs Commission, ICPC, NYSC, SMEDAN, and NigComSat, among others.
In a demonstration of its commitment to policy dialogue, NITDA recently hosted the Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, alongside participants of the Senior Executive Course 48 in 2026 for a strategic study tour. The engagement focused on digital innovation’s role in driving sustainable economic growth, with particular attention to what the agency described as the Orange Economy, a creative and intellectual property-driven sector encompassing digital content creation, film animation, and digital art.
“With our youthful population and rich cultural assets, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global leader in the Orange Economy if we deepen collaboration and investment across the ecosystem,” Abdullahi stated.
At the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” the NITDA chief outlined four principles he said should guide digital transformation: enabling rather than controlling the ecosystem; prioritizing networks over institutions; developing talent while supporting innovation; and focusing on platforms rather than isolated projects. He noted that Nigeria’s emerging space technology sector is now a significant economic driver, with the country’s “Sunrise Packet” projected to contribute over 1.5 billion United States dollars to the economy by 2030.
CWAI, which described cyber resilience as “a collective responsibility,” called on all sectors to support NITDA’s initiatives, including platforms such as GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria, which provide visibility for start-ups while attracting investment, partnerships, and mentorship to fuel inclusive national growth.

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“Nigeria’s Biggest Ever Coalition, Civil Groups, Professionals, Labour, Artisans, Declare for Bola Tinubu”

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In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.

The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.

Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.

Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.

As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.

The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.

Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.

Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.

As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

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