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Proactive Gender Initiative backs female speaker for 9th House of Reps.
A civil rights group, Proactive Gender Initiatives (PGI), has thrown its weight behind the idea of having a female as Speaker in the 9th House of Representatives.
Ms. Esther Uzoma, the National Coordinator of PGI, said on Sunday in a telephone interview with the Nationaltrail in Abuja that it would be a huge boost to all women in the country.
Nationaltrail reports that the 9th assembly would be inaugurated on June 9 as soon as President Muhammadu Buhari issued a proclamation letter to that effect.
Already, intense lobby had commenced at the Senate and the House of Representatives over who becames the senate president and speaker of the lower house, among other positions.
Uzoma, who is also a legal practitioner, said it was high time Nigeria has another female as speaker in line with the Federal Character Commission Act and National Gender Policy of the country.
She argued that presently, a female lawmaker, Rep Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC-Abia) who declared to vie for the position recently, was most qualified to be the number-two person in the National Assembly hierarchy.
”Number one, we are rooting for a female speaker because in the National Assembly, we have one female who is a fourth-term member.
”She is a person of integrity and she has proven legislative experience. She is competent.
”Secondly, she is from the ruling party and so far, the balance of power has not favoured her region.
”If you look at the hierarchy of principal officers as presently proposed, it appears to favour one region in exclusion of the other.
”So it is necessary in the spirit of democracy, in the spirit of inclusivity that persons from her region should also be considered.
”Thirdly, we are supporting her because of her gender. Nigeria is a democratic nation that has passed into law, the Federal Character Commission Act.
”So we want the tenets of the Federal Character to be considered and to also consider, the National Gender Policy that provides that the government in all its appointments should at least concede 35 per cent to women.
”So this is a rule, a policy, a regulation that the Nigerian state has given unto herself,” she remarked.
She noted that though the lower house had once had a speaker in the person of Patricia Etteh (PDP-Osun) between June and Oct.2007, she was sacrificed on the alter of politics.
”Since the history of this country, one female, Mrs Patricia, managed to become speaker.
“We saw what happened. Her time was sensationalised; allegations and counter allegations.
”But at the end of the day, in that hallow chamber, her colleagues exonerated her and even apologised that all that was political.
”So that is what happens when a woman does not have the necessary support. She is usually sacrificed on the alter of politics,” she said.
Uzoma, said Onyejeocha, who represents Isiukwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, had chaired several committees in the House, and “her colleagues know her pedigree and that is why they call her Mrs. Integrity.’
Uzoma, who is also the Alternate Chairperson, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, called on the members-elect, the All Progressive Congress (APC) leadership and President Muhammadu Buhari to support the clamour.
”I urge her colleagues in the House, the leadership of her party and I call on Mr. President, above all, to give her the chance.
”Mr. President has promised us so much. This is the time for Mr President to act.
”We have seen Mr. President do things former presidents shied away from, let it be said of Mr. President that it was in his time that the 35 per cent affirmative action was considered in appointing women,” she said.
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Kwara: Security Team Kills Two Bandits, Rescues Two Kidnap Victims
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A security team, comprising operatives of DSS and forest guards, has rescued two victims of abduction in a forest between Oba Isin/Owa Onire area of isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
The rescued victims are 16-year-old Fatima Azeez and Ibrahim Azeez who is five-year old.
The team also eliminated two armed bandits, while others escaped with severe injuries as the security forces stormed their hideouts, according to a report by DSS and local authorities.
The security team also recovered several items from the kidnappers, including one Ak-47 rifle; one single barrel; one fully loaded magazine with nine empty; mini-solar panel; and food items.
The rescue operation is connected to the multi-agency counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping efforts of the government.
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Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has commenced full-scale investigations into the killing of a farmer, Mr Azeez Garba, whose body was discovered on his farmland along the Owa-Onire axis, the boundary between Isanlu-Isin and Owu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, described the murder as “cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased left home for his farm in the morning but did not return, prompting his family members and local vigilantes to organise a search.
The search party reportedly found his motorcycle parked on the farmland before discovering his lifeless body a short distance away. Police said the victim had sustained deep machete cuts.
Reacting to the incident, CP Adekimi ordered investigators to deploy all available intelligence and investigative resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“The killing is cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” the commissioner of Police said, assuring residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Although no suspect had been arrested as of Monday, the command said all available leads were being diligently pursued.
The police also assured the bereaved family, the people of Isin Local Government Area and the general public that investigators were working tirelessly to track down everyone connected with the crime.
“The Kwara State Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and will not relent until every person responsible for this reprehensible act is brought before the law,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
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Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A coordinated security operation involving the Kwara State Police Command, other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit has led to the arrest of a suspected cultist, Agboola Olamilekan, with a locally fabricated pistol recovered from him in Ilorin.
The operation, carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state, was described by the police as another breakthrough in intelligence-driven policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks and reducing the circulation of illegal firearms.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the suspect was apprehended during the joint operation while in possession of the firearm.
According to the statement, the operation is part of the Command’s sustained strategy to disrupt cult-related activities and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate within the state.
Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to intensify the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
“Every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing,” the commissioner said.
The police disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.
The Command added that it remains committed to advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sustained operations aimed at ensuring that those responsible for threatening the peace and security of Kwara State are brought to justice.
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