News
Young women group decries sexual harassment in politics
Young ladies who are actively involved in politics across the country, Friday, decried the high level of sexual harassment by men folk politicians in the course of pursuing their political career.
Gathering under the auspices of African Young Female Advisers Initiative (AYFAI) for a two day conference titled: “National Consultation on Young Women in Governance and Young Women with disabilities”, which began on Friday, they berated some politicians for taking advantage of politics for sexual harassment.
President of the group, and Special Adviser to the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council on ICT, Donor Agency and Civil Society, Abiodun Essiet, said the conference would focus on thematic issues bothering on the plight of young ladies in governance.
She revealed that their contributions would be transmitted to the Ad-hoc Committee on Constitutional Review of the National Assembly with a view to legally recognised young ladies.
“As you can see, they are young ladies all over elective and appointive offices. So we are here as young female advisers and young women in government with those with disability to review the 1999 constitution and make some of the amendments as it affects young females in government.
“We have members across Africa who are Special Advisers to Presidents. So we have come together as a group to say that we also want our voices to be heard and also review the 1999 constitution since the constitution is undergoing amendment.
“We want to make our review and make our own amendment and make our own memorandum which we will send to the committee at the National Assembly that is reviewing the constitution concurrently.
“We were able to do this through the support of Global Affairs Canada, and ActionAid who are the sponsors.
In her address, Secretary of the group and former AIT newscaster, Adaora Onyechere expressed optimism that more women would ascend to political offices in 2023, hence, there was need to begin discussion on the teething problems with a view to overcome them.
She said: “Some of us, will be governors; House of Representative members, some of us will be Senators. I see that here in this hall.
“The idea that women does not support each other, I think that to me, is the stereotype that continue to resonate which the men use to reduce the level of our capacity to be on top and I think it’s time for us to demystify that stereotype.
“I know that there are levels of difficulties in terms of communication and how those communications are received because we all come from different environment which you can’t take that away from us.
She urged women in Africa to unite in pursuit of political offices.
“Women are great asset when they come together. You cannot break it; its something you can feel it and there is a silent code. You walk into a room and immediately, they have assess you and so, depending on where we are coming from and to me, the goal should be collectiveness.
“The issue of where women are gossiping is everywhere, its in the banking sector, it’s in the business, even men are doing it differently. In fact their own is the worst. They do it and gossip about it.”
All political office holders who were appointed by the embattled governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara have been suspended from office by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
They were suspended from office with immediate effect, according to a statement by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, saying the decision followed powers granted the Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to Fubara were among those suspended from office.
Commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were all relieved of their appointments.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their MDAs.
“Where there may be no permanent secretary, they are to hand over to the most senior director/head of administration,” the statement read.
Ibas was sworn in as Sole Administrator on Wednesday, March 19, by President Bola Tinubu after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
The President also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Ibas, who is a former Chief of Naval Staff, vowed to maintain law and order in the state.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he said to State House correspondents after the swearing-in.
He also promised to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that order is restored in the state.
Agency Report
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.
Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini Palace in Kano on Wednesday night.
He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.
Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
He noted that respected Islamic clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.
Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.
NAN
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline, in partnership with Niger State Government, is pleased to announce the commencement of flight services to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport Minna, the capital city of Niger State from Lagos and Abuja, effective April 23, 2025.
Overland Airways will operate three (3) weekly flights on the Minna-Lagos-Minna route and three (3) weekly flights on the Minna-Abuja-Minna route. These flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft.
Flights will depart Lagos to Minna at 8am and Minna to Lagos at 3pm. Flights from Minna to Abuja will depart at 9:30am while Abuja to Minna will depart at 2pm.
Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways says: ‘We are excited to commence flight services to Minna from Abuja the Federal Capital and Lagos the Commercial hub of Nigeria. This flight services will facilitate trade, tourism and economic activities in Niger State and its environs and support the Government of Niger State in its quest to attract more direct investments and improve the livelihood of citizens of the State. We thank particularly His Excellency Mohammed Umar Bago, the Executive Governor of the Niger State for his passionate commitment to the growth and development of the State and for making the dream of a connected Niger State come true.”
The Niger State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), jointly stated, “It has been an uphill journey to bring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport to fruition—from its construction to its operationalization. Today, we are immensely proud to see this dream become a reality. We are honoured to have Overland Airways as the pioneer airline for this project, setting the foundation for expanded air travel connectivity in Niger State. Mr. Governor is particularly proud of this achievement, which aligns with his vision of modernizing infrastructure and boosting economic development in Niger State.”
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the New Niger Aviation, Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, says: “This partnership with Overland Airways will ensure regular and robust flight services from Abuja and Lagos to Minna, Niger State. We are thrilled to partner with Overland Airways, which has a reputation for excellent customer service and reliability, and look forward to working together to reposition the aviation sector and economy of Niger State.”
“Known as the Power State, Niger State, the largest state in Nigeria by landmass and host of major hydroelectric power dams and other businesses, requires reliable air services to drive its economic development and Overland Airways is uniquely positioned to meet this need”, says Capt. Boyo.
Overland Airways service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the 5th consecutive time reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
Rivers: Sole administrator suspends Governor Fubara’s political appointees
Emir Bayero bows to pressure, cancels Eid-el-Fitri Durbar
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