Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has on Thursday, in Kaduna, held a Capacity Building session for Officers of the Nigeria Police, Kaduna State Command, on Gender Based Violence (GBV), and the existence of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Kaduna State.
This was disclosed in a statement made available by its Programme Officer, Joy Gadani.
According to the statement, Bar. Amina Audi, Chairperson, Observatory Steering Committee (OBSTEC) on VAPP Law in Kaduna State, during the meeting, emphasized the need for officers of the Nigeria Police to become familiar with provisions of the Law.
Bar. Audi said, “it is the responsibility of the government to ensure awareness on the law, however, AMDF has taken it upon itself to sensitize and promote the full implementation of the VAPP law in the state.
“AMDF made the right decision to sensitize one of the arms of the custodians of the law,” she said.
In an address of welcome, Iliya Kure, Executive Director of AMDF, said the aim of the meeting was to interact and sensitize personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, as key stakeholders in the fight against GBV, “we are working on a project that deals with Gender Based Violence, we scanned to know who the major players are in this issue, then form relationship and partnership, so we can work with them. We found out you are critical, since we understand this issue, I believe we will now work in a better way”, he said.
The Project Manager, Benjamin Maigari said the capacity building was organized in order to form a partnership with the NPF and ensure synergy in the implementation of the GBV project, “Prevention of Gender Based Violence in 12 Kaduna Communities”.
“This is one of the series of activities we have planned out to ensure that all stakeholders involved are engaged towards the prevention of GBV,” he said.
In her remark, DSP Maryam Zakari, Interim Officer in-charge (OC), Gender Unit Kaduna State Police Command, commended ADMF for organizing the workshop, saying it was timely, and committed to partnering with the organization towards achieving the common goal.
AMDF is a non-governmental and non-political organization with a mission to strengthen media, promote democracy and improve livelihood.
A former Aviation Minister and chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, has cleared the air on the recent invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, saying he is not above the law neither does joining the Ruling APC gives him immunity over arrest or detention.
It was earlier reported how EFCC invited the former minister and how he honoured the invitation at the Lagos office of the anti-graft agency before he was granted bail on self-recognition.
Reacting to the invitation and some stories in a section of the media, Chief Fani-Kayode noted via his social media handle that joining the APC doesn’t give him immunity and that APC doesn’t shield those found culpable of any offence.
Fani-Kayode who took the time to take a swipe at his critics accuses them of hate and peddling fake news.
He wrote, “I pity those that said I was arrested. They are filled with hate and live on fake news. Since when did an invitation and a friendly chat become an arrest? And even if I had been arrested, SO WHAT? I am not above the law and neither does joining APC give me immunity. My God is MIGHTY!” Earlier, Fani-Kayode had hinted what transpired at the anti-graft’s office in Lagos where he had a “Friendly chat for over four hours and was released on bail.
“Just arrived at the George Hotel for dinner. I was never arrested by the EFCC. I was invited and I flew down to Lagos to see them. I arrived in their office at 2.00 pm and left at 8.30pm. I was granted bail on self-recognition. They were very polite and professional. Thanks be to God.” Fani-Kayode wrote.
EFCC has confirmed, through its spokesperson that it had Fani-Kayode at its Lagos office but has since declined further comments on the matter.
The Borno State Government is establishing Rural-Urban Grazing Areas (RUGAs) for herders displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the state.
The Projects Coordinator to Governor Babagana Zulum, Mallam Tijjani Mohammed; disclosed at the weekend, while briefing the Sudanese Economic Team leader to Borno, Dr Osman El-Fal at the Mafa RUGA centre on Dikwa road.
Recalled that, Sudan Delegation with agricultural experts since last Friday were in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to partner on areas of agricultural products such as Gum Arabic, Wheat, Date Palm farming and animal production, as peace gradually returns with massive relocation and resettlement of millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their liberated communities.
This is even as the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in Khartoum, Sudan has donated $500,000 grant to the State Government for livestock artificial insemination across the 27 local government areas of the state.
The visit to Borno by the Sudan delegation was sequel to Governor Zulum’s visit to Sudan in early September this year, where he led some state delegation to the headquarters of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in Khartoum, following which, the partnership was potentially reached for the bank and Borno to partner on exporting wheat and gum arabic produced by farmers in Borno.
Briefing both delegations from Sudan, led by Dr El-Fal, and that of Borno State Government led by the former Minister of State for Agriculture, Bukar Tijjani, the Projects Coordinator, Mallam Mohammed said, the RUGA centres are to be sited in three senatorial districts at Mafa, Gubio and Rumirgo in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
The establishment of the grazing areas, he noted, is supported by the Federal Government intervention of N4 billion in the state’s 25-year development plan.
“This project is built on 250 hectres of land, comprising various infrastructural facilities, including 1.5-km perimeter fencing,” he said.
According to him, the Mafa RUGA centre included 100 housing units to resettle the displaced herders in the Central Senatorial District.
Other facilities at the centre, are a community primary school and veterinary clinic for the livestock.
Besides, he added that modern ways of farming will be integrated with the building of hay silage-making bunkers for the production of pasture and fodders.
In ensuring all year-round pastures, he said that an irrigated pasture, including feed bins, are to be established for the livestock.
To upgrade RUGA’s standards, he disclosed that other facilities for fattening shades for bulls and rams are also to be constructed.
“Three earth dams are to be sited for the watering of livestock and production of vegetables,” he said; stating that youths and women are to be empowered in the production of fish, poultry and tailoring.
He added that apart from these, the state government is to introduce improved breeds of cattle with insemination to produce 30 litres of milk a day from each cow.
“This is compared to the local breeds of cattle that produce a maximum of only two litres of milk per cow,” he said.
Continuing, he said: “About 100 animals be given to the herders for cross breeding with the local cattle,” noting that because of the harsh weather conditions in the state, 75 Sokoto Guladi breed of cattle had been selected to withstand the hot weather.
Speaking on the value chain of RUGA, the adviser, said with the setup of security outpost and milk collection centres, people from Maiduguri collect and sell milk to the public.
While under the second phase of the project, local herders in the district will be trained on the production hygienic milk before selling.
He added that households of herders will also be trained on the production of pasture for their livestock; as seeds of irrigated pasture have been acquired for distribution.
According to him, male herders will be producing pasture, while the females are trained on how to handle milking machines.
Responding, Dr. El-Fal; said that even though he is not a livestock specialist, he really admired the way the RUGA project is structured.
“This includes the integrated aspect of the project, including the process of the value chain,” stating that it’s a brilliant idea, as the project has targeted the livelihoods of people in the area.
He noted that this is despite the security issues that hampered their living conditions in the state.
He reiterated that the way the project is designed perfectly fits into the strategy on livestock production in Sudan.
“Your RUGA projects have addressed the integrated aspects of their designs and sustenance,” he said.
In a related development, both delegations were at Borno State College of Agriculture, where they paid a visit to Maiduguri Farm Centre, Agricultural Mechanization Centre, Nursery and Poultry Production Units to see areas of intervention for the massive and modern system of agricultural practices for sustainable economic development.
They were received by various Officers in charge of each unit and briefed about the modus operandi and the challenges faced, especially during the peak of the Boko Haram crisis.
The two teams also visited Kwari village and other Gum Arabic Plantation sites in Magumeri local government area with a view to enhancing the production of Gum Arabic for export business within short and long term plans.
After the field visits, there is going to be a stakeholders meeting slated for Monday (14th November 2021), where issues relating to agricultural production and challenges would be discussed to chat a way forward.
Newsweb Express 