Events
Jos Launches 2025 Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign
The 2025 edition of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign was officially launched in Jos on Tuesday with a symbolic peace walk. The event brought together government officials, civil society organizations, international partners, and community leaders.
Organized by UK International Development, SPRiNG, Women for Positive Peace Building Initiative (WOPPI), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Plateau State Government, participants marched from Old Airport Junction to Secretariat Junction carrying placards and promoting messages of solidarity.
This year’s campaign, themed “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” draws attention to growing online threats such as harassment, stalking, non-consensual sharing of images, misinformation, and other forms of digital abuse affecting women and girls globally and in Nigeria.
Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Caroline Panglang Dafur, described the 16 Days of Activism as a crucial platform for protecting the rights and safety of women and girls.
“I feel honored to address us today on this special day in Plateau State. This administration is committed to safeguarding the rights of women and girls,” she said, adding that the state will carry out community sensitization, survivor empowerment, and advocacy activities over the next two weeks.
Mujidang Sitdang, Regional Director of SPRiNG North Central, highlighted the campaign’s relevance in Nigeria, citing ongoing security challenges affecting women and girls.
“Digital violence knows no boundaries. This campaign offers an opportunity for government, civil society, and communities to support women in achieving their goals and contributing to peacebuilding,” Sitdang said.
Dung John Hwyere, Program Officer at WOPPI, stressed the urgency of addressing violence amid rising abduction cases targeting girls.
“We call on everyone—men and women—to unite against violence. The federal and state governments must urgently rescue abducted girls and ensure their safety. These 16 days are for all Nigerians to act,” he added.
Plateau State NHRC Director, Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, described the campaign as a reaffirmation of decades of work toward justice and equality, emphasizing the growing concern over digital abuse.
“The campaign links the fight against GBV to the broader human-rights agenda,” Mafuyai said. She outlined planned activities, including stakeholder meetings, youth sensitization programs, community dialogues, and a human-rights rally on December 10, marking International Human Rights Day. She also commended partners such as WOPPI, ROLAC, Mission 21, and other Plateau-based CSOs.
Elder Justina Mike Ngwobia, representing WOPPI, called for increased inclusion of women in decision-making and the elimination of violence in all forms—political, economic, domestic, or digital.
“The world is changing. Women can no longer be left behind or violated. We appreciate our gender-sensitive government, but more must be done,” she said.
The campaign, running from November 25 to December 10, seeks not only to raise awareness but also to advance concrete steps to protect women and girls, strengthen community protection systems, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Advocates including Ambassador Bridget Dakyes, State Coordinator for the Women, Peace and Security Network, and Chairperson of Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazyem, emphasized that the campaign is a call to sustained action.
The Jos launch sets the stage for two weeks of advocacy, empowerment, and a unified push for a safer, more just society for all.
The Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA) has announced plans to unveil a Unified Bloggers Online Platform during the 2026 World Social Media Day Celebration scheduled to hold in Jos, Plateau State.
The unveiling, which is expected to be one of the major highlights of the event, is aimed at fostering collaboration, strengthening professional networking, and promoting a more coordinated digital media community across the state.
The World Social Media Day Celebration is slated for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Usiju World Event Center, near the Plateau State Secretariat, Jos, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the organizers said the platform is designed to bring together bloggers, content creators, digital publishers, and online media practitioners under a common structure that encourages information sharing, capacity development, and collective growth within the digital media space.
The event, themed “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” will bring together bloggers, social media influencers, youth leaders, entrepreneurs, students, digital innovators, and members of the public to explore the evolving role of social media in shaping public discourse and empowering young people.
According to PLABOMA, participants will engage in discussions on emerging trends in digital media, content creation, online engagement, and the opportunities available within the digital economy. The celebration is also expected to provide a platform for networking, learning, and collaboration among stakeholders in the media and technology sectors.
The association noted that the launch of the Unified Bloggers Online Platform reflects its commitment to strengthening the voice of online media practitioners in Plateau State while creating opportunities for innovation, mentorship, and professional development.
PLABOMA further encouraged bloggers, content creators, social media influencers, students, entrepreneurs, and other interested members of the public to participate in the event and contribute to conversations on the future of digital communication and youth engagement.
Registration for the event is free and can be completed through the online registration form.
The organizers described the celebration as more than a commemoration of social media, noting that it will serve as a platform for inspiration, collaboration, innovation, and impact among digital media stakeholders in Plateau State and beyond.
For inquiries and partnership opportunities, interested individuals and organizations can contact the organizers via email at plateaubloggers@gmail.com or through the designated telephone lines.
The event is expected to attract a broad spectrum of participants from across the digital media ecosystem as PLABOMA seeks to promote responsible online engagement and harness the transformative power of social media for development.
Events
MACDI Validates FoRB Research, Rallies Stakeholders to Strengthen Religious Freedom in Plateau
The Midpoint Advocacy and Community Development Initiative (MACDI) has convened a Research Validation and Stakeholders Engagement Forum aimed at advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Plateau State, bringing together government officials, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and community representatives to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The forum, themed “Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief in Plateau State,” served as a platform to review findings from a six-month study conducted in Jos North and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas while identifying practical strategies for strengthening the protection of fundamental rights and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Faith and Community Transformation at Midpoint Nigeria, Rev. Joshua Sati, explained that the research assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents regarding Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).
According to him, the study was designed to generate reliable data that would guide future interventions and ensure that programmes addressing religious freedom reflect the realities experienced by communities.
Sati noted that the validation forum was organized to review the findings, identify policy gaps, and gather stakeholders’ recommendations on promoting religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.
“A lot of them had no idea. They don’t even know who to go to or where to go to when they feel their rights have been violated,” he said, highlighting the challenges faced by victims of rights violations at the grassroots.
He emphasized the need to strengthen reporting mechanisms and empower community and religious leaders, observing that many residents prefer reporting concerns to trusted local leaders rather than formal institutions.
Delivering the keynote address, former Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency (PSPBA), Dr. Joseph Lengmang, underscored the close relationship between Freedom of Religion or Belief, peace, security, and sustainable development.
He stressed that religious freedom must be anchored on the protection of human dignity and the welfare of people affected by conflict, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
“What is happening is a reminder that more work needs to be done on the Plateau, despite the investments that have been made in peacebuilding,” Lengmang said.
He added that recent security challenges in parts of Plateau State demonstrate the need for sustained commitment and collaboration in peacebuilding efforts, while commending Midpoint Nigeria for undertaking evidence-based research that could inform policy and future interventions.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Civitas Auxillium Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Duile, described Nigeria’s religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity as a potential source of strength rather than division.
She called for greater understanding and mutual respect among citizens, stressing that protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief is not only a human rights obligation but also essential for peacebuilding and national development.
Presenting the findings of the six-month research, Midpoint Nigeria’s Programme and Project Director, Ruth Ki, disclosed that the study engaged approximately 328 respondents across selected wards in Jos North and Barkin Ladi LGAs through surveys and interviews.
She explained that the research reflected diverse religious and ethnic communities and focused on lived experiences of Freedom of Religion or Belief, particularly awareness levels, public attitudes, and the reporting of violations.
According to her, the findings will support evidence-based interventions and strengthen ongoing peacebuilding initiatives across Plateau State.
In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Plateau Central Mosque, Sheikh Ghazali Adam, advocated respect, peace, and the protection of human dignity regardless of religious affiliation, noting that freedom from oppression is essential for building an inclusive society.
Representing the Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Khadija Sa’id described the forum as timely and significant for enhancing peacebuilding efforts, adding that it provides an important platform for collaboration, dialogue, and practical action toward strengthening social cohesion.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Mrs. Kachollom Gang, represented by Mr. Sabastine John, Director of Quality Assurance, highlighted the critical role of schools in teaching tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
She commended Midpoint Nigeria for organizing the engagement and urged stakeholders to translate the research findings into concrete actions that promote unity.
Similarly, the Plateau State Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Philemon Daffi, represented by Mr. Bashir Haruna, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Justice, reaffirmed that Freedom of Religion or Belief is guaranteed under Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which protects freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and freedom from discrimination.
He noted that effective enforcement of these constitutional rights remains vital for sustaining peace, security, and development, describing the forum as a timely opportunity for meaningful dialogue.
In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Hauwa Kassim, a member of the Board of Trustees of Midpoint Nigeria, expressed appreciation to participants for their active contributions and acknowledged the support of government agencies, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, and media practitioners in ensuring the success of the research validation forum.
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