News
UN Women Evaluate Women’s Participation in Peace and Security in Plateau
The UN Women-supported Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) networks convened a one-day focus group discussion themed “Women, Peace, and Security in Northern Nigeria and the WPS Media Network” to evaluate their progress in fostering inclusivity and gender equality in peace and security efforts.
The event, held on Wednesday, January 23, 2025, at the EYN Hall beside Challenge Bookshop in Jos, Plateau State, brought together stakeholders from various networks, traditional leaders, and state representatives to evaluate achievements, challenges, and the impact of their programs in fostering gender equality and inclusivity. Participants acknowledged the organization’s role in enhancing women’s participation in peacebuilding and security advocacy across Plateau State.
Peter Mancha, Project Manager of the WPS Network with UN Women, commended stakeholders’ dedication and highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
He stated, “This gathering aims to evaluate achievements, challenges, and the impact of our programs on promoting women’s engagement in peace and security, while also providing recommendations from stakeholders and beneficiaries.”
Achievements Highlighted
Participants reported notable successes, such as increased representation of women in traditional councils, where they play vital roles in addressing potential conflicts. Traditional leaders emphasized women’s ability to engage in sensitive areas, such as youth hideouts, where male counterparts might struggle to intervene. Women’s involvement has enabled communities to resolve disputes internally, reducing reliance on security agencies.
Challenges Identified
Despite progress, participants noted several challenges:
- Limited Representation: Out of 17 local governments in Plateau State, fewer than seven include women in their traditional councils.
- Intimidation and Exclusion: Women face political intimidation, societal stigma, and restrictions on attending critical decision-making meetings.
- Gender Norms and Stereotypes: Cultural and religious beliefs hinder women’s participation, with many facing societal pressure or being viewed as “weaker” or less authoritative.
- Economic Barriers: Financial constraints and traditional gender roles often limit women’s ability to contribute effectively to peace initiatives.
Effectiveness of UN Women Interventions
Participants highlighted several positive impacts of UN Women’s programs:
- The inclusion of women in traditional councils and advocacy campaigns.
- Media reforms, including more balanced and conflict-sensitive reporting.
- Increased support for women in political and leadership roles, exemplified by champions like Eli Bako, Chair of the House of Assembly on Women’s Affairs.
- Empowerment programs enabling women to achieve financial independence.
Recommendations for Improvement
The meeting concluded with actionable recommendations, including:
- Leadership Inclusion: Advocating for women’s representation in all levels of government and traditional councils.
- Capacity Building: Providing logistical, financial, and technical support for networks like HeForShe and media mediators.
- Sustainability Measures: Ensuring long-term support for programs and addressing budget mismanagement.
- Expanded Interventions: Diversifying efforts to tackle emerging issues like human trafficking.
- Increased Advocacy: Promoting community ownership of initiatives and fostering stronger stakeholder collaborations.
Peter Mancha assured attendees that the feedback and recommendations would guide future interventions, aiming to overcome challenges and enhance the effectiveness of the WPS programs in fostering gender equality and sustainable peace in Northern Nigeria.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, started the confrontation between them over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise Television on Friday, Umahi said he did not criticise Obi, but the former Anambra State governor came to the construction site where he was working and publicly castigated him.
According to him, Obi initiated the attacks against him and his handling of federal road projects.
"We all determine our own destinies. I did not criticise Peter Obi; he started the confrontation by coming to the construction site where I was working and publicly castigating me," Umahi said.
The minister equally accused Peter Obi of failing to caution his supporters over inflammatory statements, adding that one of his followers reportedly said that even if Jesus contested an election, Peter Obi would still win.
The former Ebonyi State governor described the statement as an affront to the Christian faith and said he expected Obi to condemn it.
"One of them reportedly said that even if Jesus contested in an election, Peter Obi would win. That is an affront to our faith, and I expected Peter Obi to speak out against such a statement," he said.
Recall that Umahi and Obi have clashed several times over the Coastal Highway project, with Obi describing it as a misplaced priority and Umahi accusing Obi of inciting South East people against the Federal Government.
Coastal Highway: Peter Obi started the fight, not me – Umahi
The Presidency says the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria has received approval from 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
This implies that the bill has met the two-thirds threshold required for constitutional alteration.
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The statement said the approval fulfilled the constitutional requirement for the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and state police services.
Politics Nigeria reports that the working group said the amendment could now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
“In line with Section 9 of the Constitution, the amendment can now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to Mr President for assent,” the statement read.
The group commended the state assemblies for approving the amendment and the National Assembly for passing the bill through both chambers.
It added that the proposed constitutional change would provide the legal backing for the policing framework contained in the draft National Policing Bill, 2026.
According to the statement, the draft bills are undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and are expected to be returned on or before Friday, October 30.
The working group said it would give the bills final consideration before presenting them to President Tinubu.
It also urged stakeholders to support the transition to a dual policing system, which it said was aimed at improving public safety across the country.
The 24 states that have approved the constitutional amendment are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
It was recalled that the development follows the transmission of the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 State Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly on September 16 for consideration and approval.
The state assemblies were given an expected administrative timeframe of 30 days to communicate their decisions.
On October 9, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman Yemi Adaramodu disclosed that only four states — Edo, Oyo, Osun and Rivers — had approved the amendment at that time.
The latest update indicates that the number of approving states has since risen to 24.
Earlier, on October 15, Gbajabiamila said the National Policing Bill was about 90 per cent ready and would be transmitted to the National Assembly after further consultations and legislative drafting work.
Speaking to journalists after a steering committee meeting at the State House in Abuja, he said the working group was addressing observations raised by state governors before finalising the proposed legislation.
“The National Policing Bill is more or less ready for transmission to the National Assembly. We will probably have one more meeting after this to cross the t’s and dot the i’s and make sure every area is covered. So, we are 90% ready,” he said.
He added that the governors had raised one or two observations and expressed confidence that the bill would be ready shortly.
Gbajabiamila also described the proposed legislation as the most consequential bill of the Tinubu administration so far, noting that the working group’s steering committee began deliberations on August 3.
Addressing concerns that some state assemblies might delay approval of the constitutional amendment, he said there was a national consensus on the need for the proposed changes.
“I see no reason why anyone will want to have a rethink on it,” he said.
-
News4 days agoAmazon to fund 12 small nuclear reactors at former Indiana coal plant
-
News4 days ago
Mamdani says feds have abdicated on AI, urges New Yorkers to push back
-
News8 hours ago
Obi, Kwankwaso to hold Middle Belt Youth, Village Hall Meeting in Jos
-
News3 days ago
Meta’s Muse hits 10M U.S. downloads in 40 days, a milestone reached by only 11 other apps
