Headlines
UNICEF expresses concern over high rate of female genital mutilation in Nigeria
By Derrick Bangura
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern that female genital mutilation (FGM) is on the rise in Nigeria, which is now ranked third in the world.
While warning that female genital mutilation is on the rise among Nigerian girls aged 0-14, UNICEF issued a press release on International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2022, revealing that rates have risen from 16.9% in 2013 to 19.2% in 2018, a “worrying trend,” according to UNICEF.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is still prevalent in Nigeria, according to UNICEF, with an estimated 19.9 million survivors and Nigeria accounting for the third highest number of women and girls who have had FGM worldwide.
“While the nationwide prevalence of FGM among Nigerian women aged 15-49 declined from 25% in 2013 to 20% in 2018, prevalence among girls aged 0-14 increased from 16.9% to 19.2% in the same period, according to NDHS estimates,” the UN agency said.
“An estimated 86 percent of girls had their hair cut before the age of 5, while 8% had their hair chopped between the ages of 5 and 14.”As the world observes today’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, UNICEF estimates that 68 million girls worldwide would be at danger of female genital mutilation between 2015 and 2030.” COVID-19 is closing schools and disrupting programs that help protect girls from this destructive practice, which could result in an additional 2 million cases of FGM over the next decade.”Millions of girls are being robbed of their childhoods, health, education, and aspirations every day by harmful practices such as FGM,” said UNICEF Representative in Nigeria Peter Hawkins in the release, adding that “the practice of FGM not only has no health benefits – it is deeply harmful to girls and women, both physically and psychologically.” It is a practice that no longer has a place in our society and must be abolished, as many Nigerian communities have already pledged.”
It was acknowledged that there are differences in practice across Nigeria. The incidence varies by state, ranging from 62% in Imo to less than 1% in Adamawa and Gombe. The South East has the highest prevalence of FGM. “The Movement for Good” will reach 5 million adolescent girls and boys, women – including pregnant and lactating mothers – men, grandparents, traditional, community and religious leaders, legislators, justice sector actors, and state officials through an online pledge to “say no” to FGM, according to the statement. The movement will mobilize affected communities for household-level action to protect girls who are at risk of FGM. It will address misconceptions about female genital mutilation (FGM) and the discriminatory reasons for its prevalence, as well as shatter the silence around the practice in collaboration with communities.
Internationally, female genital mutilation (FGM) is considered a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights. It is an extreme kind of discrimination against girls and women, and it represents deep-seated gender inequality. It is almost always done on minors, and it is a violation of their rights. In cases where the surgery results in death, it also violates a person’s right to health, security, and physical integrity; the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and the right to life. Internationally, female genital mutilation (FGM) is considered a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights. It is an extreme kind of discrimination against girls and women, and it represents deep-seated gender inequality. It is almost always done on minors, and it is a violation of their rights. In cases where the surgery results in death, it also violates a person’s right to health, security, and physical integrity; the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; and the right to life.
“The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation reminds us that we are not alone in this fight, and that we must step up our efforts – particularly with families and communities – to make Nigeria a safe place for girls and women. “Our goal is to make Nigeria a safe place for girls and women, free of FGM,” Peter Hawkins stated.
Headlines
Commission, journalists partner to revamp water sector in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Water Services Regulatory Commission (KADWREC) says it is partnering media practitioners towards revamping water services in the state.
Mr Dogara Bashir, the Executive Chairman of KADWREC, disclosed this on Monday at a one-day workshop organised for media practitioners on regulation of ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’ (WASH) activities held in Kaduna.
Bashir said the commission was aware of the importance of the role media practitioners played in the society.
He stated that the workshop was to provide an avenue to liaise with them as important stakeholders on water supply and sanitation services in the state.
Bashir said: “As media practitioners, we believe you are a gateway to the citizens so, the workshop would acquaint you with some of the regulations already in place so that you can in turn transmit it to the public
“The state of water services in Kaduna State is in dire need of attention and the State Water Corporation and KADWREC were established towards addressing the seeming challenges.
“The commission is mandated to ensure better service delivery and regulation of water and sanitation services in the State.
“The idea is that once the regulations are developed, we send them to the State Ministry of Justice to gazette and then we get the state government to endorse and give the go ahead to commence the implementation of the regulations
“We intend to implement them fully come January, 2025 God willing, as we have embarked on advocacy activities having gone to zones 1 and 2 where we talked to traditional rulers, security agencies and the Judiciary.”
He disclosed that a special Court has already been attached to the commission by the Chief Judge of the State for service providers who may likely violate regulations.
The chairman further said that amongst the commission’s objectives include ensuring security, reliability and quality of service in the production and delivery of water to the consumers as well making regulations to control the sinking of boreholes.
Others included; maximising access to water services by promoting and facilitating consumer connections to distribution systems in urban and rural areas.
According to Bashir, they also include ensuring that regulatory decision-making has regards to all the relevant health, safety, environmental and social legislation applying to the water sector.
Bashir further said that the commission collaborate with the relevant state and federal agencies on water policies.
Crime
2 ladies docked for allegedly obtaining money by fraud
The police in Lagos have dragged two women, Mmesuma Ofunna, and Blessing Adimekwe, before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged obtaining money by false pretence.
Ofunna, 22, and Adimekwe, 25, were arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr L K J Layeni, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and conduct likely to breach peace.
They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, told the court that the defendants conspired with others now at large, to commit the offence on Oct. 26 at the Okokomaiko area of Ojo.
He alleged that they had obtained the sum of N70, 000 from one Faith Ahamefule, with a promise not to post her nude photo on social media.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendants later posted the nude photo of the nominal complainant on social media, knowing that their promise was false.
He alleged that they stole the N70, 0000, thereby conducting themselves in a manner likely to breach public peace.
The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 168(d), 287, 314, and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The court granted the defendants bails in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until Jan. 8, 2025 for mention.
Headlines
Driver jailed 6 months for attempting to steal a car
A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Monday, sentenced a 37-year-old driver, Ahmad Umar to six months in imprisonment for attempting to steal a car.
The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Bokkos in his judgment, ordered the convict to pay an option of N30, 000 fine or spend six months in prison.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the case was reported on Oct. 10, at the Area Command Police station through a distress call by one Sydney Peacemorie the complainant.
Gokwat said the complainant parked his Toyota RAV4 in front of Access Bank and went inside to carry out some transactions, only to return to find the convict inside his car.
“The convict unlawfully opened the car and was in the driver’s seat when the complainant raised alarm and he was apprehended, but his accomplice escaped.
“The convict was severely beaten by a mob but was rescued by the police,” said Gokwat.
“The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the Plateau Penal Code Law.
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