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WINET stresses need for Enugu communities to remove barriers in reporting rape, other sexual violence

WINET is leading a campaign to involve men and boys in ending the scourge in the society

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BY: Sandra Ani (Enugu)

Communities in Enugu State have been advised to remove barriers in reporting rape and other sexual and gender-based violence cases to the law enforcement agencies.

A Social Reformer, who believes that respect for human rights creates an enabling environment for national transformation, Mr. Larry Oguego gave the advice on Tuesday, (18/8/2020) during a Community Dialogue on Involving Men and Boys in Ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) organized by Women Information Network (WINET) at Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local government area of Enugu State.

Mr. Oguego explained that some communities had bye-laws that did not permit members to take one another to court or report a community member to the police.

He condemned such practices which he said are impediments to seeking justice by victims of crime such as rape that require immediate provision of evidence to be established by the police and hospital.

Mr. Larry Oguego advised citizens to desist from shielding their relations who have committed crimes from prosecution as this type of practice helps to embolden criminals to continue committing crimes in the society.

He suggested that suspects of rape, wife battery, sexual abuse and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence should be apprehended and handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

On what men could do to prevent Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the society, he advised Community and town unions to train men and boys to respect women and girls and train the girl-child to be careful and discerning in the society.

Speaking at the event, the President-General of Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Mr. Nkwuo Friday Reuben thanked Women Information Network (WINET) for initiating the dialogue to involve men in ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the society promising that that his office and the Chairmen of the villages will work together to disseminate information from the dialogue to other males in the community.

He regretted that sometimes victims of rape shy away from reporting because of some of the embarrassing way in which they are cross examined to determine the case.

Earlier, the Executive Director of Women Information Network (WINET) Mrs. Miriam Menkiti said that following the increasing wave of sexual and gender based violence in the society, WINET was leading a campaign to involve men and boys in ending the scourge in the society.

Some participants in the dialogue

Mrs. Menkiti said that her organization, WINET was engaging is sustained enlightenment campaign to end sexual and gender based violence in Enugu State, under the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria project, fully supported by ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada.

She said the project is being executed with a view to achieving increased enjoyment of human rights by women and girls and the advancement of gender equality in Nigeria.

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King Charles Reportedly “Really Unwell” And Funeral Plans Are Currently Being Reviewed

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King Charles III’s health is causing concern for friends and the palace as he continues to battle cancer.

“Speaking to friends of the king in recent weeks about his health, the most common response is … ‘It’s not good,’” Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast reported Thursday, April 25.

A friend of the monarch claimed Charles “is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” adding, “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”

Royal writer Tina Brown also hinted at the monarch’s health struggles, writing recently that Charles’ cancer has put Prince William and Kate Middleton “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.”

“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”

Sykes also reported that the king’s funeral plans, codenamed “Operation Menai Bridge”, are currently being reviewed.

A separate document that states what went well at Queen Elizabeth’s September 2022 funeral and what could be done better the next time a monarch dies is also circulating, according to the Daily Beast.

All the sources emphasized that royal funeral plans are constantly in review. However, one former staffer in particular conceded that Charles’ health woes have given his plans a different urgency.

“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” the former staffer explained.

“It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds.”

Buckingham Palace announced in February that after undergoing surgery for a benign prostate enlargement, it was discovered that the king has cancer.

We hope the king gets well soon.

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EFCC: New Documents Extracted Shows Yahaya Bello Allegedly Paid School Fees To The Tune Of $845,852,84 For His Family Members

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Still on the EFCC trailing on Ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Documents serving as exhibits have shown how he allegedly paid school fees in advance for his family members already in the school and even those to be enrolled in future with hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from the state coffers.

A letter from the American International School of Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown the school admitting that Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, paid $845,852,84 into their bank account since September 2021 as advance school fees for 4 family members from the present class until they graduate.

Payment was also made for any future student to be enrolled by the family.

The document alleges that the payment was made by Mr. Ali Bello, alleged to be the eldest son of Yahaya Bello.

In the document, the school stated that they have deducted the fees for the educational service already rendered to the Bello children in the institution and what is left is $760, 910, which would be refunded to an account provided by the EFCC as the commission continues investigation into alleged money laundering levelled against Yahaya Bello.

the school fees documented payment

The school also added that from the Bello family kids, “no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition until they graduate from ASIA.”

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Niger State Prisoners Run From Facility After Rainstorm Brings Down Part Of Fencing

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Many prisoners serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre, located in Suleja Local Government of Niger state, fled the facility after a rainstorm brought down a part of the inner fencing.

This incident happened as a result of the heavy rainfall which fell on Wednesday night. This led to a cell being torn down, providing incarcerated individuals with a chance at freedom.

Reporters gathered that security forces fired many shots in the air, attempting to scare the inmates out of hiding.

While the State Comptroller of Prisons declined to speak to the press, it has been noted that security has been beefed up on the Minna-Suleja and Suleja-Kaduna roads, including the Madalla axis to Abuja road, which is a likely escape route out of the state for the inmates.

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