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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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NIN-SIM Linkage: NCC Insists Telcos to Bar Non-Compliant Subscribers March 29  

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SIM card

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has confirmed that it would not be reviewing its deadline to bar owners of more than four SIM cards whose SIM registration data failed to match their National Identity Number (NIN) data.

A source within the Commission explained that the Commission’s position was hinged on its objective to clean the country’s SIM ownership database, and ensure that criminals could not take advantage of having multiple unlinked SIMs to carry out their nefarious activities.

“We are not standing back on our decision. March 29th is sacrosanct. Our resolve is hinged on the need to close in on the chaos of untoward ownership of multiple SIM cards with unverified NIN details. We have instances where a single individual has over 10,000 lines linked to his NIN. In some cases, we have seen a single person with 1,000 lines, some 3,000 plus lines. What are they doing with these lines?

“From our interim findings, the owners of these lines did not purchase them for decent purposes or to undertake legitimate activities.

“We have given them enough time to make the decision of which of their lines they want to keep, and discard the others. They did not. All lines in this category with unverified NINs will be barred. They will be then expected to go to their operators and decide which of the lines they want to keep, as well as submit correct NIN details.

“Some people would say they want to use it for car trackers, or for IoTs, but provision has been made for these services already. They are not under the ‘Max-4 Rule.’

“Across the world, no country allows you to have 1,000 SIM cards to make calls or texts.”

The Max-4 Rule announced by the Federal Government in April 2021 provides that telecom subscribers cannot have more than four lines per mobile network operator.

The NCC has also provided Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) an extension till July 31st 2024 within which they are expected to verify all NINs submitted by subscribers with four (4) or less SIMs, as well as bar those whose NIN fail verification with NIMC.

An authoritative source within the Commission who is familiar with the matter stated that the Commission’s management arrived at the decision at a crucial meeting it held today to review requests from the major Mobile Network Operators requesting for extension for the verification of NINs submitted.

The source also stated that the Commission is mulling the idea to approve an online application solution for MNOs where their subscribers whose NIN verification failed due to biometric mismatch can update their records on the app, while existing subscribers can register additional lines.

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Dangote Foundation Donates 80,000 Bags Of 10kg Rice To Communities

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The Aliko Dangote Foundation has donated 80,000 bags of 10kg rice to support vulnerable communities in Lagos State.

The Special Adviser on New Media to the Lagos State Governor, Jubril Gawat, disclosed this on his X handle on Wednesday.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; founder and chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; and Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc, Femi Otedola, were present at the event of the food distribution.

Dangote has reportedly spent about N15bn on the food intervention programme with beneficiaries across Nigeria.

The food intervention programme by his foundation was first launched in Kano State on Saturday, and will see over one million bags of 10kg rice distributed across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

Here are pictures from the event.

We appreciate Dangote for this kind gesture.

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36-Year-Old Lady In Shock After Her 19-Year-Old Daughter Welcomed A Baby Without Her Knowledge

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She wrote: “My 19year old daughter made me a granny at the age of 36 😭😭 im still shook and traumatized

She hid the pregnancy for 9months up until her water broke. After God fear ama 2000.

Amid so many reactions from netizens, she also wrote;

“Lol some comments amuse me .. I’m not ashαmεd or embarrassed that I had my daughter at the age 18 , yes it was not planned but she has been the biggest blessing to me

I’m a mad that she got pregnant, yes any parent would be . Because I still wanted her to achieve more.

I’m also mad that she hid it from me because I could have planned better . And as for that little baby boy , I will love and raise him as my own son . He’s a huge blessing to me and the family.”

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