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FG Reaffirms Support for Women as Ene Obi Development Centre Opens in Abuja
…new centre set to drive mentorship, skills development, community empowerment
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to advancing programmes that support women, strengthen families, and improve the lives of vulnerable groups across the country.
She made the remarks during the inauguration of the Ene Obi Development Centre (EODC) on Tuesday in Abuja. The Minister described the new centre as a significant step forward in efforts to create better opportunities for Nigerian women, girls, families, and those in need.
According to her, the centre’s focus on training, skills development, and support services reflects the broader belief that education, practical knowledge, and consistent effort can bring about meaningful change.
She said: “The Federal Government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote women’s empowerment, improve family life, and uplift the most vulnerable in our society. I believe this centre has the potential to be a game changer in our collective efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“At the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, our doors are open. You have my support always. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this centre will have on the lives of women and girls across Nigeria”.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Dr. Otive Igbuzor, called on the government to protect civic freedoms, uphold human rights, and create spaces for public participation.
He appealed to the National Assembly to pass the Reserved Seat Bill and encouraged civil society organisations to remain courageous and united in defending the interests of ordinary Nigerians.
“Silence is not an option. I call on women and youth to lift their voices and assert their leadership. Nigeria needs your courage. I also urge development partners to invest in institutions like the EODC to drive community development and social justice,” Igbuzor said.
Also speaking, former First Lady of Imo State, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, praised Ene Obi as a passionate Nigerian and strong believer in the potential of Nigerian women.
She said Nigeria remains a great country with enormous potential.
“The world is waiting for this nation to take its rightful place. With women like Ene Obi and many other great women and men here we can drive the change Nigeria needs,” she stated.
Country Representative of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described Obi as “bold, fearless, compassionate, and dogged always speaking truth to power.”
He said ActionAid is proud to partner with the EODC, noting that the organisation aims to help lift five million Nigerians out of poverty within the next nine years.
“There is no way we can achieve this without working with institutions like the EODC. We look forward to deeper collaboration,” he said.
In her remarks, the founder of the EODC, Mrs Ene Obi, explained that the inauguration signalled the start of a long-planned effort to provide meaningful support for women and young people.
She highlighted that the centre will place strong emphasis on mentorship for young Nigerians and Africans, particularly young women who continue to face obstacles that limit their opportunities.
“Every day in Nigeria, we witness brilliance, resilience, and potential but we also see the struggles. Barriers keep young people from opportunities; inequalities limit women; systems fail communities; and social injustices silence the vulnerable.
“This centre was created to address these issues. We exist to champion gender equality, strengthen governance and human rights, support youth leadership, promote equity, and ensure that marginalised groups are not forgotten,” she said.
Obi stressed that the EODC will design programmes that transform lives and stimulate community growth, while advancing transparency, accountability, and the well-being of women and vulnerable populations.
She therefore called for strong collaboration, urging government agencies, development partners, academia, and the private sector to support the centre and also hold it accountable in delivering on its mandate.
The National Coordinator of the Plateau Initiative for Growth and Development (PIGD), Nengak David, has appealed to residents to remain vigilant and help prevent further violence following renewed attacks in the state.
David urged people with credible information about threats, armed movements or plans for reprisals to alert the police or trusted community leaders promptly, without putting themselves in danger.
“Vigilance means recognising a threat and reporting it early. Tell the authorities where and when you saw it, and give only what you know firsthand. Do not approach armed people or attempt to confront them,” he said.
The appeal follows attacks in Barkin Ladi and Mangu. Plateau police confirmed the deaths of a senior officer and three civilians in separate incidents in Barkin Ladi, while a community group reported the killing of three men in Mangu.
David called on residents to reject reprisals and resist attempts to blame entire ethnic or religious communities for crimes committed by individuals.
“Every killing must be investigated, and those responsible must answer for it. Another innocent family must not suffer because someone chooses revenge or blames a whole community,” he said.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth representatives to bring emerging disputes to trusted mediators before tensions escalate. The United Nations Development Programme has identified local mediation and early warning as ways communities can help prevent conflict.
The PIGD coordinator also cautioned against circulating old videos, unverified casualty figures and inflammatory claims. “Before forwarding a frightening message, check when and where it was recorded. A false claim can spread fear and provoke harm long after the truth catches up,” he said.
David asked residents of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu to observe the state’s 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and motorcycle ban, announced to remain in effect until further notice. He also appealed for food, shelter and other assistance to reach affected neighbours through trusted local groups, regardless of their background.
“Residents can share information and refuse provocation. Government, in turn, must act on credible reports, protect those who come forward and investigate every killing fairly,” David said.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the visible achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will secure victory for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the FCT during the 2027 general elections.
Wike, who stated this after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa road projects, stressed that good governance remains the most reliable metric for political success.
He said that the administration’s performance in infrastructure delivery, particularly in long-neglected satellite towns, leaves the opposition with nothing to offer voters beyond empty stories.
He argued that the tangible results on the ground make an unassailable case for President Tinubu’s re-election, including Sen. Philip Aduda (FCT) and House of Representatives candidate John Gabaya (Bwari Federal Constituency).
He said; “If good governance is a barometer to measure whether a government has succeeded or not, then we have nothing to fear.
“Now, the Tinubu administration has come and it’s not only listening to you, it’s not only caring for you, it’s solving your problems. Why will they want to change their mind?”
Dismissing opposition rhetoric, the minister said; “This is the campaign. The people who will come, what will they come with?
“They will tell them stories. But we have not come with stories, we have come with facts, verifiable facts. I can beat my chest, I can close my eyes and go home and sleep with my two eyes closed, that Tinubu will emerge. I have no fear at all.”
The minister pointed out that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has shifted development priorities beyond the city centre to directly touch satellite communities.
“The Renewed Hope administration has redefined infrastructure delivery as far as FCT is concerned, not just within the city, but also within the satellite towns.
“We thank God Almighty that has given us a President who has come to listen and to change the narrative that development must not only be concentrated within the city centers, but also spread in the satellite towns,” he said.
Speaking on the projects, Wike said the long-delayed Apo-Karshi road project was on course for completion in November.
He also said that the dualisation of the Bwari-Kubwa road, where residents turned out in large numbers to welcome his delegation, would also be delivered in December.
“Work on site is set to intensify by the first week of October as seasonal heavy rains abate,” he said.
. Dismantling the syndicate is another proof transnational drug networks won’t have any space to operate in Nigeria, says Marwa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has once again struck a decisive blow against transnational organised crime with the dismantling of a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community in Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Two kingpins: 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, were arrested in connection with the operation of the meth lab in partnership with a notorious Mexican drug cartel member, Rodriguez Villanueva, based in Mexico City, Mexico, after several months of intelligence and surveillance on the syndicate.
As a result, they were arraigned before Hon. Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA Act. After their plea, Justice Segun-Bello has now scheduled their trial for 21st October 2026, following an application by the Agency for an accelerated hearing.
Also named in the charge, and currently at large, are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, who is a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel.
Investigations by a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of NDLEA revealed a sophisticated, transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican cartel. Surveillance activities by NDLEA between 1st and 4th December, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States, ultimately leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu where a clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities was uncovered. The lab, fitted with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus, mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of vast quantities of precursor chemicals, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide, 125 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate, and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances, a haul consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A related search of George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators, and 11 kilograms of ephedrine, further underscoring the scale of the cartel’s operations.
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering resolve to track down every fleeing suspect connected to the cartel, and ensure that they all face the full weight of the law.
He
commended all NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in cracking yet another international drug syndicate. He described the Enugu lab bust as further proof that Nigeria will not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels, warning that the Agency’s intelligence-driven operations and international partnerships would continue to close every loophole exploited by drug barons, whether local or foreign. He reiterated his charge to all NDLEA personnel to sustain the momentum of relentless enforcement until the nation is rid of the scourge of illicit drug production and trafficking.
*PIGD Calls For United Response To Plateau Violence*
2027: Tinubu’s good governance ‘ll secure FCT victory – Wike
NDLEA busts Nigerian-Mexican meth cartel, docks kingpins over Enugu clandestine lab(Photos)
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