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Affirmative Action for Women is Essential for Equity – Speaker Abbas
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized that affirmative action for women is not a privilege or an undemocratic measure but a necessary corrective step to promote fairness and achieve gender balance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In his keynote address at a session with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, held to mark the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Speaker Abbas called for the integration of women’s and gender issues into the constitution, policies, statutes, and budgetary processes of the country. The session took place at the National Assembly on Monday.
Reflecting on the significance of the campaign, Speaker Abbas noted, “This action signified our resolve to combat violence against Nigerian women and to reinforce our collective commitment to creating a safer and more equitable society.”
He recalled leading an advocacy walk from the National Assembly to the Force Headquarters, where a petition was submitted to the Inspector General of Police; this, he said, demonstrated the resolve of lawmakers to address GBV comprehensively.
The Speaker commended the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which began on November 25, for uniting various stakeholders in the fight against GBV and the push for women’s empowerment across the nation. He highlighted the National Assembly’s leadership role in legislative reforms aimed at protecting women and promoting gender equity. These efforts include the enactment of key laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child’s Rights Act, and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act.
Speaker Abbas stressed that the 10th House of Representatives has intensified these efforts through its Legislative Agenda, prioritizing constitutional amendments that will enhance women’s participation and representation in governance. He underscored the critical role women play, stating, “Women are the cornerstone of our families and communities, yet their political representation remains unacceptably low. This imbalance must change—not for improved statistics but for the transformative value women bring to governance, leadership, and policymaking.”
He further elaborated on the barriers hindering women’s full participation in political and public life, citing cultural norms, economic disparities, and insufficient legal protections as systemic obstacles. According to him, “A society that protects its women and leverages their potential is one that secures its future.”
To address these issues, the 10th Assembly has initiated constitutional amendment processes early, allowing time for thorough consultation and consensus-building. The House Committee on Constitution Amendment has been engaging stakeholders through sensitization and advocacy to garner support for provisions that institutionalize greater women’s representation.
“These efforts go beyond tokenism,” Speaker Abbas asserted. “Affirmative action for women is not undemocratic; it is a necessary corrective measure to address historical inequities and unlock our nation’s full potential. Many African countries, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have successfully enshrined affirmative action in their constitutions.”
The Speaker also acknowledged the critical role of state Houses of Assembly in advancing these reforms, urging state speakers to actively participate in ensuring that gender-focused constitutional amendments and legislation are adopted at the sub-national level.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has shared details of a private conversation he had with late President Muhammadu Buhari about his political ties and disagreements involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Lawal spoke in an interview on Channels Television, where he said the conversation happened shortly before Buhari’s death.
He explained that Buhari warned him about possible political disagreements that could come up between him and Tinubu in the future.
According to him, the late president said such situations were likely but should be handled carefully.
He said Buhari advised that any clash in political views should remain focused on governance and public issues.
The former president, he added, made it clear that personal attacks should be avoided, and discussions should remain centered on national matters rather than personal matters.
Lawal said he accepted the advice and made a promise to follow it. He explained that since then, he has tried to keep his public comments about Tinubu within political issues only, without bringing in personal matters.
He added that Buhari told him he might end up in political disagreement with someone he considered a friend, but he should avoid turning it into something personal. Lawal said he agreed to that guidance at the time and has tried to respect it in his political activities.
Quoting his exchange with Buhari, Lawal said the late president told him, “You are going to fight your friend politically; please promise me you will not go personal with your fight.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the party can only adopt a consensus candidate where all aspirants voluntarily agree to the arrangement.
Speaking on the party’s nomination process, the chairman emphasized that consensus candidacy is not imposed but must be the product of mutual consent among all contenders seeking the ticket.
In a statement, the chairman clarified that any consensus candidate must have backing of all the contenders.
— Prof. Nentawe
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost consumer protection.
NCC spokesperson, Nnenna Ukoha, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
She said the agreement would also combat fraud across telecommunications and financial sectors.
Ukoha said the MoU was formalised alongside inauguration of joint committees on payment systems, consumer protection, and the Telecoms Identity Risk Management System portal.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, said the pact provided a framework for collaboration on payment integrity, fraud mitigation, digital inclusion, and consumer protection.
He said the initiative would deliver outcomes that strengthen trust, deepen inclusion, and support a secure digital economy.
Maida described the signing as a milestone, reflecting both institutions’ commitment to financial stability and consumer protection in an interconnected ecosystem.
“The Commission places significant importance on collaboration. Many milestones in addressing industry challenges came through strategic partnerships,” he said.
He recalled NCC and CBN intervention in resolving the USSD debt impasse, restoring confidence among consumers, telecom operators, and financial institutions.
According to him, the MoU will promote secure digital payments and expand access to underserved populations and small businesses.
Maida said the TIRMS portal would help curb electronic fraud by offering real-time insights into phone number status.
“This includes whether a line is active, swapped, disconnected, reassigned, or flagged for suspicious activity.
“This will significantly improve financial institutions’ ability to combat phone-linked fraud,” he said.
He said the collaboration would also ensure prompt resolution of consumer complaints, including failed airtime recharges.
CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the MoU would improve coordination on approvals, standards, and innovation, including sandbox testing.
Cardoso reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to building a safer, more resilient, and inclusive digital financial system.
“Going forward, the Central Bank remains committed to working with the Commission to protect consumers and strengthen trust in the digital economy,” he said.
He inaugurated the joint committees, noting they would prioritise consumer protection and fraud prevention.
The initiative is expected to boost confidence while addressing risks in converging telecoms and financial services.
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