By Francesca Hangeior

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz told the UN’s Lebanon envoy on Tuesday that any breach of a ceasefire deal that the security cabinet is set to vote on would result in Israel acting “forcefully”.

“If you do not act, we will do it, forcefully,” Katz told envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert when meeting her in Tel Aviv, adding Israel would have “zero tolerance” when defending its security interests in the future, according to a statement from his office.

“Any house rebuilt in south Lebanon and used as a terrorist base will be destroyed, any rearming or terrorist organisation will be attacked, any attempt at transferring arms will be foiled, and any threat against our forces or our citizens will be immediately eliminated,” said Katz in the statement.

The statement added that the previous situation in which Hezbollah had been able to build up military capacity in southern Lebanon despite the presence of the UN’s Lebanon force there, UNIFIL, would not be tolerated.

Israel’s security cabinet is due to meet on Tuesday to vote on the proposed ceasefire in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, an official said, while the White House voiced optimism that a deal was close.

The United States, European Union and United Nations have pushed for a halt to the long-running hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into full-scale war in late September.

By Francesca Hangeior

Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, has re-emphasised the interest of the state government to safeguard women and girl-child against all forms of violence and abuse.

Adeleye canvassed for increased reportage on Gender-Based Violence cases, improving responses, and growing solidarity of men and women championing the cause, to ensure no woman or girl is left behind

The commissioner, on Tuesday, gave the assurance in a statement issued to mark the commencement of the annual 16 days of activity against Gender-Based Violence with the theme; “No Excuse: Unite to End Violence Against Women”.

Adeleye said, “Over the past years, the sensitisation campaigns have reached unprecedented levels, driving meaningful conversations and changing attitudes across communities.

“And through collaboration, persistent advocacy, awareness, and expanded access to support systems, as well as resources for survivors, the state has been able to make remarkable achievements”.

She noted that the victories recorded have further inspired the ministry’s determination to strengthen policies and implement impactful measures to address all forms of violence against women.

The commissioner stated that the essence of this year’s theme was to reflect and redouble efforts in eliminating GBV and ensure every woman and girl lives with dignity, respect, and the freedom they deserve.

She has therefore called on relevant stakeholders and every individual to unite with the state government in building a safe society for all, continue to break the silence, support survivors, and challenge harmful beliefs and practices that perpetuate violence.

***Says, platform not controlled by non-state actors

By Francesca Hangeior

The immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has berated his successor, Monday Okpebholo, for shutting down the state’s e-governance platform.
Reports have it that Okpebholo had said that the entire e-governance platform is being run and operated from the backend by unknown non-state actors, and no one within the whole public service of the state has administrative control of the platform.
In a statement through the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, the governor ordered an immediate review of the platform.

Okpebholo added that all officials and staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to continue to work on the platform pending the outcome of the ongoing review.

However, Obaseki, in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Crusoe Osagie, stated that Okpebholo’s excuses for shutting down the platform are shameful and regressive.

The former governor said Okpebholo’s decision was a sign of a clueless government and an insult to the sensibilities of Edo workers and the people of the state.

Obaseki stated that the platform is operated by the Edo ICT Agency, a parastatal under the Edo State Ministry of Digital Economy, with the support of expert consultants.

The statement read, “We read with surprise and deep disappointment the utterly ridiculous statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, where he laboriously attempted to justify the illogical shutdown of the Edo e-governance platform and the decision to revert the state’s civil service operations back to paper files to run the government.

“This irrational decision is not only shameful and regressive but also an insult to the sensibilities of Edo workers and the people of the state. It further exposes the government’s cluelessness and lack of the depth and knowledge required for effective governance and administration in the 21st century.

“To be clear, the platform is operated by the Edo ICT Agency, a parastatal under the Edo State Ministry of Digital Economy, with the support of expert consultants, ensuring a digital and efficient system for government processes and operations.

“However, the unprepared and clueless government of Senator Monday Okpebholo, having come into power through one of the most flawed electoral processes in the country, has since sacked most of the senior civil servants in the agency. As a result, the government is now hamstrung and unable to run the e-gov system effectively.

“Had the government not embarked on the ongoing indiscriminate sack of civil and public servants in the state, the officials and workers responsible for this system would have been available to explain and train them on the process and functionality of the digital system. But what else can we expect from a governor who came to power through the backdoor? He is unprepared for office, in short supply of ideas, and lacks a clear vision to drive the development and progress of the state.”

Obaseki also refuted allegations by the Okpebholo government that there is no institutional memory, saying that all government memory and data are stored in the state-owned Data Centre.

It added, “We also want to clarify that the allegations by the government that there is no institutional memory are completely false. All government memory and data are stored in the state-owned Data Centre, which was built and commissioned by the immediate past administration of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. The Data Centre is situated within the Government House compound, from where the Secretary to the State Government is dishing out his jaundiced statements, filled with lies and half-truths.

“For eight years, the immediate past governor, HE Godwin Obaseki, focused on nuanced policies and programmes to lay a solid foundation for the State, placing it on the path of progress and prosperity.

“We advise Okpebholo to follow this path if he doesn’t have a vision or plan for the state rather than erode the progress that has been made over these past few years with his illogical and poorly thought-out decisions and policies.”