EXCLUSIVE: Njiko Igbo hails 'Hitch-Free' Yuletide, calls for permanent end to violence in Igboland - ITREALMS

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In a significant move toward regional stability, the pan-Igbo non-political, socio-cultural organization Njiko Igbo has issued a formal appreciation to youth groups and security stakeholders for the unprecedented peace recorded across Igboland during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year celebrations, reports ITREALMS.

In a statement obtained exclusively by ITREALMS Online, the group’s leadership noted that for the first time in several years, the region witnessed a remarkable level of calm that allowed families and those in the diaspora to travel and celebrate without the usual shadow of fear or insecurity.

PIN Report exposes widespread technology-facilitated gender violence across six African nations - ITREALMS

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67% of Respondents Victimised: Paradigm Initiative Study Uncovers Severe Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Crisis Across Africa

A new, landmark study by the pan-African digital rights and inclusion organisation, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), has exposed a rapidly escalating crisis of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) across Africa, reports ITREALMS.

The research, released on International Human Rights Day, reveals that a staggering 67 per cent of respondents reported being victims of at least one or multiple forms of digital violence.

Alapomu denies allegation of inciting electoral violence - ITREALMS

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The Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, has denied allegation making a round of inciting electoral violence in Osun State, reports ITREALMS.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Tolu Adetunji, the monarch said his attention has been drawn to a video where he made a speech at the flag of a road construction in Apomu.

Governor Adeleke warns transporters against violence, suspends SSA on Civil Societies - ITREALMS

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Governor Ademola Adeleke has warned transport workers in Osun State against actions and activities capable of plunging the state into violence and lawlessness.

The Governor has also directed immediate suspension of the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Societies pending outcome of investigations by the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye.

Research reveals education’s potential in reducing violence, advancing peace - ITREALMS

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Latest research by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), have revealed that education has the potential to reduce violence and advance peace at all levels of the society, reports ITREALMS.

GPE in the new research provided compelling evidence of the strong relationship between education and peace.

Centre LSD joins 16-day activism against gender violence - ITREALMS

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The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) has joined in the commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence year 2023, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement by the project lead, Side-by-Side Movement for Gender Justice at the Centre, Mr. Nyong Essien noted that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violation in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.

EU to Nigerian youths: Participate actively in 2023 elections, shun violence - ITREALMS

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The European Union has urged Nigerian youths to go beyond obtaining their voter's card to participate actively in the upcoming 2023 general elections and ensure that they influence the outcome.

The head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Samuela Isopi described the 2023 polls as a critical time for young people in the country as it presents another opportunity for youths to be part of the decision making process.

True cost of violence against children - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The high economic cost of violence against children in Nigeria was been revealed in an unprecedented report, launched jointly by UNICEF and the Federal Government, under the leadership of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, reports ITREALMS.

According to the report, the economic impact of the violence against children in Nigeria is estimated to be about USD$6.1 billion, which is equivalent to about 1.07 percent of the country’s GDP.

This financial loss is from the cumulative loss of earnings due to loss of productivity, stemming from suffering associated with different degrees of violence, over time.

“The cost of inaction is high, when it comes to violence against children,” said Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. “Violence affects children’s health, education, and productivity. It is clear that we need to eliminate any form of violence against children – both from a moral perspective and an economic perspective.”

The report revealed that about half of the Nigerian children surveyed experienced physical violence by parents, adult relatives, direct or indirect caregivers or community members, before they reached 18.

“The findings of this study point to the strong need for increased funding of interventions by government to reduce violence against children in Nigeria,” said Mr Olajide S. Odewale, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

It was noted that the study may actually underestimate the economic burden of violence against children, as several serious consequences of such violence were not included, due to a current lack of data.

The evidence presented in the report indicates an urgent need to provide child protection services in Nigeria and prioritize the elimination of violence against children, which can ensure the country’s human capital has the mental, physical, and emotional stability needed to boost its social and economic development.

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, giving us an opportunity to join our collective efforts to protecting children from violence, abuse and neglect. This includes a re-commitment to increase investment in child protection services,” said Mohamed Malick Fall, UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria.

The research on violence against children was led by the Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF, and with funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through USAID, the EU and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Relationship: Domestic violence in marriages worries expert, offers tips

ITREALMS:

A relationship expert and life coach, Mrs. Ifeoma Chigbogwu, has decried the rising deaths and injuries on spouses in Nigeria due to domestic violence, describing such relationships as ‘domestic jungles’ reports ITRealms.

Chigbogwu, an award-winning author and blogger in a 15-minute video made available to ITRealms, explained that the spate of domestic violence which manifestes in wife-beatings, mutilations, violence against pregnant women and unborn babies, has made many marriages death traps and chambers of horrors and torture.

The motivational speaker, who also runs an outreach programme that caters for widows and orphans, observed that men were no longer the only culprits in domestic violence as a growing number of female partners have reportedly become aggressors in recent times.

“Lately, the women are in fierce competition with the men…in this gory domestic saga. If they are not pouring hot oil on the men, they are stabbing them to death or setting the bedroom or house on fire while the men sleep”, Chibogwu lamented.

She hinted that “many men are yet to wake up to the reality that their wives have overtaken them in finding new and creative devilish methods to vent pent up anger. Honestly, this is a tragic nightmare.”

Chigbogwu, however, advised intending couples to observe their prospective partners carefully to discern any attitudes or actions characteristic of abusers.

“Look out for reverential fear of God and self-discipline, otherwise your Knight in shining armour could become your nightmare and your Queen of your castle, could become your Quinine.

“During courtship, everyone should be on the lookout for tell-tale signs that are usually ignored. Habits or demonstrated attitudes. These are called red flags or danger signals.

“Some people can cover up their malicious and evil energies and intentions and you simply have no clue but if truth was told, most abusive relationships do not start overnight. You will notice the lack of transparency, the lies, the negative and dysfunctional behaviors”, she added.

According to Chigbogwu “How can you see a man who slaps his mother or tells you that his mother is useless, and you go ahead and marry him happily because you feel that will save you from mother in-law issues?

How can you hear a young lady tell her father or older brother to shut up and mind their business, because she has her life to live and you are happy that she is independent, particularly if she told them so in defense of you during courtship?

There are so many examples of red flags but assuming these were not seen or noticed. How will you know you are in a jungle and what should you do?”

Watch full video here:

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Right activists call for renew efforts to end violence against children

ITRealms:

As the world marks the 2016 Children's Day celebration, human right activists are calling for renewed efforts to end violence against children, reports ITRealms.

They noted that with the theme of this year’s Children’s Day, “Protect the rights of the child in the face of violence and insecurity: End child marriage” helps to shed a much needed light on the unprecedented levels of violence against children in Nigeria in the recent past and present.

In the North East, they acknowledged witnessing and continued to witness grave violations of children’s rights - killings, abductions, sexual violence and use in suicide bombings by Boko Haram. More than 1.2 million children have been displaced - more than half of them below the age of 5.

"However, children living away from the crisis in the northeast are also at risk of violence," UNICEF in a press statement said.

The  Nigeria  Violence Against Children Survey (carried out by the National Population Commission, with the support of UNICEF and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), launched by Government of Nigeria in September 2015, highlighted the  prevalence of sexual, physical, and emotional violence suffered by  children in Nigeria. The survey estimates that half of all children in Nigeria experience physical violence, one in four girls and one in ten boys experience sexual violence and one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence before they reach the age of 18 years.  Less than 4% get the help they need to recover.

In response, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Year of Action to End Violence Against Children on 15 September 2015, in conjunction with the National Priority Actions, which not only set out the key actions of national Ministries and Agencies, but also of NGOs, religious groups and the media. He called upon all States to launch their own campaigns and every Nigerian to play their part in ending violence against children.

Progress has been made. Lagos was the first State to heed the President’s call, launching their own campaign and priority actions in February 2016. Cross River will be the second in June 2016. Bayelsa State domesticated the Child Rights Act. Nine States, with funding from USAID and the European Union, have joined together to develop a model child protection system in order to translate this essential Act into reality. 12 States will hold #iMarch4Children marches today to raise societal awareness on the prevalence and impact of violence against children.

“This year’s Children’s Day offers the opportunity to highlight the significant pledges made  by the Federal Government, NGOs, religious groups and the media last September to join hands to end violence against children, and call for renewed efforts by all stakeholders to turn the commitments they made into action for children”, said Jean Gough, Representative UNICEF Nigeria. 

There is no better time than today to take action. Together, let’s end violence against children.

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Kogi governorship: Violence at APC National Secretariat

ITRealms:

The National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Wuse II at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was in crisis this afternoon with violence between supporters of dissenting party loyalists, reports ITRealms.

According to reports monitored on Channels Tv, supporters of Messrs James Faleke and Yahaya Bello alias ‘Fair Plus’ were engaged in fisticuff.

ITRealms recalls that both James Faleke and Yahaya Bello are top contenders in search for a substitute for late Prince Abubakar Audu, the APC candidate for the Kogi State governorship election which was declared inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Noteworthy is that Faleke, was Prince Audu’s running mate, while Yahaya was the first runner up during the party primaries.
 

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