Kwara

by FIDA

NDLEA Issues Warning on Rising Threat of Online Drug Sales, Urges Vigilance Amidst FIDA Week 2023

In a startling revelation at the FIDA Week 2023 celebrations organized by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Kwara state, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raised a red flag concerning the escalating issue of online drug sales. Ibrahim Mohammed, the state commander of NDLEA, addressed the audience on the pressing concern during his keynote speech titled “Uprise in Drug Abuse: Role of Parents.”

Describing the phenomenon as a global challenge, Mohammed shed light on the prevalence of online drug sales, often facilitated through the dark net. This new dimension in the drug abuse problem allows transactions to occur without the seller and buyer being aware of each other. Mohammed emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, particularly as it has become increasingly common in the country.

To combat the menace, the NDLEA has been working to intercept these online transactions, focusing on tracking deliveries from neighboring states through commercial vehicles. The agency has also intensified its patrol efforts and gathered intelligence to effectively address the issue.

Acknowledging the potential surge in online drug sales during the approaching Yuletide period, Mohammed commended the proactive support of the state governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who has provided infrastructure to bolster efforts against this growing problem.

Highlighting the link between drug abuse and the rising crime rate, Mohammed stressed the importance of protective factors such as family harmony, positive parenting, and effective monitoring of children. He asserted that there is no crime without a drug undertone, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort to tackle the issue.

Gloria Okoduwa, the state chairperson of FIDA, echoed the concerns raised by NDLEA and emphasized the impact of phones on family dynamics, with family discussions often neglected. FIDA announced plans to launch a campaign against drug abuse and its effects in major markets and public places in the state.

Okoduwa emphasized the need for parents to be actively involved in their children’s lives, urging against judgmental attitudes and advocating for effective monitoring. The FIDA Week 2023 committee chairperson, Hajia Muinat Adeleye, lamented the pervasive nature of drug abuse in the country and called for concerted efforts to address the problem, urging parents to prioritize their children’s well-being over career and business pursuits. She particularly advised against providing phones to underage children in light of the prevailing socioeconomic challenges.

by FIDA

2023 Election: FIDA Nigeria holds workshop on reporting violence against women

As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on the 2nd of February 2023, held a workshop to train observers on reporting acts of violence against women during elections in Nigeria.

In her address at the program, the FIDA Nigeria Country Vice President/National President, Mrs. Amina Agabaje, which was delivered by the Ilorin branch FIDA chairperson, Barrister Gloria Okoduwa stressed that the one-day workshop is meant for accredited observers on observing, documenting and reporting incidences of electoral violence perpetrated against women before and during the 2023 General Elections.

She revealed that a similar workshop was being implemented across the four focal states of the intervention namely Kwara (North Central), Borno (North East), Plateau (North Central) and Kaduna (North West).In her words,

“Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian women signaled their intention to make their voices heard in the 2019 election, accounting for about 47.14 percent (39,598,645 million) of the 84.004.084 million registered voters nationwide. 

“Going into the 2023 general elections, there has been an increase in the number of female voters from 39.598,645 to 44.414.846 and from 47,14% in 2019 to 47.51% in 2023 evidently women represent about 50% of the Nigerian population.

“In spite of this, their level of political participation and representation is increasingly very poor. 

“Current statistics of women in parliament in Nigeria confirm that women representation in parliament is on a steady decline. 9% in 2007, 7% in 201-1, 5% in 2015 and less than 10% in the 9th National Assembly. Using the 2015 figures, there are only 4 women deputy governors in all of Nigeria’s 36 states. While factors militating against women participation are varied, a major cause hindering effective participation of women in politics is the issue of violence.

“She noted that the eradication of political violence is key in advancing women political participation as it is of paramount importance to condense political violence before and after elections so that women can fully participate in elections. 

“The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in laying credence to this fact have clearly recognized that, elections have triggered outbreaks of violence in which women and girls were victimized which have made women a tool of political harassment and violence before during and after elections. 

“This has made female voters continue to be disproportionately affected by various forms of election-related violence or threats of violence which is the effect of keeping them away from the polling stations more than male voters.

“It is on this premise that this capacity building workshop is being organized towards advancing the participation of women in the 2023 general elections,” she said.

by FIDA

FIDA Nigeria Holds Workshop to Prevent Violence Against Women in Elections

Recognizing the paramount importance of eradicating political violence before, during and after elections given its advantages in the advancement of women’s political participation, FIDA Nigeria on the 6th and 7th of December 2022 held a two-day capacity-building workshop for some selected Law Enforcement Agencies, institutions, and oversight mechanisms in Kwara state.

The workshops key objective was to strengthen the capacities of the participants to effectively prevent and respond to violence against women in elections, Sexual & Gender Based Violence, and other forms of Violence against women” that may deter female electorates participation at the polls.

The event couldn’t have been more apt even as the world continues to mark this years 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.