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Nigeria Ranks Behind Gabon, Cape Verde, S/Leone, Others On 35% Affirmative Action
Nigeria is now far behind countries like Gabon, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone and South Africa when it comes to gender balance in Governance, a Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Abubakar Marshal has said.
The lawyer leading a legal advocacy for the advocacy for 35% affirmative action, decried the fact that Nigeria, which should be the pace for other nations in the region to follow, is now falling behind.
He disclosed this while speaking on the legal implication of the refusal of the federal Government to adhere to the April 2022 High Court judgment that affirms 35% appointive position for Nigerian Women.
He said other African countries took proactive measures to address the issue of legal gender policy.
Recall that Civil Society Organisations led by Nigerian Women Trust Fund secured a historic judgment in the federal High court, mandating the Federal Government to reserve 35% of its appointive position to Women. However, both the administration of Muhammadu Buhari and his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are yet to implement the court order.
“There have been advocacy movements by gender-pressure groups like Nigerian Women Trust Fund, national association of women lawyers, Women in Politics, Yiaga Africa amongst others to ensure that the judgment is complied with”, he said.
According to the Barrister Marshal, “since the court of law made a prohibitive order against a government institution or agency and anything that such an agency or government institution does which clearly violates that particular order is null and void it’s illegal”. He said, since the government could not appeal the judgment, it is bound to abide by the order.
“There wasn’t an attempt. you see after that particular judgment was passed down because it raised a lot of interest”, he said. As a matter of fact he said, the then Minister of Women Affairs, Dame, Paul Tallin, who was very happy about the prospect of having the judgments complied with by the president. “So she did take that particular judgment to meet the president’s and that judgment was discussed in the council of states meeting and the president affirmed to the council of states meeting and members of the president’s council that he is going to comply with that judgment”, he said.
He called on President Tinubu to be a true democrat and act according to the law. “So, the President must take proactive measures and ensure that he’s a true Democrat. And a true Democrat is willing and ready to comply with every law and with every court order and judgment that is binding upon him”.
“I’m using this opportunity to implore the president to do the needful by complying with these Judgment and also doing more advocacy is not a one time thing ; consistency and honesty pays off”.
He also called on the new minister of justice to advise the President on the need to adhere to the court order. “The Minister holds the responsibility of advising the president on all of these legal issues. I think we have the minister of justice whom we believe is more proactive and
has shown that he can match actions with where it matters”, he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The police chief, however, directed the Kano State command of the force to obtain the monarch’s statement in the State regarding the incident.
Egbetokun, who gave the directive through the spokesman of the police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the withdrawal became imperative following the intervention of some stakeholders in the country.
The top cop also said his resolve was in line with the police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted.
The Inspire Her Conference & Awards 2025, set to take place in Abuja on 17th April, promises to be a celebration of female leadership, resilience, and achievement across Africa.
The event will be led by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Honourable Minister for State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, alongside other influential women leaders.
The conference and awards, organised by the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative & Magazine and Rest Logic Nigeria, will honour a diverse group of exceptional women for their contributions to society and leadership.
Among the distinguished recipients of the Inspire Her Award are Halima Buba, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Trust Bank; Hajiya Umma Getso, the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of NEXIM Bank; and Engr. Fatima Umar Farouk, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs.
The conference will also highlight the achievements of other accomplished female leaders, aiming to inspire women across the continent and encourage resilience, inclusion, and progress.
With the theme “Accelerate Action: Building Resilience,” the conference will address key issues such as gender equality, leadership inclusion, human capital development, work-life balance, and poverty eradication.
In addition to the award ceremony, the event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, creating a platform for dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing African women today.
Attendees will have the chance to engage with top female leaders from both corporate and private sectors, share ideas, and explore potential solutions to enhance women’s roles in leadership and societal progress.
Amb. Jeremiah Agala, Executive Director of the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative, and Co-Convener Dr. Joy Franklyn Ekemezie, emphasised that the conference would highlight the excellence, hard work, and resilience of African and Nigerian women.
“This year’s conference will feature the Inspire Her Fire Chat, a new addition designed to provide deeper insights into the journeys of our honourees and inspire the next generation of women leaders,” Agala said.
The event, which is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, will take place at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja, with a diverse audience that includes female youth leaders, students, women’s organisations, decision-makers, and the international community.
With a limited number of slots available, organisers are urging those interested to register early, as admission is strictly by registration.
The conference promises to be a powerful event, one that will not only celebrate the success of African women but also create pathways for future empowerment and leadership.
Early Sunday, a missile barrage targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, injuring at least three individuals and igniting multiple fires, according to the city’s mayor. This attack occurred just two days after a Russian strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that emergency services were dispatched to two districts within Kyiv, while the Ukrainian air force confirmed that missiles had penetrated the northern Chernihiv region.
“Explosions have been reported in the capital, and air defense systems are currently engaged,” Klitschko stated on Telegram. He urged residents to seek shelter, warning, “The missile assault on Kyiv persists.”
So far, three injuries have been recorded, with fires erupting in non-residential structures and damage inflicted on eight vehicles.
This onslaught coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, over three years into Moscow’s extensive invasion, while also seeking to mend relations with the Kremlin.
Poland’s military announced that it, along with allied forces, had taken to the skies in response to Russian strikes near the western Ukrainian border, with ground-based air defense systems on high alert.
“Due to the heightened activity of long-range Russian aviation targeting locations within western Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft operations in our airspace have commenced,” stated its operational command on X. “These measures are intended to ensure security in regions bordering the threatened zones.”
On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its air defense units had intercepted and destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones.
**Zelensky Critiques U.S. Response**
On Saturday, President Zelensky criticized the U.S. embassy for what he termed a “weak” statement that failed to hold Russia accountable for the recent deadly missile strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig.
The missile impacted a residential area near a children’s playground in central Ukraine, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine children, aged between three and 17. In a heartfelt social media post, Zelensky called out the U.S. embassy for its reluctance to name Russia as the aggressor.
“Regrettably, the American embassy’s response is surprisingly disappointing: such a powerful nation, yet such a feeble reaction,” Zelensky remarked. “They hesitate to even mention ‘Russian’ when discussing the missile that claimed the lives of children.”
Zelensky’s remarks followed a post by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink on X, expressing horror over the missile strike near a playground and restaurant. In his evening address, Zelensky emphasized, “It is both incorrect and perilous to remain silent about the fact that it is Russia perpetrating these crimes against children with ballistic missiles. This only emboldens the perpetrators in Moscow to continue their aggression and disregard diplomatic solutions.”
The president, who hails from Kryvyi Rig, where the pre-war population was approximately 600,000, conveyed his condolences and called for a three-day mourning period on April 7, 8, and 9.
“This is nothing short of a mass murder of civilians,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rig military administration.
Images shared by rescue services depicted several victims, with one body found near a playground swing. In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it executed a “precision strike” against a meeting of military commanders and Western instructors in the area. The Ukrainian army’s General Staff countered that Moscow was attempting to obscure its heinous actions and disseminating false information, labeling Russia’s actions as “war crimes.”
While Trump continues to encourage both sides to pursue a ceasefire, his administration has struggled to mediate a mutually acceptable agreement. Zelensky remarked that the missile attack underscored Russia’s lack of interest in halting its full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian president reported “significant progress” following discussions with British and French military leaders in Kyiv on Friday. They explored plans for a “reassurance” force from London and Paris to be deployed to Ukraine if a resolution to the conflict is achieved.
Zelensky shared on social media that the meeting with British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard yielded “the initial details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed.” This initiative represents one of the latest efforts by European leaders to coordinate a response after Trump initiated direct negotiations with the Kremlin, sidelining them.