News
NGO sensitizes 50 Kaduna community stakeholders to prevent the rate of child abuse
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Kishimi Shelter & Care Foundation, has engaged 50 community leaders to help curb the prevalent cases of child abuse in Kauru and Soba Local Government Areas of Kaduna.
The Executive Director of the Kishimi Shelter & Care Foundation, Mrs. Grace Samuel while fielding questions from newsmen on Monday at the sensitization program held in Kaduna, said safeguarding children in various communities is a collective responsibility.
Grace noted that the sensitization program was part of the PLANE initiative to curb the prevalent cases of child abuse being implemented in Kauru and Soba Local Government Areas, respectively.
” One of the key challenges we have observed was the absence of children in school during harvest season, where they go to farm just to make quick money at the expense of their education.
” You know there are different levels of child abuse. We have issues of physical abuse, which sometimes we see teachers in classrooms holding Cane, there are things we don’t allow,” Grace stated.
She further explained,” We have emotional abuse which is very common in schools and our communities, noting emotional abuse has to do with derogatory words on children.
” What we’re doing today is sensitizing the parents and stakeholders to avoid such things, and we also have the other side of neglect, which is very common here in the North, where you will see a child staying for a whole day without food.
” Also, sexual abuse of all kinds, rape which is the most prevalent. These are some of the things that we’re also sensitizing the key stakeholders so that, in turn, they’ll trickle down these messages to their various communities.
“Finally, we’ve exploitation, using children to make a profit. You will see parents; instead of working and providing for their families, they, in turn, send their children to hawk or beg to bring the proceeds home. There are many other things they do in this aspect of exploitation.
PUNCH reports that the event brought together Education Secretaries, Local Government Executives, and traditional government Agencies to reflect on their activities in child safeguarding and aim to strengthen the efforts of relevant stakeholders on preventive measures.” she said.
The Director, Social Development, Soba Local Government Area, Aisha Zarma, said most families avoid reporting cases of child abuse particularly rape cases because of stigmatization.
” But we have continued to engage and sensitize them on the need to know is their right to report such cases and get justice.
” We have a special unit in the Local Government where we handle such cases and we have been doing excellently well.” She concluded.
Senator David Jimkuta (APC), representing Taraba South Senatorial District at the National Assembly says 19 senators have been denied landing permit at the Kashimbilla airport in Taraba.
Jimkuta made the complain at his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, Taraba, where he donated assorted items to the constituents.
He explained that the 19 senators were selected by the Senate to accompany him and to witness his empowerment programme.
The senator lamented that he got the report that the Kashimbila air port was temporary shut down, after he had completed every procedure required to fly into the airport.
Jimkuta, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils, said that the visit would have allowed the know the needs of the state to be of support.
He said that the situation had prevented the senators from gracing the occasion.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their equipment.
Jimkuta also promised to support security with logistics to enhance security of lives and properties in the district.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their items but use them to better their lots.
Earlier, Chief David Kente, Chairman of the event, thanked the senator for the massive distribution of items to his constituents.
Kente, a philanthropist and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the empowerment as unpresidented in the history of the district.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that items distributed include cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, vulcanizing machines among others.
By Nathaniel Irobi
David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja.
Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, Parradang, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday.
Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post.
Parradang, who served in the NIS for over 30 years, held various positions across the country, including Comptroller General.
He served in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory. He also attended several professional courses both within Nigeria and internationally.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and was a distinguished graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Security agencies have reportedly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abduction and killing, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in their newly appointed Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.
In a press briefing held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of North-east CAN, affirmed that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the selection of Rev. Hayab and other Executive members.
Bishop Naga, who serves as the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), urged Christians, particularly those from the North, to continue praying for the peace, unity, and progress of a region beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further encouraged all Christians to extend their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the founding Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to express our unwavering support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes they must hold power indefinitely should recognise that the stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, including the General Secretary of national CAN, Northern CAN, and representatives from various states, have honoured the election. This election stands firm, and we remain loyal.”
“We want to convey to the world, particularly those of us in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn regarding Christian matters. We advocate for peace and acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN was established here, and we honour our father, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the first patron of CAN. This illustrates our kinship and commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
“Anyone seeking to disrupt this long-standing harmony is, in essence, an enemy of progress. In conclusion, I call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, who are fasting. Let us pray for peace in Nigeria and for the advancement of our beloved country, particularly in the North,” Bishop Naga concluded.