BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Barrister Muhammad Bello Goronyo, the State Minister for Works has reassured  that President Bola Ahmed Tinunu has uncommon love and passion for the wellbeing of Nigerians.

Goronyo, who stated this in Sokoto, also affirmed that the President is doing much hence deserve a second term to consolidate on the numerous developmental initiatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

While noting that aside being a very committed patriot, the President is also down to earth and listens to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, Goronyo admonished Nigerians to give the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu all the needed support to enable continue  delivering the good governance, he has started.

“”President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be commended for the loud initiative of engaging every stakeholder in the business of making Nigeria great once again. This has gone a long way to show that his government  is a serious one and it’s truly a government of people. A government that listens to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

“”This is the government that came with a renewed hope agenda, and the renewed hope agenda is all about putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians. You have seen it all in so many areas such as the rule of law, fighting insecurity, fighting corruption , promotion of economic growth, inclusivity, access to capital, improvement of infrastructure as seen in many gigantic projects. Especially, in the area of roads where we have four coastal highways like Illela -Sokoto-Lagos- Badagry which is almost 1058 kilometers, the Calabar coastal highways which is 758 kilometers, the trans-sahara route that is linking Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi up to Gombe””.

Drawing reference from the numerous ongoing projects of the President in less than two years, the Minister said, “”I am soliciting that all Nigerians should support Mr President so that when he is coming 2027 what will remain is to consolidate on our gains and move forward.

“‘Nigerians should be proud to have a President like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinibu who is a patriot, a passionate leader, a man who has committed himself to the service of the nation and doing it to best of his ability””.

According to the Minister, President Tinubu inherited over 36,000 kilometers of roads on assumption of office with some of the roads in delabatated condition because they are ashfat and constructed over  years ago.

Noting that, ashfat roads can not last more than 15 years before it gets exhausted, the Minister said, President Tinubu
reawarded the contract for the reconstruction of Kaduna-Abuja-kano expressed way which will be completed within 14 months and a 30 percent mobilisations fee  paid to  the contractor.

This expressway is going to be on a rigid concrete which is going to last not less than 50 years or above, even though it is costlier, Mr president choose that project should be on concrete because he wants the best for Nigeria.

‘””And above that, we have seen the reconstruction of Sokoto -Gusau- Zaria which is also going to be on concrete and the job has started.

“”Last month, I went round with some of your media team, from Sokoto to Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna just to show the sincerity of Mr President to Nigerians that no project which he started will be abandoned””,  Minister Goronyo enthused.

By Jumai Ahmadu

In a world striving for sustainable development, the recent Political Declaration emerging from the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) serves as both a beacon of hope and a call to action.

At the just consluded 69th Commission on The Status of Women (CSW69), that held for two weeks at the United Nations (UN) in New York, member states welcomed and adopted strong political declaration, committing to respect, protect and promote rights, equality and empowerment for all women and girls.

With its affirmation that gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are essential for achieving a sustainable future, this declaration challenges us to reflect on our progress, and our shortcomings, over the past three decades.

Our shared mission is one that resonates deeply with the principles of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which has long served as a roadmap for advancing gender equality and promoting sustainable development on a global scale.

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, governments have adopted by consensus a powerful political declaration to respect, protect, and champion the rights, equality, and empowerment of women and girls.

Despite the passage of 30 years since the Fourth World Conference on Women, it is starkly evident that no country has fully realized the vision of gender equality. Major gaps and obstacles persist, leaving countless women and girls behind. The Declaration not only recognizes these challenges but also galvanizes us to act.

A good news is that Namibia has become the first country in African continent to have women as both President and Vice.

The new President of Namibia, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, found it befitting to appoint a female, Lucia Witbooi as her Vice President.

The new Namibian President also reduced cabinet from 26 to 14 ministers and 7 deputies. 8 of the ministers are women.

Confronting gender-based violence in all its forms—from online harassment to sexual violence in conflict—is another vital aspect of this agenda. We cannot claim to foster equality while allowing such violence to persist unchecked.

Moreover, the Declaration emphasizes the importance of women’s equal participation in decision-making processes.

Representation matters; when women are involved in shaping policies, the outcomes are more likely to consider the needs of all segments of society. This leads to more comprehensive solutions to pressing issues, such as climate change, health care, and education.

In an increasingly digital world, ensuring that women and girls have access to these fields is essential for fostering innovation and economic growth. By equipping them with the skills needed for the future, we empower them to take their rightful place in society.

The declaration also underscores the necessity of strengthening our commitment to human rights, addressing intersecting forms of discrimination that many women face. This nuanced approach is crucial if we are to create a truly inclusive society.

Women must be at the table where decisions are made that affect our world.

In conclusion, the Political Declaration is both a commitment and a challenge. It implores us to recognize our achievements while acknowledging the work that remains. As we move forward, let us embrace this call to action, ensuring that we not only promise change but also deliver it for the women and girls who deserve nothing less.

The Political Declaration’s steps forward are substantial, demanding that we:

1) Advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda with financing for National Action Plans;

2) confront gender-based violence in all its forms—from the online threats to sexual violence in conflict;

3) ensure women’s equal participation in decision-making;

4) invest in education, STEM, and digital inclusion;

5) strengthen our commitment to human rights addressing intersecting forms of discrimination;

6) deliver concrete policies on care and social protection; and

7) hold ourselves accountable—ensuring that funding and data drive real progress on gender equality.

The Declaration also reaffirms our shared commitment:

– to CSW revitalization,

-to the Pact for the Future, and

– the Secretary-General’s System-wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan.

And it calls for :

-the nomination of women for future UN leadership positions,

-for Secretary-General, and for President of the General Assembly.

No nation has yet fully achieved gender equality. This bold Declaration makes clear that the world’s governments recognize 2025 as a pivotal moment, where promises made 30 years ago can no longer be deferred.

Rising to the challenges and opportunities of gender equality requires collective, decisive action across member states, now more than ever. At a time when hard-fought gains for gender equality are under attack the global community has come together in a show of unity for all women and girls, everywhere.

As we reflect on the progress made over the last decades, we must also acknowledge the challenges that persist. These include economic disenfranchisement and inequality that affect diverse youth and women disproportionately, undermining their potential and resilience.

It is our collective responsibility to address these barriers through proactive collaboration and creative solutions.

The transformative power of economic empowerment is an initiative that have provided countless individuals with the skills, resources, and support they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and contribute positively to their communities.

We believe that when women and youths are empowered, families thrive, economies flourish, and societies prosper.

We hereby reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and diverse youths as we strive to create a future where equity, opportunity, and justice are accessible to everyone.

Dr. (Mrs.) Jumai Ahmadu is Ag. Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department, FCTA, Social Entrepreneur and President, Helpline Social Support Initiative, Abuja

By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the global climate crisis, emphasizing that integrating climate change strategies into national development planning is not just crucial but cost-effective for sustainable growth.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mal. Mahmoud Adam Kambari, made this known on Friday during a two-day workshop themed “Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development Planning,” held in Suleja, Niger State.

Kambari stated that climate action must be embedded in the nation’s policy framework, stressing three key elements: mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction. He explained that reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for current and future environmental challenges, and taking proactive steps to minimize climate-related disasters are essential components of this effort.

“Contrary to common misconceptions, addressing climate change does not hinder development,” Kambari said. “With the right mix of policies, strategies, skills, and incentives, governments at all levels can drive investments in climate-friendly initiatives. This will not only boost economic opportunities but also ensure long-term sustainability.”

He said the primary goal of the workshop was to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools required to integrate climate change into national and sub-national planning processes.

Key objectives of the workshop include:
Building capacity among budget and planning officers at the federal, state, and local levels.

” Strengthening understanding of climate change impacts on sectors such as agriculture, health, water resources, and biodiversity.

“Promoting alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring climate resilience across government policies and programs;

” Developing governance strategies that prioritize climate considerations at all levels.

Kambari cited projections from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), warning that by 2050, global temperatures are expected to rise by at least 2°C, with the Arctic facing increases between 3 to 5°C. In West Africa and the Sahel, the rise could reach between 4 to 6°C by the end of the century. These changes, he noted, pose serious risks to food security, water supply, and public health.

“We cannot afford to ignore the threat of climate change,” he warned. “It endangers not just our environment but the future well-being of generations to come.”

He reiterated the Federal Ministry of Environment’s commitment to providing leadership, partnerships, and support to ensure effective climate mainstreaming across Nigeria’s development agenda.

“With these remarks, I hereby declare this workshop open. I look forward to engaging and impactful discussions,” Kambari concluded.