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WARIF intensifies campaign against GBV in Akwa Ibom, urges victims to speak up

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WARIF intensifies campaign against GBV in Akwa Ibom, urges victims to speak up
Stay Ahead with OsundailyNG - Your Daily Dose of Nigerian News & Insights

Women At Risk International Foundation, (WARIF) has continued to advocate against Gender Based Violence, especially Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as well as other harmful practices in Akwa Ibom State.

It urged victims to speak up and report to relevant authorities in their local communities as there are available laws to give them succor and punish offenders.

Recall that WARIF in partnership with UN Women through the UN-Leap Project had on May 8 trained traditional rulers and faith leaders in Uyo on dangers of GBV, after which the Traditional Rulers Council in turn had an open declaration for the abolition of all forms of violation against anyone, especially women and children.

To solidify the declaration, the Program Lead of WARIF, Adeola Potts-Johnson, who spoke with newsmen at the end of a sensitization walk in Uyo during the weekend, said phone numbers have been made available for not only victims of GBV but everyone to call in and report related incidents for prompt action .

Johnson therefore encouraged traditional and faith leaders to spearhead the awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts in order to dismantle harmful gender norms and practices in their local communities and churches.

She said, “This initiative is designed to assess the commitments made by traditional and faith leaders in Nigeria to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) and eliminate harmful cultural practices.

“It’s not just only about the declaration we had in May, but to see it documented and implemented. We carried out a dialogue with community leaders, youth leaders across the four clans in Uyo, giving out our fliers to talk about dangers of gender based violence, what it is and numbers they can call in response to these vices if you see them. We want to ensure that people at the grassroots also get that information.”

The village head of Ikot Ntuen Oku, Eteidung Nsikan Ikpe, who represented the Paramount ruler of Uyo, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, said the people have been sensitized on the implications of indulging in any form of gender based violence including rape, battery and defilement. He added that sanity had returned to the communities.

“There is a lot of impact after the declaration. Everybody is now cautious and we always encourage people to report to village heads, family heads, youth leaders or any authority issues of abuse,” he said.

The Youth Leader, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Pastor Mfon Umoh admitted the high level of GBV in the society and urged WARIF to sensitize the people on the dangers of GBV even as he noted that churches are working hard in preaching against GBV during their meetings and conventions.

Speaking, Nkechi Udoh, the desk officer for the UN Women LEAP Project in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, said GBV remains a capital offense and should not be condoned.

She disclosed that people have been coming out to speak and report cases of GBV following the level of awareness so far, adding that more sensitization needs to be done to encourage others to come out.

“People are coming to make reports and even just today somebody came and reported. Victims were actually staying back because of stigma, because of labeling, and because most of the perpetrators make them do some nasty things, take some substance just to instill fear. There’s that fear factor in them.

“So my advice, my suggestion is that they should be brave enough, not just for themselves, to fight for the others. Because of they do not speak out, that violence will continue. That person may continue violating him or her and will continue doing it to others.”

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Nigerian celebrities react to president Buhari’s death

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BREAKING: Akume, Wike, others in Tinubu's committee for Buhari’s burial
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As Nigerian leaders continue to mourn the late President Muhammadu Buhari, many celebrities have also reacted to the news.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past president, died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after a prolonged illness.

Following the sad news, the Nigerian government declared seven days of mourning to honour the deceased’s legacy.

The declaration of mourning by the Federal Government sparked controversial tributes from Nigerians, including celebrities.

Reacting to the development, singer Eedris Abdulkareem attributed the negative comments against the late president to the consequences of his actions while alive.

“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.

Also reacting to Buhari’s passing, celebrated Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Igboho, in a video shared on his Facebook page, stated, “The man that sent DSS to come and kill me in the middle of the night on July 4th 2021 has died today.”

Big Brother Naija reality show star Tacha berated Buhari’s critics on the X platform, noting that criticism cannot erase Buhari’s name from Nigeria’s history.

She wrote, “No matter your views, Muhammadu Buhari was a major part of Nigeria’s story. RIP.”

Actress Kate Henshaw, in a post on X, noted that life is vanity.

She wrote, “Nothing dey this life.”

Former Big Brother Naija housemate and actor Pere Egbi stated that the pain left behind by Buhari resulted in “bitterness and hate.”

While advising President Bola Tinubu to learn from Buhari’s administration, Pere urged him to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

“May his soul rest in peace until resurrection morning. President Tinubu, as you reflect on your predecessor’s legacy, I appeal to your conscience: Nigeria is hurting. Millions are broken. Many have lost faith in political leaders because the pain left behind has fermented into bitterness and hate,” he stated.

Singer Portable, in a video on Instagram, said, “Make sure you do good. It’s Buhari that offends us, not Tinubu. Buhari died in London. May God rest his soul.”

Legendary fuji musician KWAM 1 sang Buhari’s praises in a video shared on his Instagram page and wished him “sleep well.”

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Naira appreciates massively against dollar ahead of public holiday to honour Buhari

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Naira appreciates massively against dollar ahead of public holiday to honour Buhari
Stay Ahead with OsundailyNG - Your Daily Dose of Nigerian News & Insights

The naira appreciated significantly against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange market, beginning the week on a positive note ahead of Tuesday’s public holiday in honour of the late Nigerian former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Exchange data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the naira strengthened to N1,518.89 against the dollar on Monday, up from N1,530.26 traded at the close of business last Friday.

This means the naira firmed up substantially by N11.37 against the dollar compared to the N1,530.26 rate on Friday.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that, for the first time since last week, the naira is recording this margin of gain at the official market in a single day.

Meanwhile, the naira remained stable at the parallel (black) market on Monday, closing at N1,550 per dollar, the same rate as recorded last week.

The appreciation on the official market comes as the Nigerian government, through the National Bureau of Statistics, is expected to release the country’s inflation rate on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Central Bank of Nigeria fixed its Monetary Policy Committee meeting to decide on Nigeria’s interest rate for July 21 and 22, 2025.

 

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Buhari: ‘Show empathy If you want sympathy in death’ – Eedris Abdulkareem tells Nigerian leaders

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Buhari: 'Show empathy If you want sympathy in death' - Eedris Abdulkareem tells Nigerian leaders
Stay Ahead with OsundailyNG - Your Daily Dose of Nigerian News & Insights

Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has stated that Nigerian leaders must share in the feelings of citizens if they want the public to sympathise with them in death.

The singer made this statement following the mixed reactions trailing the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that Buhari died on Sunday afternoon at a UK clinic after an alleged battle with leukaemia.

While his political allies are paying tribute to him, many Nigerians have been criticising and accusing him of various failings.

Addressing citizens in a post on his social media page, former senator, Shehu Sani, pleaded with the public to forgive Buhari his imperfections.

“A living man is still on trial and cannot judge the dead. Let the sleeping soul rest,” Sani said.

Reacting to the development in an Instagram post on Monday evening, Abdulkareem urged Nigerian politicians to show empathy while alive if they wish to receive sympathy in death.

“If you want sympathy in death, then you must show empathy when alive.
“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.

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