By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe

Gombe State has intensified its efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) as the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Asma’u Mohammed Iganus, formally presented the GBV Prohibition Law to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, seeking the active involvement of traditional rulers in enforcing the law at the grassroots level.

The presentation ceremony, held at the Emir’s Palace in Gombe, brought together key stakeholders including traditional rulers, local government officials, and community leaders.

The event marks a critical step in the state’s broader campaign to end violence against women and children.

Commissioner Iganus emphasized that traditional institutions are indispensable partners in the fight against GBV, describing them as moral authorities with the power to reshape community norms and ensure compliance with the law.

“Our traditional rulers are custodians of culture and respected voices in our communities. Their involvement is vital in shifting harmful practices and ensuring the full enforcement of the GBV law,” she said.

Receiving the law on behalf of the Emir, the Dan Lawan Gombe, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, expressed the Emirate’s full support for the initiative and pledged to work closely with government and civil society partners to protect the rights of women and children.

The Chairman of the Gombe State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Gabriel Galadima, reiterated that the law signed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya sēēɗris now in the implementation stage.

He stressed that the law applies equally to all citizens, regardless of status or influence.

“This law is a clear message that Gombe State will no longer tolerate abuse in any form. Everyone is accountable,” Galadima stated.

The Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna, and other community leaders in attendance also pledged their commitment to raising awareness, supporting victims, and promoting behavioral change within their communities.

The initiative, backed by UN Women, reflects a coordinated and inclusive approach by the Gombe State Government to end gender-based violence. By engaging traditional leaders, the state hopes to bridge the gap between legislation and cultural realities, ensuring that the rights of women and children are upheld across every community.

With the law now in the hands of traditional leaders, Gombe moves closer to building a society free from abuse, discrimination, and gender-based violence.

By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

Yobe State has joined 35 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in endorsing a memorandum supporting the Reserved Seats Bill a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at boosting women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislative bodies.

The endorsement took place during the North-East Joint Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, an exercise organized by the National Assembly to gather regional input on key constitutional reforms.

Fatima Muhammad Paga, a prominent gender advocate and Focal Person of UN Women to Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented Yobe at the hearing.

She emphasized the need for legal measures to ensure more women are elected into decision-making positions.

“This bill is a step toward correcting the historical underrepresentation of women in politics. Reserved seats will not only empower women but will also strengthen our democracy by ensuring diverse voices are heard in parliament,” she said.

The bill, championed by UN Women Nigeria, calls for amendments to the Constitution to guarantee reserved legislative seats for women at both federal and state levels.

The move aims to close the gender gap in political representation and fulfill Nigeria’s commitments under international frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Fatima Paga applauded the broad coalition of civil society organizations, political leaders, and development partners backing the bill.

She described it as a “timely intervention” aligned with the aspirations of women across Nigeria.

The zonal hearing drew stakeholders from across the North-East, including officials from state governments, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and women’s groups.

Advocates remain optimistic that the National Assembly will adopt the proposed amendment, paving the way for greater gender inclusion and equity in Nigeria’s democratic space.

By Our Correspondent

The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with development agencies, has officially launched the 2025 round of the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign, aimed at eradicating polio and strengthening public health systems across the state.

The campaign was flagged off at a well-attended ceremony held at the Palace of the District Head of Kuri in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.

Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Task Force on Immunization, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and protecting children from preventable diseases.

He stressed the urgency of addressing the threat posed by the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2), which has seen five recent detections in the state.

“Every child missed is a potential case,” he warned, urging community-wide participation to close immunization gaps.

Dr. Jatau called on religious and traditional leaders to actively combat vaccine hesitancy, especially in remote and underserved areas, and encouraged residents to make use of the free health services provided during the campaign.

The decision to launch the campaign in Kuri was based on concerning data showing low immunization coverage in the area, particularly among “zero-dose” children — those who have never received any vaccine. Health officials described the situation as dangerous and a significant threat to public health.

Speaking earlier at the event, Dr. Gambo Kashere, Board Chairman of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, thanked the state government for its commitment to strengthening the health sector across all 11 LGAs of Gombe State.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, who was represented by Dr. Maryam Abubakar, assured that efforts would be intensified to ensure the campaign reaches hard-to-reach areas for the successful eradication of polio in the state.

Health officials in Gombe State have commended the state government for its sustained investment in the healthcare sector, particularly in supporting efforts to eradicate polio.

Speaking during the official flag-off of the 2025 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign in Kuri, Board Chairman of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Gambo Kashere, praised the government’s commitment across all 11 local government areas of the state. He noted that the administration’s dedication was crucial to strengthening healthcare delivery and achieving disease control targets.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, represented by Dr. Maryam Abubakar, pledged that the campaign would prioritize reaching hard-to-access communities.

She stressed that every effort would be made to ensure no child is left behind, reinforcing the state’s determination to completely eliminate polio.

Traditional leaders, including the Emir of Yamaltu, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, and the Emir of Deba, Alhaji Ahmad Usman Mohammed, pledged their support to the campaign and commended the state government, development partners, and healthcare workers for their continued efforts.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, raised concerns over the high numbers of unreached children in Gombe.

She highlighted Dukku, Kwami, Funakaye, and Yamaltu-Deba LGAs as high-risk zones where immunization coverage remains critically low.

Represented by UNICEF Health Officer Oluseyi Olusunde, Dr. Nuzhat emphasized that although Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus persist.

She called for intensified efforts to eliminate noncompliance among parents and urged traditional rulers to address misinformation surrounding vaccines.

Also delivering a goodwill message, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, warned of a resurgence of preventable diseases if immunization campaigns are not sustained.

He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts and expressed optimism that polio could be completely eliminated by the end of 2025.

Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, reassured parents of the safety and effectiveness of the oral polio vaccine, urging stakeholders to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.

“Immunizing your child protects them from multiple life-threatening diseases,” he stated.

The NIPDs campaign will cover all 11 LGAs in Gombe State and is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of children under five with life-saving polio vaccines and additional healthcare services.