150 Gombe Youth, Women Leaders Trained to Combat Gender-Based Violence

By Danjuma Attah

No fewer than 150 youth and women leaders in Gombe State have been equipped with practical skills to identify, prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV), as part of a grassroots empowerment drive by the Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI) in partnership with Women Aid Collective (WACOL).

The initiative, which aims to train 200 community influencers over a two-year period, is designed to strengthen local capacity in tackling GBV, particularly in vulnerable communities. The latest session, held over two days, brought together 50 participants as part of the third-quarter training cycle.

Speaking during the program, FOCEI Team Lead, Dr. Benjamin Maina, described GBV as a widespread violation of human rights that continues to affect individuals and families across Nigeria. He stressed the urgency of collective action to confront what he called a “silent crisis” undermining communities.

According to him, the training is focused on empowering participants with the knowledge to recognize abuse, respond appropriately, and guide survivors through established support systems. He also urged participants to encourage victims to speak out, noting that breaking the culture of silence remains key to addressing the problem.

In her presentation, Dr Leah Iliya Jalo of Gombe State University explained the various forms and contexts of GBV, including its occurrence within religious settings. She challenged participants to use their new knowledge to promote awareness and support victims, describing them as “agents of change” in their communities.

Also speaking, Reverend Apollos Hassan of ECWA Goodnews Church highlighted the role of faith-based institutions in addressing GBV. He cautioned against the misuse of religious teachings to justify abuse and called on clerics to work closely with legal authorities and professionals in handling such cases. He reiterated that the Church must maintain zero tolerance for all forms of violence.

Barrister Mwalin Naomi Abdu, who spoke on legal frameworks and response pathways, noted that GBV remains deeply rooted in many communities. However, she commended the establishment of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the State Specialist Hospital, describing it as a critical intervention providing support and justice for survivors.

She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure victims received timely care and legal redress.

Other facilitators, including Mrs Amina Jafun and Miss Martha Audu Kudi, encouraged participants to take ownership of the fight against GBV, urging them to become advocates for change within their localities.

Participants expressed appreciation for the training, describing it as eye-opening and transformative. Some shared personal experiences, noting that the knowledge gained would have helped them better respond to past situations involving abuse.

The project, supported by WACOL, is currently being implemented in Liji and Zambuk communities of Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area, with a focus on empowering women and community leaders to prevent and respond effectively to GBV through strengthened grassroots structures.

AI Boom, Training Bust: Only 10% of Nigerian Journalists Skilled in Emerging Tools – SMI

By Auwal Ahmad

A new industry insight has revealed a widening gap between the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and the capacity of Nigerian journalists to use the technology responsibly, with just a fraction of newsroom professionals receiving formal training.

This was disclosed in Abuja on Thursday by Peter Iorter, Executive Director of the Safer Media Initiative (SMI), during a capacity-building session for media practitioners focused on the ethical and effective deployment of AI tools.

The workshop, themed “AI Tools for Journalists: Effective, Responsible and Safe Use”, is part of SMI’s broader Artificial Intelligence and Media (AIM) Project, designed to equip journalists with the competencies required in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

According to Iorter, recent findings indicate that while an overwhelming majority of journalists already rely on AI in their daily work, only about 10 per cent have undergone structured training on its application.

He warned that the mismatch between usage and knowledge poses serious risks to journalism, particularly in areas such as accuracy, accountability, and professional ethics.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global media ecosystem at a rapid pace. While it offers immense opportunities, it must be approached with caution and guided by ethical standards,” he said.

Iorter stressed that the absence of adequate training could lead to misuse of AI tools, potentially eroding public trust in the media if not urgently addressed through institutional policies and capacity development.

He explained that the Abuja training aims to close this knowledge gap by equipping journalists with practical skills to use AI responsibly, without compromising editorial integrity.

“Our goal is to ensure Nigerian journalists are not only keeping up with global trends but are also using these tools in a way that upholds the credibility of the profession,” he added.

The initiative, he noted, is being supported by UNESCO under its International Programme for the Development of Communication, with a key objective of developing newsroom guidelines for AI usage.

Iorter pointed out that many media organisations currently lack clear policies governing the integration of AI into editorial processes, making it imperative to establish standards that balance innovation with responsibility.

Also speaking at the session, Titilope Oparinde, a facilitator and founder of Generative AI Journalism, encouraged journalists to embrace AI as a supportive tool rather than a threat.

She noted that while AI can enhance productivity—through functions such as transcription, translation and content summarisation—it cannot replace human judgement, editorial discretion or ethical reasoning.

“Journalists who understand how to use AI will remain relevant. Those who ignore it risk being left behind,” she said, urging continuous learning within the profession.

In his contribution, Oluseyi Olufemi, Country Director of Dataphyte, underscored the importance of verifying information generated with AI tools.

He advised journalists to maintain their role as custodians of truth by rigorously fact-checking all AI-assisted outputs before publication.

Olufemi also highlighted the dual role of AI in both combating misinformation and introducing new digital safety concerns, including vulnerabilities that may disproportionately affect women and other groups.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to promote responsible AI adoption and strengthen digital safety practices across newsrooms in Nigeria, as the media industry continues to navigate the intersection of technology and journalism.

Civil Society Blasts INEC Over ADC Crisis, Warns of Threat to 2027 Elections

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has strongly criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that the Commission’s stance could undermine democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, alongside Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, both Co-Conveners of the group. On Thursday, the civil society coalition expressed “deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of INEC’s decision to align with a court directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum in the party’s leadership tussle.

While acknowledging the importance of respecting judicial authority, the group faulted what it described as INEC’s “uncritical endorsement” of the court order without adequately considering its broader implications on internal party democracy and electoral clarity.

According to the Situation Room, following the status quo directive could keep the ADC in a state of confusion about its leadership, which would hurt the party’s unity and make things like choosing candidates more difficult.

“The Commission’s posture, rather than resolving uncertainty, appears to legitimise confusion, with potential consequences for party administration and voter confidence,” the statement noted.

The group also raised concerns about what it termed the increasing politicisation of judicial interventions in party affairs. It warned that inconsistent or opaque rulings in intra-party disputes could erode trust in the judiciary and weaken democratic institutions.

It stressed that although courts remain vital arbiters of justice, their involvement in political party matters must reflect constitutional principles, respect party autonomy, and safeguard democratic stability.

The coalition further questioned INEC’s reversal of an earlier decision made in September 2025, when the electoral body reportedly accepted and uploaded the names of ADC principal officers submitted in July of the same year.

“This inconsistency raises serious concerns about regulatory certainty and the precedent it sets for future disputes,” the group said.

The Situation Room warned that allowing such ambiguity to persist could encourage prolonged litigation and deepen factional divisions within political parties, ultimately weakening Nigeria’s democratic framework.

Calling for urgent action, the coalition urged INEC to reverse its position and restore the recognised leadership of the ADC to its official portal. It also demanded greater transparency, consistency, and adherence to constitutional provisions in the commission’s handling of party disputes.

In addition, the group called for judicial restraint in internal party matters and urged stakeholders within the ADC to pursue constructive and democratic means of resolving their differences.

“As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, institutions must rise above procedural compliance and actively uphold transparency, accountability, and democratic consolidation,” the statement added.

The Situation Room, led by its convener, Yunusa Z. Ya’u, alongside co-conveners Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments and advocating for credible electoral processes that reflect the will of Nigerians.