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Friday, July 10, 2020 EiE Nigeria Weekly Update

"The seeds of success in every nation on earth are best planted in women and children."- Joyce Banda (Former President of Malawi) 

Score one for all! This week, the Senate, passed the "SB 77: Sexual Harassment Bill, 2019" after reading it for the third time.The Bill seeks to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary institutions, protect students against sexual harassment as well as prevent sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary institutions and proposes up to 14 years jail term for offenders. However, the bill needs to be passed by the House of Representatives and assented to by the president before it becomes law.

Clash of the "actors"! Acting Chairman of the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu was suspended Tuesday, July 7th, and shortly after, Mohammed Umar was named as his replacement.Since the establishment of the EFCC in 2003 to investigate financial crimes in Nigeria, the agency has been entrenched in controversy, partly for its approach in fighting corruption, which some experts have described as “selective” and for the character of persons that steer its affairs.Has the 8th Senate been vindicated in its decision not to confirm Mr Magu in 2016? Who knows how long Mr Umar will "act" for? Only time will tell.

As #EdoDecides gathered momentum during the week, we witnessed a heated display of powers, threats, and name-calling (even Gandollar's babariga was not spared in the mud-slinging). It was indeed a political faceoff as Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje (APC) engaged Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike (PDP) in a battle of words. Don't forget Ganduje used to be a member of PDP!Will Edo State survive these proxy wars?Watch this space!!!

Finally! We wrapped up the gender justice conversations with the zonal first lady representatives yesterday. Our guest was the Taraba State First Lady, Anna Darius Ishaku who gave kudos to our fantastic host, Bolanle Olukanni, for a lovely conversation.The ‘Role of a First Lady’- is it all glitz and glamour? Is there more to the role than sitting pretty and acting nice as people presume? Find out here.Did you miss any of the conversations? Catch up at www.eie.ng/EiEDuty

During the week, the BBOG Family and 164 women & women's groups signed a statement calling on the government to fulfill its constitutional obligations to provide security to all Nigerians and stop the incessant abduction of women and girls in north-eastern Nigeria.We will keep demanding until our girls are brought BACK & ALIVE!#EducationIsNotACrime #BringBackOurGirls #6YearsTooLong

Have a great weekend,The EiE Nigeria Team