The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for the urgent passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), stating that it is fundamentally about justice, strategy, and national prosperity.

Kalu made this call at a three-day workshop on the public presentation of the National Women Leaders Forum‘s operational guidelines and the roles of political parties in the passage of seat reservations for women bills (HB1349) in Abuja on Monday.

He highlighted the alarming fact that 15 states in Nigeria currently have no female lawmakers, lamenting that at the national level, women comprise only 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives.

The Deputy Speaker emphasised that this underrepresentation is not merely a statistical anomaly but also a barrier to national progress.

Kalu explained that the measure is temporary, expected to run for four terms, and is modelled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal, where women‘s representation has increased to over 40%.

He stated: Democracy thrives not merely through elections, but through inclusion. When half of our population remains underrepresented in halls of power, our democracy is not just weakened—it is incomplete. Today, 15 states in Nigeria have no elected women in their assemblies. At the national level, women comprise a meagre 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives. These figures are not just statistics; they are a stain on our conscience and a barrier to national progress.

The Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), which I proudly sponsor, seeks to alter this narrative. By reserving seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, we aim to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that reflects the diversity of our nation. This is not about charity but justice, strategy, and national prosperity.

“As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I spearheaded efforts to ensure our foundational law reflects 21st-century realities. HB1349 proposes a structured temporary special measure—reserved seats for women, to be reviewed after 16 years—to accelerate gender parity.

“This is not a permanent quota but a catalytic intervention, modelled after nations like Rwanda and Senegal, where similar measures have boosted women’s representation to over 40%.“

Kalu also urged various women‘s groups to enhance their advocacy efforts, mobilise support from political parties, and engage state assemblies, traditional leaders, and grassroots networks.

He encouraged Nigerians to provide their input and support the passage of HB1349, stressing that this is not just a „women‘s issue“ but a national issue that requires collective action.

The inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has appointed commissioner of police, CP Abayomi Shogunle, to head the Special Intervention Squad (SIS); Elections Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Safe School Protection Squad.

Also, as part of the IGP’s initiatives to improve security and combat crime along the nation’s inland waterways, he has appointed CSP Chima Ogarashi as the new Force Marine Officer (FMO).

The new SIS head, CP Shogunle, is a highly experienced officer in the department of operations, public relations, and certified in several other various capacities.

The Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also said Shogunle will lead the SIS in addressing various security challenges and also serve efficiently as the head of Elections Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, and the Safe School Protection Squad.

Also, CSP Ogarashi, taking on the role of FMO, will oversee one of the critical sections of the Force with his experience in maritime security and policing and enforcement of maritime laws.

ACP Adejobi further said the key appointments came at a crucial time as the Force was set to unveil 25 newly acquired gunboats and acquire more maritime safety equipment aimed at improving security operations on the waterways across the country.

This strategic asset acquisition is a proactive approach of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure the safety of lives and property, as well as fostering confidence in maritime safety.

The inspector-general of police reassured members of the public of the Police Force’s commitment to responding effectively to any security threats.

The persons with special needs community in Benue State has endorsed Governor Hyacinth Alia for a second term in 2027, promising to mobilise massively to enable him succeed.

The community made their pledge when they visited the chairman of Makurdi local government area, Joseph Keffi, to thank him for appointing one of their members, Henry Iorkyaa, as his personal assistant on persons with special needs.

The group led by the special assistant to governor on persons with Special Needs, Bem Anshe, said their support and endorsement of the governor was borne out of his passion and commitment to alleviate the plight of people with special needs through his inclusive governance and approval of the Discrimination against persons with Disability Prohibition bill.

Anshe described the gesture by the chairman as the first of its kind since the existence of the local government and appealed to the remaining 22 local governments to emulate.

He said “The disability community who are in Six clusters which includes the Abinos, the Blind, Deaf, physically challenged, Leprosy survivors and the Spinal cord I jury formed 15 per cent of the Benue population which constituted over 200,000 persons following the 2006 population census.

He said, “We are ready to support the Alialization bid of the Governor and we also have the ability to contribute meaningfully to the development of the State and should not be relegated to the background by any means.”

In his response the local government chairman, Joseph Keffi, commended the disabled community for finding him worthy of the award and described it as an encouragement to do more.

He said, “My administration is also keying into the inclusive governance of Governor Alia which has approved the domestication of the bill to stop the discrimination against persons with disability and related matters as well as the appointment of Anshe as his Special Assistant on person with special needs with a promise to see how he can place each of them on Monthly Stipend subsequently.”

 

 

Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Lucky Irabor (Rtd) has called for exceptional support for wounded and disabled veterans to accelerate personnel morale and effectiveness.

He also advocated tax and appreciation rebates on all local lights and public transportation for veterans.
He said, “All active-duty and veterans should be given reasonable rebates on all local flights and movements in public transportation systems. Attempts on this programme in the past have not been well coordinated and disparate in execution. It would be necessary to fashion out a more enduring programme to achieve the programme.

“The ongoing discourse around the recent Tax Reform Bill should have provisions institutionalising tax rebates for veterans.”

Irabor made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Armed Forces Celebration and National Development” at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2025 Lecture and Art Exhibition on Tuesday in Abuja.

The event organised by the Defence Headquarters was part of activities lined up to commemorate the 2025 celebration.

According to him, the plight of servicemen and women who were wounded or disabled leaves a heartbreaking tale in the minds of everyone, including those still in service.

He said, “This could indirectly demoralise serving personnel. It could even make veterans feel depressed about the possible regrets of patriotic services rendered to the nation.

“To redress this, it is suggested that exceptional support could be organised for better care of wounded and disabled active-duty and retired military personnel.

“I am aware of the ongoing construction of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder facility and the Invictus Games project.

“It is very essential that these projects are completed, fully furnished,

well-equipped and adequately manned, sustained and well-publicized for the benefit of the Armed Forces.

“The projects will also improve the perception of the Federal Government and the nation in general as a grateful people for patriotic services rendered,” he said.

Irabor also called for a comprehensive healthcare programme for veterans, adding that their quality of life had depreciated daily despite inflationary trends.

According to him, even with prompt payment of monetary entitlements, the value pales when healthcare-related issues are tied to the disposable income of the veteran.

He said that the current Defence Healthcare Insurance policy for personnel was not comprehensive and did not cover many ailments and medical cases.

The former defence chief said that a special-purpose vehicle for comprehensive veterans‘ health care would be invaluable in addressing the challenge.

He suggested that an appreciation programme should be instituted to help develop a citizen‘s culture of expressing gratitude to service personnel to become part of public life.

He said that prompt payments of entitlements to serving and retired personnel were critical to the morale and survival of personnel to avoid the ugly sights of veterans’ protests.

This, according to him, could also potentially engender feelings of resentment in active duty personnel, especially seeing the despicable treatment meted out to veterans.

He also called for establishing affordable housing schemes and foundations for veterans with special needs.

He said, „The housing needs for personnel after service are vast and daunting. Although the various Services have developed programmes to assist personnel, the outcome has not relieved the financial burden on the men. The cost implications of the Services could have been a significant challenge in executing the welfare programme.

To redress this issue, a coordinated unique programme by the Federal Government to subsidise the cost of owning affordable houses by personnel should be instituted.

I suggested a 10-year counterpart funding plan for all personnel to own a house in place of their choice, which could be a starting point. The recent effort of the Nigerian Army leadership to address the housing needs of serving personnel through the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Scheme should also be sustained.

He continued, „The Federal Government could establish foundations and encourage the private sector, philanthropists, and other public-spirited individuals to donate to the cause of veterans with special needs. The Foundation could be managed and monitored by a Board representing veterans.“

In his closing remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, thanked the former defence and service chiefs for their contributions to the discussion.

Musa promised to ensure judicially utilisation of the funds allocated to the military, pledging to work hard to ensure the return of peace to all parts of Nigeria.