The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to remain resolute in protecting the rights of women and the girl-child.
Abubakar made the call on Thursday during a high-level town hall meeting on promoting peace and security through women’s inclusion and access to justice, in Sokoto.
The meeting, organised by Global Rights in collaboration with UK International Development and The Kukah Centre, served as a platform for inclusive dialogue on the interlinking issues of peace, justice, and women’s participation in conflict response and recovery.
Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, emphasised that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has become a growing phenomenon that requires an all-inclusive approach, describing it as a grave offense against humanity.
“We must stand for women. They are our mothers, wives, and daughters. Violating their rights is a violation of humanity, and protecting them is non-negotiable.
”It is evidently clear that ending GBV in Sokoto and Nigeria is possible, and the path is clear for all of us.
“Moreover, women are peacebuilders and community-oriented; they remain the foundation of our brighter future,” he said.
Abubakar commended the state government for its sustained efforts in including more women in decision-making processes, noting that such initiatives have continued to yield positive results.
He also appreciated Global Rights and its partners for organising the meeting and urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to strengthen the initiative’s success.
In her remarks, Mrs Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights, expressed concern that the North-West region continues to face persistent security challenges.
“In the face of insecurity and violence, women continue to demonstrate resilience, sustaining families and building communities.
“Their experiences and leadership are of immense value, yet they continue to suffer various forms of violence.
”Women’s participation in peace and security processes, as well as their access to justice, remain very limited,” she said.
Baiyewu stressed the need to change societal perceptions about women, urging communities to recognise women as agents of peace, security, and justice.
She called on the participants to use the dialogue as a platform to promote inclusion, equity, and justice for sustainable peace in the North-West and across Nigeria.
Also speaking, Mr Cliff Gai, Senior Programme Manager, UK Integrated Security Fund (UK ISF), described the meeting as a strong demonstration of commitment to promoting access to justice in Sokoto and across the country.
“This gathering is not just a meeting but a strong commitment to promoting community participation in ensuring justice and addressing all forms of violence in our society,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Founder of The Kukah Centre, emphasised the need to strengthen peace and unity as prerequisites for achieving justice and security.
Kukah, represented by his aide, Mr Nuhu Ilya, said that there must be respect for the instructions and support for the security agencies.
“We must respect our institutions, support security agencies, and unite in pursuit of true justice. Peace cannot be achieved through violence but through justice,” he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Yahaya Rara, Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmed Aliyu on Human Rights, reaffirmed the state government’s sustained commitment to protecting human rights and enhancing the state’s security architecture.(NAN)
