Protecting Children’s Rights: NBA Ikorodu Branch Takes a Stand

By Ifeoma Ikem

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikorodu Branch, has launched a sensitisation programme aimed at promoting the effective practice of the Child’s Rights Law across the schools in the entire Ikorodu suburb of Lagos State.
The programme, titled: “Training the Trainer Initiative Series,” brought together stakeholders in the education sector to discuss the importance of child’s rights and protection.

Chief Magistrate Olajumoke Olagbegi-Adelabu, a key resource person at the event, emphasized the significance of understanding the Child’s Rights Law.

She disclosed that children are a divine inheritance and it’s crucial that parents and guardians know their rights. “When we understand the law, we can advocate for it. We should join hands to train children in the society, ensuring all have access to quality education” she said.

Olagbegi-Adelabu highlighted the duty of caregivers to help children actualise their rights, adding that data collection is essential for forensic reports and child protection.

“A child’s rights are paramount. We need to know the legal framework of child protection and manage their behaviour generally,” she stressed.

Oyinkansola Badejo, Esq, noted that guardians are the best teachers globally, playing a vital role in shaping children’s lives.

She noted the need for continuous training and retraining on new trends in teaching and the Child’s Rights Law, adding:

“We should accept whatever comes up and work together to train children in the society, ensuring all have access to quality education.”

Comrade Abiodun Kolawole, Esq ( AKA “Iya Gani Fawehinmi”) a renowned activist, Media and Legal Practitioner took the participants through pre-test and post Examination Questions of Training the Trainer Initiative Series,” emphasized the importance of proper parenting and value orientation, stating that children have the right to voice their opinions and areas of needs which must be heard and listened to globally.

“It’s essential duty bearers and persons who takes care of children help them actualised these rights,” she added.

The NBA Ikorodu Branch Chairperson, Olawunmi Adeola, Esq, explained that the programme was initiated after a disturbing video emerged showing a teacher physically abusing a three-year-old pupil.
Describing the rationale for such physical abuse on minors as disheartening, she canvassed the need to train and retrain schools guardians and sensitize them to the Child’s Rights Law.

Adeola emphasized the NBA’s commitment to protecting children’s rights, saying, “We are not going to stop.

The sensitization and awareness programme is a continuous thing. We’ll take it to religious bodies, community heads, and markets.”

Adeola advised parents to prioritise justice for abused children, saying, “When you see something, say something. Let all the perpetrators face the law. Allow justice to prevail for abused children. Remember, whatever you’re offered cannot change the trauma the victim has experienced”.

2baba, Makhadzi, Stonebwoy, Eddy kenzo, Nikita others storm Ethiopia as AU unveils AFRIMA 2025 Calendar, Host City

Celebrated African music icon 2baba Idibia will headline a dynamic lineup of artists and global music industry leaders as panelists at the upcoming AFRIMA 2025 Music Conference, which forms part of a two-day event organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Committee of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to unveil the AFRIMA 2025 Calendar and Host City, at the AU Headquarters, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 13 to 14, 2025.

Joining 2baba on the panels are top names such as South African superstar, Makhadzi; the vibrant Kenya music sensation, Nikita Kering; Ugandan multiple-award winner, and music executive, Eddy Kenzo; international pop star and ARIMA 2018 best artist in Raggae/Ragga from Ghana, Stonebwoy; Founder and CEO of Bana Records, Ethiopia, Bien Mekonnen; AFRIMA’s Regional Director and CEO of Yekwatu, Mike Strano; and Leo Fakhrul the Founder and Managing Director, Mamba Sounds, Edinburgh, UK amongst others. Together, they will engage in forward-thinking conversations around the future of African music, and the continent’s evolving creative economy.

According to Eyob Alemayehu, AFRIMA’s Country Director in Ethiopia, the excitement surrounding the hosting rights bid will hit its peak when the winning city is officially announced and awarded a certificate during the event.

Alemayehu also mentioned that the official theme for this year’s Africa’s global Music Award and the biggest music event in Africa, AFRIMA 2025 will be revealed during the two-day event, which will feature other exciting activities and programs that speaks to the seven (7) pillars of AFRIMA; (1) Music Awards (2) Music Festival (3) AFRIMA Kreative Academy (4) Talent Discovery and Promotion (5) Africa Music Business Hub (6) Policy Debate and Advisory (7) Advocacy

The first day will begin with an intellectually engaging Music conference with theme: Music Beyond Borders, followed by a host city announcement and calendar unveiling. Experts will dive into important topics like music industry policies, international collaborations, and strategies to boost Africa’s creative sector from developmental and economic growth prism. The calendar unveiling will provide information on the various programs, build-up activations and dates for main ceremonies of AFRIMA 2025.

“It’s a fully loaded first day,” said Alemayehu. “The Music Conference will kick off with the first panel session, ‘Borderless Beats: The Future of African Music in a Globalized World’, exploring how African sounds are resonating with global audiences. This will be followed by Panel Session 2, ‘Unlocking and Monetizing Africa’s Music Economy’, where top industry experts will discuss strategies to grow and sustain the continent’s creative sector.”

“We are bringing some of Africa’s most respected voices in music, and key industry leaders to Ethiopia because this is a crucial moment for the continent’s creative industry. Their insights and experiences are vital as we discuss and dissect the future of African music and explore strategies to grow a sustainable creative economy that speaks to both our heritage and our global aspirations.”

The day will wrap up with the AFRIMA Dinner & Social Networking Event, an exclusive gathering featuring AFRIMA and AU officials, renowned artists, and special industry stakeholders. This is a fantastic chance for everyone in the African music scene to connect and explore potential collaborations, Alemayehu said.

He added that on the second day, delegates will have a fantastic opportunity to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage. The City Tour will take participants to intriguing historical landmarks, heritage sites, museums, and artistic hubs, allowing for an immersive experience of Ethiopia’s vibrant culture.

“The unveiling of the AFRIMA 2025 Calendar and Host City is not just the beginning of another award season, it is a strong statement that Africa’s creative industry is moving forward. This moment starts the journey to another exciting edition in 2025, where the continent and the diaspora will come together to celebrate our music and culture,” Alemayehu.

Buratai advocates fusion of military strategy, diplomacy in global peace efforts

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), weekend, made a strong case for embedding military leadership to the fabric of international diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Buratai made the call while speaking as a special guest of honour at a one-day simulation of the United Nations General Assembly for students of the Department of Political Science, Nigerian Army University, Biu.

Lt-Gen Buratai, who was represented by Brig-Gen Muhammad Kabir Galadanci (rtd), stated the evolving responsibilities of military figures in today’s global arena, asserting that modern military officers must not only command on the battlefield but also influence diplomatic dialogue and multilateral cooperation.

Buratai pointed out that 21st-century security landscapes required leaders with both strategic defence expertise and solid grasp of diplomacy.

“Today’s military commanders are frontline contributors in negotiations, conflict mediation and peace partnerships,” he stated.

He spotlighted Nigeria’s distinguished history in global peacekeeping, recounting its early presence in the UN mission to Congo in 1960 and the nation’s leadership in ECOWAS peace interventions across West Africa.

“Nigeria has participated in 41 peacekeeping missions with over 200,000 troops deployed globally,” he said, referencing operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s pioneering role in founding the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), Buratai acknowledged the operational hurdles it faced, including poor coordination and funding challenges.

Despite these, he maintained that ECOMOG laid a strong blueprint for regional peace enforcement and intergovernmental collaboration in West Africa.

Buratai didn’t shy away from Nigeria’s current internal security trials as he argued that ongoing challenges such as insurgency, armed banditry, and communal unrest have constrained the country’s external engagement.

He urged investment in defence training, modern combat technology, and stronger civil-military synergy to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to fulfil its global peace commitments.

Reinforcing Nigeria’s position on international reforms, Buratai reiterated the need to democratise global institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, to ensure fair representation for Africa. “A permanent African seat isn’t just symbolic; it is essential for inclusive decision-making on global peace and security,” he stated.