PAAAVART Takes fight against rape to the nook and crannies of Plateau state

“Our communities are engulfed in a rape predicament”. Lady Vivien

“Women most especially the girl-child are under sieged from sex maniacs” Lady Vivien

“It is a nationwide phenomenon, and the time has come for all of us to pay it the solemn attention it deserves” Lady Vivien

President of the Peace Advancement, Action Against Violence And Rape Foundation (PAAAVARF) Lady Vivien Ebere Abara said, the rape is evil and destroys the lives of victims most especially the young girls.

Driving by the passion to curtail the menace, PAAAVARF took the sensitization campaigned to Rikkos, Utan, Apata, Mai Adiko, Zaramaganda, Kabong, Gada biu, Rukuba Road, Jenta Adamu, Jenta Mangoro, Jenta Makeri, including institution and organizations such as the Headquarters of the Nigerian Plateau State Police Command among others.

At the Headquarters of the Plateau State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police Edward Ebuka explained that the State Command has strengthened its investigation unit and they are committed to tackling the rising cases of rape, child molestation and other criminality.

Ebuka expressed that darkness has never overwhelmed light, therefore collaboration with NGOs such as Peace Advancement; Action Against Violence and Rape Foundation will help curtail the menace or eradicate it completely from the society.

Ever since PAAVART began the sensitization and awareness campaign, the communities visited are responding positively and with a renewed zeal to rise up and protect the girl-child as while as maintaining peaceful coexistence. As a result, So far alot of rape and defilement cases have being exposed and reported accordingly. Moreso, areas with high risk of rapists identified.

Abara promised not only to sustain the fight against rape, but seeks to partner with community-based organizations affiliated with the anti-rape movement that work to help victims of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual violence.

She said in line with the NGO aims and objectives PAAAVART provide a number of services, such as victim advocacy, crisis hotlines, community outreach, and education programs. As social movement organizations, they seek to change social beliefs and institutions, particularly in terms of how rape is understood by medical and legal entities and society at large.

Abara noted that Peace Advancement Action Against Violence And Rape Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization founded to promote peace amongst Individuals, Communities, Societies and the Global World.

She said the initiative was birthed due to the incessant destructive of lives and properties through Violence, and to promote peace through the creation of violence free clubs in schools as a way to “Catch them young” and teach them the Non-Violence approach which is purely pacific Peace approach and also promote dialogue in the society which is the greatest weapon to peace advancement.

To sensitize the society especially women and girls on the need to speak up in the case of Gender Based Violence e.g. domestic violence, awareness campaign on the ills of all sort of domestic violence and abuse which have left many with permanent disabilities and dire situations and in serious cases, death.

PAAAVART seek to promote activities aimed at educative and protecting the Vulnerable, young adults and under aged against Sexual Harassment, Assault, Abuse, Rape and exposing acts that lead to them.

To promote awareness/sensitization on drug abuse and substance use by youths which is the main vice leading to violence and Rape, Interventions, campaigns on protecting the youth from being used as agents of violence.

To promote and implement human right law on the rights of children for child labor, and human trafficking.

Lady Abara noted that PAAVART is involved in training of community leaders, youths, women and men groups who serve as peer educators in their communities, conducting outreaches to churches, mosques and villages with comprehensive education on Gender Based Violence, peace, sexual harassment and the use of psychoactive substances.

The trainees also train more people who join the team of (PAAAVARF) volunteers and hold discussion forums. PAAAVARF  has a variety of behavior change and communication (BCC) materials on Gender Based Violence and Peace, drug abuse and other related issues in English, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo languages which are distributed among beneficiaries.

Care and Support for Rape Survivors and the Most Vulnerable: PAAAVARF is committed to increasing the ability of rape survivor’s and most vulnerable people by improving their livelihood and reducing their vulnerability in target communities, through income generating activities. 

This is promoted by helping target beneficiaries to have increased knowledge on entrepreneurship and vocational skills through training and microcredit loans.

 

PLATEAU APC CHAIRMAN ACCUSED OF NURSING MINORITY AGENDA

PLATEAU APC CHAIRMAN ACCUSED OF NURSING MINORITY AGENDA

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Hon Letep Dabang is alleged to be nursing Minority Agenda if given the mantle of leadership to pilot the affairs of Plateau State. A source from one of the minority tribes who frowns at the agenda geared towards polarising Plateau the more, and who claimed to have been in the know of a meeting held in Abuja at the instant of a powerful political guru of minority extraction, alleged that there is a grant plot to support the gubernatorial ambition of Dabang who is said to possess the wherewithal of achieving the minority agenda.

The source who preferred anonymity lamented that the state just came out from the Jonah David Jang led ethnic administration, and to delve into another clash between the minorities versus the majority will be devastating.

All attempts to reach Dabang for comments proved abortive as he wasn't picking his calls. However one of his supporters who spoke on personal conviction said, the APC chairman has no such intention. But another source from his local government, Pankshin said, Dabang has such tendencies because he mobilises ethnic minorities in his LGA during elections against the candidacy of the major tribe, that was why he lost out in the 2007 House of Representatives elections and the Pankshin chairmanship election in 2014. He further questioned why Letep is totally disliked by the major tribe in Pankshin.

Pundits opine that all the tribes on the Plateau are related in one way or the other; apart from the facts that they have inter married and also shared cultural values politically for a long time.

They also noted that what the state needs at this time is a leader per excellence who is acceptable to all. A person who has the fear of God with a clean tract record of honesty and good leadership skills and above all a detribalized Nigerian, no matter where he comes from but in respect to the zoning arrangement.

  Israel, UAE Strike Historic Deal to Normalise Relations

Benjamin Netanyahu and Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan brokered the agreement with US help

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a deal to normalise relations, with Israel agreeing to suspend its controversial plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

In a surprise statement by US President Donald Trump, who helped broker it, the countries called the accord "historic" and a breakthrough toward peace.

Until now Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries.

But shared worries over Iran have led to unofficial contacts between them.

Palestinian leaders were reportedly taken by surprise. A spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounted to "treason", and the Palestinian ambassador to the UAE was being recalled.

President Trump called the deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan "a truly historic moment". It marks only the third Israel-Arab peace deal since Israel's declaration of independence in 1948, after Egypt and Jordan.

"Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates," he told reporters in the Oval Office, saying there would be a signing ceremony at the White House in the coming weeks.

Earlier, in response to a President Trump's tweeted announcement, Mr Netanyahu wrote in Hebrew: "Historic day."

A foreign policy victory?

In a TV address Mr Netanyahu said he had "delayed" West Bank annexation plans, but those plans remain "on the table". Annexation would make some West Bank areas officially part of Israel.

"There is no change in my plan to apply our sovereignty to Judea and Samaria [West Bank] in full co-ordination with the US. I'm committed to it. That hasn't changed. I remind you that I was the one who put the issue of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria on the table. This issue remains on the table," he said.

Mr Netanyahu said Israel would co-operate with the UAE in developing a coronavirus vaccine, in energy, water, environmental protection and many other fields.

Analysts say the deal could mean a foreign policy victory for President Trump, who will seek re-election in November, and give a personal boost to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is on trial for alleged corruption.

Both leaders have seen their approval ratings drop because of their response to the coronavirus pandemic. And in Israel, some on the right who want to annex the West Bank expressed anger over the announcement.

 

The UAE's ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, said the deal with Israel was "a win for diplomacy and for the region", adding: "It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change".

Senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner said he did not think Israel would move ahead with any annexation before discussing it first with the US. He said he expected to see interactions "very quickly" between Israel and the UAE.

Egypt signed a deal with Israel in 1979, and Jordan in 1994. Mauritania also established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1999, but froze the deal in 2009.

A significant step - but questions remain

The establishment of full diplomatic relations; the exchange of embassies; and normal trade ties between Israel and the UAE is a significant diplomatic step forward. But inevitably it raises questions. Will the full promise of this agreement be realised? And might other Gulf countries follow a similar path?

It is also important to see what it is not. This is far from the comprehensive peace plan to resolve the Palestinian question that President Trump has long promoted. However, there are short-term benefits for all sides.

The White House was first off the mark in announcing the deal; it is perhaps a small diplomatic feather in President Trump's cap at a time when his re-election prospects are looking more difficult.

For Israel's embattled Prime Minister Netanyahu, it gets him off a hook of his own making; his much-vaunted promise to annex key parts of the occupied West Bank. This has proved undeliverable, not least due to US ambivalence and significant international opposition. Mr Netanyahu may see this "peace initiative" with the UAE as something that could bolster his chances if he precipitates a further Israeli general election.

For the UAE, it is harder to say precisely what the immediate benefits are, though its relations with Washington will be strengthened and the deal with Israel may yield significant economic, security and scientific benefits.

Overall this is an agreement that potentially could offer both more and less than might first appear. And as far as the Palestinians are concerned, it is hard to see this news creating anything other than frustration, that they have once again been pushed to the sidelines.

What has been agreed?

In the coming weeks delegations from Israel and the UAE will meet to sign bilateral deals regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit.

"Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations," the joint statement says.

Israel will also "suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined" in President Trump's Vision for Peace between Israel and the Palestinians, in which he backed an Israeli plan to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley.

What does Trump’s Mid-East plan say on key issues?

Explainer: Israel, annexation and the West Bank

The Palestinians have warned that such a move would destroy their hopes of a viable future independent state and violate international law - a stance supported by much of the international community.

The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, said the UAE's recognition of Israel was "a very bold step" to stop the "ticking time bomb" of Israel's annexation of the West Bank. He said the UAE saw this as "a stoppage of the annexation, not a suspension".

Asked about Palestinian criticism of the UAE move, he recognised that the region was very polarised and he expected to hear "the usual noise". "We agonised over this," he said, but eventually decided "let's do it".

The joint statement says Israel will "focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world", and that the US and UAE will work to achieve that goal.

The UAE and Israel will also join the US to launch a "Strategic Agenda for the Middle East", with the three leaders noting that they "share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security co-ordination".

How have others reacted?

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "it was my profound hope that annexation did not go ahead in the West Bank and today's agreement to suspend those plans is a welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East".

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the deal while Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the agreement could help push ahead stalled peace negotiations.

But a senior Palestinian official, Hanan Ashrawi, condemned the deal, saying the UAE had "come out in the open on its secret dealings/normalisation with Israel" and telling Prince Mohammed: "May you never be sold out by your 'friends'."

Iran's Tasnim news agency, linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, called the accord "shameful". And in Gaza, the Hamas militant group called the dea