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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has begun assessing health facilities in Benue State to select a location for a Sexual Assault Referral Centre that would improve access to care and support for survivors.
The assessment is part of the European Union-funded Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) programme, which seeks to strengthen services for survivors.
The team visited the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, and General Hospital, Gboko, to assess facilities identified during an earlier visit.
Lead of Component Two of the programme and GBV Cross-Sector Service Provision and Protection Specialist, Mrs Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai, said the exercise would help experts determine a suitable facility for the proposed centre.
She said International IDEA would work with state government stakeholders to ensure that the centre met survivors’ needs.
Olumuyiwa-Rufai explained that health facilities were essential to the response because survivors often needed immediate medical attention alongside other forms of support.
The proposed centre, she said, would provide coordinated services in a supportive environment.
Drawing on more than 10 years of experience at the Mirabel Centre, Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre, established in 2013, she said specialised services were needed to address the range of abuse survivors experienced. She noted that sexual and gender-based violence included physical and emotional abuse, denial of resources and harmful traditional practices. Although women and children accounted for most recorded survivors, men and boys were also affected, she said.
Olumuyiwa-Rufai said the ESGBV programme was being implemented in Benue, Kaduna and Oyo states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
She explained that the programme had three components, with the first addressing legislation and legal frameworks, while the second focused on survivor services.
Under the second component, existing services would be assessed and strengthened, while new services would be supported where gaps were identified.
Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, Prof Teddy Agida, said the hospital was ready to partner with International IDEA.
Agida said the hospital, established in 2023 from the former General Hospital transferred to the Federal Government by the state government, was still developing but had the personnel and technical capacity to support the initiative.
He acknowledged that logistical support might be needed to upgrade available facilities.
A gynaecologist, Agida said his experience in managing rape and other cases of sexual violence had largely been clinical, but the wider problem required a multidisciplinary response.
He said the hospital’s medical, nursing and other professionals could support the centre, adding that some staff had previous experience with similar programmes.
At General Hospital, Gboko, the Medical Officer in Charge, Dr Gabriel Owoicho, represented by the Hospital Secretary, Mr Ayankaa Orsar, also expressed readiness to support the initiative.
Permanent Secretary, Benue Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Martha Edor, said the assessment followed an earlier visit to identify suitable facilities.
NCAA takes aviation essay contest, mentorship to Lagos schools
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in collaboration with Vonzota Gold Limited, has taken an aviation mentorship programme and essay competition to public secondary schools in Lagos State to introduce students to careers in the industry.
The essay competition, “Beyond Pilots and Planes: The hidden careers that keep the sky moving and safe,” is part of the “Wings of Tomorrow for the Development of Future Aviation” programme.
Assistant Director, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Education Authority, Mrs Lawal Obiageli Constant, said the competition was open to students in all public junior and senior secondary schools in Lagos State.
“Cash awards, including mentorship opportunities under the initiative await the first, second and third-place winners,” she said, urging students to submit their entries before the closing date.
The outreach covered Mende Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Immaculate Heart Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, Mende, and Ojota Junior and Senior Secondary Schools.
At Immaculate Heart, a facilitator, Mrs Veronica King-Nwankwo, explained the responsibilities of pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance engineers and avionics engineers.
“For example, the avionics engineers ensure that the aircraft computers are in perfect condition,” she said.
Programme moderator, Chizoba Anyamele, told students at Mende that the initiative was designed to help them understand the range of career opportunities in aviation.
She explained that professionals in safety, logistics, operations, avionics and electrical engineering worked together to keep the industry functioning effectively.
Constant also mentored students interested in aviation careers at Ojota Junior and Senior Secondary Schools.
Organisers said the grand finale would hold in Lagos on Thursday, October 8, with Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expected to attend.
