The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of the girl child, ending child marriage and promoting opportunities for girls to achieve their full potential, as the state joined the rest of the world to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, stated this during the celebration in Umuahia on Tuesday, October 27, with the theme, “End Child Marriage: Invest in the Rights of Girls.”

Dr. Aghukwa appreciated Governor Alex Otti for his human-interest disposition and gender-sensitive leadership, as well as his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, for her maternal commitment to the welfare and development of women and children through commendable projects and initiatives.

She noted that ending child marriage requires collective action by government, parents, traditional and religious leaders, teachers, development partners and civil society organisations to protect girls from harmful practices and ensure access to education and personal development opportunities.

According to her, child marriage deprives girls of their childhood, disrupts their education, threatens their health and limits their future prospects. She stressed that no girl should be forced into marriage before attaining the physical, emotional and psychological maturity required for such a responsibility.

The Commissioner called for stronger child-protection measures, support for vulnerable families and deliberate efforts to challenge harmful cultural practices that undermine the rights and dignity of girls.
She also encouraged girls to value their education, believe in their abilities and speak out whenever their rights are threatened, assuring them that their welfare, dignity and empowerment remain important to the collective effort to build a safer and more prosperous Abia State.

Dr. Aghukwa urged stakeholders to translate the message of the celebration into practical actions that would keep girls in school, protect them from abuse and provide opportunities for them to realise their God-given potential.
She emphasised that investing in the girl child is an investment in stronger families, healthier communities and the future development of Abia State.

The celebration underscored the need for sustained collaboration among government, families and communities to end child marriage and guarantee every girl the right to education, protection and a promising future.

The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening relations with the media and ensuring the safety of journalists in the discharge of their professional duties.

Afolabi gave the assurance on Monday, October 12, 2026, during a security lecture and interactive session organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Abia State Chapter, in Umuahia.

The event, which celebrated the courage, dreams and potential of the girl child, brought together stakeholders from the security sector and the media to discuss journalists’ safety, responsible reporting and cooperation between the police and the press.

Addressing participants, the police commissioner described journalism as a profession that requires courage, commitment and responsibility. He noted that journalists play vital roles in promoting democracy, accountability and public enlightenment but often face dangerous situations while covering protests, communal clashes, crime scenes and other security incidents.

He particularly highlighted the safety challenges confronting female journalists, including gender-based harassment, intimidation, cyberstalking and online threats.

Afolabi urged journalists to prioritise their personal safety over the pressure to break news, stressing that no story was worth risking their lives.

He advised media practitioners to assess security risks before embarking on assignments in volatile locations, inform their editors and colleagues of their movements, maintain regular communication, identify escape routes and adhere to established safety procedures.

The commissioner also cautioned journalists against carelessly sharing live locations, travel plans and personal information on digital platforms, noting that such disclosures could expose them to cyber threats and stalking.

He further disclosed that the command’s Cybercrime Unit was available to address digital security concerns and urged journalists facing credible threats to report them to the appropriate authorities. The helpline provided during the session was 09126391978.

On police-media relations, Afolabi observed that both institutions had complementary responsibilities in society, explaining that while the police maintain law and order, prevent crime and protect lives and property, the media inform the public and promote accountability.

He called for mutual respect, constructive engagement and sustained cooperation between security agencies and journalists in the interest of public safety.

Earlier, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Abia State Chapter, Norah Okafor, welcomed participants and stressed the importance of creating platforms where issues affecting journalists, particularly their safety and professional wellbeing, could be discussed.

She noted that regular engagement between journalists and security agencies would help strengthen understanding and cooperation in the discharge of their respective duties.

In her remarks, a former official of NAWOJ, Nwaka Amauwa, emphasised the importance of clear communication, proper orientation and structured training in helping individuals understand their responsibilities and perform their assignments effectively.

She expressed confidence that participants, with appropriate guidance and support, would be better equipped to carry out their duties without intimidation.

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The session ended with calls for media organisations to invest in the regular training of journalists and provide adequate guidance and support, particularly for those assigned to cover high-risk events.

From Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu .
Federal Information Centre .
Umuahia.
12th October 2026.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has pledged to collaborate with the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) to curb substandard electrical installations and tackle unlicensed practitioners in the state.

The State Commandant, CC Chukwuemeka N. Odimba, FCIA, KSM, JP, gave the assurance when he received the LECAN delegation, led by its South-East Zonal National Coordinator, Engr. Nwachukwu Anozie Charles, at the command headquarters in Umuahia.

He expressed concern over fire outbreaks, electrocution and other disasters associated with faulty electrical installations, urging contractors to comply with established regulatory standards.

The LECAN delegation called for NSCDC’s support in enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) Act, 2015, particularly against dealers of substandard electrical materials and unlicensed contractors.

The association’s Abia State Chairman, Mr. Uche Edward Chinwendu, lamented the losses suffered by individuals and communities due to the use of inferior electrical materials and unprofessional installations.

Commandant Odimba described power infrastructure as a critical national asset and reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to protecting lives and infrastructure through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He urged LECAN to provide actionable information on individuals involved in the sale of substandard electrical materials and the activities of unlicensed contractors, while intensifying public enlightenment on electrical safety and approved installation standards.

From: Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu.
FIC Correspondent: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
9th October 2026.