ABU holds international conference on gender

Ahmadu Bello University is holding a four-day international conference on gender and security in Africa which began at the institution’s Assembly Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria on Wednesday, 6th December, 2023. 

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The Conference, which is the third in the series, is organised by Ahmadu Bello University Gender Policy Unit in collaboration with the Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University, Kano. 

Christened “Gender and Security in Africa: Implication for Sustainable Development Goals”, the conference was declared open by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala. 

Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor explained that the selection of the theme was timely considering the level of insecurity in various parts of Africa, and especially Nigeria with severe implications for the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

Prof. Bala, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ahmed Ibrahim Doko, believed that the conference would provide opportunity for professionals in the academia to engage in critical discourse that would enable them to bare their minds through research that cuts across various disciplines on the implication of insecurity to achieve the 17 goals of the SDG. 

“This conference is another step towards realizing the university aspiration of becoming a world class academic and research institution in order to produce high quality human capital, with gender sensitivity enshrined in all aspects of operations”, he said. 

He assured the commitment of the institution in drawing citizens, especially the youths and inculcating in them balanced mentality learning and skills to face and provide sustainable solutions to social challenges, supporting social and action research with a view to providing and making policy recommendations to resolve societal problems. 

In his remark, the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by Hon. Dr. Abubakar Fulata, Chairman Committee on Education, House of Representatives, said the fight against poverty, gender inequality, and insecurity was not only morally imperative but also a fundamental necessity for the progress and prosperity of the nation. 

Dr. Abbas said the House of Representatives also aimed to propose amendments to the constitution to establish reserved seats for women in both national and state parliaments, eliminate discriminatory practices against women in police recruitment and other labour related activities detrimental to women. 

The Director, Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the choice of the theme was a reflection of the recognition of the profound interconnection between gender dynamics, security challenges and the pursuit of sustainable development across the African continent. 

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“Our agenda is designed to foster insightful discussions, share groundbreaking research and facilitate collaborations that will contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities embedded in the nexus of gender and security”, she said. 

While welcoming the participants and lead paper presenters to the conference, the Coordinator, Gender Policy Unit, ABU, Prof. Eugenia Chika Akpa, expressed immense appreciation to BUK, Centres, Institutes, Non-Governmental Organisations, University Management, for their support. 

The lead paper presenters at the conference are Justice Monica Dongban-Mansem, President Nigerian Court of Appeal; Ambassador Safiya Nuhu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Romania; Dr. Hamzat Lawal, Executive Director, Connected Development (CODE); and Lt. Gen. T. Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff. 

……………………………..

Public Affairs Directorate, 

Office of the Vice-Chancellor, 

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 

Thursday, 7th December, 2023