Sankwala, Obanliku LGA–In a display of unity, the political, traditional, judicial, and religious leadership of Obanliku Local Government Area have forged a common front to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), following a landmark training organized by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) with funding support from Christian Aid in collaboration with Side-by-Side Movement Nigeria NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
In his welcome address, Monday Osasah the Executive Director of Centre LSD highlighted the strategic importance of the gathering, stating, “Today’s training meeting is particularly significant because we are not only coming together to strengthen the capacity of Faith and Traditional Leaders to address gender justice and human rights issues within their communities, but also to increase their knowledge on gender justice, resilience, and advocacy.” He emphasized that the meeting was designed to “empower and equip stakeholders to harness our collective expertise, engage with communities, and create sustainable solutions in the fight against GBV.”
The one-day training, which brought together Faith and Traditional Leaders, Women Rights Organizations, and Community Based Organizations, has catalyzed a multi-sectoral commitment to prevent, prohibit, and respond to all forms of GBV, with leaders pledging to leverage their unique authority to protect women and girls.
The event, held at Sangji Hotel in Busonfang on Tuesday, equipped participants with foundational knowledge on gender justice. Dr. Vincent Dania, a Programme Coordinator at Centre LSD, in his presentation, laid the philosophical groundwork, challenging attendees to reflect on the arbitrariness of gender-based discrimination.
“How many of you decided the sex you would be born with? None of us did,” Dr. Dania stated, framing GBV as a violation of fundamental rights. He defined the core issues, explaining that harmful practices are often rooted in socially constructed “gender norms” and “gender roles,” rather than biological fact.
Building on this, Pastor Offiong Enang, the Programme Coordinator for the Side by Side Project under Christian Aid, educated leaders on recognizing threats, defining Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as “violence directed against a person based on their gender or sex,” which includes physical, mental, and sexual harm. He underscored the critical need for vigilance, pointing out “Early warning signs of SGBV are signs that tell you that someone might soon be hurt or someone is already hurting another person,” and noted that these acts are fundamentally “rooted in power relations.”
This shared understanding spurred immediate and concrete commitments from the community’s power centers.
Political Will: “My Office is Always Open”
Speaking in an interview, the Vice Chairman of Obanliku LGA, Hon. Glory Awowoh, underscored the local government’s commitment. “I can assure you that in Obanliku, the chairman of council with myself and the entire team, we are giving to supporting people and fighting against these kind of situations,” she stated.
Emphasizing a victim-centered approach, Hon. Awowoh declared, “My office as the vice chairman of council is always open to listen to you and then to follow up to give you the help that you need.” She also issued a stern warning against any attempts to revive the abolished ‘Money Woman’ custom, vowing, “I bet you for a fact that that will not happen. It cannot happen. Not under our watch.”
Traditional Authority: Fines and Referral Systems
His Royal Majesty, Amb. Dr. Uchua Amos Uyumulam Item JP, the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku, detailed the practical steps his council is taking to enforce the new norms. “We have more laws we are putting in place for the offenders… There are fines that we instituted ranging from some material things like livestock and some drinks and cola notes,” the Monarch revealed.
He further explained a structured escalation process, stating, “We also have agreed on the referral activities or services. Anything that is above us, we now make reference to the appropriate quarters and make sure that the law takes its course.”
Judicial Muscle: The Law Will Prevail
Adding the full weight of the formal justice system, Chief Magistrate I. I. Abam, who presides in Obanliku, affirmed the judiciary’s role. In an illustration of the issues at hand, the Magistrate revealed he had just remanded a man for contempt and spousal violence, demonstrating the court’s readiness to act.
Chief Magistrate Abam firmly stated that harmful customs would not be tolerated. “We look at it as being repugnant to natural equity and good conscience,” he said. “The law will always prevail.”
Religious Conviction: Preaching from the Pulpit
The religious leaders pledged to become evangelists of the anti-GBV message within their congregations. Rev. Godfirst Akeribo, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Obanliku, committed to “swim into action, teaching and preaching against this act in our various churches.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Chief Imam of Obanliku, Aliyu Abubakar, expressed his strong support for the initiative. “What happened today is a very great thing. It’s what I was looking for,” he said, highlighting the progress already made in his community regarding girls’ education.
The event culminated in participants pledging their commitment to the cause of SGBV, symbolizing a historic pact to transform Obanliku into a model for gender justice and community-led protection in Cross River state.
Centre LSD is the National Secretariat of the Side-by-Side Movement SBS, and Christian Aid CA,
