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It’s 2026, and believe it or not, not a single country in the world has managed to achieve full gender equality. That’s the stark reality highlighted in a new United Nations report, and it’s a wake-up call for all of us.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, the UN is reminding everyone that progress on women’s rights is moving at a snail’s pace, and in some areas, it’s even going backward.

I’ve been following this topic for a while, and it’s heartbreaking to see how far we still have to go. But let’s dive into what the report actually says and why it matters so much today.

Women and girls around the globe are still facing massive barriers, from unequal pay to limited legal protections. The UN Secretary-General’s report shows that women hold just 64 percent of the legal rights that men do.

That means in most countries, laws are still stacked against them. And get this—at the current rate, it could take until 2158 to reach full gender parity.

That’s over 130 years from now! We’re talking about five generations before women and men are truly equal under the law.

It’s frustrating because we’ve seen some wins, like more countries passing laws against domestic violence (87 percent now have them), but overall, the momentum is fading.

Key Findings from the UN Secretary-General’s Report

The report doesn’t mince words—it’s called “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls,” and it paints a picture of a world where justice systems are failing half the population.

For starters, in over half of countries (54 percent), rape isn’t defined based on consent, which means many cases go unrecognized or unpunished.

Child marriage is still legal in nearly three-quarters of nations, putting young girls at risk every day. And equal pay?

Forget it—44 percent of countries don’t mandate equal remuneration for work of equal value. These aren’t just numbers; they’re real lives affected by outdated laws and slow reforms.

What’s even more alarming is the regression we’re seeing in some areas. With rising conflicts, economic pressures, and shrinking civic spaces, women’s rights are taking a hit.

UN Women points out that democratic backsliding and organized pushback against gender equality are making things worse. In places where conflicts rage, women and girls are often the first to suffer from violence and exclusion.

And let’s not forget the global stats: since 2015, women’s representation in parliaments has only crept up by 4.9 percentage points to 27.2 percent. At this rate, equal representation is still decades away.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The UN highlights that progress is possible—99 positive legal reforms have happened between 2019 and 2024 to remove discriminatory laws.

Countries are slowly enacting better protections against gender-based violence and pushing for equal opportunities. Still, the report calls for urgent action:

We need to accelerate reforms, invest in justice systems, and hold governments accountable. As someone who’s passionate about equality, I think this is a moment for us all to reflect and push harder—whether it’s supporting women’s rights organizations or voting for leaders who prioritize gender parity.

In the end, living in a world without full gender equality isn’t just unfair; it’s holding everyone back.

Let’s hope this report sparks the change we need before another International Women’s Day rolls around with the same warnings.

The UN continues to highlight global inequalities, from slow gender equality progress to the recent declaration that the transatlantic slave trade is the gravest crime against humanity.

The Oyo State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against cultism in tertiary institutions.

Two suspected cultists were arrested on the campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, with a locally made firearm and various charms recovered during the operation.

The suspects reportedly confessed to planning an attack on rival cult members, raising fresh concerns about the persistence of cult-related violence in Nigerian polytechnics.

The arrest was carried out by operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit following credible intelligence.

According to police sources, the two students were apprehended while allegedly trying to hide weapons and fetish items near one of the hostels.

A search led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun, live ammunition, and several charms believed to be used for protection during cult activities.

Why This Arrest Matters for Campus Safety

This incident is a stark reminder that cultism remains a serious threat in many Nigerian higher institutions, especially polytechnics.

It comes shortly after UniAbuja expelled 28 students for cultism and drug offenses, showing that both security agencies and school authorities are stepping up their game.

Ibadan Poly has had a history of cult-related clashes in the past, and many parents and students have expressed worry about the safety of the campus environment.

The quick response by the police shows that security agencies are stepping up efforts to tackle the menace before it escalates.

The suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged in court soon. The Polytechnic management has also been notified and is expected to take internal disciplinary action.

This development has sparked conversations among students about the need for stronger security measures and more awareness campaigns on the dangers of joining secret cults.

Authorities are urging students to stay away from cult groups and report any suspicious activities to the school security or police. For parents, this is another wake-up call to monitor their children’s associations while in school.

The Oyo State Police Command has promised to sustain the crackdown on cultism across all institutions in the state. With this arrest, they hope to send a strong message that no one is above the law on campus.

If you have a ward studying at Ibadan Poly or any other institution, this is a good time to have an honest conversation about the dangers of cultism and the importance of staying focused on academics.

The fight against cultism is ongoing, but operations like this prove that consistent vigilance can make a real difference.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has delivered a major blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) with a precision airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State.

According to credible counter-insurgency reports, the operation eliminated several high-ranking commanders, including key figures known as Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago.

The strike, carried out early on Friday morning under Operation Hadin Kai, targeted confirmed terrorist hideouts and logistics warehouses in the Yuwe axis.

This development comes at a time when ISWAP has been trying to regroup and expand its influence in the Lake Chad region.

Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets played a critical role in identifying the exact locations before the air component executed the mission.

Local sources and security analysts describe the strike as one of the most effective in recent months, significantly disrupting ISWAP’s command structure and supply lines.

What the Strike Means for Security in Northeast Nigeria

The elimination of these top commanders is a significant setback for ISWAP. These individuals were reportedly responsible for coordinating attacks, managing logistics, and recruiting new members in the forest.

Their removal is expected to create temporary confusion within the group’s ranks and weaken its ability to launch large-scale operations in the short term.

For residents in Borno and surrounding states, this news brings cautious hope. Sambisa Forest has long served as a notorious hideout for both Boko Haram and ISWAP factions, making it a constant source of fear for communities.

The Nigerian military has intensified aerial and ground operations in recent years, and this latest success shows the effectiveness of intelligence-driven strikes.

However, security experts caution that ISWAP remains resilient. The group has a history of quickly replacing fallen leaders and adapting its tactics.

While this strike is a clear victory for the Nigerian Air Force, sustained pressure through combined air and ground efforts will be needed to prevent the terrorists from regrouping.

The NAF has not released an official statement on the number of casualties, but independent monitoring groups tracking the Lake Chad region have confirmed the deaths of the named commanders.

This operation adds to a growing list of successful counter-terrorism actions in the northeast, demonstrating improved coordination between intelligence units and the air force.

As Nigeria continues its fight against insurgency, operations like this highlight the importance of sustained funding, modern equipment, and timely intelligence.

This latest success adds to a growing list of effective counter-terrorism actions in the northeast.

It comes amid ongoing regional security challenges, including the US military deployment supporting Nigeria against ISWAP and earlier Lassa fever outbreaks linked to insecurity in Borno and surrounding states.”

For families living in affected areas, every successful strike brings them one step closer to peace and normalcy.

The military has urged citizens to continue providing credible information to security agencies, emphasizing that community support remains vital in the battle against terrorism in the region.

While the military scores wins in Sambisa, new security challenges have emerged with multiple explosions in Maiduguri, including at the Teaching Hospital and the Palm Sunday attack in Jos that left 20 dead.

Pakistan has launched airstrikes on the Afghan capital, Kabul, and other major cities, with its defense minister declaring an “open war” against the Taliban-led government.

The escalation follows months of tit-for-tat border clashes and retaliatory attacks that have left dozens dead on both sides.

Explosions were reported in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia provinces early on February 27, 2026, with Pakistani forces targeting Taliban defense locations.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan’s patience had “run out,” describing the situation as “open war” after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border positions.

Islamabad claims the strikes killed over 130 Taliban operatives, while Afghan officials report civilian casualties, including women and children in Paktia.

The Pakistani military released images of the operation, which it named “Ghazab lil-Haq” (Righteous Fury), marking the first time Islamabad has directly targeted Taliban installations rather than militants allegedly backed by them.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government condemned the strikes as aggression, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirming Pakistani air attacks on Kabul and other areas.

This escalation threatens to destabilize the region, similar to ongoing US military deployments supporting Nigeria against ISWAP.

The clashes intensified after Afghan forces launched retaliatory strikes following earlier Pakistani bombings near the border.

Both sides have traded accusations, with Pakistan alleging unprovoked attacks on its territory and Afghanistan claiming self-defense.

This conflict threatens to destabilize the 2,600-kilometer border region, already a hotspot for militants and smuggling. Analysts warn that the escalation could draw in regional powers, with implications for security in South Asia.

The United States and other international actors have called for restraint, urging dialogue to prevent a full-scale war.

The situation remains fluid, with heavy gunfire and shelling reported near the Torkham border crossing.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed that its armed forces are ready to “crush any aggressive ambitions,” while Afghanistan’s leadership has vowed to defend its sovereignty.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has expanded its Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers to over 1,000 nationwide for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), up from about 800 in 2025.

This increase aims to reduce congestion, minimize travel burdens for candidates, and ensure a smoother registration and examination process.

Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced the development during a training program for test developers at the University of Ibadan, emphasizing the board’s commitment to efficiency and credibility.

Registration for the 2026 UTME began on January 26, 2026, and will close on February 28, 2026, with no extensions planned.

Over 1 million candidates have already registered, surpassing expectations and reflecting the board’s improved infrastructure.

JAMB has completed the automation of its question-setting process, marking the final phase of a 10-year digitization effort to enhance examination integrity.

The board has also barred CBT centers without remote monitoring capabilities from participating under the “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME” policy to curb infractions.

The expansion addresses longstanding issues, such as students traveling across states for exams, which often leads to missed opportunities due to distance, cost, or timing.

The Borno State Government is contributing by constructing a N1 billion administrative and CBT center in Maiduguri, further boosting capacity.

Officials urge candidates to register early and verify accredited centers to avoid fraudulent practices.

This initiative is part of JAMB’s push for landmark examinations, with more than 1.5 million candidates projected.

Stakeholders commend the move, though some call for fee reductions from N3,500. As the registration deadline approaches, candidates are advised to secure ePINs promptly to avoid last-minute stress.

While JAMB works to improve access through more CBT centers, the registrar is now urging candidates to protest admission bias when they believe their UTME scores have been unfairly overlooked.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a nationwide free cancer screening program in Ebonyi State, targeting early detection of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers for 1,000 residents.

The initiative, flagged off by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH) in Uburu on February 25, 2026, aims to address the alarming rise in cancer cases across the country.

According to Prof. Robinson Onoh, Chief Medical Director of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), Nigeria recorded 127,000 cancer cases and 79,000 deaths between 2022 and 2025.

The screening focuses on vulnerable groups, including women, men, children, the elderly, indigents, and pregnant women, as part of broader efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce mortality through prevention and early intervention.

The program is part of a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Health and hospitals like DUFUTH, which have already provided free medical treatment to over 8,000 individuals in its first phase of outreach.

Kachollom commissioned new facilities at DUFUTH, including electric stretcher trolleys and a physiotherapy center, during the event.

The screening will continue across zones until the end of February 2026, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups to combat the disease’s high fatality rate.

Health experts highlight that early detection significantly improves survival rates, urging Nigerians to participate in such initiatives. The government has committed to expanding the program, with similar screenings planned in other states to foster national health equity.

This development underscores Nigeria’s push for proactive healthcare measures amid rising non-communicable diseases.

“The screening focuses on vulnerable groups amid broader health challenges like Lassa fever outbreaks in Edo and Plateau.”

As reported by Punch Newspapers here, the ministry’s efforts are geared toward sustainable cancer care.