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BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, a non-profit and
non-religious organisation, has acknowledged the role of a credible
media in the realisation of its mission of promoting and protecting
women’s human rights.

The organisation, which aims at making “women’s human
rights become an integral part of everyday life”, expressed this during
a courtesy visit to NEXT Newspaper yesterday.

The delegation comprised the organisation’s Executive
Director, Sindi Medar-Gould; the Administrative Manager, Ngozi
Nwosu-Juba; Documentalist, Linda Aina; and Sunday Idowu, an intern
attached to the organisation.

“We know that without credible media we would not be
able to talk about democracy, anti-corruption, human rights; and when I
say human rights, I include women’s human rights”, said Ms. Medar-Gould.

While explaining that the reason for the visit is to
strengthen her organisation’s relationship with the media, Ms.
Medar-Gould regretted that most times the media does not feel
appreciated for its contribution to the promotion of human rights
issues and its assistance to non-governmental organisations.

BAOBAB explained that as part of its resolve to build
an enduring relationship with the media, it has decided to visit NEXT
Newspaper because it believes that its vision of building an equitable
society aligns with theirs.

“BAOBAB regards NEXT as an unbiased media
organisation and regards your reporting strategy as an asset for
achieving your vision. In the course of our work, we have partnered
with NEXT because of your dedication to, and passion for the
development of our country, Nigeria. During this period, we found your
organisation a dependable ally and strong pillar of support”, said the
organisation in a written statement.

Answering questions from NEXT reporters on why the
organisation has remained silent on the alleged marriage of a thirteen
year old Egyptian girl by the former governor of Zamfara State, Sanni
Yerima, Ms. Medar-Gould explained that her organisation is still
investigating the case. And until the fact of the issue are determined,
BAOBAB will choose to remain silent on the issue.

“BAOBAB is an organisation that deals in fact and we
need to investigate. We need to know what the facts truly are. For one
thing, we don’t want to slander anybody. We are aware of what is
supposed to have taken place. He is said to have married a young girl,
I don’t think anybody has seen her. Is it thirteen or thirty? Nobody
knows. And so BAOBAB cannot come out and start condemning somebody
based on hearsay. Rumours are not facts. So, we are investigating. We
are utilising our network and relationship in Egypt; we also have an
outreach team in Zamfara State. But I can say generally, BAOBAB is
against the exploitation of young girls in all ramifications.”

BAOBAB was founded in 1996 by a group of activists in response to
the injustice perpetrated against women under the guise of religion,
culture, and tradition. The organisation has fourteen volunteer
outreach teams in five geo-political zones and its inventions on women
issue have been felt in twenty-four states of the federation.