NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Group lauds Tinubu for creating South-West Development Commission
General News

Group lauds Tinubu for creating South-West Development Commission

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By Angela Atabo

The Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW), has applauded President Bola Tinubu for creating the South-West Development Commission.

The President of the Council, Aare Hassan, stated this during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Friday in Abuja.

Hassan, represented by Alawode Rahmon, YCYW National Coordinator, said the commission would help to drive  infrastructure development, stimulate economic growth, and enhance social welfare in the South-West geopolitical zone.

“As part of the familiarisation meeting  between the apex Yoruba indigenous people globally, YCYW visited the Ministry of Youth Development.

“This is with the sole aim of cross fertilising ideas on various issues of regional and national development.

“We  salute President  Bola Tinubu on the establishment of the Southwest Development  Commission, and appreciate all his  efforts in supporting youths through the Ministry of Youth Development,” he said.

Hassan explained that the reason for the group’s mission to the ministry was to give full support to the Tinubu administration.

He also disclosed that its members were planning  to deliver over two million votes  in 2027 to support Tinubu’s re-election.

Hassan called on the government to scale up interventions in the areas of food security, national security, youth development and robust economic development.

He  also appealed to the President not to relent in engaging youths and  empowering them to be  strategically positioned to contribute to national development.

Responding, the minister, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, commended the group’s initiative to contribute to governance.

Olawande reiterated the commitment of the ministry to support youth development in the country, adding that the forthcoming national youth confab was a step in the right direction for youth engagement.

He said that a portal had already been opened to that effect for youth registration nationwide, and it would be “youth-led, inclusive, non-partisan and transformational.”

The minister added that the  initiative aimed to “co-create youth-informed, youth-approved, and youth-led solutions” that speak directly to the needs and aspirations of Nigeria’s vibrant youth population.(NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen

Katsina partners PEBEC to accelerate business enabling reforms
Economy/Business

Katsina partners PEBEC to accelerate business enabling reforms

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By Abbas Bamalli

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Katsina State Government have engaged business leaders to access and accelerate business enabling reforms in the state.

The business leaders and other stakeholders were engaged at the State Action on Business-enabling Reforms (SABER) Technical Session and Statewide Town-Hall Meeting in Katsina.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors was organised by PEBEC in collaboration with the state government.

Gov. Dikko Radda, in his remarks, said the event aimed at assessing the state’s performance on business, enabling reforms and strengthening alignment with national economic initiatives.

Radda, represented by his Deputy, Mr Faruk Lawal, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling bottlenecks and fostering a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

He added that the state had made significant progress in implementing actionable and revolving business reforms, which had helped to attract investors and promote economic growth and sustainability.

The Governor emphasised that the ease of doing business had become a top priority of the state government and would remain steadfast in achieving the desired goals.

Radda added that the state government had restructured its business framework and created the Katsina Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA).

According to him, the aim of creating the agency was to support nano, small and medium businesses with resources and tools to grow.

“My administration is creating an enabling environment for business, especially small and medium enterprises, to operate and succeed, and we know the role of the government in creating such an enabling environment for businesses.

“As a government, therefore, we first began our journey by strengthening leadership around the Ease of Doing Business agenda.

“We appointed the Deputy Governor to chair both the Ease of Doing Business and the MSMEs,” Radda said.

In her remarks, the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu, explained that the ongoing nationwide sub-national tour was aimed at strengthening state-level ownership of the reform initiatives.

She explained that the PEBEC works closely with state governments to improve the business environment and deepen the implementation of SABER for the sustainability of ease of doing business in the country.

Audu virtually told the  participants that PEBEC was a World Bank-funded project aimed at promoting economic growth and development in Nigeria.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Tukur-Jikamshi, said the meeting was a step towards deepening ease of doing business and economic reforms.

He said that Radda had embraced the SABER reforms framework not just as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic instrument for state transformation and economic inclusion.

He stated that the Radda-led government had waived all Right of Way (RoW) charges for fabric optic development and granted ‘interest-free loans’ to MSMES to simplify business support schemes in the state.

“We have exempted qualifying businesses from selected fees and levies to reduce start-up costs.

“We continued to prioritise transparency and public feedback, with all MDAs now publishing all timelines and costs,” he added.

Tukur-Jikamshi stressed that the government had taken proactive steps in mainstreaming reforms into the fabrics of the state by establishing a high-powered reforms implementation committee to deliver results across all reform sectors. (NAN)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani

Wives of traditional rulers advocate stronger traditional justice system in FCT
Health

Wives of traditional rulers advocate stronger traditional justice system in FCT

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By Philip Yatai

Association of Wives of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Traditional Rulers (WOFCTTRA) have advocated the urgent need to strengthen traditional justice systems in the territory.

The association made the call when its leaders visited the Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi in Abuja.

The Queen of Abaji Chiefdom, Haiya Hauwa Adamu, who is the President of the association, said that strengthening the traditional justice system was a “matter of profound importance” to FCT communities.

Adamu explained that the move would effectively combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), gender discrimination, and child marriage among the Original Inhabitants (OIs) of the territory.

She said: ‘As custodians of our cultural heritage and moral values, we, the wives of traditional rulers, have long been the silent witnesses to the challenges faced by women and girls in our grassroots communities.

“Our homes have often served as the first refuge for victims of abuse, yet our voices have remained unheard in the corridors of decision-making.

“Today, we step forward, united and resolute, to advocate for change and work to eradicate incidences of SGBV, gender discrimination and early child marriage in our communities.

“Together, we can forge a society in which every woman and girl in the FCT feels safe, esteemed, and empowered, by harnessing the strength of our traditions to construct a future devoid of violence and discrimination”.

She disclosed MacArthur Foundation, through the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), was already elevating the voices of women, youth, and individuals with disabilities within OIs communities.

She added that initiative was ensuring the integration of PwDs into decision-making processes, thereby advancing the political, economic, and cultural rights of the original inhabitants.

The president explained that WOFCTTRA was established to enhance the traditional justice system for effective and inclusive dispute resolution in communities.

This, according to her, will ensure justice delivery on gender discrimination, SGBV and early marriage of the girl child.

“The association was also established to increase awareness and understanding of gender discrimination and SGBV among the OIs in the six area councils in the FCT.

“We are, therefore, acting as actors and ambassadors in the fight against SGBV, gender discrimination and early marriage.

“We are also Intensifying dialogue among the OIs, FCT Administration, area councils and political representatives at the National Assembly on gender discrimination, SGBV and early marriage,” she said.

She commended Benjamins-Laniyi for the exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women, serving as a beacon of hope for countless individuals.

She equally hailed the mandate secretary for engaging the wives of traditional leaders in the battle against GBV, describing it as a “robust foundation” for community-oriented interventions.

To achieve more results in their engagement, Adamu solicited technical support and financial resources to conduct training with a view to improve the capacity of members of the association.

She added that the association equally needed resources to conduct periodic awareness campaigns and provide support services for victims of SGBV and other forms of abuse.

“We equally need assistance in monitoring and evaluation to assess the efficacy of traditional justice interventions and ensure accountability,” she said.

Responding, Benjamins-Laniyi, said the women affairs secretariat considered the wives of the traditional leaders as critical stakeholders in the implementation of government policies and programmes at community level.

She added that she was already pioneering the integration of the wives of traditional rulers into the implementation of gender policies and other related laws in the FCT.

According to her, working with the association will not only ensure effective implementation of government policies and programmes at community level but also promote social justice.

She explained that the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat was collaborating with the UN Women, to improve the capacity and advocacy skills of the women.

“This will enable them to speak out and contribute significantly to addressing SGBV and other forms of social ills in their respective communities,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Days of empty promises, abandoned projects over in FCT – Tinubu
Metro

Days of empty promises, abandoned projects over in FCT – Tinubu

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By Philip Yatai and Uche Bibilari

President Bola Tinubu says the days of empty promises and abandoned projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of the country are over.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria, New Market Road and other connecting roads in Gwagwalada.

The project was the 17th, inaugurated by Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president assured Nigerians that no community under his administration was too far to be seen, and no voice too faint to be heard.

He added that his administration was steadily bridging the gap between promise and performance.

He said that the projects being unveiled in the FCT were not imposed from above but nominated by the people of Gwagwalada themselves.

“This is the kind of democracy we believe in; one that listens, one that responds, and one that delivers.

“The road is a corridor of dignity for the market women, a path to safety for our school children, and a road to prosperity for the hard-working trader.

“We are not just building infrastructure; we are building confidence and governance.

“For too long, those who lived beyond the city centre have watched development happen from a distance.

“They have watched their dreams of inclusion delayed by excuses, and their hopes defied by shifting priorities; we are here to rewrite that history,” he said.

Tinubu said that his government was not just rehabilitating roads but rehabilitating trust.

According to him, the transformation unfolding across the FCT is the product of deliberate reforms and the bold reform-oriented policies of this administration.

“By expanding the revenue base of the FCT, we are investing in roads, schools, hospitals, and people.

“The newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria, and New Market Road is a lifeline to the communities it connects.

“From rehabilitated healthcare centres to improved learning environments for our children, from safer roads to a more responsible public service, the FCT is undergoing a quiet revolution.”

He said that the revolution was made possible by people like the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who refused to accept mediocrity.

Describing Wike as the most colourful politician in the Nigerian political landscape, the president thanked the minister for his accomplishments so far.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to projects that speak directly to the lives of the people.

“We are focused on creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow, for families to thrive, and for communities to prosper.

“We are determined to ensure that development is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right enjoyed by all,” he added.

In his remarks, Wike said that the 10-kilometre road was nominated by the residents of Gwagwalada, including the 9.5km Paikon-Kore Road, constructed and inaugurated in 2024.

“One good thing about the projects in rural areas is that, we never sat in the city and said, go and do so, so, road.

“We came here and the people said, this is what we want. This is what we call community participation in governance.

“The day we came here for the flag off of this project was the day I knew the importance of these roads to the residents of Gwagwalada. The road had completely collapsed and the people were suffering,” he said.

Acknowledging the excitement on the faces of Gwagwalada residents, the minister commended Tinubu for supporting the FCT Administration to deliver life-impacting projects in satellite towns.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the various projects inaugurated by Tinubu in the last 16 days “as enablers of economic growth, social harmony, and improved quality of life”.

“The inauguration of this road is a demonstration of our dedication to inclusive governance and infrastructure renewal in both urban and rural communities,” Mahmoud said.

Earlier, Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, the Coordinator of the FCT Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), said that the project was awarded in September 2024 to a local contractor.

Zulkiflu added that the completion and inauguration of the road marks a significant advancement in the FCT’s efforts to improve infrastructure in satellite towns and area councils, which reflect Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agender”.

He thanked Wike for the trust placed on STDD to manage and oversee the execution of the project. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

FCT primary teachers to call off strike following Wike’s intervention  
Metro

FCT primary teachers to call off strike following Wike’s intervention  

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By Philip Yatai

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), may soon call off the three-month primary school teachers’ strike, following the intervention of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Chief of Staff to the minister, Mr Chidi Amadi disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, after a closed-door meeting with the area council chairmen, leadership of the NUT, and representatives of the FCT Administration.

Other participants at the meeting, he said, included representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs) and the National Assembly.

Amadi explained that the meeting was convened by the minister, in addition to previous interventions to find a lasting solution to the prolonged teachers’ strike.

According to him, after extensive deliberation, a decision was reached to put the issues to rest.

He announced that part of the resolution was to withhold the 10 per cent accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the area councils for the past six months.

He explained that the funds would be used to settle 70 per cent of the minimum wage owed the teachers.

“Although it will not cover 100 per cent of the debt for now, it will cover about 70 per cent. This is a laudable move towards addressing the fracas once and for all.

The chief of staff added that the minister had also directed that a Special Committee be constituted, composed of three members of NUT, two members from FCTA, one of the area council chairmen and representative of NANs.

He added that the committee would revisit all the other outstanding issues and within the next two weeks, submit a report detailing how the other outstanding issues would be permanently addressed.

“In addition to addressing the issues of the primary school teachers, Wike had taken a decision to address all outstanding issues of the local government employees.

“The minister pledged to personally intervene to ensure that their demands are addressed by the FCTA.

“This is to ensure that the area councils resume full operations effectively immediately.

Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, acknowledged the resolution, saying “although it was not in favour of the area councils, it was necessary to resolve the issues.

“Six months of our IGR had been held to settle this issue. Ours at this point is to appeal to NUT to consider our children and call off the strike.

“Please NUT, we are calling on you to respect the fact that the minister has taken his time to resolve this matter.

“Wike had clearly stated that by law, he has no right to take the 10 per cent IGR of the area councils to clear the outstanding debt of the teachers.

“However, the chairmen have all agreed because they also, collectively, want an end to the strike and so we have agreed that the 10 per cent IGR should go to the teachers”.

He expressed optimism that the strike would be called off before Friday, so that children would go back to school.

Also, the National President of NANs, Olushola Oladoja, lauded the resolutions and expressed hope that the outcome would finally put the matter to rest and the teachers return to class.

Oladoja commended the minister for taking the bold step, stressing that any of the council chairmen could take him to court over such a decision.

“However, I believe because the council chairmen also want the issue resolved, they have no option but to concede the IGR for six months,” he said.

On his part, the NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, acknowledged the deliberation, but said he would get back to the NUT State Executive Council, where the final decision would be taken.

The news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the teachers had embarked on the strike in March over non-implementation of minimum wage

Other issues included non-implementation and payment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase, and non-implementation and payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

The union were also demanding the payment of the N35,000 wage award and the implementation of the template on outstanding entitlements of teachers as agreed in 2022. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science
Gender

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science

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By Philip Yatai

Omeva Consulting, a firm specialised in data science and communication across Africa, is hosting an all-female hackathon in Kaduna, to position women in rangeland innovation and data science.

Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maria de la Puerta, said at the ongoing event in Kaduna that the goal was to put women and data science at the centre of policy making for the livestock sector.

She said that the event, which runs from June 26 to July 8 with 30 participants, would set a bold new standard on how people think about rangeland, data, and gender inclusion.

The CEO said that the hackathon, tagged “Women Transform Rangelands”, would combine virtual and in-person activities, including training, mentorship, expert seminars, and collaborative solution-building.

She added that participants would work in teams to explore the Rangeland and Pasture Open Dataset on Kaggle and, with mentor guidance, develop practical solutions to transform rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“With guidance from experienced mentors such as Ms Zainab Idris from Creativity Enthusiast Network and Mr Emmanual Gabriel from Paragon Analytics Ltd., the women would develop practical solutions and revolutionise rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Beyond technical training and skills development, the hackathon seeks to amplify the visibility of Nigerian women in data science, showcasing their potential as innovators and leaders in sustainable rangeland management,” she said.

The CEO added that effort was building on the firm’s ArewaLadies4Tech mentorship programme, where it mentored several students, with many of them participating in the hackathon.

According to her, informed policy decisions require data, yet rangeland, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are often left out of the data revolution that has transformed agricultural crop management.

She said that the gap limits the development of sustainable policies and solutions for livestock and pastoralist communities.

Puerta added that women remain underrepresented in both data science and policy making, despite their critical role in shaping resilient food systems.

According to her, the absence of women’s insights may lead to policies that may overlook key gendered and community-specific perspectives.

She said that the all-female hackathon addresses the challenges by empowering women in data science, strengthening female representation, and demonstrating how data informs policy decisions.

Puerta said that the initiative was supported by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and the Spanish Cooperation Office, as part of their broader commitment to scientific diplomacy and international collaboration.

“This aligns with the EU-funded PRISMA programme, which promotes agroecological transformation and climate resilience through data-driven solutions.

Also, Mr Juan Dembour, First Secretary of the Spanish Embassy, who officially opened the event, reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to leveraging data in the livestock sector and promoting gender equality across Africa.

Dembour added that by supporting initiatives that place women at the forefront of science, technology, and environmental innovation, Spain would continue to promote inclusive, forward-looking solutions to global challenges.

“The Spain Embassy and the Spanish Cooperation Office remain dedicated to strengthening partnerships that foster innovation, sustainability, and gender equality in practice.

“Beyond its technical aims, the hackathon reflects Spain’s dedication to women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and the agenda 2030 priorities,” he added.

Also, Valerio Perucci, from the Italian-based Farm4Trade, sponsor of one of the hackathon prizes, said that the participants would work with the Namibia Rangeland Dataset, a field-verified resource developed under the Lacuna Fund.

Perucci explained that the dataset included detailed data on biomass, vegetation cover, and grazing patterns across 20 sites.

“This hands-on engagement with real data will enables the teams to explore practical pathways for using evidence in policymaking, ensuring that the voices, knowledge, and priorities of women are no longer left out of the conversation,” he said.

On her part, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, founder, Women’s Initiative for Sustainable Environment lauded the deliberate choice of women for the hackathon.

This, she said, would create a safe and inclusive space where women could speak freely, lead confidently, and innovate without the social pressures that often limit women’s engagement in mixed settings.

“Women often hold back, not because they lack ideas or ability, but because of social pressure, especially in mixed settings.

“We are raised to stay quiet, not to take the lead. This hackathon creates a space where women do not need permission to speak up, try bold things, or lead with confidence,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

FCTA pledges justice for 14-year-old girl allegedly raped by cleric 
Health

FCTA pledges justice for 14-year-old girl allegedly raped by cleric 

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By Philip Yatai

The Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has vowed to ensure justice for a 14-year-old girl allegedly raped by a cleric in Gwagwalada.

The cleric, Pst. Amos Isah, currently in police custody, is the founder and lead pastor of Prophetic Victory Voice of Fire Ministry in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, that the administration would pursue the case to a logical conclusion.

Declaring zero tolerance to rape in the FCT, Benjamins-Laniyi reiterated the administration’s commitment to protecting, preserving and safeguarding the rights and the dignity of all children in the FCT.

“This commitment is in tandem with Section 1 of the Child Rights Act Act, 2003.

“FCT will not harbour and provide a safe haven for any paedophile, whoever he or she may be when caught.

“We will ensure that justice is served at all times when the rights of our children are violated,” she added.

She said that the secretariat was already in contact with relevant stakeholders in the pursuit of justice to the rape survivor.

“I am following up with the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, FCT Chapter over the issue.

“I have also gone to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to the Federation and Deputy Commissioner of Police Rita Emesim, in-charge of Gender, all in pursuit of justice to the rape survivor.

“I have equally directed the Director, Child Department of the Women’s Affairs Secretariat to visit the family of the victim.

“The director had visited the family, discussed and assured them of the FCTA’s commitment to get justice for their only daughter,” she said.

Benjamins-Laniyi assured residents that the matter was being handled by the FCT Administration with all the commitment it deserved.

This, she said, was in line with FCT’s zero tolerance to all forms of gender-based violence and rape.

“Whoever perpetrates such acts, no matter how highly placed, will be prosecuted and face the wrath of the law with no fear or favour.

“The matter of adolescent girls is a priority intervention for the women affair’s secretariat because of their vulnerability at that stage in their development.

“This is a priority for us. We shall follow it through. Nobody will be covered,” she said.

The mandate secretary also warned that a legal action would be taken against those sharing the picture of the survivor on social media.

She particularly called on one Isaiah Gbangbala, a social media influencer to stop posting the victim’s picture on his face book page in an attempt to discredit her, describing it as simply “cyberbullying”.

According to her, the girl and her parents are already traumatised with ongoing negative social media campaigns compounding their mental state.

“The survivor is not only traumatised but also facing serious health challenges after the incident.

“She had been bleeding accompanied by severe pains and had to be pulled out of school and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.”

On her part, Emesim assured residents that hopefully by Thursday, the suspect would be charged to court.

She dismissed social media claims that the police was keeping the suspect without charging him to court and considering releasing him saying, “this is a rape case and rape is a federal offence.

“We cannot charge a rape case to a Magistrate Court, it has to be in a Federal High Court and it is not just charging a case to court, we need conviction and for us to get conviction, we need to do due diligence,” she said.

She said that the matter was being handled without prejudice to the accused, adding that if convicted would bear the brunt of the law.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspect, Isah was detained by the police following a petition by the victim and her parents, alleging that the suspect lured her into his office and raped her on May 26.

The victim, a Senior Secondary School II student and member of the church’s Media Unit further alleged that following the rape, her hymen broke and she began bleeding from her vagina.

She added that on seeing this, the suspect gave her N3,000 and threatened to kill her if she revealed the incident to anyone. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Be gender responsive in your policies – Women Engineers tell govts, industry leaders
Metro

Be gender responsive in your policies – Women Engineers tell govts, industry leaders

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By Angela Aatabo

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called on governments at all levels and industry leaders to be gender-responsive in their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) policies.

The President of APWEN, Dr Adebisi Osim, made the call at an event to mark the 2025 International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the theme for this year’s day is “Together We Engineer: Advancing Women’s Leadership in Engineering”.

Osim said the call was imperative in order to promote inclusion in tandem with this year’s theme.

Quoting the UNESCO’s 2023 Science Report, Osim said only 28 per cent of the world’s engineering graduates are women, and even fewer rise to leadership roles.

She added that in Nigeria, the figure is lower. Specifically, from the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria 2022 data (COREN 2022), about 15 per cent of registered engineers are women,

She explained that the low number of women in engineering was not due to lack of talent, but as a result of systemic barriers, stereotypes, and a lack of enabling structures.

“So, the question before us is: How do we change that? How do we, together, give women engineers a better path?

“It can be done through mentorship and sponsorship. Every woman is a mentor-in-waiting. Let us take deliberate steps to lift others as we climb.

“Another way is through policy and advocacy.  We must continue to engage with policymakers to make STEM education accessible to girls.

“I call on government and industry leaders to support gender-responsive STEM policies and fund women-led engineering innovations.”

Osim underscored the need to leverage digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, stressing that the future of engineering is digital.

She advocated for women engineers to be equipped with AI, automation and data analytics skills.

The president also advocated that work-life integration should be supported, so that leadership would not come at the cost of well-being.

“APWEN is exploring flexible work programmes and wellness initiatives for our members, because we believe that a supported woman leads better,” she said.

Osim, therefore, encouraged women and men to continue to create awareness on equipping girls in STEM and mentor one more student.

The National Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), Temitope Aboyeji in a presentation titled “Engineering Inclusion: Building Gender-Balanced Leadership Teams for a Sustainable Future” called for enforcement of gender policies.

According to Aboyeji, this would support diversity, equity and inclusion of women in leadership pipelines.

According to her, engineering inclusion is the intentional effort to ensure that individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to contribute to the engineering profession.

She said this involved removing biases, ensuring access, and building a culture where everyone regardless of gender, race, or background can thrive.

She said it combines diversity, equity, and belonging into the engineering profession.

“The future of engineering depends on inclusion. For too long, the field has struggled with gender imbalance, limiting innovation and sidelining valuable perspectives.

“Engineering inclusion means more than just increasing numbers- it means creating environments where women and men contribute equally, lead confidently, and collaborate effectively.

“Gender-balanced teams are proven to be more creative,’’ she said.

Aboyeji said women engineers bring unique insights that enhance the relevance and effectiveness of engineering solutions.

“To build such teams, we must break down systemic barriers through targeted education policies, mentorship programmes and workplace inclusion strategies.

“Creating environments where all voices are valued, empowers more young women to pursue and thrive in engineering careers.

“Engineering inclusion is neither charity nor fairness, it is a strategic imperative, a mark of smart and forward-thinking leadership for teams and organisations, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Oil & gas coy urges removal of bottlenecks hindering upstream investment
Oil & Gas

Oil & gas coy urges removal of bottlenecks hindering upstream investment

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By Emmanuella Anokam

Engr. Chichi Emenike, Acting Managing Director and Gas Asset Manager, Neconde Energy Limited (OML 42), has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the numerous bottlenecks obstructing investment in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.

Emenike made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, while speaking to newsmen after a panel session at the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja.

She said that oil and gas operators currently grapple with nearly 500 different fees and levies imposed by various government agencies — an issue she said continues to deter financing and investor confidence in the sector.

While acknowledging government efforts in the past year to improve the ease of doing business, she stressed that the sheer volume of levies and regulatory hurdles were making it increasingly difficult to attract the private capital needed to drive industry growth.

“The truth is, if you look at the oil and gas industry today, while the government is still figuring out how to attract financing on its end, most of the funding moving the industry forward is coming from the private sector.

“When finance is brought into an ecosystem, it must yield profit to remain viable.

“When we talk about ease of doing business, we are referring to the operational bottlenecks that must be unbundled, if we are truly serious.

“The minister mentioned that there are about 273 fees and rents, but I beg to differ. There are far more; you deal with one agency, then another, and another.

“There is a multiplicity of fees, including some that must be paid in dollars. It can become stifling and discouraging for any businessperson,” Emenike said

She commended the current administration of President Bola Tinubu for the introduction of some policies, reforms and initiatives, noting that they signaled a shift in approach and could yield positive results if sustained.

Emenike, who shared the panel with Executive Vice President (Gas, Power & New Energy) Olalekan Ogunleye and Managing Director, Nigeria LNG, Philip Mshelbila, also advocated the removal of the price cap on gas supplied to the power sector.

According to her, lifting the cap will boost investment and improve gas supply to power plants.

She cautioned that, unlike crude oil, natural gas had limited market flexibility and lowered margins, emphasising the need for policies that enable market-driven pricing.

“Allow investors to do their business; bring in gas and develop upstream assets.

“For all the resources we have, much of it is still untapped. Officially, we stand at 210 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas reserves, and that figure hasn’t moved in a long time.

“Some major projects have been signed recently. We must give them the space to grow. The power sector which consumes over 60 per cent of our gas must be unbundled and made viable.

“The illiquidity in the value chain must be addressed. Tariffs must be cost-reflective. When I borrow money, it must be repaid.”

She noted that operations at OML 42 have expanded significantly since its acquisition 13 years ago, growing from a shut-in asset to one currently producing over 50,000 barrels of oil per day. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

BCDA to execute life-changing interventions in 250 border communities
Metro

BCDA to execute life-changing interventions in 250 border communities

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By Philip Yatai

The Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) says it has concluded plans to intervene in more than 250 border communities with life-changing services within the year.

The Executive Secretary, Dr Dax George-Kelly, disclosed this at the commemoration of the 2025 African Border Day, in Abuja.

The event was organised by the National Boundary Commission with the theme, “Building Border Community Resilience and Economic Development through Cross Border Cooperation”.

George-Kelly told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the event, that the interventions would cover water supply, education support and construction of schools.

He said others include provision of health services, empowerment programmes, agricultural inputs and social welfare.

He explained that there were over 3,000 border communities spread across 21 states and 105 local government areas in the country.

The secretary added that the population of the border community was more than 20 million people, representing about 14 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

According to him, the people, for a long time, have been neglected.

He, however, said that President Bola Tinubu has brought renewed hope to border community dwellers with the planned interventions in more than 250 border communities this year.

George-Kelly said that the intervention would be spread across 21 states covered by the agency.

“That is something that has never happened before in the history of this country and so, a lot will be happening.

“Like I have always said, to transform border communities requires inter-agency collaboration, especially in terms of security.

“That is why we are here today and that is what we are going to be doing going forward,” he said.

The executive secretary acknowledged a lot of ungoverned spaces in border communities, stressing the need to invest in infrastructure in the areas.

This, according to him, will make the border communities’ dwellers to feel government presence.

“Otherwise, they will be more loyal to smugglers who provide them with some form of amenities.

“This is a matter of emergency because access to most border communities is difficult; access to water is difficult, while access to education and health remain a problem.

“So, for us, we are in a hurry to intervene in all these communities,” he said.

George-Kelly disclosed that the agency would soon conclude partnership with China to change the socio-economic status of some border communities, beginning with Maigatari in Jigawa.

He explained that the partnership, when concluded, would attract Chinese investment, and would lead to the export of cattle from some border communities to China.

He added that the export would be more than 20,000 metric tonnes monthly, amounting to 240,000 metric tonnes annually.

“We are also going to be looking at potentials of all border communities,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Sandra Umeh

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