NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Gender , General News

NGO empowers community members to tackle child abuse in Lagos

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By Oluwatope Lawanson

Devatop Centre for Africa Development, a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), says it has empowered 131 community members, to protect the rights and well-being of vulnerable children in Lagos State.

Speaking at a conference on Thursday in Lagos, Mr Joseph Osuigwe, the Executive Director, Devatop Centre for Africa Development, said that the empowered community members included child domestic workers and their guardians.

Osuigwe said that the conference was organised to discuss key milestones and an assessment of the impact report of their pilot project meant to protect Child Domestic Workers (CDWs) from maltreatment.

He said that the pilot project was embarked upon with the support of the Freedom Fund and the U.S. Department of State.

“During the project, Devatop Centre trained 45 community champions to sensitise over 350 individuals on child rights and protection.

“The project distributed 3,000 awareness materials and broadcast four multilingual audio-visuals, reaching over 50,000 people.

“Furthermore, 68 CDWs and 63 guardians were trained on child rights, safeguarding, and protection.

“Seven CDWs were enrolled in school, while five began vocational training,” he said .

He said that the initiative, which ran from October 2023 to December 2024, made a transformative impact in addressing the exploitation and abuse of CDWs in Ijegun-Egba and Iyana-Sashi communities in Lagos State.

“With the completion of this pilot project, Devatop Centre is now poised to scale up its efforts to protect child domestic workers across Lagos State,” Osuigwe said.

He explained that the project was designed to address the root causes of child domestic violence, including cultural norms, economic hardship, and religious beliefs.

“Through the establishment of two CDWs’ Rights Forums, Devatop Centre provided a platform for community members to come together and discuss issues affecting child domestic workers.

“The forums empowered participants with knowledge and skills to identify and report cases of abuse, and to provide support to vulnerable children.

“We are proud to have empowered community members to take action in protecting the rights of child domestic workers.

“By working together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for all children,” Osuigwe said.

The executive director said some of the project’s achievements also included policy advocacy, community empowerment, awareness campaigns, and support for CDWs.

Osuigwe disclosed that the community-led approach had helped to raise awareness and promote behavioural change, ultimately reducing the risk of exploitation and abuse.

He noted that the project also reviewed 30 legal frameworks and identified seven critical gaps.

According to him, two policy dialogues with 30 stakeholders resulted in 24 actionable plans, five of which have been implemented to address policy gaps.

Osuigwe said Devatop Centre’s innovative TALKAM Human Rights App had also played a critical role in supporting their efforts.

“The app, which was recently recognised by the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC), provides a secure and confidential platform for individuals to report cases of abuse and exploitation.

Osuigwe commended the stakeholders, including the Lagos State Government, for their support and partnership in the project.

He urged stakeholders for continuous support, adding that it was a collective responsibility to protect the rights of vulnerable children.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoints of the conference was the launch of a child rights game app, to tackle Child Domestic Worker’s violence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Gender

Coalition advocates education, economic opportunities for girls

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By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The National Coalition of Civil Society to End Child Marriage has urged stakeholders to ensure girls have access to education, economic opportunities, and autonomy.

Mr Olorunfemi Olusegun, Co-chair of the FCT Coalition, made this call during a courtesy visit to the Community Leader of Gwarinpa in Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was part of the FCT chapter’s activities marking the “16 Days of Activism” campaign against sexual and gender-based violence.

The “16 Days of Activism” is an annual campaign held from November 25 to December 10 to raise awareness and mobilise action to end violence against women and girls.

Olusegun noted that violence against women occurs across all countries and cultures, affecting millions of women and girls.

He described child marriage as a complex issue requiring a comprehensive approach to prevention and response.

“Young girls need access to quality education and empowerment opportunities to support their families and reduce the likelihood of child marriage.

“Girls without education are more likely to be married off at a young age. Engaging with communities and changing social norms can help prevent child marriage,” he said.

Mrs Chinyere Eyoh, Co-chair of the coalition, stated that the organisation is working across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones on various thematic areas to accelerate efforts to end child marriage.

Eyoh explained that their advocacy and interventions span local, state, and national levels.

She emphasised the importance of collaborating with community leaders including traditional, religious, and peer group leaders to address child marriage and violence against women and girls.

Mrs Patience Aliede, Safeguarding Officer for Girl Child Freedom at the Grassroots, noted that tackling gender-based violence requires a multi-faceted approach.

“This includes not only legal and institutional reforms but also cultural and societal changes to address underlying norms”.

The District Head of Gwarinpa, Malam Umar Bayero, commended the coalition’s efforts and called for more collaboration to empower women and girls.

He noted that there were no recorded cases of child marriage in the community.

Mrs Oluchi Uzodimma, Secretary to the Coalition, assured that women and girls would be supported in pursuing positive opportunities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Gender

Minister urges action to protect rights, dignity of women, girls

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By Justina Auta

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has stressed the need for deliberate action to protect the rights, safety and dignity of women and girls across the country.

She made the call at the launch of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Abuja on Monday with the theme ‘Unite Campaign: Towards Beijing to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’.

The minister, who described GBV as a societal issue and an impediment to development, expressed concern over the statistics in the country.

She said the statistics show women and girls at great risk, stressing that “the growing trend represents gross violation of human rights and undermines the very fabric of the society, thereby preventing women and girls from achieving their full potential.

“Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal issue, a human rights issue, and an impediment to our nation’s development.

“The statistics before us on  GBV in Nigeria remains deeply troubling. Even as we embark on this campaign today, a little child has just violated, a woman has just been abused, a young girl’s life is at risk somewhere in a community, all for no just cause.

“Current reports indicate that 30 per cent of Nigerian women and girls aged between 15 and 49 years have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives.

“This violence occurs not only in homes, but extends to schools, workplaces and communities. Violence does not know any tribe nor creed, it cuts across social and economic boundaries. It affects both young and old”.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim, therefore, urged the media to amplify the voices of survivors, highlight success stories and hold perpetrators accountable, as well as educate the public against such act.

She said the campaign would focus on community mobilisation and education to challenge harmful cultural norms, stereotypes and practices that perpetuate violence.

“We will continuously engage traditional and religious leaders as community gate keepers,” she added.

Ms Beatrice Eyong, the Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and ECOWAS, also stressed the need for renewed efforts toward addressing gender inequality and violence against women and girls.

Eyong said 42 per cent of women were financially excluded, with women holding less than five per cent of elective positions.

According to her, this imposes significant economic loss, estimated at 1.5 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP annually, hindering development and progress.

She added that “GBV is everywhere, it is not good for neither the men nor the women. It has the capacity to reduce economic growth if this is not reduced, we will never come out of poverty. It is not just a human rights issue, it is an economic issue.

“The funding for gender equality and women empowerment has reduced, and as experts, we have to think of innovative ways to mobilise funds to fight the menace”.

Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador, said “we cannot help but commend the critical reforms that have been initiated by state government and civil society organisations, of which, we have started seeing progress”.

Represented by Toyosi Giwa, Technical Lead, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption ( ROLaC), Mignot pledged sustained advocacy “until perpetrators are held accountable and punished and every survivor gain access to assistance that they need to recover and heal”,

Mr Gabriel Aduda, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said that in commemorating the 2024 activities, commitments would be re-enforced, while collaborations and empowerment of survivors strengthened.

Aduda added that “GBV remains a pervasive issue in our societies, transcending borders, cultures and socioeconomic status. It continues to rob individuals of their dignity, undermine families and hinder national development.

“In Nigeria, statistics paint a sobering picture, with a significant percentage of women and girls experiencing violence in their lifetimes. This is unacceptable, and we must act with urgency,” he said.

Aduda, therefore, stressed the need to move beyond rhetoric by amplifying voices, strengthening actions and deepen resolve to address the root causes of GBV.

“Every law we enact, every programme we implement, and every survivor we empower brings us closer to a Nigeria where women and girls can live free from fear and violence,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Gender , General News , Health

Centre wants public civic places in Ikorodu accessible to PWDs

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By Lilian U. Okoro

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has canvassed for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to be given their fundamental civil rights to access public civic spaces within the Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The Programme Assistant of CCD, Tosin Aniramu, made the call at an advocacy programme titled: “One-Day Grassroot Awareness On Free Civic Space For PWDs In Ikorodu”, in Lagos.

Aniramu said the advocacy was as a result of denial of PWDs access to public civic spaces including banks, hospitals, schools, religious centres etc within Ikorodu area of Lagos.

According to her, the programme is in line with CCD’s statutory responsibility and commitment to advocate and promote the lots of PWDs in Nigeria.

Delivering a presentation entitled: “Introduction To Disability And Disability Rights”, Aniramu sensitised participants on the Concept of Disability Clusters, Models of Disability and Disabilities Rights.

She emphasised that PWDs had the fundamental rights to access civic spaces not only at Ikorodu, but also in other parts of the country.

Quoting statistics, Aniramu said  that about 16 per cent of the world’s population (1.3 billion persons) lived with one form of disability or the other, and about 29 million Nigerians had one disability or the other as at 2018.

According to her, the World Bank disability growth rate in Nigeria is increasing, owing to consistent conflict, violence, accidents and poor healthcare system.

She, however, said that the best model of disability was the ‘Human Right Model’ which emphasises the dignity of persons with disabilities and their human, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

She said, “The ‘Religious Model’ regards disability as a punishment from God due to sins of the individual or the family.

 

“The ‘Medical Model’ regards disability as curable and avoidable, while the ‘Charity Model’ describes PWDs as victims of circumstance who are suffering tragic situations and as such should be pitted as they need special services and institutions.

“Unfortunately, on a daily basis, the rights of PWDs are infringed upon by many factors, including ‘Attitudinal Barriers’ stemming from discrimination and stigmatisation, lack of social acceptance, poor parental and guardian attitude.

“Perceptions and beliefs about PWDs; ‘institutional barrier, as lack of implementation and enforcement of legal frameworks, bureaucracy and corruption, low budget allocation for social welfare and low level of awareness on disability inclusion”.

Aniramu said for successful inclusivity of PWDs, the CSOs and media should lobby for inclusive budgeting as well as track budget utilisation and mainstream disability activities, saying  that processes and operations should be disability-inclusive.

She also called for more advocacy to influence social change as well as strict enforcement of relevant legal framework and creating more awareness and report violation of PWDs rights.

Aniramu, therefore, recommended using the UN Approved Disability-Inclusive Terminologies when referring or addressing the PWDs. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

 

Gender , General News

FG, Brazilian coy sign MoU to boost agribusiness

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By Salif Atojoko


The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) of Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agricultural finance.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the Federal Government by Mr Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary at the ministry, and Prof. Carlos Leal, the President of FGV, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil.

Fashedemi explained that with the MOU, private-sector projects on fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agricultural financing were projected to attract 4.3 billion dollars in private-sector investment. 

According to him, the project will identify and support one agribusiness in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas with technical and financial resources, driving sustainable development and economic growth over the next five years.

“This partnership paves the way for Brazil to engage with Nigeria’s dynamic and rapidly growing agricultural sector.

“Together with FGV, we are poised to unlock the potential of private sector investment in key areas critical to our food security,” said Fashedemi. 

He said the agreement marked a new phase of strategic collaboration between Nigeria and FGV, the Green Imperative Project (GIP) lead implementer, one of the largest international agricultural technology transfer initiatives. 

“Conceived in 2018, GIP is a 1.2 billion dollar cooperative effort between Brazil and Nigeria, designed to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector through Brazilian expertise in tropical agriculture. 

“Since the MoU was conceived in 2018, both parties have engaged in many meaningful discussions to advance its design and implementation.

“The project, supported by Deutsche Bank, aims to deliver transformative agricultural technologies and knowledge transfer over its 10-year duration,” Fashedemi stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Gender , General News

Stakeholders urge FG to prioritise girl-child education policies

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By Justina Auta

Education stakeholders have called for the implementation of policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promote girl-child education, and reduce Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday at the 2024 Girls Education Summit (GES’24), organised by the Girls Education Access Initiative (GEAI) and the Network of Youths for Sustainable Development Goals (NGYouthSDGs) in Abuja.

Mrs Kemi Gbadamosi-Braimah, Founder of GEAI, highlighted the alarming figure of over 10 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, with girls and young women accounting for more than 60 per cent of the total.

“Nigeria faces a crisis of uneducated girls. If unaddressed, this will lead to a generation of women lacking literacy. Educating girls with at least 12 years of quality education can bring trillions in development gains,” she said.

Gbadamosi-Braimah stressed the need for collective implementation and strengthening of policies and practices to address this challenge.

She also called on community leaders, NGOs, and stakeholders to champion girls’ rights and education policies.

She noted that GEAI has empowered over 200 young girls and women through improved access to education, skills training, and community mobilisation on girls’ rights.

James O’Donoghue, First Secretary for Development Diplomacy and Education at the British High Commission, reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education sector.

He described girls’ education as a transformative investment that boosts economic and social development, alleviates generational poverty, and contributes to national GDP growth.

“It also reduces child marriage and maternal mortality rates,” he added.

Mrs Christina Uzo-Okamgba, Founder of the Tabitha Empowerment Centre (TEC), identified child marriage, harmful cultural practices, patriarchal norms, and sexual violence as key barriers to girls’ education.

“These vices deprive girls of their right to education and limit their potential to contribute meaningfully to their communities and national development,” she said,

She also urged stakeholders to ensure inclusive education for vulnerable children, especially survivors of GBV.

Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, Alhaji Yunusa Bako-Abdullahi, District Head of Karonmajiji community in Abuja, appreciated the organisations for their role in promoting girl-child education.

He was represented by Alhaji Mohammed Gidado.

The summit also featured panel discussions on bridging policy and practice in girls’ education and addressing barriers to education with strategic recommendations.

Students from Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Local Education Authority (LEA), Kpegi, shared how GEAI projects in their community had motivated them to return to school and complete their education. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Gender

Glovo, LASG, She Code Africa unveil initiative for tech women

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Glovo, a pioneering multi-category app, has unveiled its Women in Tech Bootcamp with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and investment and She Code Africa to promote technology infusion for women.

Mrs Lamide Akinola, the General Manager, Glovo Nigeria, at the launch on Friday in Lagos, said the bootcamp was to empower the next generation of female leaders in technology.

Akinola said the initiative not only aimed to foster technology inclusion but to also provide skills training, and empower women to build successful careers in technology.

Akinola said the event which brought together industry leaders, government officials, European diplomatic community reinforced Glovo’s commitment to bridging the gender gap in the tech industry.

She added that it would advance gender diversity, create pathways for women to thrive in tech-driven roles and make a lasting impact in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

“At Glovo, we believe in a future where women are integral drivers of innovation, especially in technology.

“We recognise that the challenges women face in technology go beyond technical skills; they include barriers rooted in access, opportunity, and sometimes, the confidence to take bold steps.

“Today’s event is our way of saying we see those barriers, and we are here to help break them down with you.

“At Glovo, we believe that empowering women with digital skills is essential, not only for driving innovation and growth but for building communities where everyone can thrive,” she said.

Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Lagos State, underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in unlocking opportunities for women.

Ambrose-Medebem quoted that studies showed that bridging the gender gap in technology could add up to $12 trillion to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025.

She said the figure showed that empowering women in technology was not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity.

She said Lagos State, a hub of innovation and economic activity, understood that inclusion was a catalyst for sustainable growth.

“However, achieving this requires intentional strategies and robust partnerships.

“Today’s gathering signifies more than just advocacy; it is a rallying cry to reimagine the future of innovation by ensuring no one is left behind, particularly women, who represent half of our population.

“We are excited to work with Glovo and She Code Africa to deliver a program that opens doors for women to excel, innovate, and lead.

“This initiative also aligns with the mandate of the ministry to foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and support the development of skilled talent across industries,” she said.

Ada Oyom, Founder, She Code Africa, said her organisation as the technical partners of the Women in Tech Bootcamp Programme, was very enthusiasm about the outcome of the partnership.

Oyom said the collaboration with Glovo and the Lagos State Government to run the 12-week intensive programme would create impactful pathways for women in tech.

She noted that Glovo’s commitment to gender diversity was commendable, and urged like-minded companies to invest in initiatives that empower the future of women in technology.

“Together, we can build a more inclusive and innovative tech ecosystem,” she said.

Also, Shiro Theuri, Glovo’s Chief Technology Officer, restated the brand’s steadfast commitment to diversity in technology, saying its possibilities and impact of fostering inclusive environments was enormous.

She said the company’s dedication to “walking the talk” was evident in its strategic efforts to create opportunities for women across its operations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

She said the initiative aimed to ignite interest in technology careers by highlighting the flexibility, creativity, and impact of a modern technology environment.

“To achieve this, Glovo focuses on three pillars: facilitating bootcamps for women without technical backgrounds to prepare them for junior tech roles.

“The second pillar is breaking gender stereotypes through community engagement, such as office visits that inspire young girls with female role models; and acting as a career catalyst by offering internships to top bootcamp participants.

“This initiative also ensures that, even after completing the bootcamp, participants will have ongoing access to mentorship, supporting their journey toward careers in technology.

“This mentorship aligns closely with the broader goals of Glovo’s Women in Tech initiative across the globe, which aims to make an impact by empowering the next generation of women in technology,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Gender , Health

Menopause: FCTA rallies support for women to promote households’ stability, happiness

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By Philip Yatai

The Women Affairs Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has begun mobilising support for women, experiencing menopause for households’ stability and general wellbeing of families.

The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said that the move was part of the secretariat’s efforts to promote emotional stability in households.

Benjamins-Laniyi spoke on the topic “We Factor”, at a one-day Menopause Awareness programme in Abuja on Wednesday, organised by the secretariat for couples in the FCT.

She explained that the We-Factor embodies the essence of community, support, and shared experiences, particularly during menopause.

She described menopause as the stage in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently, and she can no longer get pregnant.

The mandate secretary said that for some women, the menopausal transition could bring various symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, joint and muscle discomfort, and pain during sex.

Other symptoms, she said, may include moodiness and irritability, forgetfulness, difficultly concentrating, or a combination of all the signs.

According to her, a woman’s emotional instability will affect the husband, the family and if not handled well, will affect family finances and happiness.

“The woman’s emotional state may affect the overall wellbeing of the family, but a happy woman will translate to a happy home.”

She stressed the need for collective support for women experiencing menopause, particularly from men to maintain their emotional stability needed to ensure a happy household.

She said that menopause, often perceived as a solitary journey and a transition that women face independently but doesn’t have to be so.

According to her, happy people are healthy people, and healthy people create wealth and create a strong economy.

“We have come with a message of advocacy, the advocacy of caring, sharing, collective responsibility.

“Let us support our women, care for them and support them to first care for themselves before extending the same to the rest of the family.

“This is because women find it very easy to kind of keep deferring their own self-care in the name of caring for the family and caring for the community.

“So, you have to make sure that as her husband, you help her to care for herself.”

The acting Director, Women Development Department in the secretariat, Mrs Aina Sani, said that the awareness creation was organised because of the effect of menopause on women, homes and workplaces.

“Menopause is affecting women in their offices and homes in the way they do things, and that is why we want people to be aware and support women during this period.

“We also invited their spouses to know how to assist women during this stage in their lives and know what to do to support their wives during this period,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Education , Gender

Intensify media campaign against FGM, don urges FG

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By Emmanuel Afonne

Eserinune Mojaye, a Professor of Communication at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has urged the Federal Government to intensify campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to protect the future of the girl-child.

Mojaye made the call in Abuja at the 29th inaugural lecture of the university with the theme: “Constructing and Deconstructing Journalism Practice and Communication Research in Nigeria: A 40-Year Experience.”

He stressed the need for information and communication as the enduring solution to the problem.

“Rather than legal prohibition, many studies have suggested that information and communication are more likely to provide an effective and enduring solution to the problem,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities rolled out a plan in 1997 to eliminate the practice of FGM within three generation.

The plan emphasised the need for all governments in Africa to legislate against the practice and enforce national plans to it.

Mojaye said that rather than using a legal approach to deal with the matter, governments at all levels should focus on using effective communication to address the matter.

According to him, communication plays a vital role in health promotion and health education.

He noted that effective communication empowers people to seek what is best for their health and to exercise their right of good quality health care.

“Communication is also a vital tool in the promotion of behaviour change in all areas of health, including reproductive health.

“In many countries of the world, communication has made open discussion about reproductive health issues possible.

“However, in Nigeria, communication campaigns have not been well utilised in the crusade for the abandonment of FGM.

“My studies on FGM show that the mass media have not been effectively used to inform and educate people on the dangers and health consequences of FGM.

“As I found out in my studies, more impact would be made in the crusade for the abandonment of FGM if the mass media were used to disseminate messages and create awareness about the negative health consequences of the practice.

“I, therefore, recommended in my studies that mass media messages, especially those aimed at informing and educating, should be an integral part of any effort to eradicate the practice of FGM,” Mojaye said.

He noted that while communication had shaped how people conduct their daily lives, it had also transformed the lives of individuals and society at large.

The Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, commended Mojaye for his vision, noting that communication could affect people’s way of living.

Peters, who was represented by Prof. Isaac Butswat, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, NOUN, said the lecture was a significant event in the professors’ career, where they share research, achievements and other engagements with the larger society.

He assured that the institution would continue to invest in research and development of its workforce. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Gender

WIMBIZ, stakeholders urge women to dream big, challenge stereotypes

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By Joan Odafe

Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and other stakeholders have encouraged women to go beyond dreaming and take concrete actions to unlock their potential.

They emphasised that women need to adopt a positive mindset, avoid distractions, and be bold in pursuing their dreams without limitations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this call was made at the 23rd Annual Conference of WIMBIZ on Thursday in Lagos.

The event was themed ‘Dream. Dare. Do’.

Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Chairperson of the conference and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, stated that the conference provided a platform for women from diverse backgrounds to share experiences and motivate each other.

She said the event aimed to equip participants with the tools to turn their dreams into reality.

Speaking on the theme, Ogunsola stressed the importance of going beyond dreaming to take bold actions, especially in the face of societal stereotypes and constraints.

“We need to dream beyond the limits set by society or even by ourselves. Our country needs us in all areas of development, politics, business, management, public service, education, health, and entertainment.

“It is crucial that we are present when decisions are made and that our voices are heard,” she said.

She also noted that many women hesitate to dream beyond their immediate environments due to societal resistance, fear of failure, rejection, and reputational risk.

She emphasised that women need to pursue leadership roles where they can impact decisions that affect them and drawing on leadership skills developed in their daily lives.

“We learn how to manage people and encourage them to do their best while balancing multiple roles. But often, we don’t put ourselves forward unless we are specifically noticed.

“When it comes to networking or taking up leadership roles, many of us hesitate, saying we are too busy. Busy doing what?” she asked.

Ogunsola urged women to dream big, even if the size of those dreams feels intimidating, and to break out of their comfort zones to challenge strong stereotypes.

Prof. Aisha Maikudi, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, also encouraged women to set goals to achieve their dreams, highlighting the importance of remaining focused.

She stated that many challenges in her career journey stemmed from societal and cultural barriers but that having a strong foundation, support, and mentors were key factors in her success.

Mr John Obaro, Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs, urged participants to cultivate the right mindset, believe in themselves, and maintain faith in God to achieve their goals.

He warned that there would be discouraging voices, even from people with valid reasons, but emphasized the importance of challenging limiting beliefs to stay focused on their aspirations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

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