By Justina Auta

Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, has emerged the winner of the maiden edition of an online poll put together by an Ireland based newspaper, The Street Journal.

Mr Osondu Joseph, Special Assistant on Media to the minister, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Joseph said the award was formally presented to the minister in her office by management of the media outfit led by the Publisher, Mogaji Arisekola, who described the award as deserving in view of the initiatives made by the minister to promote the interest of women and vulnerable children.

“She tops in the keenly contested poll, which had four other Ministers contending for the ‘Super Minister’ of the month award.

“She polled 190,848 votes (45.74%) to emerge the clear winner with Senator Dave Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, now Minister for Works, trailing closely behind by polling 171,137 votes (41.02%).

“Other Ministers who were part of the poll are Dr Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation who came third. She polled 22,505 votes (5.39%), and Bunmi Ojo, Minister of Interior, who polled 21,204 votes (5.08%).

Explaining the result of the poll, Arisekola stated that the exercise would be sustained to spur others to perform their duties effectively towards achieving national development.

“The poll is credible, cannot be manipulated or influenced. The poll was designed in such a way that the votes counted, and one can see how the votes were cast.

“There was transparency and your emergence as winner cannot be far-fetched especially in view of some bold steps you took recently to fight the cause of women. Nigerians voted massively for you,” he said.

Responding, the minister expressed appreciation to the organisers for the initiative of using the poll as yardstick to measure and engender service delivery among the serving ministers.

She urged the media to continue to partner in the on-going drive to change the status of Nigerian women and vulnerable children.

“I want you to join us in the fight to ensure that majority of the funds that come from donors do not go into advocacy and travels.

“But to make positive impact on those women and children they are meant for like 30 per cent and 70 per cent to advocacy and women, respectively,” she said.

According to ther, the award will spur her to do more to justify the opportunity given to her by President Bola Tinubu to change the narrative concerning the present status of Nigerian women and vulnerable children. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Justina Auta

Stakeholders have met in Nigeria to restrategise on repositioning and increasing women participation in leadership and governance in the society.

The stakeholders, at the seventh Voice of Women conference and awards (VOW2023) in Abuja, stressed the need for more women visibility to ensure good governance and development in the continent.

Erelu Bisi-Fayemi, VOW2023 Chairperson, noted the challenges affecting African women and girls, however, said huge progress has been made in changing the political landscape in some countries.

“In spite of the many challenges that we continue to face as African women, we have managed to make the case for women’s leadership.

“And in several countries, we have changed the political landscapes in Liberia, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa and Kenya to mention a few,” she said.

She noted that Nigerian women were more educated and wealthiest in Africa, even though it has not translated into political power, featuring poorly on most global indicators

She said: “The most recent Global Gender Gap Index 2023 ranked Nigeria 130th out of 146 countries.

“Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rate in the world at 12 per cent of global figures.  “The country also has the highest number of child brides at 22 million, as well as highest in West Africa and 11th highest globally.”

She, therefore, stressed the need to change the narrative, be committed to social change, qualitative legal and policy frameworks that could remove oppressive patriarchal norms and values.

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara and Chairman, Nigerian Governor’s Forum, noted the role of women in his administration, which focused on gender mainstreaming.

AbdulRazaq said: “In Kwara, women are in charge, with 56 per cent of women making majorities in the cabinet.

“As Chairman of NGF, in partnership with Governors Wives Forum, women can constitute a policy where, for example, states and constituencies that elect women into legislative houses can benefit financially, so you can assume any amount.

“This way, states and constituencies will go for the money, this is applicable in fiscal responsibility where we are told that if you publish your budget, you get two million dollars.

“This can enrich governance and capacity building.

“If we have such programmes in gender issues, I’m certain that many constituencies will go for the money, that way more women will be brought to the table to make the right decisions and make the change.”

Dr Salma Ibrahim-Anas,the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health, stressed that women should be on the table where development plans are rolled out.

“Nigeria cannot continue to stand on one leg as we do at the moment.

”Women constitute almost 50 per cent of our population and we need to complement each other by creating the right opportunities as every nation’s success is tied to the activities of women,” she said.

Ibrahim-Anas noted that the nation was focused on the wellbeing of women and girls, just as the HPV vaccines have been rolled out recently by the government.

She said: “It is a call to action that girls have access to good health so that they can have access to good education.  “Without education, we are nowhere. I’m only standing here because my parents made the right decision at the right time to send me to school.”

Ms Toun Sonaiya, the Chief Executive Officer, Women Radio 91.7 fm, stressed the role of the media in promoting women’s political participation in Nigeria.

“We ventured beyond our operational base and are penetrating different geopolitical zones and communities through collaborative partnership with media and women led organisations to amplify women’s voice and advocacy for change,” she said.

Dr Margaret Karungaru, the Commissioner, National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), Republic of Kenya, stressed the need for women to support each other to ensure inclusivity in all areas.

“Nigerian women need to support each other, not as competitors or adversaries. but support and ensure no one is left behind as we want to see more women in parliament,” she urged.

Similarly, Mufuliat Fijabi, Executive Director, Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI), urged women to restrategise in ensuring the five gender Bills that were rejected at the National Assembly are reconsidered for passage.

Other highlights of the event was the conferment of awards to some dignitaries and organisations for their support to women course. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Justina Auta

Journalists have been advised to hold government and other stakeholders accountable to issues of gender inclusivity, especially for Persons With Disability (PWDs), women and girls.

Ms Adaora Jack, the Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI), an NGO, gave the task at a one-day Inclusive Investigation Training on Accountability in Governance for Reporters and Editors.

The training was organised by GSAI and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) under the Gender Accountability and Inclusivity in Nigeria (GAIN) project on Monday in Abuja.

Jack underscored the importance of promoting equal rights and opportunities to change the narratives, cultivate culture that values and celebrates inclusion.

“Over the years, GSAI has been at the forefront of advocacy for increased women’s participation in governance, gender-friendly policies and amplifying women’s voices in the civic space.

“GSAI’s mission is centred on five pillars; gender advocacy, accountability, gender justice, gender driven research, and partnership, aiming to position women’s rights as a national priority through the powerful tool of media.

“We gather here for a crucial purpose that involves the inclusive training of 40 reporters and editors from across the country.

“The core objective of this training include to increased reportage and editorials on the performance and shortcomings of the government from a gender accountability perspective.

“This will empower media professionals to independently promote and advance women’s rights, gender accountability and hold the government accountable for its actions,” she said.

She added that the training would encourage and support story projects and reports that shed light on the lapses in the performance of public office holders, and the political and economic performance of Nigeria.

Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, the FCT Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), harped on the role of media in highlighting women’s issues and gender inclusivity.

Osadebamwen, represented by his deputy, Timothy Choji, said: “The training sessions are skewed to open your eyes and storytelling mind to see the lapses in genuinely designed policies and programme of government national or subnational that would need to be tweaked for good.”

Mr Dele Atunbi, a Legal Practitioner and Head of Judiciary Desk, Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA), stressed the need for the government to provide enabling environment for gender equality. “Government should be held accountable and responsible for issues on women and children,” he said.

Also, Dr Inya Ode, a gender advocate and media personality, urged the media to adhere to the ethics of the profession, when reporting gender related matters.

Ode also called on the media to use their platforms to sensitise the public on eliminating stereotypes against Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

“Our stories should engender positive change in the society and as gatekeepers in the field, we should readily inform and cause positive transformation,” she charged.

Ms Susan Ihuoma, one of the facilitators, said: “Let’s make Nigeria a place where disability inclusion is the norm and women of all abilities can thrive and contribute to our nation’s growth and prosperity.

”Together, we can turn this vision into a reality.”

Renowned journalist, Mr Amos Dunia, said: “We should be determined to write stories that would touch the lives of the common man and we should be more gender inclusive.”

Ms Tina Abeku, a gender reporter with the Guardian Newspaper and a participant, said the exercise has broadened her knowledge on inclusivity and holding government accountable for implementation of policies affecting women and girls with disabilities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Justina Auta

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has congratulated a Nigerian woman, Uzoma Asagwara on her emergence as the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier of Canada’s Manitoba Province.

The former minister made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, describing Asagwara as the epitome of a Nigerian woman, who has done the womenfolk and Nigeria proud abroad.

Tallen lauded Asagwara for her rare feat, saying her achievements underscored the fact that, if given the opportunity, the typical Nigerian woman could rise to any position, including becoming Nigeria’s President in future.

She said: “I wish to congratulate you on the attainment of this rare feat of becoming the Health Minister and Deputy Premier of Canada’s Manitoba Province at the young age of 39.

“Indeed your success story has further reinforced the fact that the Nigerian woman is hardworking, resourceful, diligent, capable, able and can be entrusted with any position, including Governor and President of Nigeria in future.

“I urge you to continue to do the Nigerian women proud abroad, fly the national flag higher. I also call on our young women to borrow a leaf from your achievements by following in your worthy footprints.”

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, when her parents from the Igbo ethnic group of Abia, South-Eastern Nigeria, migrated there in the late 1970s, Asagwara was earlier elected to represent the Canadian Union Station in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 2019.

By winning a seat in the Manitoba Assembly and also becoming the first black queer legislator, she succeeded in breaking a 150-year jinx to achieve such a feat.

Asagwara’s duties as the new health minister, will intersect with bioeconomy in different ways and she will be expected to drive innovation and health advancements within the biosciences.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian-Canadian psychiatric nurse, whose career spans over a decade in the country’s health sector, has also played basketball actively in Canada.

In 2008, she bagged a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing and also completed a joint programme between the University of Winnipeg and the University in Brandon, both in Manitoba.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Adebola Adegoke

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Country Women’s Association of Nigeria (COWAN), an NGO, has called for mainstreaming of rural women to technological tools and services to protect them.

The National President of COWAN, Princess Adesola Ogunleye, made the appeal at the 41st Anniversary Conference of COWAN.

The conference with the theme “Technology Innovation for Nigerian Women Development: Impacting All from the Grassroots”, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ogunleye said that empowering women in a technologically disrupted universe, transcends mere rhetoric, adding that it required concrete steps and unwavering commitment.

She said that efforts must be made to eliminate the digital divide by providing women with access to affordable data and devices to connect them to digital learning opportunities.

“I implore you all to actively participate in today’s discussions, to share your insights and collaborate in propelling digital empowerment for Nigerian women.

“Together, we can harness the full potential of technology to create opportunities, bridge divides and enhance the lives of women,” she said.

Ogunleye said celebrating the organisation’s 41 years of existence and impact amidst Nigeria’s challenging economic landscape had shown the consistent approach exhibited in creating an impact.

She explained that the event was designed to serve as a beacon of recognition and appreciation for the partners, sponsors and supporters of COWAN’s mission.

According to her, it is their desire to use the platform to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for stakeholders in the rural women empowerment space.

The president, however, said that the commitment was the legacy of her mother and Founder of COWAN, Chief Bisi Ogunleye.

She said Ogunleye’s tireless efforts in advancing the cause of rural women in Nigeria encompassed various facets of empowerment.

She added that the founder put education at the forefront of her endeavours, by passionately advocating for girls’ education, which lead to increased enrolment and retention rates.

“As a staunch women’s rights advocate, she challenged harmful practices and gender-based violence and contributed to enhanced quality of life.

“I am extremely happy that her enduring legacy continues to those of us that are dedicated to women’s empowerment and rural progress in Nigeria,” she stressed.

In her remarks, the National Coordinator of COWAN, Chief Anita Okuribido, said there was need to rekindle the mission of the association.

She called on all stakeholders to support the cause of COWAN to serve humanity, empower women and youth entrepreneurs in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was held in commemoration of International Day of Rural Women celebrated annually on October 15. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Aisha Ahmed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government has called on UN agencies to give account of donor funds and make public their account books to justify spendings on programmes targeted at Nigerian women and children.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, made the call at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday.

She said that the ministry is writing a letter to all UN agencies, asking them to justify the millions of dollars collected on behalf of Nigeria’s vulnerable groups even as poverty level is on the rise.

According to her, UN agencies spend the money on frivolous projects such as meetings, advocacies and oral technical support which have little or no impact on the lives of poor Nigerians.

She added that “the people that have been in charge of sourcing funds from donors to help Nigerians are mainly the UN agencies but are they using it to help us; are we feeling the impact?.

“I want Nigerians to understand that the UN raised these monies in your name to help us, on behalf of the women and children of this country, I am asking UN for account of these monies.

“I stand here as the minister of women affairs to demand from all UN agencies, account of all the monies they sourced from donors in Nigeria’s name.

“From Oct. 16 to Nov. 15 if we did not get those reports published for Nigerians to see, we are heading to court.”

The minister, therefore, urged the UN agencies to provide the necessary information public to assure Nigerians that funds collected were channelled appropriately.

“Nigerians have every right to look at this and we are giving them one month from today, the 16th of October 2023 to November 15th 2023.

“If by Nov. 8, we did not hear anything from them, we will write a pre-action letter from this ministry on behalf of Nigerian women and children,” the minister said. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Justina Auta

The Ministry of Women Affairs is to distribute 26,000 tonnes of hybrid rice to rural women to cut down the cost of rice, boost food production and food security.

Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, made this known, while briefing newsmen ahead of the 2023 International Day for Rural Women celebrated every Oct. 15.

” A Chinese company donated 26,000 tonnes of hybrid rice to the ministry,” she said.

She called on all women to support the farmers with tools to reduce the labour burden of rural women as that will help them to have more farm produce.

The minister also noted that First Lady Remi Tinubu will share mechanised farming tools worth 151 million to rural women.

Earlier, Mr Mohammed Idris, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry said the event marks a significant day for rural women worldwide as it helps to showcase the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agriculture and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

“Available evidence points to the fact that in the world over, women play a vital role in the rural economy.

”They are involved in crop production and livestock care, provide food, water and fuel for their families, and carry out other activities to diversify their family’s livelihoods.

”Rural women are active agents of economic, social change and environmental protection”.

Idris, further sympathised with rural women and their families whose lives and properties were affected by flood and armed conflict in different parts of the country.

Also, Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reiterated the commitment of the world body to addressing challenges affecting women, especially the rural women.

“We are working on our Climate smart agriculture that is digitally assisted.

” We want to make sure that issues about environment, low productivity, low soil productivity are handled in such a way that production and production goes up.”

On her part, Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau, National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) called on the ministry to ensure judicious distribution to the rural women.

NAN reports that it was suggested that Oct. 15  be celebrated as “World Rural Women’s Day,”

“World Rural Women’s Day” has been celebrated, primarily by civil society, across the world for over a decade.

NAN reports that  the theme is “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All”.

This  day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/138 of Dec. 18 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”

The idea of honouring rural women with a special day was put forward by international NGOs at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza