By Josephine Obute

Princess Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, global cultural ambassador and wife of the Ooni of Ife, has tasked women to get involved in all sectors of the economy towards boosting global productivity.

Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, founder, Africa fashion week London and Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).

She said her message for women was to encourage their inclusion in all sectors as it  would boost the image of the nation and the global environment.

She said that women should participate in public and private engagements towards contriuting their quota to the development of humanity and their chosen endeavours.

She congratulated women who have diversified in more demanding ventures due to the current  economic hardships thereby assisting their husbands and children.

“We should do away with the tokenism offered to women in the public and private work space as this will assist in gradually eradicating the self limiting beliefs society has placed on women.

“Women are very intelligent and creative and need to be encouraged to perform better, they serve diligently in any office they hold because they are exceptionally intelligent,” she said.

She appealed to investors to have greater interest in investing in businesses owned by women because they are more reliable in loan investment.

“I feel more investment should go towards women owned businesses and access to borrowing for women should be made easier.

“Banks, investors and business finance teams should have special programmes for women by sensitizing them on what they stand to gain if they cooperate among themselves.

“We need to trickle down to the  grassroots as women are known to be the best borrowers because they are always faithful in the culture of pay back,” she told NAN.

She said that the Ooni of Ife has promoted and assisted several women through the annual Queen Moremi initiative, African Fashion Shows and lots more.

“The efforts of the monarch encouraged me to write books for young ladies of today to know about great women of old and be inspired by their stories.

“His encouragement also extended our cultural tourism beyond Nigeria into other countries such as London, Brazil, and beyond,” she said.

NAN reports that the 2023 theme for the IWD celebration is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.(NAN)

(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Ismail Abdulaziz

By Christian Njoku

Mrs Betta Edu, the National Women Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has called for inclusion of more women in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Edu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Calabar while commemorating the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).

NAN reports that the Day is used to mark women’s achievements, raise awareness about discriminatory attitudes against women as well as take action for addressing gender parity.

The theme of the Day is “DigitAll: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”

Edu, who is a former Commissioner for Health in Cross River, said issues of Nigerian women ought to be mainstreamed and be at the front burner of States and Federal Government.

She hopes that in 2023, more women would be empowered financially with the 35 per cent affirmative action mainstreamed and implemented across board.

“In this new administration, we need more women in the Federal Executive Council and all the boards of parastatals need to be made up of 35 per cent women.

“Also, we need interventions and programmes from the Federal Government; we need quotas that are specifically dedicated to the women.

“Competence has to be the watchword, we need women with capacity, competence and can represent; we have a lot of them in the society,” she said.

She said that the kidnapped Cross River Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Gertrude Njar, would soon be free as efforts were bring made to rescue her safely.

Mrs Victoria Emmah, the Executive Director, Neighbourhood Care Well Foundation, said the IWD in the state remained a sad occasion because of the kidnap of Njar.

Emmah, whose organisation had been taking care of women and children for over 20 years, said that it has been five weeks since Njar was kidnapped.

“Until Nigeria recognises that women are not only meant to be in the kitchen and ‘the other room’ but in the boardrooms bringing meaningful strategies to address developmental issues, we will not grow like other nations.

“Women should be allowed  to take up positions like Prof. Dora Akunyili, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili and many other women presently leading huge corporate institutions had proved that we can do it.”(NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Ismail Abdulaziz

By Deji Abdulwahab

The Amalgamated All Progressives Congress (AAPC) Support Groups has called on political parties to embrace the hands of fellowship and brotherhood extended to them by Sen. Bola Tinubu, the nation’s President-elect.

The Director-General of the group, Dr Kailani Muhammad, made the call on Tuesday at a meeting with the Leadership of APC Grassroots Independent Campaign Council in Abuja.

Muhammad urged them, as patriotic Nigerians, to join Tinubu in nation-building so as to move the country forward.

“We are calling on the opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and their members to accept the hands of fellowship and brotherhood extended to them by our principal, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We saw PDP leaders and their members yesterday parading themselves on the streets of Abuja, belittling themselves after they have gone to court to challenge the election of the president-elect.

“They have already gone to court and it has given them a note that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should give them the result sheets, which INEC is ready to do.

“We are happy domestically here in Nigeria that all and sundry supported the Feb. 25 presidential election where Tinubu and Shettima emerged as winners.

“They should know that it is not selection, but an election and that is why international community has also confirmed that the election was free and fair,’’ he said.

The director-general said that various groups on the platform had been deployed to 28 states to ensure victory during the March 11 Governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

“We have also set up committees to go round 28 states as we did in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“We deployed them to man all the 146,000 polling units in Nigeria,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Mr Silas Agara, the National Coordinator, APC Grassroots Independent Campaign Council, said that purpose of the meeting was to unite various APC support groups.

According to him, the meeting is to promote unity, cohesion, mutual understanding, among the APC Support Groups. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
=================
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

The Head of Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, says investing in and developing women contribute to the development of the economic and human resources in Africa.

According to her, this is also important to adopting financial integration across the continent.

Demola-Adeniyi, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone as the world marks the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) on Wednesday, said that women should be supported to achieve gender parity in all spheres.

NAN reports that the IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

The United Nation’s theme for 2023 IWD is: ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.’

Demola-Adeniyi also stressed the need for empowerment and financial self-sufficiency for women.

“If you develop a woman, you develop the resources which is the human resources in Africa.

“This is important because you will be developing economically and also be working to adopt financial integration across the continent.

“ Women make the continent one of the highest in terms of women entrepreneurs across the world.

“Again, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) account for up to 90 percent of all businesses in Africa, and women own about a third of all these registered African SMEs.

“We have one in four female adults in Africa who manage or start a business.’’

To  show the dedication toward empowering women and female-owned businesses, Demola-Adeniyi said that Ecobank had put in place offerings aimed at bridging the financing gap for African Women entrepreneurs.

“We have been able to use our flagship programme called Ellevate by Ecobank, dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs.

“We have also recorded success stories in this area in countries where we operate.

“The  Ellevate by Ecobank is aimed to bridge the gap, the financing gap for African Women’s entrepreneurs, and what we aim to do is to up skill them to be more effective and efficient in running their businesses.

“And that makes us kind of different from other brands for women supporting women businesses.

“Also, under the Ellevate Equip, we have been able to build training and capacity platform for the Ellevate initiative. ‘’

According to her, success stories have been recorded in Sierra Leone, where  a dynamic freight forwarding and delivery company, was initially supported with an Ellevate contract financing facility.

She said the organisation had also  partnered with the Global Business School Network to organise a leadership programme for 35 of their  top ellevate customers in 2022 with pioneering graduating class was actuall y made up of participants from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“This was more in line with our African footprints.

“The participants benefited immensely from the world class faculty from the MIT global programme, INSEAD Africa Initiative and INSEAD Gender Initiative, the American University of Cairo School of Business, Stanford SEED and the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business’’

She said the bank had also successfully handled flagship MSME training financing programme for over 4,000 African MSMEs, 30 per cent being women, under part of the SME booster series.

In Kenya and Ghana, she said that Ecobank also supported women through their offerings.

In Nigeria, she said that projects had also been put in place to ensure that female customers had access to financial services.

“We have a KYC Light Account opening whereby a woman in the rural area can  just use the phone and dial *326; automatically you have an account.

“So, it helps us to at least introduce them into the digital world and ensure that they can start banking from there,” she told NAN.

According to Demola-Adeniyi , since the launch of Ellevate, the organisation has dedicated at least 10 per cent of the commercial banking portfolio loan book to women.

“And since we launched Ellevate two years ago, we have on boarded over 50,000 customers.

“We have extended loans up to 188 million dollars and attracted deposits of 465 million dollars.’’

She also noted that the partnership between Ecobank Foundation and the UN Women’s Regional Office for Western and Central Africa, was also a laudable initiative to develop the continent.

“This established a framework for cooperation that would enable achievement of the common goals and accelerate the empowerment of women in Africa.

“Particularly, we’re going to be paying attention to the specific needs and challenges faced by women and women entrepreneurs in both the rural and the urban areas.

“And one of the specific things we have said is that we are going to work together to combat violence against women and girls, and also encourage women to take part in sports.

“ It is a partnership in the right direction and will also strengthen women empowerment.

“So, for us at Ecobank, it’s not only about one woman shining, it  is a situation of when one woman shines, let several others shine at the same time,’’ she said.  (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Tuesday embarked on campaign tour of major markets populated by people from the South-East.

Sanwo-Olu took a tour of the markets ahead of the Saturday gubernatorial election, following the open endorsement for his re-election by Ndigbo community in the state.

It was a rousing welcome for Sanwo-Olu at an open forum organised by traders, under the aegis of the Auto Spare Parts And Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), in Trade Fair Complex, Ojo.

The governor at the open forum pledged to ensure safety of the businesses and properties of Ndigbo in Lagos State.

Besides, Sanwo-Olu met an amalgamation of Igbo traders across 58 major markets in Lagos. The traders, under the aegis of Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association, unanimously backed the governor’s re-election.

The governor also had interaction with traders at the popular mobile phone, computer and other electronics market (Computer Village) in Ikeja.

The engagements were initiated in response to concerns raised over safety of businesses and properties owned by South-East traders in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu allayed the fears of the Igbo traders, assuring them that Lagos would continue to be a melting pot for all Nigerians.

He said his administration would continue to foster security and promote peaceful coexistence among all ethnic nationalities in the state.

”I am here on a solidarity visit and to thank you for your public endorsement of my humble self, which I believe will be reflected at the polls on Saturday with the highest number of votes cast from members of your community.

”You are not giving us your support for anything; you believe we deserve this encouragement because my team and I have worked tirelessly to improve your well-being.

”Very soon, Ojo will have a brand new General Hospital that will serve your needs. You also have seen expressways and bridges being completed on this corridor and we have awarded rail project into Okokomaiko that will aid movement of people and goods.

”I am excited that Lagos is on the path of growth. Through your cooperation and peaceful coexistence, we can ensure that we will not only build the state, we will build a better country for ourselves,” the governor said at the Trade Fair forum.

He assured the Igbo traders of his government’s commitment to their prosperity, adding that the approval recently received by the state for development of Badagry Seaport was to facilitate economic development and boost logistics, especially in the movement of goods.

Sanwo-Olu pledged his administration’s commitment to the safety and security of non-indigenes living in Lagos, urging the Igbo traders not to listen to the scaremongers threatening to attack them because of their electoral choices.

”We will continue to work with your leadership to enhance cooperation and identify areas we can improve on to foster peace and stability. We will not be hostile to any community of non-indigenes.

”For as long as you conduct yourselves in a peaceful manner, your safety and security will remain our priority. There is no need for any law-abiding resident to be scared,” he said.

ASPAMDA President, Chief Ngozi Emechebe, described Sanwo-Olu as ‘a true friend of Igbo’, noting that the governor had never been hostile to non-Yoruba residents living in the state.

Emechebe said that the forum was initiated as a re-assurance of support of the Ndigbo community to the governor’s re-election, saying that the traders would work for Sanwo-Olu’s electoral victory in their respective polling stations.

”Sanwo-Olu is a good man and has demonstrated that he is a lover of Igbo. We have resolved to support the governor for second term because of his performance and his economic policies that have supported our businesses.

”Through this forum, we are assuring the governor that we shall sing the song of victory together with him,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation has called on government and other stakeholders to address structural biases against women and girls in order to build an equitable and peaceful society.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Ms Ann Iyonu, gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.

Iyonu said that 2023 celebrations called for urgent action towards eliminating gender violence as well as the need for increased investment in technology for women and girls.

She said that Nigerian women had been making significant contributions toward sustainable development of the country.

“It is therefore timely for governments across levels to initiate policies and programmes that will address the systemic biases against women.”

She said that the foundation acknowledged and appreciated the strides and notable contributions of women toward sustainable development and nation building.

“This year’s theme ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’, highlights the need for increased investment in technology for girls and women in our society.

“It is also an urgent task to ensure that violence against women both online and offline are addressed.

“On International Women’s Day 2023, we renew our call for an inclusive society, one that is just, equitable, devoid of bias and discrimination.

“Let us embrace equity in all spheres of our society, by initiating policies and programmes that will address structural biases against women and girls. This way, we can build an equitable and peaceful society.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has urged stakeholders in the technology industry to mainstream women into the sector for gender equality.

The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, said this in a statement on Tuesday in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).

The theme of this year’s edition is: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

Lau said that the United Nations observance of the IWD recognises and celebrates the women and girls who were championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

She said that bringing women and other marginalised groups into technology results in more creative solutions and had greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.

”The non inclusion of women comes with massive costs and according to the UN Women 2022 Snap Short Report, women’s exclusion from the digital world had reduced one trillion dollars from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade.

“This loss will grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 if no action is taken to mainstream women in digital world,,” she said.

Lau said that to change this situation will require tackling the problem of online violence, which according to the reports, 38 per cent of women had personally experienced.

The national president stressed the need for digital education that could increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement in the sector.

She called for the adoption of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses by girls to address the discrimination, gender bias and improve participation in all spheres.

Lau said that the celebration of the IWD 2023 would explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities.

This, she said, would also highlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=============
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ginika Okoye

Commercial banks in some satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had yet to start cash payment, leaving customers stranded and frustrated in spite of the Supreme Court ruling.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored banks in Nyanya, Mararaba and Karu in Abuja on Tuesday, reports that none of the banks have started paying customers over the counter or via Automated Teller Machines (ATM).

NAN reports that the apex court had on Friday nullified the ban on use of the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes saying the notes still remained legal tender until Dec. 31.

NAN reports that the gates to the banks’ are still being manned by security officials who barely permit the numerous customers with complaints to go into the banking hall in turns.

Some of the customers who spoke with NAN said the current development in banks was frustrating.

A customer seen at Zenith Bank, Mr Isa Abdullahi, said: “I have been here since 10 a.m. and this is 3 p.m. to complain about some failed transactions but I was refused entry.

“The crowd here is discouraging. They are not even listening to anybody here.

“Some people said that after the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Naira will be released everywhere but that is not the case.

“We are suffering so much in this country. You will have money but you cannot access your money,” he said.

Also, Mrs Angel Abiodun, another customer at the First Bank, Karu road described the situation as annoying.

“I am helpless. I came to my bank to complain about my expired ATM car and also to collect some cash but I was not allowed in.

“If I knew that the situation will turn like this, I wouldn’t have deposited all my money in the bank even when they told us to take our old notes to the bank.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should do something and save us from this mess,” she said.
Also, some PoS operators also confirmed to NAN that the new Naira notes were still scarce.

A POS operator, Gami Johnson, said: “I wonder what is happening. We are yet to see the old or new Naira”.

NAN reports that the CBN is yet to respond to the apex court judgment on the old notes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Sadiya Hamza

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, says it will be important for the future of the country that Nigerians do not let their differences divide them.

According to her, legally established process for resolving challenges to the election should be allowed to take its course

In an Op-ED titled: “The Elections of February 25”, Leonard said that the people of Nigeria demonstrated their dedication to democracy on Feb. 25.

However, that there were many angry and frustrated Nigerians just as there were many celebrating victories they believed were hard-fought and well-earned.

“In the coming days, it will be important for the future of this country that Nigerians not let their differences divide them.

“And that the legally established process for resolving challenges to the election be allowed to take its course.

“We commend Mr Obi and Mr Abubakar for their recent statements committing to take this path, and Mr Tinubu, who INEC declared the president-elect under Nigeria’s electoral framework, for acknowledging their right to do so.

“The United States is no stranger to election-related controversy and conflict.

“ As much as it can be unsatisfying to end an electoral process in a courtroom, in a constitutional democracy bound by the rule of law, that is where electoral conflicts may appropriately conclude. ‘’

She said it  was clear that the electoral process as a whole on Feb. 25 failed to meet Nigerians’ expectations.

“As I said numerous times prior to the elections, Nigeria has accomplished much in just the two-plus decades since the return to democracy, and a gradual improvement in the quality of its elections in that time constitutes one of those accomplishments.

“We recognise that Nigerians want that positive trend to continue, including through the use of new technology intended to make the process of reporting results more transparent.

“We, thus, reiterate our call on INEC to address promptly the challenges that can be resolved ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial elections.

“And to undertake a broader review of the problems that transpired during the last elections and what can be done to fix them.

“In all cases, INEC should share with the Nigerian public information about the actions it is taking.’’

She highlighted some of the remarkable results from the  past election that showed how Nigeria’s political landscape was indisputably changing.

“In more than half of the states – 20 – the winning candidate represented a different party than that of the incumbent governor.

“ Twelve of these states are led by APC governors.  For the first time, four presidential candidates won at least one state, and the top three each won 12 states based on these initial results.

“ In the National Assembly elections, even with results still incomplete, we already know that changes are afoot.

“Seven sitting governors lost in their attempts to win election to the Assembly; the Labor Party has won at least seven seats in the Senate; the NNPP has won at least 11 seats in the House of Representatives.’’

She said that the Nigerian people had made clear their desire for responsive and inclusive governance, and that the U.S. strongly supported the ability to express that desire.

“The United States and Nigeria are the two largest presidential democracies in the world, and longtime partners.

“As Nigeria goes through these next weeks and months, we stand with you,’’ the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng.

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Sylvester Thompson

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Expert Supervisor at Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) says STI hold key solutions to curbing poverty and economic development challenges.

Akinbo spoke on the role of STI to national development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

“STI have been central in the progress and development of virtually all the nations of the world, contributing immensely to all sectors of the economy.

“STI are intimately connected with development because they have a historical record of bringing advances that have led to healthier, longer, wealthier and more productive lives.

“They are key ingredients to solutions to the most serious poverty alleviation and economic development challenges that we currently face and are likely to face in the future,’’ he said.

According to him, STI has been central in the progress made till date in the fight against poverty and in stimulating economic growth.

Akinbo said that advances in STI were in many ways the ultimate global for good public use, adding, ”because once discovered, their benefits could be extended to additional users at little or no marginal costs.”

He said in most basic and critical areas of human needs, STI have made significant progress till date, and that they hold the best prospects for continued progress, particularly in respect to agriculture, health, energy among others.

Underscoring STI’s role in agriculture, the NEPAD Expert said advances in STI had facilitated higher yields, greater efficiency and nutritional content in the world’s food supply.

He added: “Food production, however, must double in the coming decades to meet rising demand and challenges entailed in inter alia improving resistance to drought, pests, salinity and temperature extremes.”

Akinbo also mentioned raising the nutritional content and reducing post-harvest losses all in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

“At the same time, the regulatory challenges of assuring safety in food production and consumption will increase exponentially,’’ he said.

Accordingly, he said that although the necessary technology for increasing agricultural output was available in many developing countries including Nigeria, certain requisites were to be met.

Akinbo said these requisites were the will to advance economically, opportunity and organisation to use technology, elimination of political, social and economic obstacles to development, among others.

Explaining further, he said in the area of food security, advances in STI provided the foundation for the green revolution, and also allowed food prices to remain at historical lows for the past decades.

He stated that improved knowledge of plant biology and breeding techniques led to better seeds and cultivation practices that drastically increased yields.

In the area of economic growth and rural development, Akinbo said STI were tragically important.

He said for many years, policy makers had suspected a close link between economic growth and productive investment in STI, and that now mounting evidence supported this.

He said firstly, since the industrial revolution, developed countries have had the most STI capacity and have been the ones to grow fastest.

“From 1870 to the present, scientifically and technologically advanced countries have become increasingly wealthy, and their rates of growth have not diminished over the years.

“Second, returns to rural development have been shown to be consistently positive and high in countries where science and technology were properly established,’’ Akinbo said.

He added that in such cases, there was always a correlation between innovation and growth. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=====================

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani