By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria (AWTPN), has called for gender equity and focus on girl-child education as the nation celebrates the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration.

Mrs Bukola Bello, AWTPN Chairperson, made the call on Wednesday, in Abuja at an event by the association to commemorate the Day.

“This year’s International Women’s Day presents an opportunity to celebrate, discuss and embrace Equity: ‘equal opportunities are no longer enough but Equity should be the order of the day’.

“There is also the need to engage more women in governance and administrations as well as to empower and invest in the girl-child with a view to achieving equality and equity in all directions for a better society,” she said.

Bello specifically called for the implementation of the 35 per cent affirmative action for gender inclusion in all states and the Federation.

She said the association would continue to lead the campaign of catching the girl-child young through frequent sensitisation programmes in secondary schools.

Earlier, Mrs Oluwayinka Bello, Chairperson AWTPN, FCT chapter, said the Day was meant to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women to nation building.

“This celebration (marked on March 8) is another call to power on efforts to make the digital world safer, more inclusive, more equitable and create a better future not just for women and girls but for all humanity,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 in honour of women’s achievements, raises awareness about discrimination and takes action to drive gender parity.

This year’s celebration has the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The High Commission of India in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja honoured some outstanding Nigerian women as part of activities to mark the 2023 International Women’s Day celebration.

Gangandharan Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the event was organised to celebrate and give awards to distinguished Nigerian and Indian women from various fields.

NAN reports that the International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8, in honour of women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity.

The High Commissioner said the event was organised on March 7, so as to have all the stakeholders on board to herald the Day.

“The International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world and we have so many achievers here in Nigeria.

“So the high commission considered it appropriate to recognise and celebrate the achievements of these great women on this special day,” he said.

NAN reports that four outstanding Nigerian women were honoured from various fields ranging from Health, Politics, Diplomacy and Medicine.

While three Indian women residing in Nigeria were also recognised from the Business, Education and Culture sectors.

The Nigerians honoured include Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

Others are Amb. Janet Olisa, Director overseeing Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mrs Maimuna Habib, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria.

Adeyeye after receiving her award stressed the importance of women to home and nation building while calling for more women in places of authority.

The Indian women honoured are Ms Ritu Sahajwalla, MD Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas Company Ltd, Ms Sonali Gupta, Principal India Language School, Lagos and Ms Hamisha Abuja, a movie Director/Producer.

Balasubramanian highlighted the immense contributions of women to nation building in both countries and stressed the need for gender equality.

The 2023 International Women’s Day has as it’s theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to recipients/ cultural exhibitions while there was also the launch of the Abuja chapter of the India women association.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=======

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of foremost politician and businessman, Alhaji Musa Musawa, a one-time Senator, as a great loss to Nigeria.

In a condolence message by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja, Buhari said the nation mourns the loss of a political giant and a true Nigerian.

He described the deceased as ”a towering grassroots politician with a nuanced understanding of matters who had very few parallels as a campaigner in his heydays.”

He noted that the deceased lived a worthy life, ”leaving us with innumerable happy memories of accomplishments as a politician, businessman and a community leader. We will miss him a lot.

“May Allah repose his soul and grant fortitude to his family, the government and people of Katsina State to bear the loss.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Joy Odigie

The Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has advocated for equitable distribution of resources to women in the society.

Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, made the call at the 11th LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award (LOWLA) in Benin on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LOWLA is an annual event organised by LAPO in commemoration of the International Women’s Day held every March 8.

Ehigiamusoe said there still existed a world filled with innumerable hurdles and obstacles hindering gender equity.

He said: “Gender -biased deprivations and male-dominated social structures remain strong in our society.

“If we fail to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discriminations, draw attention to biases and seek out inclusion, we may not be able to achieve the desired progress including the SDGs”.

He added that LOWLA was instituted in 2013 to recognise and honour women who are excelling in business, farming and professional careers with sustainable social impact.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Adefunke Adekunle, Director of Gender Studies, University of Benin, said equity could be achieved by giving everyone a voice to speak as well as listened to.

She said that countries would become more prosperous if collective efforts were given to
women and women led businesses to function at their fullest potentials.

Also, the Chairperson, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, Vice Chancellor, University of Delta, Agbor, advocated for women liberation from poverty and debased lives.

The vice chancellor called for sound moral, education and entrepreneurial training for the girl child to reduce the numbers of women living debased lives in the society.

“It is high time we looked inwards and try to ensure that we remove our girls living indecent lives from the streets for them to know that they can contribute positively to societal development,” she said.

Chiemeke commended the co-founder of LAPO, Mrs Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe, for being a strong support to her husband and the family.

NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of LAPO Lifetime Achievement Award to Ehigiamusoe.

While the winners of LOWLA Business, Farming and Professional categories included Gladys Okoro, Mary Durodola and Helen Azuni. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Vivian Ihechu

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