NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Group seeks empowerment of children to achieve AU Agenda 2063
General News

Group seeks empowerment of children to achieve AU Agenda 2063

181 total views today

 

By Angela Atabo

African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly, an NGO, says there is a need to prioritise the empowerment of children as a fundamental strategy for realising the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Dr Elizabeth Emeka-Onwucheka, Chairperson, Education and Mass Literacy Committee, AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly, made the call at the 2025 Children’s Day Celebration organised by the group.

According to Emeka-Onwucheka, the event, with the theme “From the Streets to the Classroom“ echoes the aspirations of Agenda 2063, a prosperous Africa where every child has access to education and dignity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agenda 2063 outlines Africa’s strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation into the global powerhouse of the future over a 50-year period.

The chairperson said that the call aligned with the AU’s vision of an inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Africa.

She emphasised the critical role of children in the continent’s development trajectory.

“The AU Agenda 2063 is big on creating the Africa we want.

“It is the children that we need to build the Africa we want, because they are the future of Africa.

“That is one of the things that we are doing today, educating the African child, taking the African child off the street to the classroom where they ought to be,” she said.

She expressed passion about building the dream Africa by equipping the children of today to take up that task.

“This is because they are the ones that will be here to run through the 50 years agenda of the AU Agenda 2063,”she said

Emeka-Onwucheka said that the Assembly collaborated with Premiere Academy and Cradle2Harvard International Schools (C2HIS) to carry out the project.

She said that the aim was to ensure that children already in the classrooms became the ambassadors for out-of-school children.

According to her, the objective is to make them ambassadors of the AU agenda while carrying their mates on the streets along to build the African dream.

The Principal of Premiere Academy Lugbe, Christopher Akinsowon, said that there were millions of African children on the streets who were out-of-school rather than in the classroom.

According to Akinsowon, African children are calling for help.

“They are full of potential; they are full of so many things they want to express themselves but due to certain imitations, they can not.

“They face limitations like school fees, inability to develop their immediate environment, and so many things that make them unable to give to the world what is expected of them.

“I think first and foremost, government legislation is very important.

“The role of government is key in addressing these challenges and then the individual effort,” she said.

Some students who participated in the event expressed readiness to grow into championing the AU Agenda 2063 and stressed the need to assist out-of-school children to get back to the classroom.

Ms Chikaima Ogunema, a student of Premiere Academy, commended the organisers of the event.

Ogunema said that the programme was impactful and it empowered her on what to do to contribute to Africa.

Deborah Ogaji from Government Secondary School, Wuye, Abuja, said that she had been empowered to be a change agent.6

“Today I learnt about the African child and that I can be anything I want to be, so I will help other children to realise their worth as Africans,”she said.

Another student, Mr Ebere Bassit, said that the programme was a good way to celebrate children’s day and also the African child, especially the homeless, orphans and marginalised ones. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

SMEDAN creates 90,000 jobs in Q1 2025
Economy/Business

SMEDAN creates 90,000 jobs in Q1 2025

235 total views today

By Lucy Ogalue

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says it created more than 90,160 jobs and empowered 116,661 entrepreneurs across the country in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.

Mr Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that the figures were contained in the agency’s Q1 performance report.

Odii attributed the achievements to targeted empowerment programmes and strategic collaborations with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.

He said SMEDAN partnered with organisations such as Google, Wema Bank, and members of the National Assembly to train entrepreneurs in digital and financial literacy.

The partnerships, he said, also facilitated access to finance, markets, and essential tools for small businesses.

“SMEDAN also supported the formalisation of thousands of small businesses by assisting them with registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), thereby enhancing their chances of accessing funding and participating in supply chains.

“In Q1 alone, we distributed 123,743 work tools, including laptops, mini-buses, industrial sewing machines, generators, and tricycles, to entrepreneurs in all 36 states,” Odii said.

He also highlighted the success of the SMEDAN Garment and Textile Hub at the Idu Industrial Development Centre in Abuja, which he described as a model for inclusive industrial development.

“The solar-powered hub, made possible through a partnership with the UNDP, enables fashion entrepreneurs to access affordable industrial machines and stable power supply, thereby increasing productivity and job creation.”

Odii reiterated the agency’s commitment to the “GROW Nigerian” strategy, focusing on Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support for SMEs.

“The result is more jobs, stronger businesses, and greater value unlocked within communities nationwide,” he added.

He noted that several strategic partnerships signed during the review period would begin to yield results in subsequent quarters, especially in areas like financing and value chain development.

Odii reaffirmed SMEDAN’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, stressing that the agency remained committed to supporting MSMEs as drivers of inclusive economic growth. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

MTN Foundation inaugurates digital skills academy to empower youths
Science & Tech

MTN Foundation inaugurates digital skills academy to empower youths

433 total views today

By Daniel Obaje/Jacinta Nwachukwu

The MTN Foundation has inaugurated a Digital Skills Academy, a platform aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with digital competencies to enhance their employability and economic participation.

Speaking at the event on Thursday in Abuja, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Mrs Odunayo Sanya, said the initiative aligned with the Foundation’s commitment to education, health and economic empowerment.

According to Sanya, the academy will provide structured digital learning for young Nigerians from secondary school level through to professional certification.

“We have developed a platform that is not only accessible but impactful, from guiding secondary school students through career-aligned psychometric tests to offering over 23 career learning paths.

“We believe that the person who understands digital skills and technology will eventually displace those who do not, that is why we are investing in building this capacity, especially for our youth,” she said.

She explained that the goal was to reach underserved communities across Nigeria through partnerships with government and other stakeholders, with a long-term target of training at least three million Nigerians in five years.

“We don’t want this to stay in Abuja, Lagos or Port Harcourt. We want to reach Gombe, Akwa Ibom, and the rural corners of Nigeria,” she added.

On his part, Mr Simon Aranonu, a Director in the Foundation, described the initiative as a bold step toward democratising education and empowering individuals across the country.

“We recognise that digital skills are an essential currency in the global job market, they shape the way we work and learn and challenge our ability to adapt and grow,” he said.

Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, commended the Foundation for the initiative, saying that it is timely and critical to national development.

“I commend the MTN Foundation for your vision, not only in launching this programme today but for everything you have done in supporting capacity development in our nation.

“The MTN Skills Academy will not only raise digital literacy but broaden the possibilities for youths in Nigeria,” he said.

He called for more collaboration between public and private sectors to drive innovation and digital inclusion.

In a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, represented by Mrs Ebiho Agun, Deputy Director of Enterprise Development, described the academy as a timely and strategic initiative to empower Nigerian youths with essential digital skills.

“This launch is a call to action, a call to invest, and to innovate.

“The MTN Foundation Skills Academy is a bridge to opportunity and a spark for the next generation of Nigerian tech leaders,” he said.

The event drew participation from stakeholders across government, private sector, and civil society, all united in the mission to create a digitally empowered future for Nigerian youths. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

African women land professionals kick against gender disparity in land ownership, management
Gender

African women land professionals kick against gender disparity in land ownership, management

1,147 total views today

By Polycarp Auta 

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, African women in land professions have called for policies that would boost women’s access to land and remove gender disparity.

They also called for the involvement of more women in land management across the African continent.

The women’s demands are part of the resolutions of the First African Women Land Professionals Associations (AWLPA) Conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Conference was convened by the International Federation of Surveyors-African Regional Network (FIG-ARN).

The communique made available to NAN, was signed by Ambassador Mohammed Kabir, the Chairperson of FIG-ARN, and Mr Izuegbu Uju, Conference Secretary.

The conference called for more land rights programmes to promote public awareness, eliminate gender disparity, and increase the number and visibility of women in land management in Africa.

It encouraged all stakeholders to sustain the push for policy, legal and institutional reforms to increase women leadership positions in land governance.

It also advocated the adoption of a whole-of-the community approach in addressing the challenges faced by women in African societies.

The conference, which witnessed a series of presentations, deliberations, panel and brainstorming sessions, advocated the development of a Strategic Capacity Development Framework (SCDF) for African women land professionals.

“The framework shall focus on e-learning, training, coaching, mentoring, digital skill acquisition and support programmes to empower women in land professions in Africa,” the communique said.

It urged FIG-ARN to collaborate with relevant stakeholders such as UN Women and the African Union Land Governance Strategy, on advocacy and implementation of frameworks for gender equality in land governance.

It suggested the introduction of gender quota to address disparities in land allocation in African communities.

The conference emphasised that the FIG-ARN should seek support of the African Union(AU), and other relevant stakeholders to develop an African cross-border knowledge transfer platform and other programmes for the empowerment of women land professionals.

It also emphasised the need for the promotion and integration of women education and industry in Africa.

The conference participants urged Universities and institutions of higher learning in Africa to improve their curricula and provide practical support toward promoting and integrating the womenfolk.

They urged FIG-ARN to develop and support actionable strategies within the framework of the African Union Land Governance Strategy, with focus on women land rights clinic days.

Some of the participants at the First African Women Land Professionals Associations Conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

FIG-ARN was also urged to champion community-level awareness campaigns for guaranteeing equal rights to land, protecting women’s land tenure security, and respecting women’s independent decisions on land matters in Africa.

The conference pressed for coordinated international and regional support to African countries to adopt and implement a fit-for-purpose approach to land administration.

Such approach, it said, should ensure affordable land recordation and facilitate registration of continuum of land rights, particularly on issues that are of critical concern to women.

It urged donor agencies to increase funding in support of women’s land rights programmes for promoting public awareness and eliminating gender disparity while increasing the number and visibility of women in land management.

It encouraged stakeholders to sustain the push for institutional reforms to have more women in the making of government decisions that affect land governance.

It also advocated a more positive approach to the challenges faced by women in African societies.

The conference called on African women land professional associations to foster closer collaboration with international, regional, and community women’s rights groups.

It identified the groups to include UN Women, Landesa, Stand for Her Land Campaign, and International Land Coalition.

“The partnership should focus on benchmarking, capacity building, and implementation of gender-specific projects,” the communique added.

It noted the resolve of the Tanzanian government toward implementing positive policies for gender balance and equal representation in both elective and appointive offices, and particularly appreciated the attempts at extending those policies into the land governance sector.

NAN reports that the conference formed the Network of African Women Land Professional Associations (NAWLPA), under the auspices of the FIG-ARN, to manage and coordinate the implementation of the resolutions.

The election of its leadership is to be held at the AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the 2nd AWLPA Conference slated to hold from 10 to14 November, 2025.

Among delegates at the Conference were the President of FIG, Dr. D. A. Dumashie, and the representative of AU Commission, Dr Janet Edeme.

Also at the Conference was Mr Hans Ni, Secretary-General of the Working Committee on International Exchange and Cooperation of China Association for Geospatial Industry and Sciences. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

IWD: Chinese Ambassador pledge cooperation with Nigeria to boost women empowerment
Foreign

IWD: Chinese Ambassador pledge cooperation with Nigeria to boost women empowerment

356 total views today

Empowerment

By Sarafina Christopher

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai has affirmed China’s dedication in collaborating with Nigeria to enhance gender equality and promote women’s empowerment.

He made this pledge on Friday in Abuja during the “Her Story and Future” event marking the 115th International Women’s Day and 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration hosted by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Women Affairs.

The ambassador stressed the significance of the Beijing Declaration, a widely acknowledged blueprint for safeguarding women’s rights globally.

He said that the belief in gender not being a hindrance to humanity’s progress informed part of the decision for the crucial declaration.

Furthermore, he acknowledged women as the driving force behind both human advancement and economic growth.

He noted that with the backdrop of strengthened China-Nigeria relations, especially following President Bola Tinubu’s trip to China and participation in the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, there was need to ramp up efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.

“We would like to work with Nigeria to improve gender equality and also women empowerment

“We are keen on empowering Nigerian women through avenues like education, capacity enhancement, vocational training, and have already taken strides in this direction,” he stated.

He also listed successes such as a Nigerian female train conductor trained by the Chinese company CCECC and the rise of talented Nigerian female entrepreneurs in sectors like ICT, with whom China hopes to foster deeper collaboration.

Yu noted that China has underlined its commitment to gender equality through a robust legal framework encompassing over 100 laws and regulations aimed at safeguarding women’s rights.

Key achievements include an average life expectancy of nearly 81 years for Chinese women and the elimination of gender disparities in education.

Notably, women constitute 45 per cent of China’s workforce, and in the internet sector, female entrepreneurs surpass their male counterparts at 55 per cent.

He also highlighted the active involvement of women in the “Two Sessions” political meetings in Beijing, shaping national policies as representatives.

The Ambassador stressed that China’s strides in gender equality and women’s development not only underscore its human rights framework but also contribute significantly to global equality, development, and peace.

Yu expressed confidence that more Nigeria women would benefit from high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, allowing them to realise their aspirations and shape a prosperous future

Yu also extended warm greetings to women in Nigeria and worldwide, emphasising the United Nations theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”

Mrs Olubunmi Olowookere, Permanent Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, lauded the resilience and bravery of women across history.

She emphasised the imperative of acknowledging and celebrating women’s contributions in science, business, the arts, and leadership for a future where education, equality, and empowerment are basic rights, not luxuries.

“As we honour the past, we must also commit to a future where education, equality, and empowerment are fundamental rights, not privileges,” she said.

NAN reports that the event attracted government officials, diplomats, and gender advocates who echoed the call for advancing women’s rights in Nigeria.(NAN)

FG commits to girls’ education, empowerment
General News

FG commits to girls’ education, empowerment

420 total views today

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening support for girls’ education and empowerment in the country.

Ahmed spoke in Abuja on Thursday during a road walk for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Employment (AGILE) programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inscription for the AGILE road walk is tagged Madubi, and the programme is designed to improve secondary education for girls in Nigeria.

Madubi is a Hausa word meaning “mirror” and it aims to increase public awareness and action on girls’ education.

The minister stressed the importance of girls’ education in driving national development, noting that more support would be given to the initiative.

According to her, the road walk is for “the girl to see herself in us as a mirror for a better future.

“We support every programme that seeks to empower the girl-child.

“At the Federal Ministry of Education, we have our own programme that we are going to launch soon to ensure that we empower the girl-child.

“But AGILE is wonderful in terms of giving opportunity to the girl-child by providing access and opportunity for the girl-child to flourish in our society.

“We hope to see other programmes that will ensure every girl-child has the opportunity to reach her full potential,” she said.

Also speaking, the AGILE National Project Coordinator, Mrs Amina Haruna, said the initiative was established to ensure that no girl is left behind in education and to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

Haruna explained that educating girls leads to societal transformation, saying that the slogan Madubi symbolises the girl as a reflection of society.

Sharing the project’s success stories, Haruna said the initiative was being implemented in 18 states, resulting in the construction of classrooms, provision of WASH facilities, and distribution of learning materials to schools.

“We have renovated about 10,000 classrooms. We have built about 475 schools.

“Where there’s a primary school, we try to build a junior secondary school. Where there’s a junior secondary school, we build a senior secondary school.

“We are doing this to bring schools closer to the girls. We don’t want the girls to walk long distances before reaching school.

“And according to the education policy, no girl-child or any child should have to walk more than five kilometres to access school.

“So that transition from one level to the next will be easier for adolescent girls,” she said.

The national coordinator further stated that in 2025, plans were underway to accelerate progress by constructing more classrooms, expanding WASH facilities, and providing more scholarships to the poorest households.

Regarding the challenges of girls’ education due to social norms, she said the organisation was partnering with the Sultan Foundation to address any resistance from communities hosting the projects. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NCWS elects new President, unveils empowerment Initiative
Gender

NCWS elects new President, unveils empowerment Initiative

521 total views today

By Justina Auta

Mrs Edna Azura has emerged as the new National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Azura will complete the late Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau’s two-year tenure, following her passing on June 5, 2024.

During the inauguration, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, urged Azura to lead with fairness and dedication for the benefit of women across the country.

“Together, we can achieve so much. Women are already leading in many sectors, and there is no reason we cannot do even more for this nation.

“We will contribute to the progress and development of Nigeria by providing access to markets and finance, protecting our women and children, and giving them the support they need.

“We will also strengthen our response to child development and protection, ensuring that the vulnerable are well looked after,” she said.

On the new women empowerment initiative, Sulaiman-Ibrahim announced that it would provide financial support to women in the six geo-political zones.

This, she said will help them achieve economic independence amidst the current economic challenges.

According to her, N3.6m will be given to the North Central states; N3.1m to the Northeast; N3.1 Northwest states; N2.250m to Southeast.

”The South South will get N3.150m

while N2.7m will go to the South West states as part of the women empowerment initiative, ”she said.

Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, called the late Adamu-Lau an icon with a legacy of excellence.

While presenting a memorial magazine in honour of the late president, Benjamins-Laniyi urged women to emulate Adamu-Lau’s legacy and contribute to national development.

“In our transition, may we create legacies that are not just printed in magazines but etched as indelible footprints,” she said.

Mrs Geraldine Ita-Etuk, NCWS First Vice President and Acting President, thanked First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, NCWS Grand Patron, for her steadfast support for women.

Ita-Etuk highlighted the council’s efforts, saying: “We are giving three women per state N150,000 each to support and grow their businesses.

“We also want to see more women in politics and positions of authority”.

In her acceptance speech, Azura, the 16th NCWS President, pledged to uphold her predecessor’s legacy and champion women’s empowerment.

“I commit to working diligently to empower women, foster unity, and elevate NCWS to greater heights.

“Let us unite as one, fostering cooperation and collaboration among Nigerian women for a brighter and more prosperous future for ourselves and the nation,” she said.

Azura urged women to prioritise dignity, welfare, and empowerment while increasing their participation in governance.

She emphasised the importance of creating a legacy of strength and unity for future generations. (NAN)

www.nannews.ng

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kadiri Abdulrahman

HIV: UN, ASWHAN unveil women empowerment project
Gender

HIV: UN, ASWHAN unveil women empowerment project

565 total views today
By Justina Auta
 UNWomen and the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASHWAN) have unveiled an empowerment initiative for women living with HIV.
The organisations extended the gesture to other vulnerable groups, empowering them with life skills and start-up packs to enhance their economic independence.
Mrs Helen Akpan, Assistant National Secretary, ASWHAN, said this during a two-day training on Friday in Abuja.
She said the exercise would alleviate the current hardship faced by members and provide them with source of livelihood.
“We are training women living with HIV and other vulnerable women with skills acquisition for sustainability and to alleviate poverty.
“This will help in sustaining household livelihood for these women and their children, especially amidst the dwindling economy, which has overwhelmed a lot of people’s financial capacity.
“There is a need for them to have skills and economic empowerment, which will take care of their nutrition, drugs and other hospital services required,” she said.
She said that 50 women in the FCT would be exposed to poultry farming, ice block business and other skills, adding that start-up packs and equipments would be given to them to facilitate the training they acquired.
According to her, the women will be grouped into clusters to form a cooperative, to enable them to access loans and other services to more financially independent.
 “This is going to be extended to other states because we want to change the narratives for our members regarding depending on others. It is one of the causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV),” she said.
Mr Martin-Mary Falana, a Consultant, said the participants would also be empowered on identifying profitable business opportunities, innovative ideas for marketing and selling
He said they would  be trained on how to form and manage a Village Savings and Loan (VSLA).
Falana said the women would be able to lay their hands on things that can improve their livelihood, especially as they will be given startup equipment to fend for themselves.
“It will also improve their socio economic development and ensure that they earn what they can use to fend for themselves and their younger ones, children and wards.
“They will also be grouped to form committee that will assist them with the VSLA, where they can make contributions and then gather it to help one another.
“This will go a long way to alleviate poverty, generate income and make them self reliant,” he said.
He encouraged other stakeholders to support vulnerable groups, while urging the participants to remain strong.
 ”Living with HIV is not the end of life. HIV does not have anything to do with their brain. They can still use their hand to do a lot of businesses.
“They need help from other financial institutions to bring down the cost of  interest in accessing loan so that they can do something with their lives,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Stella Ebeh-Obianuju stressed the need to empower women living with HIV, to make them less vulnerable and victims of GBV.
Ebeh-Obianuju, who is also the Coordinator, Hope Initiative (Mother’s to mother Support group), said that, “if we are empowered, we will be able to stand on our own, train our children, live a healthy and productive life.
“I believe that after this empowerment training, and with support, we will be able to stand on our own and be financial dependent, not relying on anyone,” she  said.
Amina Mohammed, another beneficiary, said the initiative would make her independent, and provide for her family, especially amidst the current economy challenges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
Foundation empowers SERVICOM staff with skills for better service delivery
General News

Foundation empowers SERVICOM staff with skills for better service delivery

495 total views today

By Angela Atabo

An NGO, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, has empowered SERVICOM staff members with advanced skills for better public service delivery.

National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, made this known at a four-day monitoring and evaluation (M&E) training programme, organised for the organisation’s officials on Monday in Abuja.

Akajemeli said that the initiative represented an important step toward promoting transparency, accountability and efficiency in public service delivery.

“Following the partnership agreement signed with SERVICOM in July 2024, SERVICOM, which stands for Service Compact, ensures Nigerian citizens receive quality services from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

“To support SERVICOM’s important role in public service, the foundation assessed the skills of its staff to identify any gap that might impact their work.

“The assessment showed that improving monitoring and evaluation skills could help staff develop and oversee standard operating procedures across public institutions, leading to better services for Nigerians,” she said.

Akajemeli said that the training programme, delivered by Workforce Group, equipped SERVICOM staff members with important skills in data collection and analysis, modern software tools and effective evaluation methods.

She said that participants learned how to create standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve operations and service delivery as well as to monitor their application across MDAs.

The national coordinator further stated that the training enabled the participants to assess the services provided by MDAs and ensure that they were up to standard, resulting in better outcomes for citizens.

“The training, supported by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and delivered under our partnership with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, improves on our existing capabilities.

“It empowers SERVICOM to fulfill its mission of ensuring quality public service delivery.

“We are excited about the impacts this programme will have on Nigeria’s public service landscape,” she said.

Also speaking, Head of Operations at SERVICOM and participant, Mrs Ngozi Akinbodewa, said that the training had helped in broadening her knowledge in many ways.

“I learned how to create standard operating procedures during the training.

“Developing these procedures will improve our operations by clearly defining roles and responsibilities,” she said.

Executive Vice-Chair of the foundation, Mrs Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, said that the training represented a key step toward improving the experiences of Nigerians who relied on public services.

Aig-Imoukhuede said that it would also boost the skills of SERVICOM staffers, improve accountability and transparency across MDAs and set a standard for lasting improvements in public services delivery to citizens.

She said that through the programme, SERVICOM staffers were better prepared to implement effective monitoring and evaluation practices that would improve public service delivery across MDAs.

“They can use data-driven insights to identify service gaps, improve public satisfaction and ensure that MDAs meet their commitments to Nigerian citizens,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Expert calls for youth, women empowerment in agriculture
Agriculture

Expert calls for youth, women empowerment in agriculture

590 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

The Chief Executive Officer of Shield Africa, Mrs Osenaga Orokpo, has emphasised the need for empowering youth and women to drive sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria and Africa.

Orokpo, speaking at the Shield Africa Summit 2024 in Abuja on Friday, noted that food insecurity and poverty have become major concerns on the continent.

She stressed that Africa must prioritise sustainable agriculture and food security, transforming fields and approaches to prioritise sustainable practices, empower youth and women, and unlock the true potential of African agriculture.

Orokpo envisioned a prosperous Africa where every young person had the tools to become an agri-preneur, transforming farmlands into sources of wealth and opportunity.

According to Orokpo, hunger affects over 250 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, with population growth threatening to outpace agricultural production.

She emphasised the need for more youth involvement in agriculture, citing the average age of farmers as over 60, while the median age of the population is just 18.

Orokpo called on stakeholders to join forces to shield Africa from hunger, poverty, and pain.

She announced that Shield Africa aimed to create 15,000 to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs for young individuals in 2025, contributing to youth employment and reducing poverty.

The Deputy Governor of Benue, Dr Sam Ode, represented by Director-General Benita Shuluwa, emphasised the potential for rural communities to drive economic transformation.

He highlighted Benue’s experiences in investing in rural infrastructure, which he said have boosted agriculture and uplifted communities.

Ode commended Shield Africa for providing agricultural support, empowering youth, and promoting gender inclusivity.(NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Abiemwense Moru

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email