News Agency of Nigeria
FMBN unveils women housing construction initiative
Metro

FMBN unveils women housing construction initiative

 

By Angela Atabo

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) says it is rolling out a housing initiative with the delivery process to be exclusively undertaken by women.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMBN, Mr Shehu Osidi, made this known on FMBN Day at the ongoing Africa International Housing Show on Thursday in Abuja.

Osidi said the Women Housing Initiative to be executed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.aimed at promoting gender inclusivity in Nigeria’s housing sector.

He added that the pioneering scheme would ensure that everybody involved in delivering the housing projects would be women.

“We believe that women represent a very substantial part of this country and they have a lot of contributions to make to national development.

“So, the Women in Housing Initiative aims to provide a housing development model, where from the design architects to the engineers to the artisans and to the labourers, everybody on site will be women, “ he said.

Osidi disclosed that the bank witnessed a major, positive shift in its challenge on the Single Obligor Limit requirement by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said that moving forward, the bank’s management intended to focus on completing all ongoing and outstanding housing projects and sustaining prudent financial management.

Osidi said the bank will also focus on improving customer service experience, and drive down non-performing loans further.

He added that the bank will work towards the amendment of its enabling laws and pursue its recapitalisation. (NAN)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Rotimi Ijikanmi

Abduction: Muslim women group to provide psychosocial support to victims
General News

Abduction: Muslim women group to provide psychosocial support to victims

By Rita Iliya

The Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) says it will train some of its qualified members to provide psychosocial support to the 27 abducted victims recently rescued in Niger.

 

Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi, the Amirah of FOMWAN in Niger, said this during a one-day sensitisation workshop on the religious perspective in the prevention of double victimisation of survivors in Minna.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims rescued on July 3 by the police were abducted sometime in February 2024.

 

Some of the female victims returned with advanced pregnancies and infants believed to have been fathered by their abductors.

 

The training was done in partnership with Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) supported by Ford Foundation.

 

Abdullahi said that the programme, which incorporated perspectives from both islamic and Christian faiths sought to address the stigma and trauma the survivors were going through.

 

She added that the aim was to reintegrate the victims into the society.

 

“Traditionally, we know that when gender-based violence or kidnap victims are rescued, they face difficulty reintegrating into their families and communities.

 

“Therefore, the training is to show empathy and create a safe space for the survivors.

 

“These victims have suffered trauma and now face stigma from their people, hence the need to guide them and support them to reintegrate them into the society,” she said.

 

She said the training included perspectives from both Islamic and Christian faiths to encourage officials to approach rehabilitation with a strong moral and religious foundation.

 

Malam Hassan Aliyu, Director of Partnership and Communication in the dRPC, said fear of stigmatisation had caused some rescued victims to consider returning to their abductors.

 

He said there was need to engage religious leaders and training of service providers to understand how religion could be used to tackle stigma and promote the acceptance of survivors.

 

“If a service provider understands that their faith has made provision on how to handle and take care of survivors, it will become easy for them to seamlessly integrate them back to their communities,” he said.

 

He added that the training was to ensure that the survivors do not face double victimisation first from the hands of their abductors and from their people after reuniting with them.

 

Aliyu disclosed that religious and community leaders in the local government areas where the victims come from would be trained to deepen the impact of the psychosocial support.

 

Also, Hajiya Mairo Mann, Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Justice, commended the organisers for the timely intervention and urged a victim’s spouse support to help the victim. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

Women entrepreneurs urged to prioritise quality, compliance
General News

Women entrepreneurs urged to prioritise quality, compliance

By Aderogba George

The Founder of Tu2minis Global Services Ltd., Mrs Ngozi Enite-Okoro, has urged women entrepreneurs to prioritise product quality, regulatory compliance, and access to accurate information to enhance growth and support national development.

Enite-Okoro made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

She said that in an era where women are rewriting the narrative of entrepreneurship across Africa, quality and compliance are no longer optional but essential pillars for building sustainable and globally competitive businesses.

“At the heart of this transformation is a growing understanding of the power of regulatory frameworks and how they unlock opportunities for growth, credibility, and international reach,” she said.

Enite-Okoro said that during the maiden and second editions of the Women Entrepreneurship Workshop hosted by Tu2minis Global, a new wave of regulatory awareness was ignited among participants.

She said the outcomes were remarkable, with over 60 success stories, including trademarked brands, CAC-registered businesses, and NAFDAC-certified products.

“These achievements reflect a growing culture of compliance and mark a bold step towards building credible, scalable, and export-ready women-led enterprises,” she said.

According to her, such milestones are evidence of what informed women can achieve when they align their ambitions with regulatory structures that ensure visibility, longevity, and access to wider markets.

“For women entrepreneurs, compliance is more than ticking boxes. It builds consumer trust, enables market expansion, enhances financial leverage, protects intellectual property, and boosts credibility,” she said.

Enite-Okoro said trade opportunities like African Continental Free Trade Area and the UK’s evolving policy with Nigeria have opened new markets for well-positioned businesses.

“I have witnessed how access to the right information, guidance and tools can transform women into nation-builders,” she said.

She described regulatory compliance as a launchpad that enables women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses into African and UK markets, exporting proudly Nigerian and globally accepted products.

“Diversifying income streams, reducing dependence on local demand, and meeting international standards are all within reach if women adopt the right approach,” she added.

Enite-Okoro said that in today’s dynamic business environment, knowledge is not just power, but also leverage and profit.

“Staying informed about policies, market trends and regulatory updates is a non-negotiable asset. Entrepreneurs must make strategic decisions based on insights, not assumptions,” she said.

She urged women to collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs, policy shapers, and industry experts to exchange knowledge and strengthen their business influence.

“With knowledge as their compass and compliance as their engine, Nigerian women are poised to usher in a new era of resilient, respected, and globally recognised enterprises,” she said.

“The world is watching. It’s time for Nigerian women to rise, not just to run businesses, but to rule industries and contribute meaningfully to building the nation,” Enite-Okoro stressed. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science
Gender

Firm hosting all-female hackathon to position women in rangeland innovation, data science

 

By Philip Yatai

Omeva Consulting, a firm specialised in data science and communication across Africa, is hosting an all-female hackathon in Kaduna, to position women in rangeland innovation and data science.

Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maria de la Puerta, said at the ongoing event in Kaduna that the goal was to put women and data science at the centre of policy making for the livestock sector.

She said that the event, which runs from June 26 to July 8 with 30 participants, would set a bold new standard on how people think about rangeland, data, and gender inclusion.

The CEO said that the hackathon, tagged “Women Transform Rangelands”, would combine virtual and in-person activities, including training, mentorship, expert seminars, and collaborative solution-building.

She added that participants would work in teams to explore the Rangeland and Pasture Open Dataset on Kaggle and, with mentor guidance, develop practical solutions to transform rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“With guidance from experienced mentors such as Ms Zainab Idris from Creativity Enthusiast Network and Mr Emmanual Gabriel from Paragon Analytics Ltd., the women would develop practical solutions and revolutionise rangeland management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Beyond technical training and skills development, the hackathon seeks to amplify the visibility of Nigerian women in data science, showcasing their potential as innovators and leaders in sustainable rangeland management,” she said.

The CEO added that effort was building on the firm’s ArewaLadies4Tech mentorship programme, where it mentored several students, with many of them participating in the hackathon.

According to her, informed policy decisions require data, yet rangeland, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are often left out of the data revolution that has transformed agricultural crop management.

She said that the gap limits the development of sustainable policies and solutions for livestock and pastoralist communities.

Puerta added that women remain underrepresented in both data science and policy making, despite their critical role in shaping resilient food systems.

According to her, the absence of women’s insights may lead to policies that may overlook key gendered and community-specific perspectives.

She said that the all-female hackathon addresses the challenges by empowering women in data science, strengthening female representation, and demonstrating how data informs policy decisions.

Puerta said that the initiative was supported by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and the Spanish Cooperation Office, as part of their broader commitment to scientific diplomacy and international collaboration.

“This aligns with the EU-funded PRISMA programme, which promotes agroecological transformation and climate resilience through data-driven solutions.

Also, Mr Juan Dembour, First Secretary of the Spanish Embassy, who officially opened the event, reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to leveraging data in the livestock sector and promoting gender equality across Africa.

Dembour added that by supporting initiatives that place women at the forefront of science, technology, and environmental innovation, Spain would continue to promote inclusive, forward-looking solutions to global challenges.

“The Spain Embassy and the Spanish Cooperation Office remain dedicated to strengthening partnerships that foster innovation, sustainability, and gender equality in practice.

“Beyond its technical aims, the hackathon reflects Spain’s dedication to women’s empowerment, sustainable development, and the agenda 2030 priorities,” he added.

Also, Valerio Perucci, from the Italian-based Farm4Trade, sponsor of one of the hackathon prizes, said that the participants would work with the Namibia Rangeland Dataset, a field-verified resource developed under the Lacuna Fund.

Perucci explained that the dataset included detailed data on biomass, vegetation cover, and grazing patterns across 20 sites.

“This hands-on engagement with real data will enables the teams to explore practical pathways for using evidence in policymaking, ensuring that the voices, knowledge, and priorities of women are no longer left out of the conversation,” he said.

On her part, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, founder, Women’s Initiative for Sustainable Environment lauded the deliberate choice of women for the hackathon.

This, she said, would create a safe and inclusive space where women could speak freely, lead confidently, and innovate without the social pressures that often limit women’s engagement in mixed settings.

“Women often hold back, not because they lack ideas or ability, but because of social pressure, especially in mixed settings.

“We are raised to stay quiet, not to take the lead. This hackathon creates a space where women do not need permission to speak up, try bold things, or lead with confidence,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Commissioners back GEWE with UN Women’s tracking tools
Gender

Commissioners back GEWE with UN Women’s tracking tools

By Justina Auta

State Commissioners of Women Affairs and Social Development have pledged to enhance implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) agenda, using new data and tracking tools provided by UN Women.

The commitment was made on the sidelines of a two-day GEWE Coordination Mechanism and Institutional Strengthening meeting, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mrs Edema Irom, Acting Dean of Commissioners and Cross River State Commissioner of Women Affairs, stressed the need to strengthen implementation mechanisms, especially at the grassroots level.

She assured that the commissioners would utilise the tools provided by UN Women to monitor progress, identify gaps, and inform policy decisions.

Irom emphasised the link between economic empowerment and the reduction of gender-based violence (GBV), calling for increased advocacy with governors, senators, and other decision-makers to prioritise women’s participation in economic and political processes.

According to Irom, commissioners have continued engaging stakeholders, including gender advocates, civil society, policymakers, and the wife of the President, to push for broader implementation of the GEWE agenda and boost women’s political representation.

“The message is simple, you can’t build a nation without women. We are more than half of the population. Empower women, and you empower the nation,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Neido Geoffrey-Kofulto, Adamawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs, noted that while some states were making progress, others needed to accelerate the implementation of GEWE initiatives.

She encouraged her counterparts to take greater steps in their respective states to ensure transformative impact.

Meanwhile, Mrs Patience Ekeoba, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women, urged the commissioners to close implementation gaps in the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) agenda.

She emphasised the importance of addressing systemic challenges that hindered progress.

Ekeoba also called for the alignment of national and global commitments, the strengthening of institutional frameworks, and the harmonisation of policies.

According to her, these steps are essential for improving coordination and ensuring greater accountability in the implementation of GEWE programmes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by representatives from UN Women, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, zonal gender coordinators, civil society organisations, development partners, and the media.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

GetBundi announces 0,000 tech scholarship for African women
General News

GetBundi announces $250,000 tech scholarship for African women

 

By Olawunmi Ashafa

The GetBundi Education Foundation has introduced a digital skills programme that offers a 250,000 dollars scholarship fund for women.

The programme, tagged,  “TechSis 2025”, is expected to train 1,500 African women in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity – completely free of charge.

A statement by Mr Osita Oparaugo, Founder of Getbundi, a digital education platform, indicated that TechSis, currently in its third edition, is designed to empower young African women with the digital competencies needed to thrive in the global tech industry.

He said that application forms were available and urged upcoming women to apply for an opportunity to participate in the programme.

“The fully virtual, intensive four-month training programme is open to women of African descent between the ages of 19 and 40, regardless of location, who are committed to transitioning into the tech sector.

“Building on the success and insights from TechSis 2023 and 2024, we are scaling our efforts to meet the growing demand for digital inclusion,” Oparaugo said.

He said that the goal was to equip African women with the digital skills they need to drive innovation and economic empowerment across the continent.

“The TechSis initiative was launched in 2023 as a bold response to the digital gender divide in Africa.

“In its inaugural year, 500 women were trained in coding. By 2024, the programme scaled up to train 1,000 women in web development and data analytics.

“With TechSis 2025, GetBundi aims to deliver high-impact, future-proof training to 1,500 more women, targeting two of the most in-demand digital fields globally.

“Digital exclusion disproportionately affects women across Africa; through TechSis, we are not only offering skills, but creating pathways for women to enter and lead in tech, shape innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive digital economy,” he said.

He explained that courses offered – Data Analytics and Cybersecurity – would run fully online via live classes, self-paced modules, hands-on projects, examinations and certification.

Urging applicants to visit www.getbundi.com, he explained that TechSis initiative is part of the GetBundi Education Foundation’s broader mission to provide accessible, high-quality STEM digital skills training to African learners.

“As the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) arm of GetBundi Education Technology, the foundation is dedicated to promoting equity, inclusion and opportunity through technology education,” he said.

The innovative edtech platform offers STEM education to post-primary school students, digital literacy training, and digital skills development to adult learners across Africa. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Report women!FRLP fellow trains KASU students on Solutions Journalism
Solutions Journalism

Report women!FRLP fellow trains KASU students on Solutions Journalism

By Aisha Gambo

A Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) Fellow, Aisha Gambo, on Thursday trained Mass Communication students at the Kaduna State University (KASU) on Solutions Journalism (SOJO).

 

The training is part of a leadership project conducted by Report Women!FRLP fellows, with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).

 

Gambo, who is also a Senior Correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), stated that the training was aimed at equipping the students with practical knowledge and skills on SOJO.

 

” We are not just training these students, we will encourage them to start identifying responses in their communities and reporting them.

 

“There are lots of opportunities in the field of Journalism especially Solutions Journalism; we will be sharing these opportunities with them to make them more competent,” she said.

 

While speaking, Mr Nathaniel Bivan , a Solutions Journalist, who presented a slide on ‘Finding and Reporting Excellent Solution Stories”, said students of mass communications should start writing these stories while in school.

 

He explained that a good solutions story must contain the four pillars of SOJO: Response, evidence, insight and limitation, adding that the students should aim at writing stories that make impact.

 

Another speaker, Yahuza Bawage who started practising journalism at school, urged mass communications students to start writing early so as to build a portfolio that would attract opportunities for them when they leave school.

 

He urged the students to form a union for campus journalists which would serve as a platform for them as students-journalists, adding that it would help them secure opportunities for capacity building and career development.

 

Some of the students, who participated in the training commended the organiser, saying that the session was eye-opening.

 

Amina Abdulkadir said she was hearing solutions journalism for the first time, adding that the training had helped her understand the concept and how to properly write SOJO stories.

 

Another participant, Usman Hassan, who is also a 400-level student, said he would step down the training to his colleagues in the Department and was ready to start writing SOJO stories.(NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Don urges women to embrace writing to transform society
Education

Don urges women to embrace writing to transform society

By Thompson Yamput

Prof. Maria Ofure, a Literature Professor at Federal University Lokoja (FUL), has called on women to engage more actively in literary writing to help transform society and gain importance.

She made the appeal during the university’s 27th Inaugural Lecture titled “Navigating a Room of Her Own: Women’s Writing, Dynamics of Culture and the Politics of Identity,” on Thursday in Lokoja.

Ofure explained that creating “a room of her own” for women was not just about having physical or economic space to write, but also about claiming cultural, intellectual, and emotional space in a world that often ignored or limited them.

“The room we seek is not just a private place, but a space to speak out against traditions and norms that hold us back, whether on a stage, in a classroom, or in parliament.

“It is a space to act and bring change.

“Women writers and scholars should write to reclaim their rights and demand equal opportunities with men,” she said.

She added that African women writers today were not only asking for space but were actively shaping it with stories that crossed time, language, and cultures.

“Women are taking centre stage, showing their full creative potential.”

Ofure described literature as both a mirror and a tool for change, reflecting real life and reshaping society’s views.

 She also noted the new chances women had through social media, blogs, and self-publishing to share their stories outside traditional limits.

“While these platforms have risks like online harassment, they also offer powerful ways to connect and influence culture.”

The professor said that literature had helped to bring important issues like abortion rights, gender-based violence, and queer rights into public discussion.

Ofure also lauded groups like Writivism, Femrite, and the African Women’s Development Fund for supporting women writers and building lasting communities for growth.

Earlier, FUL Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi described the lecture as very timely and important.

He said it would help Nigerians better understand how women used writing to express themselves and challenge traditions.

He congratulated Ofure on delivering a lecture of great value. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Menstrual Hygiene Day: FCT Women Affairs mobilises support for girls
Health

Menstrual Hygiene Day: FCT Women Affairs mobilises support for girls

 

By Philip Yatai

The Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday, mobilised residents of the territory to support the girl child during menstrual period.

The Mandate Secretary, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, made the call in Abuja, at an event organised to commemorate the 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Benjamins-Laniyi called on residents to support the Administration quest to make the FCT period-friendly.

According to her, it is time to prioritise educating the girl child on biological makeup which should not be a hindrance to accessing quality education.

She said that the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration was already prioritising the development of the girl-child through impactful education, psycho-social interventions.

She added the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud was equally mobilising relevant stakeholders to ensure the optimal development of the girl-child in the FCT.

“When you come across a girl with menstrual stains, please do not mock or shame her, support her the best you can,” she pleaded.

The mandate secretary described the theme, “Together for a Period Friendly World”, as “a call to action” for everyone to ensure that menstruation did not limit girls’ access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said WAS would continue to partner with non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that schoolgirls had access to sanitary resources.

She identified some of the resources as menstrual pads, towels, deodorants, body Sprays and other materials that would make girls confident during their monthly flow.

Benjamins-Laniyi also called on school administrators and managers to ensure adequate supply of water, stressing that a lot of girls stayed away from school during their monthly flow due to lack of water.

“Girls need resources that will make them comfortable during their menstrual period.

“They also need a conducive environment to change and dispose of used sanitary pads,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

FCTA engages wives of traditional rulers to end GBV 
General News

FCTA engages wives of traditional rulers to end GBV 

By Philip Yatai

Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has engaged the wives of traditional rulers to change negative social norms and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the territory.

The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, disclosed this during a meeting with the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association (WOFCTTRA), in Abuja.

Benjamins-Laniyi described the initiative as a “unique model” of community engagement for collective action towards ending violence against children, women and girls, and other forms of GBV.

She added that WOFCTTRA, with representatives from the 17 chiefdoms across the six area councils of the FCT would serve as a reference point and a formidable force in community sensitisation and mobilisation.

The secretary said that the WOFCTTRA would be engaged through the FCT women affairs secretariat’s Community Engagement Department.

According to her, this is a co-creation initiative by the women affair secretariat to strengthen community engagement and participation in the design and implementation of FCTA programmes and policies.

“WOFCTTRA will serve as a strong platform for the design and implementation of government programmes and policies at local government level down to the communities and the grassroots.

“The platform will particularly play critical roles in implementing programmes and policies of the FCTA towards strengthening child protection and ending sexual and gender-based violence at community level.”

Mr Ibrahim Nurudeen, Programme Officer on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, UN Women Country Office, described the initiative as “laudable”.

According to him, engaging the wives of the traditional leaders aligns with the UN Women’s priority on engaging traditional authority in transforming social norms and addressing the root causes of GBV in communities.

Nurudeen noted that the WOFCTTRA would serve as a reference group and provides an opportunity to deepen UN Women male engagement on ending GBV.

He said that the initiative would enlarge UN Women engagement with women participating meaningfully by bringing their perspectives on how harmful social norms and practices could be transformed and made better for everyone.

“This is a model that should be replicated across the country because it is going to be lending credence to amplifying the voices of women in the work that the UN development partners, Civil Society Organisations and government agencies are doing towards addressing GBV in Nigeria,” he said.

The President of the group, Hajiya Hauwa Adamu, thanked Benjamins-Laniyi for giving them a platform and a voice in matters that affects women, adolescents and girls in the FCT.

Adamu, the wife of the Ona of Abaji, Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in the FCT, said that wives of the traditional leaders have been confined within their houses and do not come out.

“We are virtually not seen or heard, until now; we have been left behind the doors in our homes, receiving instructions from our husbands.

“Our homes also serve as safe spaces for lost children, battered wives and abused girls and children who later return home without us having a say in the outcome of the incidents.

“In most cases, such incidents are swept under the carpet under the guise of not shaming relations and neighbours who perpetuate the act,” she said.

She explained that the wives came together, joint forces to say that perpetuators of GBV, who left survivors emotionally and psychologically broken should not go unpunished.

She described Benjamins-Laniyi’s support and inclusion of the group in governance processes as “life changing”.

“She has brought us in, empowered us, improved our capacity and linked us up with other government agencies and development partners.

“This has significantly given us a voice in the ongoing fight against violence against women and girls and all forms of GBV in the FCT, particularly at community level,” Adamu added. (NAN)

Edited by Benson Iziama

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