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Tag: Gloria Shoda

  • INEC allocates 774 election observer slots to women group

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have allocated 774 election observer slots to the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).

    National President of NCWS, Dr Gloria Shoda said that the group has been advocating for inclusiveness and are pleased with INEC’s legal frameworks.

    She said that they are also pleased with INEC’s reforms of creating separate queues for expectant mothers and elderly women during the election.

    Dr Shoda stated this at the first NCWS quarter zonal national executive council meeting that took place in Abuja.

    Her words, “One of the important aspects of elections which we have been advocating for sometimes is inclusiveness. We are pleased to see that the nation’s electoral management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has made provisions through legal frameworks for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Intemally-Displaced Persons (lDPs).

    “We note too that there will be separate queues for expectant mothers and our elderly citizens. We encourage all people who belong to these categories to take advantage of the provisions made by lNEC to ensure they exercise their right to vote.

    Read Also: Breaking: INEC extends collection of PVCs

    “We also urge INEC continue in its bid to ensure a free, fair and credible elections and abide by its guidelines and regulation which it released in January 2019. The introduction of technology into the electoral process is to reduce the opportunities for fraudulent practices.

    “I will also like to caution our NCWS election observers to take care of hemselves. Please think safety first and do not interfere in the process even if you see anything going wrong. Your role is to quietly observe the process for making a report later; please don’t use your phone to record or take photographs when the atmosphere is tense. Finally, please do not take any unnecessary risks, your family and loved ones are waiting to see you back at home.”

  • NCWS calls for calm in Plateau, other crises prone areas

    The National President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs Gloria Shoda,  has appealed for calm and restraint in Plateau, where 86 people died in the violence that erupted in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

    The police in Plateau confirmed that 86 people died in the violence that erupted on Saturday in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

    The violence, allegedly by armed herdsmen, almost led to reprisal attacks by in Jos, the state capital, on Sunday; leading the government to declare a curfew.

    According to a statement on Thursday, Shoda, expressed concern over the violence which led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

    “As wives and mothers we are saddened by the continuous spate of killings and communal clashes across several states in our country.

    “The killing span through Taraba, Benue, Ebony and Kaduna, the most recent is in Plateau.

    Read Also: Lalong denies carving out land mass for cattle colonies

    “Murder and maiming over resources has never solved anything. It only sows further seeds for more mayhem and violence, deepens mistrust and breeds instability and as we can see there are reports of retaliation by the affected communities,’’ she said.

    She said that while the security agents were trying to unravel those behind the acts of criminality, youths in the affected local governments should resist from taking the law into their own hands to retaliate.

    Shoda condoled with the bereaved called on the leaders in the affected communities to continue to assuage the fears and concerns of the people not to abandon their homes or seek vengeance.

    The national president advised the affected communities to allow the due process of the law to take place.

    Shoda urged the law enforcement agencies to mount a thorough investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity to book and for justice to be served.

    She expressed hope that the state government under the leadership of Gov Simon Lalong would provide the post-conflict support to the victims and their families.

    “In times like this we should ensure that the bereaved and injured receive all the support that they need to overcome their losses, recuperate and carry on with their lives.

    “Women all over Nigeria urge that the necessary security measures be put in place to prevent these kinds of acts from reoccurring.”

    NAN

  • Aisha Buhari tasks women on participation in active politics

    Aisha Buhari tasks women on participation in active politics

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, on Wednesday stressed the need for more women to show interest and participate in partisan politics.

    Buhari made this assertion at a 2-day Nigeria Women Political Stakeholders Summit in Abuja with the theme: “Increasing the Participation of Women in  Governance process in Nigeria,” organised by the National Council of Women Societies ( NCWS ).

    The wife of the president noted that the decline in participation of women in governance has led to poor national development in the country.

    According to her, in spite of the good intention of this administration to actively engage women in governance, there has been an alarming decline of women participation.

    Mrs Buhari, who was re‎presented by the former deputy governor of Plateau State, Dame Tallen, lamented the alarming decline in the statistics of women participation in governance, saying it would not augur well for national development.

    “Since 1999 there has been an alarming decline in the statistics of women in governance, something has gone terribly wrong, and we women need to speak out and do something about it.

    “We make up 50 per cent of this country’s population and we cannot continue to be sidelined in the decision making process of this country”.

    Earlier, Gloria Shoda, President of NCWS, said that insensitivity of the government was responsible for most problems confronting women.

    She opined that the recurring issues of women are not limited to poverty, unemployment, lack of access, lack of any social support system, inequality and the abysmal levels of women participation and representation in decision making in the political parties structures an in government.

    Shoda added that the society has decided to fight for the thirty five percent affirmative action to help change the narratives of Nigeria’s politics.

    She said that going forward the society would, henceforth, negotiate with and partner with any political party that would implement the 35 per cent affirmative action in filling it’s political party leadership positions.

    “We will partner with parties that will respect the 35 per cent affirmative action in selection of candidates for the 2019 general elections, prioritise women issues in its manifestos, and implement the 35 per cent action in its appointments when it wins the elections”.

    The chairman House of Representative ‎on Women Affairs and Social Development,  Mrs Stella Ugwu representing the Speaker of the House of representative, noted that the representation of women in the house was quite low.

    According to her, in the house of representatives there are only 22 women out of the 360 members, which is not too impressive.

    NAN

  • BOI disburses N50, 000 loans to 1000 women in Abuja

    BOI disburses N50, 000 loans to 1000 women in Abuja

    The Bank of Industry (BOI) in collaboration with the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) on Monday disbursed N50,000 loan to 1000 women in the FCT.

    Mrs Toyin Adeniji, Executive Director, Micro Enterprises, BOI who doled out the cash at the NCWS National Officers Women Empowerment Progarmme, said the loan was non interest.

    She urged the beneficiaries to make use loan to improve their livelihood.

    Adeniji said that the government had made provisions for the loan and urged women to key into the empowerment project using NCWS as the platform.

    In her remarks, President, NCWS, Gloria Shoda, said that securing the facility was part of her campaign promise to Nigerian women.

    She said that under her leadership, NCWS would work hard to ensure that women are empowered economically and entrepreneurs given the needed support.

    She said that partnering with like-minded agencies and activists was one of the council core areas of operation.

    The president noted that with collaborations like this, the country would witness the desired changes in the lives of girls, women and families.

    She said in line with this, NCWS was partnering with the Federal Government and the Bank of Industry (BOI) to empower 1000 women in the FCT.

    Shoda said that the FCT was a pilot project to flag-off the scheme.

    She said that subsequently 30 women would be selected in each local government areas across the country.

    “During my campaign, I outlined a four-point development plan.

    “I want to reiterate here that, I remain fully committed to Renewing, Re-structuring, Re-integrating and Re-energising, the average Nigerian women.

    “We have swung into action by this scheme and we are committed to do more,’’ she said.

    Shoda said her vision was to see Nigerian women empowered to effectively participate in political, socio-economic sectors and to play a significant role as change agents in the society.

    Mrs Pauline Tallen, ex-Plateau Deputy Governor thanked the NCWS for its efforts to empower the Nigeria women.
    She said that empowering a woman is  to empower a nation and urged the  government to do more to better the lives of women in the country.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the empowerment programme was part of the activities to mark Shoda’s one year in office.