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Tag: women empowerment

  • Aiyedatiwa reaffirms commitment to women empowerment, graduates 200 trainees on skills acquisition in Ondo

    Aiyedatiwa reaffirms commitment to women empowerment, graduates 200 trainees on skills acquisition in Ondo

    Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to women empowerment and poverty reduction through sustained skills acquisition programmes across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday at the graduation ceremony and presentation of empowerment materials to over 200 trainees of the O’Datiwa Skill-Up a Woman Initiative of the Ministry of Women Affairs Skills Acquisition Centre, held in Akure.

    The beneficiaries, who were mostly women, completed training in tailoring, catering, interior decoration, soap making, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

    Speaking at the event, Aiyedatiwa said his administration would continue to expand skills acquisition programmes, ensure regular monitoring of training centres and strengthen partnerships for apprenticeship and job placement across the state.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Olaide Adelami, described the ceremony as a celebration of transformation, noting that the graduands had moved from unemployment to becoming skilled, confident and economically empowered women ready to contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.

    “To this end, I am pleased to announce that each of our graduating trainees today will receive empowerment kits tailored to their skills. These include sewing machines, laptop computers, ovens, and mixers, as well as grants for those in soap making and interior decoration to help them establish their micro businesses,” he said.

    According to him, the empowerment materials and grants were not acts of charity but investments in the potential of the beneficiaries and the future of the state.

    “Going forward, this administration will continue to expand skills acquisition programmes, ensure regular monitoring of the training centres, and strengthen partnerships for apprenticeship and job placement. Our goal is simple: to reduce unemployment, eradicate poverty, and build a vibrant, self-reliant economy,” Aiyedatiwa added.

    He commended the graduands for their discipline, punctuality, and commitment throughout the training period, acknowledging the sacrifices many of them made to ensure regular attendance.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa approves N50m loan interest-free for widows of fallen heroes in Ondo

    The governor also lauded the trainers, facilitators, and supervisors at the centre for imparting not only vocational skills but also values such as hard work, dignity of labour, and excellence.

    He urged the beneficiaries to see the empowerment as a launchpad rather than an endpoint, challenging them to become job creators instead of job seekers, while also advising them to uphold ethical standards, maintain quality service delivery and continually improve their skills.

    “You have proven that our women are not lazy; they only need opportunity. Go out there, excel, and let your skills serve as instruments of development and peace in our Sunshine State,” he said.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, described the ceremony as a practical demonstration of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to women empowerment and inclusive economic growth.

    She said the graduation of the first batch of the 2025 Skill Acquisition Training was a testament to the administration’s resolve to transform lives and improve women’s livelihoods through concrete action.

    “From fashion designing and soap making to interior decoration, catering and ICT, these women are going home with sewing machines, laptops, mixers and, for some, cash start-up grants to make them financially independent,” Osamaye said.

    She disclosed that about 200 women selected from across the 18 local government areas benefited from the first batch, assuring that subsequent batches would be larger.

    “We have done about 200 now, and the next batch will be more than this. We are grateful to the Governor,” Osamaye added.

  • Ondo unveils 10-point blueprint for women empowerment

    Ondo unveils 10-point blueprint for women empowerment

    Ondo State Government has affirmed its commitment to the welfare of women, with focus on their economic empowerment.

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Oluwaseun Osamaye, said this yesterday in Akure while unveiling a 10-point O’Datiwa Women Initiative Blueprint.

    She said the 10-point blueprint programme was part of a broader effort by the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration to prioritise women’s welfare and development.

    Osamaye said the state government came up with the initiative to provide women with access to opportunities and resources as a strategy to ensure the female gender thrived in areas.

    The commissioner hailed Governor Aiyedatiwa for fulfilling his electioneering promise to women by coming up with life-touching programmes that cut across areas of women endeavours.

    Read Also: Assembly gives Ondo monarch kudos

    She said the 10-point blueprint programme was also to ensure the implementation of ‘Our Ease’ agenda of Governor Aiyedatiwa for women.

    She listed the programmes to include skill up a woman initiative, free training, skills and acquisition development, as well as empowerment, noting that female students in higher institutions were also accommodated.

    Osamaye said the blueprint became necessary to guide the operations of the ministry to achieve the goals and visions of the governor for women, girls and the vulnerable.

  • Empowering women through training, grants will boost employability – Basiru

    Empowering women through training, grants will boost employability – Basiru

    National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has emphasised that equipping women with vocational training and startup grants is key to enhancing their employability, despite prevailing social and cultural barriers.

    Speaking during an event for beneficiaries of the Titi Tomori-Ponnle Foundation at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where women were trained at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and given tools to start their businesses, Basiru highlighted the unique challenges women face in society.

    “Women constitute a larger portion of the population, and in times of unemployment, it’s natural that the group with the highest demographic is more severely affected,” he said.

    He commended the foundation for its efforts in empowering women and called for sustained initiatives to support female economic independence across the country.

    “Beyond this, lack of training opportunity, marriage, childbirth and cultural disabilities affect the women not to access market so this efforts of training them will go a long way to address the huge gap between men and women.”

    He stressed that “This laudable effort which is in line with Renewed Hope agenda of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, although it is not political but it is part of humanitarian by Osun ex-deputy governor will help to address unemployment and empower them to empower others.”

    Earlier, Ponle disclosed that they were trained in catering and hospitality management by her foundation to ensure they put the skills they acquired to productive use.

    “These individuals have truly exemplified the values of dedication and a passion for creating positive change. We are proud of them all. Their journey does not end here; in fact, it is only just beginning.”

  • Ministry unveils women empowerment roadmap, four-year vision 

    Ministry unveils women empowerment roadmap, four-year vision 

    The Ministry of Women Affairs has launched a transformative roadmap for 2024-2027.

    It is aimed at advancing gender equality, empowering women, and protecting vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

    Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, outlined the ministry’s vision and ambitious goals for the next four years at a high-level stakeholder event in Abuja.

    Its theme is “Collaborative pathways to gender equality and women’s empowerment roadmap.”

    According to her, achieving the ministry’s mandate and ambitions requires strong collaboration with communities, MDAs, development partners, and the international community.

    The minister highlighted significant barriers to achieving gender equality in Nigeria.

    These include high maternal mortality rates, with 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births (WHO, 2023).

    Another is gender-based violence, with 33 per cent of women aged 15-49 experiencing physical violence and one in four girls suffering sexual abuse before the age of 18 (NDHS, 2018).

    Limited political participation, with only 3.6 per of women occupying parliamentary seats, is also a barrier.

    Also, there are economic limitations, with only 47 per cent of women having bank accounts and 41 per cent of women-led MSMEs struggling to access finance and markets (NBS, 2023).

    The minister also identified widespread use of firewood in 67.8 per cent of households, posing health risks, according to the NBS.

    To address these challenges, the ministry aims to launch a campaign to provide menstrual hygiene products and education to 10 million girls and women.

    It will empower 10 million women to contribute to building a $1 trillion economy, provide psychosocial, legal, and reintegration support to 200,000 survivors of gender-based violence annually.

    It will enroll two million out-of-school children, with a focus on girls, into safe learning environments.

    Suleiman-Ibrahim said the ministry will train a million female smallholder farmers in climate-resilient agriculture and transition one million households to clean and sustainable cooking energy.

    It will work to reduce maternal mortality by 20 per cent and establish six specialist hospitals for women and children.

    The ministry will also train and deploy 50,000 social workers and caregivers to support vulnerable families.

    The minister called on stakeholders, development partners, and the international community to support the ministry’s efforts through resource mobilisation and collaboration.

    She emphasised the importance of strengthening policies, enhancing advocacy, and building institutional capacity to close gender gaps, protection of women and children, and ensuring a sustainable development.

    “This roadmap is a shared vision for a Nigeria where women and children can survive, thrive, and prosper,” Suleiman-Ibrahim stated. 

    “Together, we can create a legacy of empowerment and equity for generations to come.”

    The roadmap aligns with ongoing efforts to address malnutrition, improve child protection, and increase women’s representation in leadership roles, signaling a comprehensive approach to achieving gender equality in Nigeria.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, reiterated that the roadmap: “Pathways to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” is not just a framework.

    “It is a strategic blueprint that lays out actionable steps to address the systemic barriers that have held women and girls back for far too long,” he said.

    The UNDP Country Representative, Elsie Attauah, stated: “At UNDP, we believe that gender equality is not just a fundamental human right; it is also a precondition for sustainable development, peace, and prosperity. 

    “Nigeria has made notable strides, yet we know there is much more to be done.”

    Represented by Onyinye Ndubuisi, Gender Lead at UNDP, the country representative reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing gender justice.

    She stressed the need for decisive action to protect and empower women and girls, strengthening partnerships to amplify impact, and foster collaboration to ensure no woman or girl is left behind.

    The UN Women Representative in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, acknowledged the progress made despite challenges, highlighting Nigerian women’s competence and expertise, citing Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General.

    However, she noted that while Nigerian women excel globally, they lack opportunities domestically. 

    She emphasised that gender-based violence is costing Nigeria 1.5 per cent of its GDP, stressing that the issue goes beyond physical harm.

    Eyong also urged continued advocacy following the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and reaffirmed UN Women’s dedication to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

  • Women empowerment reduces over-dependence on men — Ebonyi govt.

    The Ebonyi Government said on Thursday in Abakaliki that engaging women meaningfully would go a long way toward minimizing their over-dependence on men.

    Mrs Macellina Ibina, Director, Department of Women Affairs in the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Ibina was reacting to the level of awareness on women’s rights, empowerment, and violence against them.

    She said that the ministry had established an organisation known as Mother Savings and Loan Club (MSLC) to alleviate poverty among members.

    READ ALSO: ‘Women empowerment priority to Osun govt’

    She added that the club was established in furtherance of the Mother and Child Survival Programmes, part of which was to enable members have access to loan to enable them to provide their needs especially where their health was concerned.

    “We target women empowerment to reduce over-dependence on men.

    “This is because when women are not empowered, they rely more on men, which will cause them to accept any condition they find themselves,” Ibina said.

    She further said that the high level of interest shown by the women in the club prompted it to set up offices in 41 communities across the 11 council areas of the state with plans being made to establish such offices to other areas.

    Ibina, however, said that lot of sensitisation on the rights of women had been carried out through aggressive campaign.

    She said that part of the mandate of the ministry was to educate women on their rights as well as empower them to contribute to the growth and development of the society.

    “We visit them regularly for sensitization and to make them understand that the ministry is the first place to lodge their cases.

    “We have also gone deep to educate traditional rulers,” Ibina said.

    According to her, the ministry is working closely with Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, as well as other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to achieve its goals.

    The director added that the ministry was collaborating with donor agencies such as UNFPA to end Female Genital Mutilation in the state.

     

  • ‘Women empowerment vital to growth’

    Making women empowerment central to organisation’s business strategies is not only critical to growth, but to building a sustainable and flourishing global economy, the Managing Director/CEO of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo,  has said.

    He stated this on the International Women’s Day,  held on Friday.

    The event had as theme “Balance-for better.”

    Sekibo said the commemoration was a call to action for driving gender balance globally.

    He said gender bias remains a significant obstacle to global progress and is particularly acute in the workplace, pointing out that organisations with greater gender equality are more innovative, generous and profitable.

    Sekibo, who cited the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which target gender equality because women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore half of its potential, noted that women still have fewer economic opportunities than men, less access to education, and less political representation.

    He said though there had been considerable progress in developing the capabilities of women, their participation in economic and political decision-making remains very limited.

    To help chart a path that will champion gender parity, Heritage Bank organised mentorship session in the Experience Centres (branches) across the country, where the senior colleagues spoke to the junior staff on proper grooming and better ways to excel in their homes, career, politics, education and other crucial spectrum in life for better society.

     

  • Two NGOs boost women empowerment

    In line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of eradicating poverty and hunger, Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation (CEF), in conjunction with OjulogeArts Leadership and Development Initiative (OLADI), has empowered 16 widows and vulnerable women.

    At the event held at the Foundation’s office, each widow received N80, 000 and other materials to support the setting up of their microbusinesses.

    The women, who had earlier been trained months ago in various crafts ranging from soap making to facial make-up, were also supported with an additional N50, 000 each by Segun Ikugbonmire, managing director, Vibroflotation Geotechnical Nigeria Limited.

    CEF Chairman Philip Yaro, said this was the first time the foundation was making a sustainable livelihood intervention which involved more than just offering financial support. He said: ‘In the past what the organisation did was just to make financial donations to indigent persons. We have gone the safe step of ensuring that we are not just giving financial assistance but we are making sure you get the right materials to begin your trade. We cannot just dump you. We are making sure that you succeed in life.

    “For this reason, we want to make sure you get properly set up and we will stay with you until you make it through your difficult times. Please always make sure that you get in touch with us as we will like to continue to work with you especially at a time when you would have grown into mentors of those who are coming after you.”

    He believed that with the successful setting up of microbusinesses for the women, there will be favourable outcome such as enhancement of well-being, reduced vulnerability, access to regular income and improved food security, adding that the foundation office and personnel will be the constant buyers of their products.

    Ojuloge Arts Leadership and Development Initiative Trainer, Mrs Tosin Adegoke, enjoined the women to be diligent and embrace integrity as they grow their businesses.

    “You are now CEOs and I expect success, integrity and diligent as you grow your businesses. The success of this business depends on your ability to be creative. I also expect that in no time you will be mentors to others coming after you and also employ workers. Think outside the box and explore using other things in the course of your cosmetic produce,” she added.

  • Dangote urges private sector on women empowerment

    • Lifts 13,000 women in Nasarawa

    Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote has urged private sector operators and the government to empower women to reduce poverty.

    Dangote said once women have been enabled to support their homes and families, poverty would  become a thing of the past.

    Speaking during the flagging-off the disbursement of N130million to 13,000 women in Lafia, Nasarawa State under the Aliko Dangote Foundation Micro-grant Scheme, he promised to spread wealth across the country, to reduce poverty.

    The scheme, according to Dangote, was one of the components of the economic empowerment programme of the foundation, aimed at providing the disadvantaged and vulnerable in the society with an unconditional N10, 000  transfer to boost their household income generation.

    “This we believe will help the beneficiaries meet their livelihood needs,” he said.

    He explained that the scheme, launched a few years ago, was targeted at a minimum of 1,000 women in each of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country.

    “It is estimated that we will spend about N10 billion on the scheme, some states with large population will get a little bit more than others,” he said.

    Dangote said the foundation started in 1993 with the belief that by supporting social and economic changes through strategic investment and interventions that improve the lives of the less privileged he would make a positive difference in the growth of the country’s economy.

    He said the four major goals of the foundation are -health and nutrition, education, economic empowerment and disaster relief.

    He said the foundation was partnering with Access bank to open bank accounts for the all the 13,000 beneficiaries in the state, so they can be issued with customised debit cards.

     

     

  • Roads, women empowerment top stakeholders’ demands in Apapa

    Roads, women empowerment top stakeholders’ demands in Apapa

    The Lagos State Government has been urged to intensify its effort in rehabilitating rural roads in Apapa Constituency 2 and increase the slots for women in both elective and appointive positions. These demands were made by participants at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    A participant, Mrs Fausat Ojora, from Ward G, said that there is need for the state government to increase the number of women in both elective and appointive positions, saying that women constitute over 65% of voters in the state. She argued that increasing the number of women in elective and appointive positions would help in encouraging them in politics.

    Ojora, however, appreciated the mass transit buses distributed to public schools by the lawmaker representing the constituency, Olumuyiwa Jimoh and implored the government to rehabilitate the bad roads in the constituency. Another participant, Mr. Jimoh Olawale, sought the intervention of the government in repairing some roads in the area and urged the government to compensate those whose houses were demolished for the expansion of roads.

    In his comment, the Vice Chairman of Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Akanbi Balogun, spoke on the ongoing construction of local market in the council, saying further that, the local government was embarking on some palliatives to make the roads motorable.

    In his response, Jimoh assured the constituents that the government would rehabilitate the primary schools in the area and advised them to pay their taxes.

    He told the people that the federal government has started repairing Apapa and Ijora Roads and that the issue of congestion on the roads would be adequately handled.

  • Reflections on women empowerment

    Today, the global movement to give meaningful improvement to the circumstances of the female sex has indeed gathered a most remarkable momentum! Thinking positively, it is definitely leading somewhere good. This well-defined and focused global movement seeks to get more women involved in politics and governance; create more avenues for women to be able to invest and thus establish their presence in business and commerce; demand for such legislation that will protect their fundamental rights, peculiar interests, welfare and freedom!
    It must be acknowledged that in public life, as well as in business and commerce, women have been able to strikingly make their marks in terms of personal industry, professional competence and business acumen. What we must remind ourselves of is that women are by no means inferior intellectually to their male counterparts. We have had female astronauts, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, and nuclear engineers etc. to confirm this point. And truly, what is primarily needed in all these professional and highly technical disciplines is the trained human intellect and in this connection, they have recorded splendid and remarkable achievements.
    However, when placard-carrying women now march, sometimes in inclement weather on the streets of New York, London or Abuja (and at other places) demanding for more opportunities in political and economic spheres, then the procession catches the “Eye” of their Creator. The question He will forthrightly ask is, how did they ever get themselves disempowered in the first place; and who was responsible? This is because if womanhood had remained faithfully aligned with the spiritual pathway of their Creator’s Will and His wise Providence, they will not be looking for empowerment in the wrong direction and hoping to achieve it in the wrong place. The awesome Creator of the Woman (who created the male sex as well) can justifiably ask these two questions! This is because in Providential perfection, He had bequeathed the being of every human-woman, with a prime spiritual-essence which eternally empowers her in multi-dimensional ways and no human hand and might, can ever dispossess her of this gracious gift, except herself.
    At the Hour of reckoning…outside and beyond this earth, her Creator will ask her to give account of what she did with the sacred gift which she had largely abused and misapplied; and not the “success” she had achieved in corporate bodies or in political governance. For the human-woman, prioritizing high corporate appointment as her goal in life actually amounts to looking in the wrong direction; and succeeding in getting key political appointment, is actually being in the wrong place. It will be insensitive and uncharitable however, not to acknowledge the many economic exigencies along the line, that have compelled women, having to justifiably fend for themselves and thereby activating, as it were, their natural self-preservative instincts in this connection. This is only natural.
    Woman, know thyself and unto thyself be true! This admonition of old was generally addressed to all human beings, but it is more apt for it to be addressed pointedly to the women of our times, in their present stance of unrelenting empowerment advocacy! Looking at it from the higher spiritual standpoint (i.e from above), it is inexplicably paradoxical and curious that this specially endowed creature, known and called WOMAN and who incidentally has superior and subtly domineering power (for good) within her being (which she is presently lost to) is plaintively advocating for more allotment of spaces in government cabinets and board rooms, where in real terms, she can only wield less incisive and pervading power. The long and short of this very important matter is that womankind on earth is already caught in the sticky web of a crippling spiritual disconnect.
    It is a saddening and sobering fact that the fateful spiritual disconnect which occurred with the well-known spiritual “Fall of Man” led womankind to being fatally exposed to such exhausting challenges, which were not pre-ordained for them to face and contend with, in the first place. Today, as earlier mentioned, economic exigencies in the family set-up have expediently compelled women to go out and earn a living; and having to experience all the abrasions, trauma, assaults and intense struggles that are unavoidable in this connection and literally tearing her apart. But all these earthly exigencies and compelling challenges do not and cannot obliterate or override the inexorable lawfulness that beautifully frame the very being of the woman, regarding her ordained spiritual responsibility. First of all, to the Will of her Maker; and then the human community on earth that they were ordained by the Creative Will to ceaselessly mediate uplifting strength to.
    Let us now ask the empowerment-seeking womankind; how do they see pornography or the nauseous phenomenon of prostitution in the human society? Pornography pictorially shreds into distinct pieces, the anatomy and physical frame of the woman; and presenting this pictorial dismemberment gleefully on magazine stands at city centres. All external parts of the woman’s body (which is sacred) are alluringly featured to feed the minds of those reading-consumers, whose minds have indeed become the cesspit of filthiest lust. The question – what kind of hunger really does the nakedness of the woman satisfy? And prostitution…often referred to as one of the oldest professions, pointedly mocks the inviolability of the God-endowed dignity and honour that should adorn the physical body of the woman! Sexual intercourse is the most intimate physical relationship between the two sexes. Meaningful and mutually enriching spiritual relationship is ideally to precede it! A prostitute invariably sleeps with men she has never seen or met before; charges a price that is subject to negotiations at times…and off they go! Most times they may never see or meet again, as it often happens with animals!
    Whether the generality of contemporary womankind agrees or not…Womanhood is haemorrhaging and badly too! No matter what they have achieved, either as a professor in Harvard, MIT or Oxford; or as a cabinet minister wherever; their offspring could easily get caught in pornography as a youth and later become a loyal customer to a practicing whore! This obviously makes a nullity of whatever parental pride they want to lay claim to!
    So long, as this twin social vices thrive before the eyes of womankind, and they cannot find the initiative and courage to face its eradication, so long would womankind score a neat zero before their Maker. It is when a human creature leaves the earth and steps into the other world that all the sins of omission and commission take-on a different form; and the consequences having to be experienced, in a completely different scenario, like the case of the biblical rich man and Lazarus, when they both got to the other side!
    A mass movement of womankind can eradicate pornography and prostitution, if they want to and millions of genuinely concerned men will join the crusade! It will not be easy but it is realizable if they can look upwards to their Creator; and ask for the backing of His Omnipotence in the necessary sanitizing and edifying drive!
    A divinely sanctioned spiritual purification is insidiously taking place and going on, on this lust-stricken earth! The end result is to have a clean and pure spiritual air which pornography and prostitution blatantly pollute! Womanhood should not get caught on the wrong side, in this cosmic purification, but should be knowingly proactive (through spiritual knowledge) not for any reason, but for their own sake!
    A women-empowerment drive, while pornography and prostitution thrives is self-delusion, when considered from the standpoint of the adamantine Laws of the Creative Will…to which all womankind will be answerable at the end of the day. First thing first!

    •Faboya, a social commentator, lives in Lagos