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Tag: women

  • Foundation to empower indigent women

    Ivory Whetstones Mentor Foundation, a non profit, non governmental organisation has concluded arrangement to empower some indigent members of the society, including women.

    The programme tagged: ‘Restoring Everything Damaged (R.E.D)’ is scheduled to hold on 30th April, 2017 at the SEE Events Centre, Lekki, Lagos.

    Justifying the need for he programme, its founder, Dr. Lawretta Emiakpor Ogrih said: “We want to give out to those women in need but we want to do this through a special comedy shows that will showcase many stars. This is the first time we are using comedy because we believe that the tension in the country needs a light heart free of worries’ and a cheerful face full of laughter  to make live better.”

    Expatiating, the philanthropist said: “Both life and business skills will be encouraged in putting those women back on their feet again. Nothing is too small or big to make any impact. This is why we are selling tickets to those coming to watch the comedy. And we took our time to look for good acts whose jokes can encourage one to dip hands into the pocket in other to wipe out those tears. Our belief is that a soul helped will be glad to help another tomorrow; or appreciate the value in helping others.”

  • Menopause: Why women swing from laughing to weeping

    Menopause: Why women swing from laughing to weeping

    Dr Buki Adewole, a Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, says eight out of 10 women suffer sudden mood swings at menopause.

    Adewole told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that the mood swings and menopausal hot flashes were common to all women particularly from ages 40 and above.

    Experts including Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English define mood swings as extreme or abrupt fluctuations in emotional state; it can also be a sign of mental illness precedent to the end of menstrual cycle in women.

    Wikipedia states that mood swing is an extreme or rapid change in mood. Such mood swings can play a positive part in promoting problem solving and in producing flexible forward planning. However, when mood swings are so strong that they are disruptive, they may be the main part of a bipolar disorder.

    “The mood swings are of one the most common symptoms of menopause which could be very frustrating for women.

    “Menopausal age varies from women to women, but it generally starts between ages 40 to 55 in women and that it is at this period that the fertility of the woman diminishes.

    “During mood swings women often experience drastic shifts in emotional state and exhibit inappropriate emotional reaction.

    “Fortunately, it is widely known that mood swings are caused by fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels as soon the woman enters the pre-menopausal age,” Adewole told NAN.

    She added:“Mood swings during menopause are caused largely by the hormonal transitions women go through during this time.

    “Hormones, such as estrogen, influence the production of serotonin, which is a mood-regulating neurotransmitter.

    “Mood swings can leave a woman laughing hysterically one moment and weeping the next moment and understanding why they occur is the key to getting solutions.”

    The gynecologist, who described it as troublesome and traumatic, however, pointed out that the experience differ among women.

    Adewole said the condition was usually worsened by stress and anxiety and that in order to mitigate the effects of mood swings it was better for women to avoid putting themselves under stress and anxiety.

    “Of course, medications to regulate the hormonal imbalance are also one of the ways to treat mood swings.

    “I will advise spouses and children to understand this stage in a woman’s life so that she can be helped to lessen the discomfort,” she said. (NAN)

  • Women as agents of the Art

    Women as agents of the Art

    Women’s images are always very exciting to behold when it comes to visual arts. Some of these artistic and remarkable pieces were brought to light at a celebration of women’s achievements, struggles and artistic perspective which took place recently at the Moor House hotel , Lagos.

    The event which was hosted by –’African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP) Southwest showed  Here the public was treated to a Concept–’Art exhibition depicting women as change agents.

    According to Ora Ataguba, the organizations Southwest Coordinator: “the theme for this year’s exhibition is “Be bold for Change. Here we have put together a collection of 50 Art  works which showcase womanhood in the purest natural form. We appreciate the God given endowment of purpose and resilience  in daily pursuit”.

    One of the interesting part of the outing is the fact that a percentage of the proceeds from the exhibition goes to a budding entrepreneur. “We are also pleased to say that a percentage of what we raise from this event will be donated towards encouraging young and budding women in the Arts”.

    The choice of the , Ataguba adds will emanate from a pitching contest which would set off the Awep mentoring program.

    The colorful event creative works three artiste,–’ Chike Onuora, Ademola Adeshina, Joseph Mathew Bidemi.

    Apart from the collection, issues affecting the womenfolk and how their lot can be improved upon were discused. Factors seeking to empower women through a hand holding holistic approach as well as the assessment of the business to funding were all x-rayed.

    GrowthCap, one of the stakeholders at the event took time to talk about how to enhance women needs. “We gives strategic, management and investment advice to social, responsible businesses in emerging markets with a focus on women and young entrepreneurs”, Charlotte Salford. With a team of global advisers GrowthCap diagnoses the needs for growth in businesses and advises entrepreneurs in confidence, using a tailor made, sector specific approach suitable for each, individual entrepreneur.

    Those who attended the exhibition included Ambassador Foluke Marcus Bello (Awep trustee),Charlotte Salford (CEO Growthcap UK) , Mr Oyewole, Chairman Export committee. NBBF (Nigerian British Business Council) and Vivian Ani of High net Resources), art connoisseurs and guests from different sectors of the economy.

  • Women seek equal chance in Niger Delta

    Women seek equal chance in Niger Delta

    Stakeholders comprising mainly of women from the nine states of the Niger Delta region gathered in Bayelsa State recently.  It was not a meeting to discuss petty domestic matters. It was a gathering to find lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

    The seasoned Nollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Bayelsa, Mrs. Ebizi Brown; the Regent Kalasuwe of Ijaw Apoi land, Ese Odo, Ondo State, Her Royal Majesty, Princess Joyce Adesola, were among the dignitaries that graced the occasion.

    In fact, it was an event to mark the International Women’s Day Forum entitled, “Women be bold for change in community leadership and in peace building”. The event which brought arrays of classy women together was organised by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in Niger Delta (PIND), a non-profit organisation.

    The Field Project Manager, PIND Foundation, Mr. Sylvester Okoh, said the foundation was working to build partnership for peace and equitable economic development in the Niger Delta. “We hope to achieve a legacy of sustainable peace and development among communities in the region.

    “We hold strongly to the core values of partnership and collaboration, learning and innovation, stewardship, sustainability and integrity. Our strategic priorities centre on economic development, peace-building, capacity-building, analysis and advocacy”.

    Okoh commended the Bayelsa State Government Community and Social Dvelopment Agency (BCSDA) led by Eve Oyintonye, for working with PIND to put the event together. He recalled that when partners for peace (P4P) convened its maiden meeting in 2013 to brainstorm on peace-building in the region, only 130 members from across the states were in attendance.

    But, he said the number had grown to 4000 members and still counting. He said women were the sine qua non for peace saying any peace process without women remained incomplete.

    Okoh said: “Women are often caregivers as well as breadwinners in their homes. If you work in the Niger Delta, you would also know that many customs and traditions allow for the exclusion of women from decision-making and economic opportunities.

    “This makes women especially vulnerable in times of conflict because they often have nowhere to go and the warring factions often do not consider their needs. They are often under-represented at the leadership level.

    “In the Niger Delta and Nigeria, significant development cannot be recorded if women do not have the full right of access to resources.

    “Creating space for women to participate in economic activities, leadership and peace-building further enhances our ability to build social capital for peace while improving the quality of governance in our communities”.

    Okoh urged women to be bold for change in community leadership and peace- building adding women should take power that belonged to them and deepened their influence on decisions affecting them.

    In her address, Princess Adesola Oladiran-Ebiseni, lamented discrimination against women in decision-making. She said it was common for men to yell at women and prevent them from making their contributions in meetings.

    She, however, said in the Niger Delta women were not occupationally discriminated against by men. According to her men allow the women to engage in trade and other occupations such as fishing and farming.

    The regent went down memory lane to narrate obstacles she overcame to climb the throne of Apoi Land amidst male chauvinists. She appealed to women to free themselves of mental slavery and rise above male dominance.

    She said: “It is an irony that women themselves are sometimes the architects of their social retardation. For instance, in very harmful cultural practices, especially as they concern widowhood and female genital mutilation, women as members and wives in the family, are the ones who usually feel call upon by the ancestors to enforce such self-annihilating practices.

    “Even in the political arena, examples were given as in the case of illustrious Mrs. Sarah Jubril who only received her own vote in a presidential primary election where there were hundreds of women delegates”.

    She asked women to develop strength of character, psychological self-liberation, confidence and determination to weather the storm. She, however, argued that education remained the best weapon for social change.

    “In modern society, education is the refiner of the natural physiology and psychology that equips human kind for the great challenge of life and once acquired discriminates not about sex, creed or language but a leveler that catapults whoever acquires it and forces others to follow nilly willy.

    “In other words, education provides the opportunity for the woman to square up among themselves and with men not as opponents or enemies but equal partners in the quest for leadership as an instrument of social change”.

    The regent further dropped a food for thought. “If you want peace in any community, focus on the woman, who as a mother I’d responsible for the physiological and sociological wellbeing of her husband and children who ultimately make up the individual community and the aggregate of which is undoubtedly our cherished Niger Delta community”, she said.

    The Deputy Chief of Staff, Bayelsa State Government, Mrs. Ebizy Brown, urged worms to take their positions firmly in the society. He said the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, realising important roles played by women, gave many appointments to women and created opportunities for them to seek elective positions.

    She asked the women to bring up responsible children to ensure lasting peace in the Niger Delta region. “We should revert to the times of old. We should give our children a better foundation. We should let our children go to school and ensure they do their homework,” she said.

    Mrs. Brown appealed to women not to keep mute when decisions are taken in the community level. She acknowledged that women were hard workers in the Niger Delta region where they assumed occupational roles of farming and fishing. “We have a strong voice. So, we should stand up for what is right”, she added.

    In their goodwill messages, PPCD Programme Manager, Busola Babalola; the General Manager, Bayelsa community and Social Development Agency, Eve Oyintonyo; Director-General, Bayelsa State Government Girl-Child Agency, Mrs. Juliet Zifawei and other development partners, urged women to be change agents.

  •  More men are sexually assaulted than women – Survey

    Contrary to belief that women were more vulnerable to sexual assaults, a recent survey has revealed that more men were sexually assaulted than women.

    The survey, conducted with GetJama, a newly-launched application, revealed that 59 per cent of males between the ages of 16 and 60 were victims of sexual assault.

    The rate for women was 51 per cent, according to the survey conducted for the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Assault Response Team (DSRT),

    Ogochukwu Nwosu, GetJama Business Manager, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the survey was conducted amongst males and females between 16 and 60 years in 32 states of Nigeria.

    “In the survey of almost 1,000 people, the Jama Wellness Survey found that 59 per cent of males have had parts of their bodies touched without permission or received inappropriate sexual messages or images electronically.

    “This is against 51 per cent of women.

    “The survey also found that the likelihood of sexual assault taking place in private residences and public premises, including offices and schools, is 19 per cent higher than at nightclubs and other social venues.

    “In the survey, it was also found that the likelihood of being sexually assaulted is nine per cent higher for females living in Lagos Island than those on the Lagos Mainland.

    “However, for males, the likelihood of being sexually assaulted is 9 per cent higher on the Lagos Mainland as compared to Lagos Island,’’ Ugochukwu said.

    According to him, the survey also found that 5 per cent of females have faced sexual assault from other women as compared to 20 per cent of males who have faced sexual assault from other males.

    This, he said, showed a higher potential of homosexuality amongst men than women.

    Ugochukwu said that the new data would enable the government and other stakeholders to decide areas to channel their advocacy to check the rising incidences of sexual assault.

    He also said that more advocacy programmes were directed at women and children, while men who suffered most of the assaults were often neglected.

     

  • Army denies abduction of 22 women in Pulka

    •Dog foils attack on wedding

    The Army has denied reports that 22 women were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents after an attack on Pulka town in Borno State.

    According to the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman Kukasheka, the report is false and misleading. He called on the public to disregard the report, adding that Pulka is fortified by security agents.

    “The attention of the Army has been drawn to a story circulating on Social Media and some mainstream media that suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Pulka and abducted 22 women, attributing it to an unidentified Bulama as source.

    “We wish to state that the report is false and should be ignored. For the avoidance of doubt, Pulka and environs is heavily fortified and there has been no security breach. Media houses are pleased requested to always cross check their facts before publishing or broadcasting,” the statement read.

    A dog reportedly averted a suicide attack at a wedding in Belbelo community in Jere Local Government.

    A statement by the police spokesman Victor Isuku said the wedding was underway when a female suicide bomber attempted to infiltrate proceedings but was attacked by the watchdog, compelling her to detonate her explosives, which caused her death and the dogs’.

    The statement reads: “Information received today (yesterday) at about 07.33hrs said a female suicide bomber attempted to infiltrate a wedding at Belbelo community in Jere council. She was prevented by a watchdog, so she detonated her explosives, killing herself and the dog.

    “No other casualty was recorded and normalcy has been restored.”

  • RCCG empowers over 200 women

    RCCG empowers over 200 women

    No fewer than 200 women in Lagos have received empowerment items as part of measures to alleviate poverty by The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Province 8.

    The presentation of the items was highlight of the 2017 Sisters conference of the province with the theme The King’s business.

    The three-day conference ended penultimate Saturday in Lagos.

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, presented the items, which include deep freezers, grinding machines, mixers, sewing machines, shoe and hat making materials.

    Wife of the Pastor in charge of the province, Mrs. Foluke Adeyokunnu, said the empowerment scheme was driven by the vision to ensure women don’t end up as beggars.

    “We believe it will enable our women fend for themselves and develop capacities to be of blessing to the church, community and their immediate families.”

    Pastor (Mrs) Wonuola Adetayo, in her presentation, said women must learn to fend for themselves instead of being dependants.

    Empowered women, according to her, will be able to deliver the King’s business better with urgency.

    The King’s business, she said, include teaching and preaching, counselling, being models of Christian character, financial support for God’s works and mission backup.

    She said churches must empower women spiritually, financially, mentally, professionally and politically to become the best and profit the nation.

    The Acting Lagos Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye, said women must become more involved in political process to proper representation and dividends.

    On why women must be empowered, she said: “There is no gain saying any more that the development of women is sine qua non for development of a nation.”

  • Anambra: ‘As governor, I won’t discriminate against women’

    Anambra: ‘As governor, I won’t discriminate against women’

    Mr. Barth Nwibe, an oil and gas entrepreneur, engineer, consultant and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Anambra State speaks on his humble beginning, challenges of leadership and sundry issues in this interview with Arinze Igboeli 

    What was your growing up like?

    I grew up like every normal person born in the 60s. I had a father who was a tradesman while my mum was a business woman. But they believed in education, so they sent me to school. I grew up in those days when almost everybody in the village then was almost at the same level. Nobody was too rich and nobody was too poor. I will say that I had a humble beginning, but my parents realised that education was a path.

    So, I had my primary school at Ifite Primary School, Igbo Ukwu. When I left primary school in 1975, I proceeded to Christ the King College, (CKC) Onitsha in Anambra State for my secondary education. CKC was one of the premier schools then. So, I was very happy when my parents sent me to CKC. And at the end of my secondary school in 1980, I came out with distinction in my school certificate examination. And with that, I proceeded to University of Nigeria Nsukka, where I read Civil Engineering.

    What inspired your choice of engineering for your first degree?

    I was reading Ebony magazine one day and I saw a black guy dressed as an engineer. He said he schooled at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As I looked at that picture, I was so inspired to study in the same institution. But of course, my parents didn’t have the money to send me to MIT. So, that was how the thought and inspiration of becoming an engineer came. My parents actually wanted me to read medicine and almost everybody around me thought I was going to ready medicine because just like I said earlier, I was the leader of my class. So, I chose to read Engineering and Civil then was the engineering course. In fact, in my JAMB, I registered for Civil Engineering and Physics and Physics as single honour because I liked Mathematics and Physics. That was what inspired me to read engineering.

    How would you describe your career path so far?

    It has been very excellent and fulfilling. Engineering has given me the opportunity to believe that anything is possible as long as you can think it through. I left the university in 1980 and I did my youth service in Rivers State. In fact, during my service, I was given a certificate of commendation for my excellent performance in my place of primary assignment. After that I got employed by a relation who has a structural engineering firm in Enugu. I worked with the firm for six month and got a job with an oil and gas firm – Wog Allied Services Ltd. I did three years with this establishment and joined Sperry Sun Drilling Services – a division of Halliburton Company. I did about three years with Sperry Sun and the company left Nigeria because they had a big contract to do in Saudi Arabia. I joined Baker Hughes where I worked for about a year and then left to work with Schlumberger Drilling and Measurements where I had most of my working life. Having spent about five years with Schlumberger, I left them to become a consultant also to Schlumberger. I did that for two years before I got a consultancy job with Shell which I did for about five years and I quit to start my own when the local content came into play and that is the company I have been running till today.

    What are your hobbies?

    I like reading and football. I am a fan of Arsenal because I don’t believe you always have to win, I believe in doing things right.

    What is the book that impacted your life most?

    The book that impacted me most in life is ‘Success through a Positive Mental Attitude’ by Napoleon Hill. I read this book just after I left secondary school. It was a book that helped me to realise that whatever the mind can conceive and believe, that the mind can achieve it. I was so inspired by that book. The titles were so catchy that one of it says ‘if you don’t have money, use OPM’.

    And OPM means ‘Other People’s Money’. And reading further, it will tell you that you are going to meet the most important living person. And you keep reading to know who is the most important living person, it tells you that you are the most important living person. It was a book that helped to shape me. But once in a while, one comes across some good books. Then another book that inspired me is ‘Why Nations Fail’ by a Turkish-American Economist, Daron Acemoglu and a British Political Scientist, James Robinson. With this you will understand why some countries are rich while some are poor. It is a book people should read. Also, in Nigeria here, the book by Mallam Nassir el-Rufai, ‘Accidental Civil Servant’, is also a good book. So, such books, you read them and you get to know how people navigate through life and what leadership entails.

    As a governorship aspirant, do you believe in giving women equal opportunity to utilise their talents and expertise in different fields and endeavours?

    In the company I run today, 40 per cent of my managers are women. I don’t see any difference between a man and a woman; the important thing is brain and character. What does it really mean that you are a man or woman? For me, as long as somebody can perform and deliver the expected result, she gets the job.

    As a governorship aspirant, how comfortable will you be with a woman being your deputy?

    To me, there are some things women even do better. Which man has done the kind of job late Dora Akunyili did in NAFDAC or even Oby Ezekwesili in this their advocacy ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ they are doing? Like I told you, women should be encouraged. If I have the opportunity and a good lady presents herself to be my deputy, why not? But I am not going to go all out searching to bring a woman on board. But if she has what it takes and she is prepared to do what she need to do – to partner to make it happen, that will be okay.

    I have on my own trying to fund some women organisations. There is a movement in Anambra State that came up, I was the person that gave them the seed money to organise themselves into a mass movement, even though at the end of the day, the leader derailed and it became a mess. To me, it doesn’t matter whether you are a man or a woman and I have more daughters and sisters, why should I discriminate against them?

  • Celebrating Niger Delta women in grand style

    Celebrating Niger Delta women in grand style

    The beautiful women from the host communities of Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited in the Niger Delta, who wore classy uniform provided by the oil giant, were specially celebrated in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The celebration, which took place at Total Base, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout in the Garden City, attracted many resource persons, with some eminent men also in attendance to make the occasion grand, but all the resource persons were women, as a form of motivation for others.

    The well-attended annual event, a capacity development workshop for the women, was part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, with the theme: “Be Bold For Change.”

    The International Women’s Day is a day set aside by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate women achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

    The 2017 theme is tailored towards addressing the rising disparity between men and women, which is a call for all women to take unprecedented actions in all spheres of life.

    Poverty used to be more acute among women living in rural areas, while women were hitherto poorer, because they had fewer economic opportunities and less autonomy than men.

    Women are currently striving to work harder to build a better world and participate more actively in the development process, while it is pertinent to stress that when women are given opportunities, they will surely do well.

    At Total’s workshop, papers were presented by Southsouth Zonal Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mrs. Chioma Njoku; an Assistant Director in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Emem Daniel, and the Founder of Tin Industrial Services Limited, Mrs. Tina Njoku.

    The DPR boss said: “We need to celebrate women everyday. Stop exploiting women. While women are being bold for change, they must not be insultive, disrespectful, arrogant or impolite. The powers of women are enormous, but they must change the way they do things/change their attitude and make themselves relevant.

    “Women must be adequately empowered, but they must start the change from their tiny corners. Let men know that women also have brains/something upstairs, are competent not to limit themselves and not to be afraid of challenging jobs, but to embrace hard work.”

    In her presentation, the assistant director in the Akwa Ibom state ministry of justice stated that women would always hold the key to peace in families, for the communities to be at peace, but urged the women to add value to themselves.

    Daniel, a lawyer, admonished the women to always take good care of their children and their homes, stressing that women must not be predictable, declaring that the change they want must start with themselves.

    The assistant director said: “I love being a woman. Women are not taking the place of men, but give them equal opportunities. That is the essence of gender parity. Women must be responsible, embrace peace and say no to war.”

    While presenting a paper titled: “Networking For Change,” the founder of Tin Industrial Services Limited urged the women to step up, but change with boldness and respect, while utilising every opportunity to network, make useful friends and expand their horizon.

    Tina Njoku noted that every gathering must be seen as an opportunity to learn, grow and build relationships, especially for women to better their lives, while displaying courage and boldness.

    The founder of Tin Industrial Services Limited said: “Confront fear and you will discover that it is not as powerful as you thought. Be women of substance, who will be respectful and humble, but make efforts to ensure change, which will come when you take a step.”

    The Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ukel Oyaghiri, who was the special guest of honour at the training, urged women to be bold and courageous, in order to be recognised in the society and given opportunities.

    She, however, cautioned women not to be rude or disrespectful, but to be polite, humble, seek knowledge and place emphasis on qualitative education, in order to move forward.

    Oyaghiri, a lawyer, called on women to take unprecedented actions in all spheres of life, while stepping up in their quest for gender parity.

    Rivers commissioner for women affairs said: “The call is for women to do more and society to value their contributions. If the contributions of women are valued, well remunerated and equal training and opportunities are given to both men and women in the key areas of education, health, economy and politics, the gender gap will be closed, even before 2030, as pegged by the United Nations and the society will be better for all of us.

    “Give women the opportunity and they will do well. A woman who is not properly trained with the requisite skills cannot be bold for change. It is when the woman is trained that she can compete favourably to effect the needed change.

    “It is on this premise that the training by Total is organised, to give the women the needed knowledge and understanding that will spur them to take bold actions and steps in politics, business and education etc., in order to close the gender gap and gradually ensure the attainment of Vision 2030.”

    Oyaghiri also stated that knowledge, training and education were key to continuous living and sustenance, while insisting that knowledge is key to a better life.

    Rivers women affairs commissioner lauded Total for organising the workshop, which she described as a step in the right direction, while urging other corporate bodies to emulate the oil giant, especially in the area of women capacity building and equally commended Governor Nyesom Wike for giving priority attention to peace and development of Rivers state.

    In his keynote address, Total’s Deputy Managing Director, Francios Le Cocq, disclosed that the annual workshop was to key into the United Nations’ values for women development by providing a veritable platform for capacity building and networking for women in the oil firm’s host communities.

    He noted that the theme: “Be Bold For Change,” was indicative of the UN’s action to better the lots of women world over.

    Le Cocq said: “To us in TEPNG (Total), we have deliberately decided to align ourselves to the fast track in gender parity. In the past one year, women development activities have been elevated to heights never seen before in the company.

    “For those who are keen watchers of TEPNG’s activities, you will notice that women development programmes have received a boost never seen before.

    “TEPNG is committed to policies that stand out against gender-based discrimination, marginalisation, violence, human rights abuses and unequal access to education and healthcare. TEPNG promotes equal opportunities in leadership and participation for both genders.”

    The deputy managing director also stated that women and men could be leaders within their spheres of influence, by taking bold and pragmatic actions to accelerate gender parity and change.

    Le Cocq, whose family members were earlier in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, disclosed that members of his family now prefer and enjoying Port Harcourt.

    In order to have a better society, men should always encourage women to grow, excel, make useful contributions and given equal opportunities. Men must never be intimidated by the achievements of women

  • Women urged to take national roles

    President, Junior Chamber, Victoria Island Chapter, Abimbola Owosina, has urged women to take up national roles, saying they have the potentials to make positive change and build a viable society.

    He spoke in Lagos, at Junior Chamber annual event to mark the International Women’s Day celebration.

    Owosina said women globally constitute over half of the world’s population, adding that they contribute in vital ways to societal development.

    “In most societies, women assume some key roles, including, being a mother, producer, home-manager, and community organiser, socio-cultural and political activists. But, Nigeria is now embracing women in decision making positions as against women been historically marginalised and relegated to the background in areas including social, economic and political spheres,” he said.

    He said countries with increased women’s participation in politics and leadership position tend to be more inclusive, egalitarian and democratic.

    A foremost actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, urged women to take the bull by the horn and start demanding for positive change and development with core responsibilities coming from them.

    “Be bold for change, take on responsibilities in all areas you meet yourself, call for help when you need one but never let the circumstance and the economic state of things affect your bold step”, she said.

    Managing Director, Risk Watch Insurance Broker, Morin Desalu, urged women to take ground-breaking action that drives the greatest change for women.

    She said they should accelerate gender parity in order to help women advance and unleash their limitless potential.

    “It is imperative to appeal to all stakeholders, governments at all levels to rise to the global challenge of ensuring the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls in line with the objective of sustainable development goals,” she said.