The First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, has renewed the hope of women in the state for a better tomorrow by announcing the instant empowerment of 1,575 women.
Speaking at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri, during the 2024 Imo Women August Meeting grand finale with theme ‘Nwanyi Di Ike,(A Strong Woman), she said: “Today, we take a significant step forward by empowering 1,575 women across various categories, demonstrating our total commitment to creating opportunities for all.”
The empowerment programme includes: Urban SMEs (135 small and medium-sized enterprises within urban and metropolitan areas), Agro-Geo Cooperatives (Support for 655 cooperatives in rural communities and 345 interest groups), Agricultural Support (Distribution of cassava, potatoes, and maize seeds, along with ₦50,000 cash to 1,000 rural farmers), Financial Assistance (₦50,000 each to petty traders in rural communities, covering the 305 wards).
The First Lady emphasized that “knowing our history is crucial to navigating our future wisely.” She added, “Nwanyị DịIke (A Strong Woman) symbolizes the modern woman who balances multiple roles while confronting challenges with unwavering resolve.”
The Imo First Lady noted that the theme ‘Nwanyị Dị Ike,’ captures the essence of the Igbo woman’s identity, saying: “Our history is rich with examples of the strength, courage, and resilience that women in our communities have consistently shown, especially in times of adversity. A prime example of this is the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 – a historical event that stands as a testament to the power and resilience of Igbo women.”
Uzodimma urged women to tap into their inner strength, stand firm in the face of challenges, and lead with confidence and purpose.
She acknowledged the support of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration, saying: “Under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imo State has witnessed significant progress across various sectors. We have made substantial strides in infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and agriculture.”
The Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Fuad Atanda-Lawal, has empowered 1,000 women with N50,000 each to support their businesses.
Speaking at the event, themed:Empowering Her Fortune Initiative (EHF)2.0, that took place at the Shell Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, Atanda-Lawal said the initiative was to transform the women’s businesses through financial inclusion.
The event was in collaboration with MTN MOMO.
According to him, the gesture is not merely symbolic; it is aimed at helping their small businesses flourish, offering a lifeline and paving the way for new opportunities.
He noted that it is essential to acknowledge the resilience of women, particularly those managing small-scale businesses.
He said: “They form the foundation of our communities, serving as the unsung champions who significantly contribute to our local economy and societal framework. Yet, they frequently encounter substantial obstacles and limited opportunities.
“The essence of this initiative is rooted in my strong belief that denying women opportunities equates to overlooking the invaluable contributions they can offer. Empowering women not only transforms their lives but also enriches the entire community. When we elevate women, we uplift families and stimulate economic growth within our neighborhoods.”
Atanda-Lawal said the council, through the payment service bank, opened new bank accounts for each beneficiary for the payment of the grants.
“I am delighted to announce that we will also be empowering previous beneficiaries of our last initiative with grants of N100,000 each.
“These women have shown extraordinary progress by scaling up their businesses over the past few months. Their success stories exemplify the impact of our initiatives and the potential inherent in every woman,” he added
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to raising the standard of living of all residents.
“This initiative is not solely about immediate assistance; it serves as a foundational step toward building a better Ikoyi-Obalende. As my term concludes next year, I take pride in having laid these essential foundations and in collaborating with all of you to cultivate a stronger, more inclusive community. This initiative stands as a testament to our dedication to gender equality, economic empowerment, and community advancement,” he said.
A beneficiary, Aderonke Iga, expressed her gratitude to the council boss.
“I’m very happy, this is my second time getting this grants. I’m going to use this money very well. From the last grant, they just brought my POS from VFD bank. I’m going to use this money judiciously,” she said
Non-governmental organisation, WEWAD Foundation, has empowered women in in Makoko area of Lagos State.
Beneficiaries got grinding, sewing machines, wheel chair, deep freeze, rice and cash.
The programme also featured medical check-up.
Chief Imam of Makoko, Alhaji Akisemorin Olaiya, urged the women to pray for success of WEWAD foundation and its founder, Mrs. Amope Phillips. A representative of the foundation said: “We empower women, disabled and other individuals so they can reach their potential.
“Over 150 beneficiaries were selected from communities in Lagos. We are opening our Lagos office at Makoka.
“Mrs. Phillips has been doing this for over 10 years. We’ll also be offering health assistance to people, especially paying bills for those who can’t afford medical care.”
A beneficiary, Olatunji Olayinka, who got sewing machine, said: “I’m grateful to Mummy Phillip for empowering me’’..
A firm, SheCan Nigeria, with NNPC/SNEPCO, has graduated over 300 women from its annual skill acquisition programme.
The women, drawn from Sura in Lagos, underwent training in tie and dye making, event management, balloon artistry, household chemicals, pastry and culinary skills.
Founder, Ezinne Ezeani, said the programme empowered 328 women to become self-sufficient.
Ezeani said they have reached thousands of women but focused on Sura this year. “The last edition was for all Lagos and we had over 2000 participants but this year, we focused on Sura. Prior to the programme, we did our research to understand needs of women in this community and what businesses thrive here and that was how we picked the courses we did.”
Ezeani said the programme has been held in Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, but their partners restricted it to Sura this year. She announced that another empowerment will be held this year.
“We are running a six-months programme at correctional centre for girls in Idi-Araba, which started in October and ends this month,” she said.
Ezeani said the top performers in each class get a N100, 000 grant and startup equipment. “There are four classes in all plus digital marketing for everyone where they all learned how to sell their products and make their handworks more marketable.”
Best student in chemical production, Chinelo Juliet Chikezie said she has always had passion for mixing and producing chemicals. “The programme taught me a lot and exposed me to so many things I did not know. I thank the organisers for putting this together, it was a lifesaver for me and many others as well.”
Another graduate, Comfort Adetimirin, who finished from the Adire Tie and Dye class, said she has always had interest in tie and dye but could not pursue it because of funds. “When I saw this opportunity, I was happy and seized it with both hands. Very soon, my designs will take over the world of adire. I currently have two businesses, one for interior decoration (Total Home Concepts) and the other for the adire (House of Confy).”
A past beneficiary, who had gone on to set up her own business and was on ground as a trainer, Anthony Faith, said she set up Faithrite kitchen after the SheCan training held in Ebonyi State in 2019. Faith said she had always wanted to be a caterer but funds to kickstart her training were non-existent. “I could not squeeze out the money needed from my meagre alawee as a corper. \So, when I heard about the free training, I was excited. I was more excited when I heard the best student would be given startup grant and tools to start up. I was determined to be the best and by God’s grace, it came to pass.” Faith said she has gone on to train over 100 women and now supplies snacks, cakes, pastries and food to supermarkets, schools and so on. “I am currently undergoing a master’s programme at Niger-Delta University and intend to open a bakery and eatery there,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of NNPC/SNEPCO; head, NGO, Human rights and crisis management for Shell Nigeria, Mercy Elegbe, said they decided to partner SheCan Nigeria because of the latter’s support and empowerment for Nigerian women. “Because we are committed to growing the economy, we decided that empowering women helps in fostering this goal.”
On why they chose to empower women and girls from Sura, Elegbe said their aim is to empower women all over Nigeria, one community at a time. “We like to give back to our host community and we have an office here; so it is natural to focus on the women here. This does not mean it ends here, we are taking it to other communities as well.”
Applauding the graduates, she urged them to make good use of the opportunity given to them and not limit themselves in any way.
At the graduation ceremony held at the Lagos City Hall in Sura, the top four students were given N100, 000 each and equipment needed to set up.
In the pulsating heart of Lagos, Nigeria, a dynamic force is rising to meet the pressing needs of Africa’s burgeoning creative landscape. Grid & Nodes Africa (GNA), a community- based arts organisation, stands tall as a beacon of hope, committed to reshaping the industry and empowering women along the way.
In a world where emerging talents often find themselves adrift in a sea of uncertainty, GNA emerges as a guiding light, offering not just support, but a platform for growth and development. With a laser focus on women in the creative community, GNA’s mission transcends mere advocacy; it’s about fostering real change.
“At GNA, our mission is clear: we are here to nurture and empower creative individuals, particularly women, in their respective fields,” says Mima Benson-Aruna, Projects Lead. “Through strategic partnerships and carefully curated programs, we aim to inspire and elevate creatives to their fullest potential.”
Central to GNA’s ethos is the creation of a nurturing environment where talent can thrive. Through a rich tapestry of workshops, mentorship programs, collaborative projects, and global exchanges, GNA endeavors to unlock the latent potential of every individual, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and positive impact.
“We are about fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment that transcends boundaries.” states the GNA Mission Statement. Operating as a vibrant hub, GNA brings together a diverse array of individuals, clients, and partners, fostering relationships, sharing ideas, and embarking on ventures with real-world impact.
Under the GNA umbrella, key initiatives abound: Creative Workshops: Hands-on learning experiences across art forms led by industry professionals like Michael Arogundade ( AMA Psalmist), Efa Iwara, Chike Dil Ajufo, and Adeoluwa Owu, handling the film series, covering topics ranging from Directing 101 to The Actor’s Toolkit.
As GNA steps onto the stage, it extends an invitation to all: partners, beneficiaries, and the public alike, to join hands in shaping a brighter future for Africa’s creative industry. Together, let’s celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our global creative community and pave the way for a more inclusive and thriving creative landscape, not just in Africa, but across the world. For those interested in learning more, visit https://thegridmanagement.com/grids-and-nodes.
Sir: Despite the fact that the country has made tremendous progress in building digital infrastructure and access, women are still disproportionately underrepresented in the tech industry and face major obstacles to learning digital skills and fully engaging in the digital economy.
Even though women make up half of the population, they still encounter unjustifiable obstacles when trying to obtain digital skills and chances in the computer sector. This discrepancy threatens Nigeria’s potential for general tech growth and innovation as well as gender inequity.
According to a 2023 World Economic Forum research, women make up just 28% of all ICT workers worldwide. In Nigeria, women make up only 22% of the workforce in this profession, making the gender disparity even more pronounced.
Additionally, according to the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), just 22% of graduates from Nigerian universities majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are female.
For a country that is set to progress economically and technologically, these figures are extremely worrisome and troubling.
A number of deeply rooted reasons that contribute to the barriers that Nigerian women face in gaining digital literacy. It will continue to be difficult to achieve women’s digital inclusion unless these problems are resolved in their entirety.
The persistence of gender stereotypes is one of the main causes of women’s low levels of digital participation in Nigeria. Cultural standards frequently place a higher value on boys’ education than on girls’, supporting social views that restrict women’s access to higher education. These prejudices aggravate gaps in educational attainment, prevent women from obtaining formal education, and maintain the gender gap in digital literacy. They also make it more difficult for women to learn digital skills.
Nigeria also establishes conventional gender roles that place women’s home responsibilities above their aspirations for education and technology, setting social expectations and role definitions. Because of this, teenage girls might be deterred from investigating or pursuing professions in the IT sector, which would support the stereotype that these fields are better suited for men. These deeply embedded ideas restrict women’s potential and lead to their underrepresentation in the tech industry.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in providing guidance, advice, and opportunities for professional development, yet many women in Nigeria lack access to mentors who can offer support and guidance tailored to their unique experiences and challenges. Without mentors who understand their specific needs and circumstances, women struggle to navigate the complexities of the tech industry and overcome barriers to advancement.
Another significant factor hindering women’s participation in the tech industry in Nigeria is the lack of supportive workplace policies and practices that accommodate the unique needs and challenges faced by women. Many workplaces in the tech sector still lack adequate support systems for women, such as flexible work arrangements, family-friendly policies, and inclusive organizational cultures.
Beyond formal education settings, there is also a need for accessible and inclusive training programs and resources that cater to women who are already in the workforce or seeking to transition into tech-related roles. Skill development programs, coding boot-camps, and online learning platforms can provide valuable opportunities for women to acquire new skills and advance their careers in technology. However, these programs must be designed with the specific needs and preferences of women in mind, offering flexible scheduling, mentorship support, and a supportive learning environment.
Efforts to increase women’s participation in the tech industry must begin with addressing these ingrained barriers. The underrepresentation of women in the tech industry in requires comprehensive and concerted efforts from NITDA and other stakeholders to address. By working together to address these constraints, Nigeria can create a more inclusive and equitable tech ecosystem that benefits individuals and contributes to sustainable economic growth and development.
Achieving gender equality in the tech industry is not only a matter of social justice but also a strategic imperative for Nigeria’s future prosperity and competitiveness in the global economy. By unlocking the full potential of its female workforce and fostering an environment of inclusion and innovation, Nigeria can build a thriving tech industry that harnesses the talents and creativity of all its citizens, driving progress and prosperity for generations to come.
In this report, GRACE OBIKE highlights the challenges faced by divorcees and abandoned women in the camps of internally displaced persons in Borno State.
Earlier in the year, food items were distributed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Muna Camp in Maiduguri, Borno State by its governor, Babagana Zulum. Each of the men in the camp was given 25kg of rice and an equal amount of beans, while the women received N5000 and a wrapper each.
For the first time in three years, Karu Ayiye, one of the beneficiaries of the N5000 and wrapper largesse, was fortunate to have benefited from the items distributed at the camp where she has lived for more than four years.
Usually when such items are brought to the camp by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) or the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), she was excluded and did not get even a grain of rice. Rather, she was forced to stand aside and wait for the distribution to end, after which she would go from house to house with a plate in hand, begging the other beneficiaries that were generous enough to part with a cup or two of rice, beans and maize to enable her feed herself and children.
This had gone on for three years since Ibrahim, her husband of over 10 years, lied to the family that he was going to collect firewood and never returned. She searched frantically for him and even sent out a search party, thinking that he had been kidnapped or killed by the dreaded Boko Haram, only to find out months later that he had run away with his lover to start a new family, leaving her behind with their five children and the two he had from a previous marriage.
Her family of eight had never benefited from the distribution from NEMA because the camp leaders tell them that the last data collected by NEMA of IDPs at the camp was in 2019, and since then, no new list had been drawn up and she could not be given from someone else’s ration.
They had been lucky when they arrived earlier, because SEMA had collected their own data in their presence, and although she was ill on the faithful day and unable to attend and collect the card given to everyone to enable them access the aid when it is being distributed, Ibrahim had been counted on behalf of the family and was given the card. That was the card they used for about a year before he left to start a new family elsewhere.
Karu is not the only widow affected. Yagana Abdullahi sells dried vegetables on the streets to feed her children. When our correspondent and her guide met with her, she was begging in front of the Maiduguri Specialist Hospital.
She explained that she had spent her business capital of about N1,500 when she fell ill and could not trade for a while, and so was hoping to earn back her capital from begging.
Yagana is a divorcee who was formerly a part of her husband’s household with which she was counted and benefited from each time distribution was made. But she lost the opportunity after her divorce, because her husband remarried and her room was taken over by the new wife, which automatically makes the new wife part of her husband’s household.
These acts of misfortune, unfortunately, does not end with divorcees. Widows and aged women find things difficult in the camps as well.
At the Shuwari camp in Maiduguri, 70 years old Gayi Sumayiwi was forced to take in five of her gradchildren after their parents passed away as a result of insurgency. Without any help from other residents who banished her to the back of the camp, she collected enough leaves and grasses to form shelter and dropped a trampoline on the roof.
Gayi said she has also never benefited from any relief materials and only survives off selling dried vegetables on the roadside. Due to the hardship, she was forced to send four of the grandchildren off to join the Almajiri system.
“At least, there they can beg for food to survive rather than dying here with me,” she said.
How distribution of relief items are made
The Acting Village Head at the camp, Nakil Ahmadu, said that when relief items are to be distributed by NEMA, an exercise that happens once in two to three months, the heads of households gather at the NEMA office at the camp with their individual lists. The items are collected and the head returns to share each item equally amongst the household members on the list.
On the women left out of distributions at the camp, Ahmadu, said the defect was not the making of the camp leaders because they have notified NEMA several times of the changes and increase in population.
He said: “It is not the widows or divorcees as you try to put it. I had children who were part of my household at the last count, who have since got married and started their own families. They don’t benefit because they have left my household.
“It is not as if the women don’t come to complain to us or that we don’t know them. When they report to NEMA officials, they are asked to come and call us. We go there and confirm the Information to NEMA, they promise to do something but they never do.”
Ahmadu revealed that the village heads and Bulama’s have taken their complaints officially to NEMA but nothing has been done about it for years.
The Bulama of Marte Local Government of the state at the camp, Ruma’idu Abubakar, confirmed that some women whose names are not included in his community have met him to complain about the same issue. He said he had equally tried resolving the issue by taking their complaints to NEMA but nothing yet had happened.
Humanitarian crisis in the Northeast
The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that conflict and insecurity, rising inflation and the impact of the climate crisis continue to drive hunger in Nigeria – with 26.5 million people across the country projected to face acute hunger in the June-August 2024 lean season. This is a staggering increase from the 18.6 million people food insecure at the end of 2023.
WFP said conflict in the Northeast region has displaced 2.2 million people and left another 4.4 million food insecure in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Three million of them are in Borno State, the epicentre of insurgency.
A fact sheet of Nigeria published by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations published in January this year said 12 years since the conflict in the Northeast began, about 8.4 million people require humanitarian aid.
The UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2023 humanitarian response plan states that $1.3 billion is needed to reach six million people in Northeast Nigeria with humanitarian assistance in 2023 alone.
Apart from international and local Non-Governmental Organisations that have assisted the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno state, for instance, the government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its state counterpart, has over the years tried to cushion the hardship in the area as well.
Bulama Abubakar said the Muna camp, Custom House, El-Badawi, Madinatu, Shuwari, Ghom and some host communities are actually under the supervision of NEMA while some international organisations handle some others within the state.
He said the idea of distributing items within households came from NEMA and has been the procedure for years, which has been working for them.
What the authorities say
The Acting Zonal Coordinator NEMA in Borno State, Surajo Garba, said the agency adopted the measures of distribution according to household to make the distribution faster within the camps and due to the number of people that the agency tries to cater for.
“Before the adoption of distribution via head of households, we could spend weeks sharing items in just one camp alone due to the high number of people, and we sometimes spent more time trying to ensure people did not try to take double their share or deal with people within the communities who converge in the camps in times of distribution, making it difficult for us, especially when we only made provisions for a specific number of people.”
Garba disputed the information from camp leaders who claim they have informed NEMA of residents within the camp who are left out of the distribution arrangement because of the agency’s refusal to renew its data on the camp.
He said: “We have renewed the list several times. On several occasions they have been asked to bring the names of the new people and we have updated several lists.
“In fact, the list was updated early this year and the new names have benefited from our distributions.”
In respect of divorced women losing their places in their households, Garba explained that NEMA has limited resources and a huge number of IDPs to cater for.
He said once one is counted among a household, he cannot leave that household and create another because the government can barely provide for all of the households it already provides for.
“The issue of the women you speak about is unfortunate, but these issues would have to be settled within the households and community leaders because it is not fair for a woman to lose her place and access to distribution that is rightfully hers just because of a divorce. The leaders would have to address the issue,” he said.
Their might be a little truth to the Acting Zonal Coordinators claims because after our correspondent visited Maiduguri in August and spoke with him on the plight of the women, he sent words to the leaders to update the loss of women and families who have been at the camp for years without benefitting from the items.
Months after the investigation was carried out, the women at the camp confirmed that a new list was drawn up eventually and the Bulama also confirmed the list. They also said that just as requested by NEMA, the camp leadership submitted the list but since no new distribution had occurred at the time of publication, they could not tell if the women would be included. But they said they were hopeful.
•This report was produced with the support of the Women Radio Centre through the MacArthur Foundation.
In history, women have made contributions to the world of invention. Despite historical challenges and systemic inequalities, women have consistently demonstrated their creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness by inventing products and solutions that have shaped and helped our daily lives as well as advance human progress.
From household chores to having breakthroughs in science, technology, medicine, etc, we will be talking about female inventors across different periods and cultures.
Below are five notable inventions by women:
1. Kevlar
An American chemist, Stephanie Kwolek, in 1965 invented Kevlar, a strong, lightweight synthetic fiber used in a variety of applications, including bulletproof vests, tires, and sports equipment.
2. Dishwasher
Dishwasher, an important equipment invented by Josephine Cochrane, an American inventor, patented the first practical dishwasher in 1886 revolutionizing kitchen hygiene and efficiency.
3. Windshield wipers
In 1903, Mary Anderson, an American inventor, patented the first operational windshield wiper.
Her invention greatly improved visibility for drivers during rainy or snowy weather conditions.
4. Correction Fluid
In 1951, an American typist and inventor, Bette Nesmith Graham, invented correction fluid also known as Liquid Paper.
This invention helped with the correction process for typewritten, and handwritten documents especially when a mistake is made.
5. Medical syringe
An American inventor, Letitia Mumford Geer, patented an improved medical syringe in 1899.
This design featured a single-hand operation, making it easier for medical professionals to administer injections.
These innovations have not only improved daily life but have also paved the way for more advancements in technology which have had a significant impact in the long run.
Sixty women of reproductive age in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) have received free medical check-up and health talk to mark International Women’s Day.
Courtesy of Society for Family Health (SHF) with Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, the annual free check-up and health talk through SFH’s initiative named Delivering Innovation in Self-Care (DISC) held at Ketu Primary Healthcare Centre, Lagos.
The tests and counselling include Blood Pressure (BP), pregnancy test, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), family planning and prevention of cancer counselling among others.
The DISC project operates with a core philosophy of providing women with increased agency over their health, positioning self-care as a fundamental aspect of Sexual and Reproductive Health. Meanwhile, 15 women took up different methods of family planning. In her speech, the Social and Behavioral Change Communication Officer, Tola Omotosho, emphasised that the programme aims to create awareness to women and to celebrate women across the world.
She said we’re here today to sensitise women about their health, family planning and wellbeing.
Omotosho advised women to prioritise their health and always visit the health facility for regular checkup.
“My advice is that they make their health priority. I encourage people with the notion that health centres don’t have specialists to take care of people who have one ailment or the other to go to the health centre, because all services are available there…
In the view of the management of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, women bring a lot of value to the workplace hence their efforts need to be commended and rewarded accordingly.
The foregoing was the summary of the message at the just concluded parley organised by the company in commemoration of the global celebration of the International Women’s Day.
The company which spared no expense at all hosted her female employees and partners to a networking brunch to properly mark the day recently.
The International Women’s Day is a day set aside globally to properly identify, appraise, and celebrate the giant strides women have made across various disciplines and sectors of the world. The day is celebrated worldwide as an affirmation and recognition for women worldwide; an attestation to the immense values women have continued to imprint into the tapestry of the global fabric.
