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Tag: women

  • ‘Women can no longer play second fiddle’

    ‘Women can no longer play second fiddle’

    Mrs. Tina Agbarha is the only woman governorship aspirant on the platform of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC). The Deputy Woman Leader spoke with ben OGBEMUDIA on why she wants to govern the state.

    WHY are you contesting for governorship?

    I am contesting because I believe I can make a difference in the lives of our people. Governor Adams Oshiomhole and my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have equipped me politically. I have had the privilege of being appointed into the Governing Council of the Institute of Continue Education (ICE) and several others.

    I am also the Deputy Woman Leader in Edo State APC. Over the years, I have always wondered why our women, particularly those who have made serious contributions, often shy away from offering themselves for leadership. I could remember vividly when the first mandate was stolen, it was we, the women, who wore black clothes, protesting against the injustice done to our Comrade Governor and our party. We also organised fasting and prayer sessions everyday, without receiving one kobo from anybody. In fact, we tasked ouirselves by contributing money to finance our movement.

    With the experience gathered at the state level, I was the only woman that went to her local government and replicated same. But, after all this effort, when you make an attempt to contest for one position or the other, they will push you down; look at example of this government now, where I am struggling now to set up the machinery for my campaign. But, you will see men with fleet of jeeps campaigning. The N30 million fees for the form is something many them will deep their hands in their pocket and bring out with ease. This is because they were empowered, after all that we did. So, by the grace of God, I met my delegates and told them to support me, because politics is expensive. I told them that I may not  have the kind of money required, but I have the language and all that it takes to win. Our dear President Buhari was also not having that much in his bank account to bankroll the expensive campaign that brought him to power, but he leveraged on others and won the election.

    You are the only female aspirant. What are the implications of this for Edo politics?

    Yes, it is a laudable project and I think it something all women in Edo State, irrespective of party affiliation, must be proud of. Even at the national level, I think we should be proud of the fact that a woman dared to stand up to be counted among the aspirants. God has made it possible for me, I am not standing on my own; I am standing on behalf of Edo women, no matter the political party they belong. So, I am asking all of us to wake up from our slumber; I am asking all of us to join faith together and I’m telling my fellow women that united we stand and divided we fall. What have we received in the past for  clapping our hands, sharing wrapper and peanuts  when the men are going out for campaign. After being elected, what do they do? They bring their girlfriends from left from right.

    Are you not intimidated?

    Not At all; I don’t know what is called intimidation. It may be in the dictionary, but I don’t see it, because we all have one vote. My governor brought the ideal of one-man-one-vote, one-woman-one-vote, one-youth-one-vote. Secondly, there are many people who are saying they want to contest, but they don’t know how the party started. We formed the party that gave birth to the APC, the defunct Action Congress (AC). The late Modina Emovon of blessed memory, Mrs Adams and  myself were among the 10 that started the party; we were holding meetings at Edo Motel because we came in from the Grace Group and they thought it was a joke. I remember the then governor describing us as AC without compressor and we were looking for people to come in and contest. I will tell you that I bought form for almost five people to contest at Uromi/Esan East; they couldn’t afford it and  we were looking for a man and no one was ready. We had to bring out Mrs Illoube and she was sponsored by the women. We said, go and contest for chairmanship. We also went to Ubiaja and picked Madeline Ogebulu who  is now married and sponsored her for chairmanship. We practically used our legs to go about the whole of Esan Northeast to make sure that we have followers. But, lo and behold now the party is built, who remembers the women who built it from the scratch? Even at meetings, some of the men came in yesterday would insist that I get up from the chair so that they can sit down. Meanwhile, they do not know how I laboured for the party. It is sad and painful and that is why anytime we are in a caucus meeting or any meeting when I look at the high table and see the calibre of people sitting there, I will say observation and Comrade Governor will always listen to me. I will say, sir what is wrong for a woman to be in the high table? He will immediately invite one of us to the high table.

    Finally, are you convinced that the primary will be free and fair?

    You know you don’t give what you don’t have. Why would you be afraid? It is a game, at the end of the day, only one out of this 10 or 20 contestants will win. So, it depends on how you see it. If you see it as a do or die affair; that you will die if you are not governor, then you’ve gotten it wrong. I am not bothered because I believe we will be provided with a level-playing ground. The governor has assured us and the party, both state and national, has reiterated that they are going to provide a level-playing field for everyone and the primary will be transparent. Therefore, I am not afraid. I also urge my colleagues out there not to be afraid; we should go to the field, because we have freedom to do so; nobody was begged or forced to pick the form. So, if you have got the will and the mind  to go in, you should be ready to take any challenges that comes your way.

     

  • Take malaria off the list of women’s hurdles

    SIR: Malaria is all around us. Many of us know someone who has had malaria or have experienced the symptoms ourselves. I recently dealt with it at home when my daughter fell sick with malaria, and as a physician, I see countless patients and their children struggling with the disease. But despite malaria’s seemingly universal nature, one thing I have noticed over the years is that malaria has a disproportionate effect on women.

    Women are at highest risk during pregnancy, which can lead to severe complications for mothers and their babies. In Nigeria, the impact is devastating: malaria is responsible for 11 percent of all maternal deaths, in part because less than one in five pregnant women receive the recommended dose of lifesaving preventative treatment.

    Our social structures exacerbate the challenges women face in protecting themselves from malaria. Women often lack access to the same resources as men, making it harder to afford preventative measures or malaria treatment. Many women do not have the education they need to fully understand malaria’s risks. As a result, too many women are not in the position to seek appropriate care when they or their children get sick.

    All of these factors contribute to a vicious cycle that holds women back and allows malaria to persist. When women spend their income on malaria treatments, or miss work to care for themselves or a sick child, they have fewer resources to provide other necessities for their families – especially if they are the sole source of income. As women’s financial security falters, they have a harder time keeping their families healthy, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases like malaria.

    We can end malaria in Nigeria if we make women a priority.

    There are encouraging signs that we’re moving in the right direction. Several states offer free maternal and child health services and use antenatal clinics to distribute free insecticide-treated bed nets and preventative treatments. For women who can’t reach these clinics, many community-based organizations send volunteers door-to-door to help women get the services they need. Some malaria control programmes collect comprehensive data on malaria’s burden on pregnant women.

    This has to be the norm, not the exception.

    We need local, regional and national strategies designed specifically to address women’s risks. This means tailoring awareness campaigns to emphasize malaria’s impacts on women and offer information on preventative measures and treatment options. These campaigns must also reach men, who can help their wives, mothers and sisters access care. Collecting wide-ranging data on malaria’s burden on all women – not just pregnant women – will ensure that these strategies are well-informed and address the various factors that drive women’s health decisions.

    But it’s not enough to focus on the health-seeking behaviours of individuals. To address the root causes of malaria’s burden in our country, we also need to make sure that women don’t spiral into poverty when they or their children get sick. Our political leaders should prioritize making malaria interventions more affordable through financial programs that are geared toward women. Also, social safety nets, legal reforms and employment programs can help account for lost livelihood due to malaria illness.

    Ultimately, developing these women-centric programmes will require involving women in the design and implementation of malaria interventions in their communities. Women have insights into their specific barriers to care and are better prepared to create programmes that reflect the intricacies of their everyday realities. As more women are empowered to step into leadership positions, these perspectives will help create more nuanced programs that work for them.

    Putting women at the forefront of Nigeria’s malaria effort will go a long way toward placing national malaria elimination within our grasp. It will also yield impressive results for women’s standing in society. Reducing the burden of malaria would allow more women to complete school, remain in the workforce and participate in governance or decision-making – increasing their overall economic, social and political empowerment.

    I want to see a future where my daughters can thrive. That future is irrevocably tied to the ability of all women in Nigeria to reach their full potential. Let’s not allow malaria to jeopardize it.

     

    • Dr. Nana A. Sa’id,

    Kaduna.

  • Imo women counter cultists, kidnappers

    Imo women counter cultists, kidnappers

    Imo State women have joined the battle against cultists and kidnappers who have besieged several communities in the state.

    The outlaws, along with armed robbers and other hoodlums, have caused unspeakable atrocities and made life miserable for residents of Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta council areas despite the spirited efforts of security agencies.

    Awara, Ohuba, Oguta, Ilile and several other communities were turned into killing fields by rival cult groups fighting for supremacy in the oil-rich communities. Some of the villages have consequently been deserted, others completely razed down.

    That was why Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), a pet project of the Imo State governor’s wife, joined the security efforts, but only from the spiritual flank.

    The initiative is seeking divine intervention in the riverside communities.

    To many, the initiative by WODDI will certainly bring a turnaround in the communities and help to restore the confidence of the indigenes and residents who had to flee the crisis-torn communities in the wake of the violence.

    In his short sermon, during the prayer meeting with the theme, “Heal our Land O! God”, which attracted Christian women from within and outside the state, a Lagos-based preacher Timothy Ofoegbu decried the upsurge in cultism and fetish practices by politicians desperately seeking power.

    He warned that such power-hungry politicians, who incite idle youths to perpetrate heinous crimes against innocent people, will face the wrath of God.

    The cleric also condemned the indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles on individuals with questionable means of wealth by traditional rulers, noting that this trend also contributes to the inordinate ambition to acquire wealth through criminal means.

    He advised the people above other things, to embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour for speedy resolution of their problems and healing of their land.

    Also in his sermon, Bishop David Shekwolo of the Kingdom Church of God Inc. Minna, regretted that immorality has become the order of the day in the society and called for total repentance as the only antidote to the rising criminal activities.

    He said, “When the Israelites were in bondage, they cried to God and God sent Moses to deliver them. God is ready to set us free by His mercy but the prayer of a sinner is an abomination before God”.

    Bishop Shekwolo advised Christians to shun idol worship, stressing that neither demon nor man-made gods have the capacity to provide solutions for their problems.

    The initiator of the programme, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha, said that the prayer meeting was meant to strengthen the state government’s reliance on divine protection, guidance and direction at the grassroots.

  • Women entrepreneurs advised on job creation  

    Alldens Lane, a business advisory and consulting firm with a  focus on supporting women-owned enterprises, has urged  women entrepreneurs to embrace the strategic position of job creation.

    Founder and Principal of Alldens Lane,  Ruka Sanusi, quoting Forbes Insight report,said that today’s young and emerging business leaders  will ultimately create responsive African solutions to Africa’s critical economic and social challenges.

    According to the study, Nigeria stands out among the Sub-Saharan countries surveyed by Forbes Insights in that it has the highest number of young people wanting to be entrepreneurs. Nigeria-specific case studies reveal that, when asked about what the top drivers of job creation for young people will be over the next five years, 40 per cent of respondents pointed to entrepreneurship and SMEs, she stated.

    On the question of the entities that will create the most jobs for young people over the next five years in Nigeria,  she said: “ From surveys, while 56 per cent  pointed to government, public and social sector, a significant 51 per cent  said it would be entrepreneurs and business owners who would make a difference in people’s lives by providing employment”. She added that women’s entrepreneurs’ role in advancing the economy, creating and offering jobs would be a key driver of economic growth. She agreed with Ernst and Young’s report on how women-owned businesses can recharge the global economy. It will be recalled the report states that to help women-owned businesses grow and create jobs, there needs to be a deliberate improvement in their access to capital, the global supply chain and business networks, all of which can help them scale. The report also states that data from The World Bank, The World Economic Forum and other organisations continue to demonstrate that women-owned businesses can be the tipping point for a global economic comeback.

    Ms. Sanusi added, “Running a business successfully needs focused, deliberate leadership and women entrepreneurs and CEOs can lead the way in that regard through purposeful and transformational leadership”.

    She added that her firm had  a unique focus on providing women-owned and women-led enterprises with advisory support, business direction, and thought provoking business performance and growth analytics, from which they can grow and transform their businesses and  lives.

  • Women urged to live their dreams

    The Chairman First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika has urged women to strike a balance between their homes and workplace with Godly wisdom.

    Awosika gave the advice at this year’s Inspiring Change Conference organised by Esobs Heroes in commemoration of the World Mothers’ Day held at the Wisdom Arena, Agege Lagos.

    The event was celebrated simultaneously in Nigeria and across the world. The day presented an opportunity for people to pay tribute to their mothers and mother figures, thanking them for all their love and support.

    The programme tagged “Yes I Can”, brought together Christian faithful from across the country and featured prayers, lectures and distribution of free sewing machines, deep freezers, scale and cash donations to indigent entrepreneurs.

    She said women should know their roles as mothers in the home but should also understand that by operating within the order of the home as instructed by God there will be happiness in the home.

    “No matter what you think I am, in my house, my husband, in spite of my achievements, is the head of the home. Whatever I am today, I can kneel down before my husband in front of 10 million people and it would mean nothing to me because he is my husband,” she said.

    She advised mothers to hold their homes in very high esteem, even as she said they should not jeopardise their homes in the course of serving God.

    She also advised mothers to do what they are passionate about, adding that if Mrs. Awosika could be a successful mother, wife and entrepreneur, every woman too could.

    In her words, the convener of the programme, Mrs. Adesumbo Adeoye said the programme was aimed at encouraging and re-awakening the spirit of motherhood with a view to surmounting challenges of parenthood through entrepreneurship and capacity building.

    Adeoye advised women, in their capacity as mothers, not to bottle their dreams.

  • Ex-Army officer empowers women with N3.2m

    A retired Colonel in the Nigerian Army, Sunday Akinola has disbursed over N3.2 million to 67 women drawn from various quarters of his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti under a programme tagged “Women Poverty Alleviation Initiative.”

    Speaking at the inauguration of the scheme, Akinola, who explained that the gesture might continue throughout his lifetime, said the beneficiaries were not to pay back the sum of N50, 000

    disbursed to each of them.

    He encouraged them to make judicious use of the fund as it would boost his morale in expanding the programme this year.

    Akinola, who said the beneficiaries were expected to form a co-operative society through which they could build strong capital base for possible expansion of their businesses, noted that the scheme, which he said was in honour of his late father, Chief Akinola Oisa, would go a long way in turning around the economies of the womenfolk in the community.

    “This is the first phase of the programme; we hope to establish a co-operative society in memory of the late High Chief Akinola Oisa where a high percentage of Ikere women could draw from a trust fund from Wema Bank as loans to do their businesses,” he said.

    Delivering a keynote address at the event, the Ogoga of lkere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado thanked the donor for the gesture, noting that he was impressed by the swell of positive developments being championed by prominent indigenes of the community since his ascendancy to the throne.

    He praised Akinola for keeping the fame of his late father who he noted died several years ago in the memories of the people of the community.

  • Delta community’s women protest N50 daily levy

    Hundreds of Otor-Udu market women in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday protested at Udu against the local government’s N50 daily revenue levy.

    The market women carried placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Kpoma, leave us alone”; “We are yet to benefit from your government”; “We will never pay N50, N100 and N200 daily leave”; “Okowa, this was not why we voted for you.”

    The protesters vowed to continue with their agitation until the local government reversed the levy.

    One of the women Mrs. Winnie Galaka said the protest followed the information the women got that those selling on tables would pay N100; hawkers N50 and store owners N200 daily.

    The women’s leader said they would not end the protest until the local government Chairman Solomon Kpomah dropped the levy.

    But Kpomah said he held several meetings, a few days ago, with leaders of the various markets in Udu on the daily levy.

    The local government chairman said the joint meeting concluded that market women – store owners, hawkers and others – should pay N50 each day and not N100 or N200, as the women claimed.

    He said the protest might have been the result of the wrong information the women got from their leaders, who he accused of indulging in illegal revenue collections.

    “They may be doing this to enable them continue with their illicit act,” he said.

  • Fed Govt set to empower one million women, says Osinbajo

    •President commiserates with Kano market’s victims

     

    The Federal Government has set aside a substantial amount of money in the 2016 budget to empower one million women through disbursement of loans.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who said this in Kano yesterday, added that investment in women would have a positive impact on the country’s growth and their families.

    He was in the Northern commercial city on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to commiserate with the government and traders, who lost goods worth trillions of naira in a fire, which engulfed Abubakar Rimi market in Sabon Gari.

    Osinbajo, who said the women would use the loans to start whatever business they desire, added the President was determined to surmount the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

    He assured the citizens that the nation’s lingering fuel scarcity and other hardships would soon be a thing of the past.

    The vice president said: “I want to assure you that better days are coming. There are myriad of problems inherited by the incumbent administration and we are not only determined, but committed to tackle and solve them.

    “President Buhari appreciates the pains Nigerians are feeling now, he knows what is going on and I want you to know and we know that he is an honest man, who is determined to make sure that the common man in this country enjoys the dividends of democracy.

    ‘’I will like us to join hands together with the governors and the government, so that we can all prosper and work diligently for the country’s development. President Buhari-led administration is determined to induce a change in the nation’s circumstances.”

    ‘’I am here to commiserate with the market men and women, whose goods were recently consumed by a fire outbreak in Abubakar Rimi market in Sabon Gari. The market is the largest in West Africa, which is located where predominantly non-indigenes reside. But I learnt that in Kano, we have no non-indigenes, as everybody is a citizen, where people converge from here and there.’’

    He added: “I commend Governor Ganduje for the massive structure being embarked upon by his government in rebuilding the market, which I hope would be a modern one that could be befitting and beneficiary.’’

    Osinbajo laid the foundation of projects to be executed by the Ganduje-led administration, as well as inaugurated an empowerment involving 500 women and 60 waste disposal tricycles.

    The governor noted that when the fire started, the government searched for firefighting vehicles, but learnt that they had gone for service, a situation which, he said, frustrated the efforts of putting off the fire.

  • FAB FASHION FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN

    FAB FASHION FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN

    BEING plus-sized person, you don’t have to feel down or think about not wearing any stylish attire. Many people believe that being thin is being beautiful. But it is no longer a secret that you can actually be big and still look bold, trendy, stunning and beautiful. You can look attractive, if you know how to adjust your curves well with your dressing. Your curves can also make you look great and you can get some of the best clothing concepts to look tremendous.

    It is important to take pride on being healthy and looking respectable. Beautiful women come in all sizes and shapes.

    • Dress for your body shape: One of the most important style tips for plus size women is to know your body shape.
    • Go for colourful statement necklace if you want to emphasise your neckline.
    • Choose the accessories and jewellery complementing with your body size.
    • Don’t be afraid to wear fitted outfits, as these can often emphasise your figure. Avoid wearing loose clothing as this will make you emerge fatter and the clothes will become graceless to the body parts.
    • Give your breast good support: Wear perfect bra giving your bust correct support and lifts it from your abdomen region.
    • Balance your body cuts in such a way that your curves appear attractive and you will look less bulky. Don’t wear taper shaped clothes if you have large bust or hips.
    • Feel fabulous in a pair of bold shoes; wear heels to increase length of your legs. It will make viewers to look at you from top to bottom.

  • Ex-Army officer empowers women with N3.2m

    A retired Colonel in the Nigerian Army, Sunday Akinola has disbursed over N3.2 million to 67 women drawn from various quarters of his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti under a programme tagged “Women Poverty Alleviation Initiative.”

    Speaking at the inauguration of the scheme, Akinola, who explained that the gesture might continue throughout his lifetime, said the beneficiaries were not to pay back the sum of N50, 000

    disbursed to each of them.

    He encouraged them to make judicious use of the fund as it would boost his morale in expanding the programme this year.

    Akinola, who said the beneficiaries were expected to form a co-operative society through which they could build strong capital base for possible expansion of their businesses, noted that the scheme, which he said was in honour of his late father, Chief Akinola Oisa, would go a long way in turning around the economies of the womenfolk in the community.

    “This is the first phase of the programme; we hope to establish a co-operative society in memory of the late High Chief Akinola Oisa where a high percentage of Ikere women could draw from a trust fund from Wema Bank as loans to do their businesses,” he said.

    Delivering a keynote address at the event, the Ogoga of lkere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado thanked the donor for the gesture, noting that he was impressed by the swell of positive developments being championed by prominent indigenes of the community since his ascendancy to the throne.

    He praised Akinola for keeping the fame of his late father who he noted died several years ago in the memories of the people of the community.