Tag: women
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Women voters in Maiduguri
WOMEN FROM AN INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPs) CAMP, WAITING TO VOTE AFTER ACCREDITATION DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN MAIDUGURI ON SATURDAY -
Thousands of women rally in Elechi’s support
Thousands of women and youths from Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi’s hometown, Alike in Ikwo Local Government, yesterday held a peaceful rally in support of the governor.
They carried placards with inscriptions, reading: “Ebonyi workers do not be deceived”; “Bravo Ochudo, our foremost nationalist”; “The good people of Alike Ikwo support your government”; “Elechi’s achievements speak volumes in the minds of Ebonyians”.
The people marched from the Abakaliki Township Stadium to the Government House where they were received by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Boniface Chima.
Leader of the group Sunday Nworie said the state witnessed transformation under the governor, to the surprise of doubting Thomases, who believed his age would hinder his performance.
Pledging to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election, they, however, vowed to vote for the Labour Party in the governorship and other elections.
The people said: “Ebonyi State is our heritage and we will support those who have the interest of the indigenes at heart. For some people who think that Ebonyi State is for sale, we say no.
“We are with you at all times. We are with you to keep the flag flying. We are with you in your bid to save our dear state. We are with you to ensure that those who will occupy the political pyramid of power in Ebonyi State must be people with impeccable character, which you exemplify.”
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Buhari’s wife woos women
Wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Aisha, has urged women to support change by voting for the APC.
She spoke during her visit to Kebbi State with Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, the wife of Gen. Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Hajiya Aisha, who was received at the airport in Birnin Kebbi by the wife of the Kebbi State APC candidate, Dr. Zainab Atiku Bagudu and thousands of supporters, said APC was committed to women empowerment and their involvement in leadership and political positions.
She said if the party wins, vulnerable children, including the almajiri, would be given attention and projects meant for them executed in good faith.
Mrs. Buhari advised the women to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
She urged them to avoid abusive campaigns and not stone anyone, “as APC is a peaceful and law-abiding party.”
Dr. Bagudu thanked the duo for the visit and assured them that APC would win in Kebbi State, as the electorate was ready for change.
During the visit, Mrs. Buhari and Mrs. Osinbajo inaugurated blocks of classrooms in Argungu Local Government.
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Lagos women root for Buhari
A cross section of women in Lagos have resolved to mobilise support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on March 28.
The women, who cut across ethnic groups made the pledge at a town hall meeting organised by Pro-climate Federation for Buhari/Osibajo Presidency 2015 in Surulere. They promised to embark on door to door campaign to ensure the victory of the APC at the elections.
The Convener, Women’s Pro-Climate Federation, Mrs Ekaette Sanusi, said Buhari and Osinbajo would rescue the country, strengthen the economy and the naira that has depreciated beyond imagination.
Sanusi urged the women to regard March 28 as a call to elect Gen. Buhari and Osibanjo as President and Vice President. “We will be on national duty to elect credible leaders that would strengthen the economy, guarantee security of lives and property, provide stable power supply, quality education, affordable houses, healthcare and transportation,” she said.
According to her, Nigerians would vote for integrity, probity, accountability, transparency, job creation, strong economy, massive investment in agriculture, resuscitation of the manufacturing sector and provision of infrastructure.
One of the guest speakers, Mr Gbemi Jaiyebo, advised the people to regard the election of Buhari and Osinbajo as a guarantee for the future of children. According to him, the present leadership have no plan for the children of the poor.
Jaiyebo said the Jonathan administration is an embodiment of corruption; adding that it spends public funds recklessly at the expense of the suffering masses. He said what Nigerians need now is a visionary and disciplined leader, which Buhari/Osinbajo ticket represents.
The representative of Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the APC vice presidential candidate’s wife, Mrs Tolu Ogunlaja, said Nigerians should hold their destiny in their hands by collecting their permanent voter’s cards and vote for the APC for positive change in the country.
She advised women to protect their votes by staying at the polling centre after casting their votes to listen to the result of the election to be announced by the presiding officer.
Another guest, Mr Bolade Agbolamagbe, recalled that Buhari came to power in 1983 to rescue the country from the abyss of corruption but was not allowed to implement his programmes. He said, his regime instilled discipline in public and private life; strengthened the naira and re-ordered the nation’s priority.
Agbolamagbe said God has preserved Buhari’s life for the sake of the suffering masses so that he can rescue the country. He said President Jonathan is confused and incompetent to lead this country and urged Nigerians to vote him out of office on March 28.
The Leader of Arewa Youth Community, Malam Muhammed Sani said the March 28 poll will offer Nigerians the opportunity to change their destiny and liberate themselves from the clutches of corrupt leaders.
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Women of substance
To commemorate the International Women’s Day, the University of Lagos Women Society (ULWS) gave awards to three women for excelling in their fields, writes NNEKA NWANERI.
Gone are the days when women stayed the background; when all they did was to mind the children and keep the house. These days, many are making impacts in their fields; indeed, many have broken the glass ceiling, dared the challenges and made tremendous strides in their careers.
So, when on March 3, the University of Lagos Women Society (ULWS) honoured three women as part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, it didn’t come as a surprise.
The honorees are Emeritus Professor of Medicine Yetunde Olumide; multiple award-winning literary giant Prof Akachi Ezeigbo and the first female Registrar of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mrs Folashade Olumide.
The Julius Berger Auditorium was filled with women and a few men.
Everyone in attendance had a symbolic orange scarf around their necks.
The event began with a prayer followed by a welcome address by ULWS President and wife of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Mrs Memudat Bello.
She said the awardees were chosen because they excelled in their professions and have become role models for every woman in the institution and worldwide.
According to her, the awardees, despite that they have retired, are still radiant and gorgeous in retirement.
The event was chaired by the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Omatek Computers, Mrs Florence Seriki.
A Lagos Magistrate, Mrs. Jumoke Olagbegi-Adelabu, the guest speaker, spoke on the theme for this year’s Women’s Day: Make it Happen.
She urged women to play their roles as homemakers, custodians of their families and take necessary steps to attain greatness and ensure that Nigeria attained greatness.
There was a break from speeches during which a short drama on the gains of women empowerment was performed. It was followed by the reading of the awardees’ citations and awards presentation.
After each presentation, the awardees, who were accompanied by their spouses, made a short speech. Their husbands and children were there to share in their joy.
Prof Olumide, thanked the society for counting her worthy. Olumide, the first woman professor of the over 50 year-old- university, dedicated her award to children. She urged some secondary pupils at the event to see their self worth in life primarily as their relationship with God.
“I never compromised on the time I give to my family; and to keep it, I woke midnights to do my research works,” she said.
Mrs Seriki described Prof Olumide as a light to the country.
Prof Ezeigbo, former head of Department of English, said she is grateful to God for making her a woman. She relived events that almost led to her not getting married to her husband, whom she said is rsponsible for her success. She advised other women not to run their country down with what they say.
Mrs Olumide, 71, said there is a thin line between being successful and being honoured. She worked in UNILAG for 34 years and the university was the only place she ever worked.
Giving the vote of thanks, Channels TV Vice Chairman Mrs Olusola Momoh, represented by a newscaster, Amarachi Ubani, lauded the awardees for doing extraordinary things. She paid tribute to every mother, who has an opportunity to recreate someone’s destiny.
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Take your place in politics, women urged
A 500-Level Law student of the Delta State University (DELSU) in Abraka, Martha Eguono, has urged women to participate in politics, from the grassroots to the national level.
She made the call at a seminar for students’ leaders at Eboh Hotel and Conference Centre in Oleh.
Guests at the event included Hon. Oliseh Metuh; Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Iweazer Kanebi; National President, National Association of Isoko Students, Thomas Obaro and Diamond Bank Youth Ambassador, Ovie Akpoyibo, among others.
Speaking on Politics and elections: Who decides?, Metuh stressed the need for students’ leaders to be responsible in carrying out their duties to their colleagues, urging them play politics without bitterness.
He also advised the students on tolerance and selfless service.
Some of the participants, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, described the seminar as an eye opener. Ebenezer Oyichi, NANS welfare director in Delta State, said the event would change the mindset of ladies towards understanding politics and how it should be played.
Best Iboye, a 500-Level Civil Engineering student, said the seminar was timely because DELSU students are preparing for their union election.
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Lagos women root for Buhari presidency
A cross section of women in Lagos have resolved to mobilise support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on March 28.
The women, who cut across ethnic groups made the pledge at a town hall meeting organised by Pro-climate Federation for Buhari/Osibajo Presidency 2015 in Surulere. They promised to embark on door to door campaign to ensure the victory of the APC at the elections.
The Convener, Women’s Pro-Climate Federation, Mrs Ekaette Sanusi, said Buhari and Osinbajo would rescue the country, strengthen the economy and the naira that has depreciated beyond imagination.
Sanusi urged the women to regard March 28 as a call to elect Gen. Buhari and Osibanjo as President and Vice President. “We will be on national duty to elect credible leaders that would strengthen the economy, guarantee security of lives and property, provide stable power supply, quality education, affordable houses, healthcare and transportation,” she said.
According to her, Nigerians would vote for integrity, probity, accountability, transparency, job creation, strong economy, massive investment in agriculture, resuscitation of the manufacturing sector and provision of infrastructure.
One of the guest speakers, Mr Gbemi Jaiyebo, advised the people to regard the election of Buhari and Osinbajo as a guarantee for the future of children. According to him, the present leadership have no plan for the children of the poor.
Jaiyebo said the Jonathan administration is an embodiment of corruption; adding that it spends public funds recklessly at the expense of the suffering masses. He said what Nigerians need now is a visionary and disciplined leader, which Buhari/Osinbajo ticket represents.
The representative of Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the APC vice presidential candidate’s wife, Mrs Tolu Ogunlaja, said Nigerians should hold their destiny in their hands by collecting their permanent voter’s cards and vote for the APC for positive change in the country.
She advised women to protect their votes by staying at the polling centre after casting their votes to listen to the result of the election to be announced by the presiding officer.
Another guest, Mr Bolade Agbolamagbe, recalled that Buhari came to power in 1983 to rescue the country from the abyss of corruption but was not allowed to implement his programmes. He said, his regime instilled discipline in public and private life; strengthened the naira and re-ordered the nation’s priority.
Agbolamagbe said God has preserved Buhari’s life for the sake of the suffering masses so that he can rescue the country. He said President Jonathan is confused and incompetent to lead this country and urged Nigerians to vote him out of office on March 28.
The Leader of Arewa Youth Community, Malam Muhammed Sani said the March 28 poll will offer Nigerians the opportunity to change their destiny and liberate themselves from the clutches of corrupt leaders.
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Boosting women entrepreneurship
The United States Consulate, Lagos has held a forum for the promotion of women entrepreneurship to reduce poverty. DANIEL ESSIET reports.
The United States Consulate believes that getting more women to embrace entrepreneurship will boost the economy.
To this end, it organised a workshop on promoting women’s entrepreneurship.
The event had as theme: “Starting a new business: Lessons from businesses that took the right steps.”
The Public Diplomacy Officer, U.S. Consulate-General, Lagos, Ms Rhonda Watson, delivered the keynote address.
The lead discussants were Lucy Kanu, executive director, Idea Builders Initiative and Chichi Okafor, coordinator, Inspiring Girls Now in Technology Evolution (IGNITE).
The workshop started by showcasing a documentary on two businesses, which have grown since their inception.
One of the documentaries at the event was on Sara Blakely, the youngest self-made woman on the Forbes’Billionaire List. She started as a sales trainer by day and stand-up comedian at night.
But, she failed as a stand-up comedian. One day, she suffered from the heat of Florida, and needed pantyhose to wear .
She started researching on fabrics at night and eventually designed a product she liked. ”
One thing that is outstanding when she first had the idea for butt-flattering pantyhose, was that she didn’t quit her day job selling fax machines. For two years, she hawked office products nine to five on weekdays and sold pantyhose on nights and weekends. She didn’t resign until she was fairly confident her entrepreneurial venture would take off.
What gave her that confidence to launch out was when Oprah Winfrey picked up and announced on television that Spanx as one of her “favourite things.”Blakely said that did the magic. From then on, demand skyrocketed and the product became a nationwide success.
•Blakely Blakely said her energy and inspiration comes from inventing and enhancing products that promote comfort and confidence for women.
Speaking after the participants watched the documentary, Ms Watson said the story of Blakely presents a lesson that Nigerian women entrepreneurs must learn. Though faced with multiple rejections trying to launch her products, she didn’t cave in. She pushed on.
Ms Watson stressed that entrepreneurship is key to closing that gap as it gives women control and ownership, but they need greater support to tap into this economic driver.
She observed, however, that there were impediments to women’s participation in trade and SMEs’ growth, adding that these undermined job creation and economic growth.
She reiterated that entrepreneurial women would be a critical part of an economy, adding that they had demonstrated their ability to generate substantial revenue, employ people in their communities, and be a tool of economic mobility for their families.
Ms Watson called on women and as well as entrepreneurs to look beyond the challenges and be persistent with their ideas.
Mrs Kanu, whose achievements have been recognised several times, including her selection to join the Fortune/United States ‘State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership, said while women entrepreneurs have great potential to make significant contributions to the economy, a lot needs to be done to ensure their potential are nurtured to promote growth and innovation.
She urged women to take advantage of emerging opportunities to equip themselves with the skills and capacities needed to get to the next level in their entrepreneurial journey and shared future.
Stressing the need for constant development, Mrs Kanu urged entrepreneurs to research on better ways to improve their products and services.
Okafor said many women entrepreneurs faced many gender-based barriers in starting and growing their businesses.
She said women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) faced difficulties in getting access to finance and land, have poor managerial skills and limited opportunities for business development training and networking.
•Ms Waton addressing participants at the event. The restricted movement of women because of their reproductive role, she noted, had kept most women poor.
According to her, economic empowerment of women will play a pivotal role in ensuring their right to an adequate standard of living.
She urged women to take measures to address the situation by establishing micro and small enterprises, which will benefit them and create sustainable employment opportunities.
According to her, success is possible and that it was high time the women took the challenge to build a future for themselves.
During the event, women entrepreneurs told stories of their challenges and how to build successful businesses.
Among the challenges they recalled were lack of access to finance, work-family balance, glass ceilings, male-dominated industries and gender discrimination.
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Saving women from endometriosis
Many women who suffer from endometriosis do not like to talk about it. A fertility expert, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, says such women have nothing to be ashamed of, reports OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA.
It is a condition suffered by women, yet much is not known about endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which the tissue lining a woman’s uterus (the endometrium) grows outside it (endometrial) implants. It involves the ovaries, bowel or the tissues lining the pelvics. Endometriosis has no cure, for now, and it can lead to infertility in women. This is why Medical Director of the Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, is seeking editors’ help on educating the society about endometriosis.
At a one-day forum with the Guild of Editors at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos, Ajayi said though endometriosis has no cure yet, early diagnosis and management are essential. The media can help create awareness on the condition such that all will understand it like other non-communicable diseases, such as malaria.
He said: “Editors can help spread the message on endometriosis, as one of the most common gynaecological problems. Its diagnosis can be delayed or missed, leaving the problem unrecognised, misdiagnosed. As of today, the prevalence of endometriosis in general population is unknown, and it is mainly found in women of reproductive age and it shrinks at menopause. It is estimated that five to 15 percent of women have some degree of the disease.
“That girl or woman who constantly cries or rolls while menstruating or about to menstruate, given some form of treatment, but with no respite could actually be suffering from endometriosis. We have attended to quite some women with the condition, here in Nigeria. None was going to be ‘the Face of Endometriosis’, until Chief Nike Osinowo was treated of the condition. Her submission to share her story, the adequate publicity given to the human interest story has really helped to lay bare that the condition exists in the country. It was you, gentlemen of the Press, that took the story to the populace, and now, more women have been attended to, and they are getting on better with their lives.”
Ajayi said the condition could lead to infertility and deny women of children; “for about eight percent of women in assisted reproductive art (ART) programmes have the primary diagnosis of endometriosis and it constitutes the third commonest findings, 15.7 percent at laparascopy. The data is from Review of laparoscopic procedures at Nordica Fertility Centre done by Strathy et all (1982).”
According to him, the predisposing factors are age (25 to 35 years); hereditary, or genetic predisposition (if there is a mother or sister with endometriosis in the family); starting menses early, i.e., less than 12 years; frequent periods less than 28 days or longer, lasting menstrual flows of more than seven days; never had children; slim women and a closed hymen.
But, what is the cause of the deisease? Ajayi said: “The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown. But other possible causes are retrograde menstruation; metaplasia, i.e., cells of the abdomen change to endometrial cells; surgical transplantation can lead to endometriosis; e.g., surgical scar endometriosis, such as cesarean section, episiotomy or even surgeon’s gloves. Blood streal or lymphatics- brain, lungs or immune failure.’’
When asked how the symptoms of the disease could be identified, Dr Ajayi said: “Endometriosis is largely asymptomatic; the classic triad pain is the commonest complaint, i.e. painful period, lower abdominal pains outside the periods or pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia); pain during defecation (dyschezia) infertility and postmenstrual spotting in about 20 percent.”
He continued: “The simplest way to understand the mechanism of the condition is that bleeding causes inflammation, leading to scar tissues which may block Fallopian tubes; this can interfere with ovulation and fertilisation. Endometriomas (ovarian cysts) also interfere with ovulation and quality of egg; toxins/chemicals are also released by the endometriotic deposits which are toxic to the eggs and embryos, the toxins also affect the lining of the womb and disturb implantation.”
He added: “The good news is that diagnosis and treatment are available. Diagnosis is done through taking of history above; pelvic examination and pelvic ultrasound (transvaginal ultrasound). Laparascopy is the gold standard of diagnosis. It can be used to detect, take biopsy sample and treat.
“Treatment considerations are related to age; severity of symptoms; stage of disease and infertility or fertility desire. No cure yet for the condition but it can be managed; symptoms can be relieved; best chance of cure is removing uterus, tubes and ovaries, a recurrence after this is but possible. Complications are infertility; chronic pelvic pain that interferes with work and social life; endometriomas/largecysts can rupture and intestinal obstruction from adhesions can take place.
“Our engaging you today on this condition is to ignite hope in women with the condition. That they can get pregnant, some after laparascopic; treatment with intrauterine insemination (IUI) that improves fertility in minimal to mild endometriosis; IVF appropariate especially when tubal function is compromised, if there is male factor infertility and/or other treatments have failed among other treatments available.
He urged the editors to shed more light on the condition so that women suffering from it could be understood and treatment sought, ‘’just as you did with other diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and Ebola. ‘’We have a support group called Endometriosis Support Group, a Nordica Fertility Clinic initiative. Sufferers must know they are not alone, they can encourage other another and share ideas on how to cope,” said Dr Ajayi.
Mr Bolaji Tunji, director, Sun Newspapers, who represented the President of Guild of Editors, Mr Femi Adesina, said journalists have always been vibrant in reporting issues, especially that: “which are germane to health and livelihood of citizens. We will continue in that light”.
The Publisher, City People, Mr Seye Kehinde said he, through the “medium at my disposal have carved a niche to reach the high and mighty, low and lonely and we will continue to ensure the condition-Endometriosis remains in the front burner”.
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For the sake of women
Udemma Chukwuma writes about an exhibition of twenty paintings to celebrate womanhood
Celebrating the female folks is the main focus of an art exhibition running at the Moorhouse Hotel, Lagos. The show is to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.
The exhibition features about 20 paintings by contemporary Nigerian artist, Mr Olusegun Adejumo, who said the works are dedicated to women all over the world because women deserve to be celebrated. The exhibition titled: Le Festival De Reves (The Festival of Dreams), is supported by Alliance Françoise, Lagos.
In this exhibition, Adejumo captured the African women and offers the viewer the opportunity to explore some of the important aspects of the southern Nigerian women life. “The southern women are beautiful, they know that they are beautiful, they don’t need you to tell them that they are beautiful. You hardly find men around. The men are around but they appreciate the women from far,” he said.
The word to use to describe some of the works at the exhibition hall is “daring.” Series figure paintings of women who could be in their early twenties and late twenties caught the attention of the viewers and some asked the artist if the model was one person, but the artist said no. “Every woman has something in her that will make you desire her and for a lot of artist, you either paint her or you chase her. We spend a lot of energy to depict that which we desire in our work. The models are not the same person,” he informed.
However, the artist refused to put the names of the models on the fascinating pastel series “because of the society we live in, the models might be a little shy to reveal their names.” Many conclusions would be made and some of the viewers will be tempted to think that something intimate happened between the artist and models.
Another intriguing aspect of the show which is of a particular interest to the viewers is the artist’s ability to conceal a nude woman. In the piece titled Sitting Beauty; you could see a woman who places one hand on neck and place the second hand on her neck. The hands covered the upper part of her body while the down part of her body was painted with dark colours, leaving the viewers to their imagination.
Mirroring a story he was told in Dakar, Senegal, a mystifying and attention getting painting was born, titled:… “The Wolof-women have a way which they attract their men, they have beads from coconut shell which they tie around their waists, it is what I was told by the Senegalese people in Dakar. According to them, the women soak the beads in some ointment, like perfume, and it stays there for a month or two. I think they put some incantation into it. They wear it after all the processes, you could perceive the fragrance and you can’t tell where the smell is coming from. This woman has this particular smell anytime she is around you. The Senegalese says beware of the Wolof women because they may be an enchantment.”
The work titled: The Wolof Woman caused much controversy and some of the viewers could not make out what the painting is about. “I can’t see anything, I think there is a piano,” said a female viewer. “There is a face in the painting if you look at it very,” said another artist who was at the show. “I decided to do something mystical, hazy and painting of a girl,” explained Adejumo.