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Tag: women

  • Nigeria’s richest women

    Nigeria’s richest women

    TWO days ago, women all over the world marked the International Women’s Day. They rolled out the drums, counted their many blessings and it was time to clink glasses. Women’s rights, political and economic empowerment had always been uppermost on the women’s agenda. Like a sore thumb, money and economic empowerment continues to limit the strides women would have loved to make. A few women, however, have come, seen and conquered.

    Many years back, you could count women who were multi-millionaires or billionaires on your fingertips. The few who made it in this category were mostly those who inherited such funds from their fathers or husbands. These days, the story is changing and women have, indeed, broken the glass ceiling. Armed with guts, passion, determination and perseverance, they have forced their way into the elite club.

    This brings to mind some of Nigeria’s richest women. Who are these women who bestride our landscape like colossi? The Nation on Sunday went to town to unravel the richest women in the country. However, women whose wealth were traced solely to inheritances and assets owned by their husbands were exempted from the list.

    Also women holding political offices, wives of public office holders, those having inheritance squabbles and women who had criminal cases with EFCC and other related agencies were also left out. Welcome to the world of Nigeria’s female mega-rich.

  • IFJ urges media to rethink sterotypes of women in news

    IFJ urges media to rethink sterotypes of women in news

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Thursday marked the International Women’s Day by calling on media organisations to help overcome dangerous stereotypes that contribute to discrimination, by rethinking the way they portray women in the media.

    This call follows a series of initiatives undertaken by the IFJ in recent years to campaign for a fair and balanced gender portrayal in the news, recognising the role and responsibility of journalists and the media.
    The IFJ says that the development of guidelines and gender ethical reporting checklists is a starting point to address stereotypes, silence, repression, intimidation (violence) and discrimination. It is now time to take further actions.
    “We recognise that shining a light in places where some do not want their actions to be seen, can be a very dangerous business. However, taking our own responsibilities for ethical gender reporting means to break through dangerous stereotypes, and walls of silence hiding discrimination, violence, and sometimes death,” says Mindy Ran, chair of the IFJ gender council.
    “As well as fair and balanced reporting, our responsibility is also about minimising potential harm to those we interview, recognising that the glare of the media can bring its own danger, and that those seldom heard voices at the edge are as important as those shouting in the middle.”
    In a special newsletter to mark International Women’s Day, the IFJ Gender Council is calling on journalists’ unions and media to reflect on the choices they make in the production of news and to reflect on the negative impact this may have on the public’s perception of women and on women’s lives.
    “Not presenting women’s lives as essential, valuable and worthy of respect, but as simply victims or second class citizens, tells whole new generations that it is ok to do so, when clearly – it is not,” warns Ran.
    As part of its activities leading up to International Women’s Day, the IFJ is also conducting a series of safety trainings for women in Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

    ” The IFJ is committed to ensuring that women journalists who report from the front line and other challenging situations learn life-saving skills with a special emphasis on gender mainstreaming,” added Beth Costa, IFJ General Secretary.

  • More women join rich’s list

    More women join rich’s list

    More women have joined the ranks of the world’s wealthiest, but as a group females still hold a small sliver of total 10-figure fortunes. Of the 1,426 people on the new 2013 Forbes list of the World’s Billionaires, just 138 are women. That’s up from 104 women last year. New women billionaires include fashion designer Tory Burch and Hong Kong finance executive Pollyanna Chu.

    The world’s richest woman is Liliane Bettencourt, the 90-year-old heiress to a 30% stake in cosmetics group L’Oreal. With a fortune that Forbes pegs at $30 billion –up $6 billion from last year, she ranks 9th wealthiest overall. A surge in the value of L’Oreal shares over the past year helped put her back among the top ten richest for the first time since 1999. Bettencourt, a widow who suffers from dementia, was replaced on the L’Oreal board in February 2012 by her grandson, Jean-Victor Meyers. In 2011, her fortune was put under the guardianship of her daughter, Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers, after three-year legal battle.

    The second richest woman is Christy Walton of the U.S., who inherited her husband John Walton’s stake in Wal-Mart when he died in a plane crash in 2005. She clocks in at $28.2 billion — up nearly $3 billion from a year ago due to an increase in the price of Wal-Mart stock.

    The third richest woman is yet another Walton family member — Alice Walton, daughter of visionary retailer Sam Walton, who founded Wal-Mart with his brother in 1962. Alice Walton, ranked number 16, has a net worth Forbes estimates $26.3 billion, up several billion from the previous year. Walton opened her Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas in 2011. It features works from her personal collection.

     

  • Women protest invasion of farms in Delta

    OVER two hundred women from Ohoro-Uwheru community of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday marched on the council secretariat to protest the invasion of their farmlands by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    The women carried palm fronds and placards with inscriptions that read: “nama nama people have taken over our farmlands”; “We are afraid to go into our farmland for fear of rape” ; “They are killing our husbands and children, government should intervene.”

    A protester, Mrs. Rose Osiebe, said since the Fulani herdsmen came into their land, so many women have been defiled in the bush.

    “They have killed our husbands and children and any attempt by the youths to challenge them always end in a bloodbath.

    “Two weeks ago, three indigenes of the community were killed by the Fulani herdsmen.

    “We have complained several times at the Ughelli Police A Division, all to no avail.

    “We call on the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Ughelli North Council Area Friday Akpoyibo to come to our rescue.”

    Friday urged them to be calm and assured that the issue would be reported at the appropriate quarters.

     

  • Women build 95-room hostel

    The Women Ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi is building an ultra modern three storey hostel block for students of the Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe (NOCOEN).

    President, Mothers Union of the Church, Mrs E.N Okpala led women of the church to inspect the facility which is 80 per cent completed.

    Mrs Okpala expressed satisfaction at the level of work by the contractors handling the project, pointing out that the hostel was initiated to help alleviate the problems of accommodation in the college.

    Mrs Okpala, represented by wife of Nnewi Archdeaconry, Mrs Chinyere Egwuenu, further informed that the hostel will assist in curbing immoralities in the school and enhance better reading atmosphere judging by the facilities in the project.

    She said the building contains 95 rooms and would accomodate about 200 students. This is coming as the Anglican Diocesan Health and Community Development Centre has supported 209 vulnerable children with relief materials.

    The programme Coordinator, Mr Timothy Nnoruem said the group is catering for every child that is experiencing lack of care.

    The traditional ruler of Ukpor Igwe Dr Felix Onyimmadu expressed gratitude to the NGO for taking care of his subjects.

     

  • A lift for rural women

    A lift for rural women

    : 873 trained in different skills

    It was a day of joy for Anambra women when Rural Women Awakening (RUWA) a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with A.U. Foundation empowered them and other less-privileged people.

    Pregnant women; the young; the aged; widows and other less-privileged people gathered at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ekwulobia to receive financial gifts from the non-governmental organisation. They included women from Ihiala; Orumba North; Orumba South; Nnewi North; Nnewi South; Ekwusigo and Aguata local government areas.

    They sang, danced and waved their hands thanking God for His intervention in their lives.

    Some of the women were trained in soap making, fashion designing, and hair dressing, among others.

    Newsextra investigation revealed that 873 rural women were empowered throughout the state in the first phase of the programme.

    Beneficiaries of the interest-free loans are expected to pay back in good time to enable others to benefit from the programme. The exercise will be supervised by coordinators in these local government areas.

    One of the local government coordinators told Newsextra in confidence that each beneficiary of the interest-free loan will collect about N20, 000.

    It is expected that 291 women will be selected from each senatorial zone and three women from each of the 177 communities. The criterion for selection is through balloting.

    One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs. Fidelia Igweike from Nkerechi now called Umuchukwu Community in Orumba South Local Government Area described the gesture from the NGO as amazing.

    She said: “The gesture shows that the God of women never sleeps. The empowerment programme that was meant for only the widow’s has been extended to other less-privileged individuals.”

    For Calista Anagwu from Ihembosi in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, it was a gift from God. He is using the NGO to make the downtrodden feel a sense of belonging.

    Also, Mrs. Beatrice Nwanne praised God for lifting the souls of the downtrodden in the society.

    Another beneficiary of the programme, Sister Chi Nwosu told Newsextra that the hand of God will never depart from the initiator of the programme. Princess Virgy Chukwuogor from Awka South Local Government Area, among others was also jubilant over the gesture of the group.

    However, the founder and coordinator of the programme, Princess Virgy Chukwuogor, told Newsextra that the NGO was one of the ways of realising her dream to make the rural women who have been neglected for too long feel a sense of belonging.

    “It is not only those whose husbands have died that are suffering in the society. Most rural women are hungry and suffering. This is not for any political reason but a vision God gave me to help the rural women.

    “We should not always rely on politicians or our husbands to take care of ourselves as mothers. This is the time for rural women in Anambra State to chart a new cause in their lives.

    “We are also interested in the mental development of the rural women. In the circumstances therefore, any of them that wants to enroll in part-time adult education is free to register now. We will equally take care of the person. We cannot remain in perpetual darkness. Education is the key to success.

    “Some of the people, who we helped to establish small businesses in October, 2012 are doing well. Let us, at least, stop for now from relying on government or our husbands. Let us tell the world that we are capable of standing on our own.

    “I believe in the biblical injunction that we should love our neighbour as ourselves. That is one of the motivating factors in realising the dream I had.

    “God does not hate anybody. We are the architects of our problems in life. This programme will be a continuous exercise,” Chukwuogor said.

  • Women in infotech form group

    A new group, Nigeria Women in Information Technology (NiWIIT) says it is committed to driving the future in the country by harnessing the latent growth potential of women in technology.

    According to a statement signed by Jide Awe, Chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the group is committed to driving the future of Nigeria by harnessing on the strengths and contributions of women in Information Technology, in line with its motto of “Advancing the use of Information Technology amongst women”.

    NiWIT is a new Interest Group in NCS like Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria.(ISPON), Integrated Strategic Planning and Analysis Network (ISPAN) and others.

    Membership is open to female members of NCS, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) and any woman involved in IT, providing professional options for all women in the IT industry.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Stop discrimination against women

    Stop discrimination against women

    SIR: Discriminatory practices against women takes various forms and all these have tendency to affect the economic prowess and social status of the woman in the community. According to a learned author, the society and its legal system in developing countries such as Nigeria condones domestic violence to a certain extent. Women are seen as properties, which are expected to be in total submission to their husbands. One cannot but agree with the writer in view of certain statutory provisions in our customary legal systems which tend to support domestic violence and discriminatory practices against women.

    The provision of Section 55 of the Penal code which allows a man to beat his married wife under native law and custom “in so far as it does not amount to grievous hurt” is a classical example.

    It provides that “Nothing is an offence which does not amount to the infliction of grievous hurt upon any person and which is done by a husband for the purpose of correcting his wife, such husband and wife being subject to any native law or custom in which such correction is recognized as lawful.”

    Thus as long as the grievous hurt on a woman falls short of the acts defined in the section 241 of the penal code, a husband may correct his wife by beating her. It is submitted that this provision runs contrary to the right to dignity of human person constitutionally guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To subject a married wife to battery and assault in the guise of correcting her is barbarous and unreasonable.

    Discriminatory practices manifest itself in the employment sector and this affects the socio economic profile of women in no small measure. Notorious in this area of discrimination is the Nigeria Police Force. For instance, Section 122 of the Police Act stipulates that policewomen recruited to the general duties branch of the force may, in order to relieve male officer from those duties” be employed in clerical, telephone and office orderly duties.

    Also, woman police officer who is desirous of marrying must first apply in writing to the Commissioner of Police of the State Command in which she is serving requesting permission to marry and giving the name, address and occupation of the person she intends to marry. Permission will be granted if the person is of good character and the woman police officer has served the force for a period of not less than three years.” Upon marriage, a woman police officer shall not be granted any special privilege by reason of the fact that she is married, and shall be subject to posting and transfer as if she were unmarried.”

    It is submitted that section 122 of the Police Act has tendency to relegate women police to the background by not exposing them to challenges where they can be professionally fulfilled. This may account probably for non-production of a woman police as Inspector General. It is further submitted that section 124 and 125 out-rightly affect the reproductive rights of women and their choice of partner. The fact that a male police officer does not need to undergo any procedure nor he is required to obtain any permission prior to marriage shows that the law is gender biased.

    • Barrister O . A Abiodun

    Ikorodu, Lagos State

  • ‘1999 Constitution doesn’t protect women’s rights’

    ‘1999 Constitution doesn’t protect women’s rights’

    Gender Activist and United Nations Special Rapporteur Dr. Ngozi Ezeillo yesterday said the 1999 Constitution did not protect the right of women.

    Dr. Ezeillo spoke at the Second Ekiti Gender Summit in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while delivering a lecture, entitled: “Human security and its implications for women”.

    The summit was jointly sponsored by the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF) and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

    Dr. Ezeilo said: “Although Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination against women, Section 55 of the penal code permits wife chastisement, that is spousal beating, which is an instance of the institutionalisation of violence.

    “Section 26 fails to recognise the rights of Nigerian women to extend their citizenship to their foreign spouses.

    “It has been noted that poverty and violence are the most surreptitious violation of women’s rights. In Nigeria and elsewhere in the world, women have suffered tremendous and systemic discrimination, which has created inequalities in all spheres of life and encouraged a culture of violence against women.”

    Governor Kayode Fayemi said next year’s budget would enhance the opportunities of women in the state.

    Fayemi said Ekiti put the Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Law in place to protect women’s rights.

    He said the EDF was working towards domesticating the National Gender Policy, establishing a Multiple Birth Trust Fund and offering free vocational training for women.

    The event was attended by the wives of governors in the Southwest – Erelu Bisi Fayemi (host, Ekiti); Dame Abimbola Fashola (Lagos); Mrs. Foluso Amosun (Ogun); Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (Oyo); Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola (Osun) and Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed (Kwara).

     

  • Fayemi’s wife makes case for women

    Fayemi’s wife makes case for women

    The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has called for increased representation of women in government.

    She was the guest at the plenary session of the Faculty of Arts’ Annual Conference held last week.

    The conference was tagged Re-enacting leadership in Nigeria: The place and role of the Humanities.

    Mrs Fayemi, an alumnus of the institution, said the Beijing 1995 conference on the status and role of women in the society was yielding success with many women occupying leadership positions across the world.

    She said some of the achievements of the conference included awareness on gender equality, formulating legal policies and constitutional framework to strengthen the rights of women. She also listed some challenges facing women rights advocacy to include religion and culture and lack of political will, among others.

    Mrs Fayemi disclosed that November 25 to 30 of every year were set aside for activism against women oppression, urging the participants to join in writing the Nigerian legislators on the need to domesticate charters on women’s rights.

    She said if the laws were domesticated, women would have the right to participate fully in governance without necessarily lobbying through political godfathers.

    At the end of the session, Mrs Fayemi was honoured as a distinguished alumnus of the faculty. She was later accompanied by Prof Oladipo Salami, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and other guests to lay the foundation stone for Bisi Fayemi Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies.