• President Introduces Key Economic Empowerment Projects
• Obaseki Charges Women To Reach For Top In Their Careers
• NAWOJ Tasks Aiyedatiwa On More Appointments For Women
* Akinterinwa Hails Women’s Contributions To Society

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has introduced four key projects expected to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigerian women across all strata of society.

 
Announcing the four key projects during the official launch of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (P-BAT) Cares for Nigerian Women initiative in Abuja, as part of activities to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD), yesterday, the President said the Nigerian economy needs the radiant light only women can bring to accelerate national development.
 
His words: “The benefits of greater inclusion are clear, not just for women, but for all of us. For a start, women are the ultimate agents of aggregate demand, accounting for 70 per cent of Nigeria’s consumer spending.
 
“Women have been referred to in many situations as the sun that lights up the world. Today, more than ever, the Nigerian economy needs precisely this kind of radiant sun to provide light and nourishment, to provide healing, to provide hope, peace and love to our beloved Nation.”
 
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Senator George Akume, the President noted that the projects under P-BAT Cares for Nigerian Women, which include the e-market portal, National Women Helpline, Naira Save Nigeria Integrity and Transparency Brigade and the Nigeria be Informed National Broadcast Channel, are geared towards rapid economic development with women as the drivers.
  
“Our great country, Nigeria, needs economic growth, dynamic and ingenious ideas and innovations. This is why I wholeheartedly support the Minister of Women Affairs on her journey to uplifting our women through sustainable and innovative programmes. It is time to unleash the economic power of our women,” he added.  He acknowledged the limitation of policies, stressing the importance of dismantling outdated social norms that hinder women’s progress.
 
“We are not just committed to women in Abuja but all over the country particularly the most vulnerable in the country to increase their economic capacity,” he noted.
 
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress’, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, quoting the national women’s anthem, said: “Women can’t be silent when all around the world people hurt and hungry children cry.”

According to her, Nigeria needs an economic change that holds the rights of all people high. Also speaking, the Country Representative for Nigeria and the ECOWAS at the United Nations Women (UN Women), Beatrice Eyong, said the government’s focus on development and empowerment of grassroots women was commendable.
 
Eyong, who spoke on behalf of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, said: “Empowering the woman is not only a matter of economic necessity but also a  fundamental human right.

“This year we are reminded to escalate action by uplifting women and economic empowerment all over the globe and in Nigeria in particular. From a global perspective, by 2030, an alarming 347 million women and girls could be trapped in extreme poverty.
 
“So, policy makers need to acknowledge and account for the significant contributions women make to economies globally through both paid and unpaid care work. If these activities of unpaid care work were given a monetary value, then they would represent 40 per cent  of global gross domestic products.” 

 
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his remarks, noted the important role of traditional rulers in empowering women as the closest level of leadership to the people.
 
He said: “We are gathered here to tell ourselves the home truth and what we should do if we want to move forward as a country – that is who a woman is, what she should do and what a woman shouldn’t be, etc.
 
“We know the role women play; without them, there will be no procreation. A woman is the first teacher in the home. If you have a good person, check his background. He has a good mother.

“As royal fathers, we know without mothers there can’t be men and without men, there can’t be women. So, we are here to demonstrate our commitment to help the government succeed in its programmes.
 
“We are not anti-government but anti-social ills. We assure the government that we are 100 per cent ready. We have respect for women because they are the real wheel of development in the country.”
 
The monarch urged the Minister of Women’s Affairs to be transparent in the implementation of the programmes because “we will not support any dirty programme”, noting that the people trust royal fathers’ endorsement of government’s programmes and they (royal fathers) would be held responsible if anything goes wrong.
 
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on his part, commended the minister for bringing governance closer to the people. He further urged her to do more particularly for those in the rural areas “because there’s life beyond Abuja.”

 
“This shouldn’t be a one-off; try to leave your comfort zone to go and see what people are going through from time to time outside Abuja. You have a lot of networks you can work with to ensure women are better empowered,” he advised.
 
Commemorating the day in Benin City, the Edo State capital, at an event organised by the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy, wife of Edo State governor, Betsy Obaseki, urged women to reach for the top in their chosen careers and become part of the decision making process in the country.
 
Obaseki also called on women to get involved in politics to ensure that the “never-do-wells” are kicked out of the political space. She urged women to get the required knowledge that would make them complement the men in the country. Obaseki said the theme of the event should inspire women to reach for the top in their chosen careers and become part of the decision making process in the country.
 
In Ondo State, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to include more women in his administration to promote gender equality, fairness and inclusion. 
 
The state chapter of NAWOJ made the call in commemoration of this year’s IWD. In a statement jointly signed by the state chairperson, Comrade Tola Gbadamosi, and the state secretary, Comrade Oluwatosin Ighoteguono, the group posited that gender diversity in leadership promotes better innovation and governance.
 
The association noted that democracy cannot be completely entrenched until women are included in the electoral process and governance. They urged the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the economic disparities that persist between men and women globally are phased out by making commitments to promote gender equality and economic inclusion.
 
Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Wale Akinterinwa, has lauded the contributions of women across various spheres, calling for greater recognition and support for their efforts.
 
Akinterinwa, who described women as mothers as well as builders of homes and society at large, stated that their contributions to the success of society cannot be overlooked.
 
A statement signed by the spokesperson for the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, Segun Ajiboye, to mark this year’s IWD, highlighted the indispensable role of women in shaping communities and driving progress.
 
According to the statement, as pillars of the home, women hold a special place, which, if well harnessed by political leaders, will ensure a peaceful and prosperous world.