IWD: Tinubu, UN, Others Celebrate Women

• President Tinubu and Minister Ohaneye unveil Nigeria for Women programs, including E-Market portal and National Women Helpline, at Presidential Villa
• UN Secretary-General emphasizes investment in ending violence against women, while Senator Bamidele urges greater attention to women’s issues

In celebration of the 2024 Women’s Day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, unveiled the Nigeria for Women programs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. These initiatives include the E-Market portal, the National Women Helpline, the Naija for Nigerian Women Brigade, and the Be Informed National Broadcast.

Representing the President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Nigerian women through these programs.

In farewell speeches, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, commended Minister Ohaneye’s initiative and advised on establishing accountability structures to ensure the intended improvement in the lives of women, particularly in rural areas.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the importance of public and private investment in ending violence against women, promoting decent work, and enhancing women’s participation and leadership in digital technologies, peacebuilding, and climate action.

The leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), expressed concern over insufficient investment in women in Nigeria and urged greater attention to this area.

At a roundtable on ‘Prospects of Women Political Participation in Nigeria,’ northern women advocated for increased roles to contribute to regional and national development.

In Kano, a livelihood project exhibition organized by the Centre for Community Development & Research Network in partnership with UN Women saw Dr. Olaniyi Aderigbe, the United Nations Women’s program analyst, encouraging women to utilize the skills gained from UN Women projects to empower themselves and others towards self-reliance.