President Bola Tinubu said that his administration is committed to advancing the cause of Nigerian women and empowering them towards gender equity.
The President reaffirmed his commitment when he spoke on Tuesday evening at the Empower-Her fund-raising dinner of the Ministry of Women Affairs at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The event is themed ‘Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment’, the President emphasised the importance of confronting the roadblocks Nigerian women face.
Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President urged government and private sectors to join hands and support the programme.
He acknowledged the crucial role women play in agriculture, contributing over 70 per cent of the labour force and stressed the need for investment in agricultural training, access to land, and financial services for women farmers.
“As the President of Nigeria, I am committed to advancing the cause of women empowerment and gender equality in our dear nation. Don’t forget my mother was a great market woman.
“We recognise the challenges women face with limited access to education and healthcare, gender-based violence and economic disparity.
“This is imperative for us as a nation to together to drive down development and create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed”, said President Tinubu.
The Nigerian leader argued that this will increase their yield, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s food security.
He said, “Empowering women in agriculture must prioritize investment in agricultural training, access to land (This is critical) and financial services for women farmers.
“This will enable women to increase their yield, improve their livelihood and contribute to Nigeria’s food security. By doing so, we will unlock their full potential, which will drive different economic growth”.
He also spotlighted health disparities affecting women and girls, focusing on increasing access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
“We must also address the health disparity that disproportionately affects women and girls.
“By increasing access to quality health care, education, and economic opportunities, we can empower them to control their health and wellbeing. Allow them to express themselves.
“In our quest for justice and sustainability, we must ensure women have access to justice and protection from all forms of violence and discrimination, which requires strengthening our institutions, promoting gender-sensitive policies, and supporting women’s rural organisations”, said the President.
President Tinubu said strengthening institutions, promoting gender-sensitive policies, and supporting women’s rural organizations are essential to ensuring women have access to justice and protection from violence and discrimination.
“It is in view of this that this Empower-Her initiative solidly deepens the vision we have for our country.
“We must empower women, not just for their sake, but for the sake of our entire nation.
“When we have empowered families, communities are viable,”, he noted.
The President sounded a clarion call to government entities and the private sector to “join hands and support and promote Empower-Her initiative, which has created an enabling environment for every woman in Nigeria to fulfil her potential and contribute meaningfully to society”.
To the women, he said, “Your voice matters, your talents are invaluable, and your potential limitless. Stand tall, speak out that the future of Nigeria lies in you, to build a Nigerian where every woman”.
Also speaking at the event was the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu, who emphasised the importance of empowering women in Nigeria.
Represented by UBA’s CEO, Oliver Alawuba, Elumelu praised President Tinubu’s leadership in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
He also acknowledged First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s advocacy and Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye’s commitment to addressing gender inequality.
The businessman highlighted the crucial role women play in agriculture, contributing over 70 per cent of the labour force yet facing challenges in accessing resources.
“UBA’s commitment to gender equality was evident in its 50 per cent female board representation, 40 per cent female senior management, and 59 per cent female graduate management trainees.
“The bank has also provided 78 per cent of its working capital loans to women-led businesses”, he stated.
Elumelu said aside from the moral underpinnings of empowering women, the economic benefit to the world is a potential $12 trillion increase in global GDP by 2025 if the gender gap is closed.
He urged collective action from individuals, organizations, and the private sector to support women’s empowerment.
Meanwhile, billionaire businessman Arthur Eze led the train of donations to the initiative by announcing the sum of N100 million in support of the women’s empowerment programme.
Speaking to journalists before leaving the event venue, Eze voiced his support for the programme steered by the Minister of Women Affairs to empower women and girls.
“I am to be here to support the women particularly the honourable minister.
“President Bola Tinubu had a vision as a brilliant man to locate this woman. She cares for the paper. She learnt from the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, who is going everywhere, both north and south in Nigeria, taking care of the poor, the women whether you are in the PDP, APC, APGA.
“So we must support them in changing Nigeria. All of us are hungry. We inherited it, not Tinubu. We pray to God to keep him alive so that he can change Nigeria and the people”, he said.
On his motivation to donate N100 millon, Eze said: “I have seen what this woman (minister of women affairs) did. The money is not for her but to help the poor. People have been dying for many years.
“Politicians have been putting the money in their pockets, building houses, towers everywhere in Europe and Abuja. What are they going to do? Are they going to heaven or hell”, he said.
