NationalUpdate Woman
IWD: Ododo Celebrates Kogi Women, Reiterates Zero-Tolerance for GBV, Discrimination
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has felicitated with Women on the occasion of the International Women’s Day celebration and reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance policy for all forms of discrimination and Gender Based Violence against women.
The Governor, in his message to mark the International Women’s Day celebration on Friday in Lokoja also stressed the need for more women inclusion in decision making.
Ododo commended the resilience of women in the State and their extraordinary contributions to the development of Kogi State saying that Women play pivotal roles in the development of any individual, families and the society.
He said that the state government had made some progress in the areas of gender equality, addressing gender-based violence and bridging gaps as well as opportunities for women in education, entrepreneurship and political leadership in the state.
The Governor maintained that women remain “the bedrock of our communities, raising families, supporting community development initiatives and driving economic growth.
“As we celebrate our women on this special day, let us reflect on how the courage and determination of women around the world have shaped human progress in civil liberties, universal suffrage and equality that defines the progress of every society.
“We must remember that despite the heights attained by women in education, medical sciences, sports entrepreneurship and leadership, women still face violence and discrimination in several spheres of life.
“We must work hard to break down these barriers and ensure that all women, regardless of their background, have the chance to reach their full potential in our society”, Ododo stressed
The Governor noted that this year’s celebration of the international women’s day is not just about recognizing past achievements of women but an opportunity to invest in critical areas that affect women directly.
Such areas, according to him, include Education, Maternal and Childcare, enhancing the wellbeing of the girl child, eliminating Gender-Based Violence and improving Affirmative Actions aimed at advancing political and economic relevance of women.
He stressed the need for more women inclusion in decision making at state and national levels as he acknowledged the fact that more work needed to be done to address challenges faced by women.
Governor Ododo restated the resolve of his administration to devote more resources to the development of Women and Youths stressing that they are the most critical groups that define his development agenda in the state.
“As a man who has been blessed by women who shaped my destiny and defined my progress in Education and Professional Career, I am passionate about women development and enhancing opportunities for our women to thrive.
“I am aware that when women have access to education and affordable childcare, they are more likely to succeed at home and the workplace.
“Therefore as the theme of this year’s celebration suggests, we are raising the level of our investment in women in every ramifications and as an administration we have demonstrated that commitment.
“We must support women to grow economically, socially and politically, and also combat violence against women, as we sustain our zero-tolerance policy for all forms of discrimination against women in our state.
“As a people we must work together to create a safe and supportive environment for our women to thrive because when women thrive, our communities and our state will continue to thrive,” the Governor stated. (Ends)
The Jigawa state Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has urged the state government to domesticate the federal law extending maternity leave from three to six months.
Chairman of the group Comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafingana made the appeal at a policy dialogue on paid maternity leave extension.
He cited the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) recommendations.
“Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is crucial for a child’s health,” Kafingana emphasized.
The extended leave according to him is aimed at Supporting work-life balance and job security for nursing mothers adsibg that it will allow mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
Explaining further he said it will provide adequate time for physical and emotional recovery after childbirth
The group’s advocacy is seeking to prioritize the health and well-being of nursing mothers and their children in Jigawa State.
By Friday Idachaba
VOWE Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to advancing the education and empowerment of women and girls in Nigeria has unveiled 20 winners of the 2nd edition of the Sophie Uzodimma Onovo Women Undergraduate Scholarship.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the Foundation revealed that the 20 exceptional female final-year students who scaled the hurdle to clinch the award are to enjoy provision of full tuition and other educational expenses for their final year of study.
The statement said that the awardees were selected from educational tertiary institutions in Enugu and Imo states.
It said that the 2024 prestigious scholarship award marked a significant step in the Foundation’s resolve to foster educational opportunities and empower the next generation of women leaders.
The scholarship, which is being generously funded by the founder of VOWE Foundation, Mrs Sophie Uzodimma Onovo, is designed to support female students education in tertiary institutions.
The award is to alleviate financial barriers confronting the students and empower them to pursue their academic goals through provision of full tuition and other educational expenses for the final year of study.
Speaking on the importance of the scholarship, Mrs Sophie Uzodimma Onovo stated, “Education is the cornerstone of personal and societal growth” adding that it also enables the recipients to focus on their studies without financial worries.
“It marks a significant step in our commitment to fostering educational opportunities and empowering the next generation of women leaders.
“By investing in the education of these young women, we are not only helping them achieve their dreams but also contributing to the future of our communities”, she said.
Onovo who is also founder of the VOWE Foundation said the non-profit making body is committed to supporting women, “especially those in underserved communities, to reach their full
potential.”
She said that the selection process for this year’s scholarship was highly competitive, with numerous applications from talented and dedicated female students.
Mrs Onovo held that the 20 chosen beneficiaries demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership potentials, and a strong commitment to community service.
Among the 20 awardees, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has 7; Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), 4; Imo State University (IMSU), 3 and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), 2.
Others are Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT), 1; Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, 2 and Federal Polytechnic Owerri, 1. (Ends)
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