NationalUpdate Woman
World Food Day: SWOFON calls for renewed commitment to women farmers empowerment

***Urges unfettered access to farm inputs, training, credit facilities
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
SMALL Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Kogi State chapter, has called on the government to renew its commitment to empowering Women Farmers by according them unfettered access to farm inputs, training, and credit facilities.
Hajia Rukayat Ahmed, Kogi State Coordinator of SWOFON made the call at the occasion of the 2024 World Food Day Celebration and Interactive Forum organized by the organisation on Wednesday in Lokoja.
The celebration was Organised by SWOFON in collaboration with Kogi State Budget Committee Group (BCG) and Ministry of Agriculture with support from ActionAid Nigeria.
She said that World Food Day event aimed to promote sustainable agriculture, combat hunger, and advocate for small holder farmers, particularly women adding that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Right to Food for a better life and better tomorrow” was particularly significant.
Ahmed said that the event called for collective action and advocacy for the millions of small-holder farmers, especially women, who work tirelessly to feed their families and communities and also nurture the future of our nation.
“It is essential that we recognize and empower women by providing them with access to resources, training, and financial support. When women farmers strive, entire communities flourish”, she said”, she said.
The SWOFON Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the Kogi State Government and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security for their continuous support towards empowering women in agriculture saying , “Your leadership and commitment are vital in driving the change we seek.”A
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Timothy Ojomah represented by Mr Kunle Agbana, Director, (Agric. Services) said that the state has always and would continue to prioritize food security by supporting farmers.
He said that the World Food Day celebration served as a reminder of the importance of collective action and advocacy for small-holder farmers, especially women.
Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina, Chairperson, Kogi Non-Governmental Organizations Network (KONGONET) reiterated the need for states to meet the Maputo and Malabo Declarations of minimum of 10 per cent annual budgetary allocations to the Agriculture sector to ensure food security.
Muraina called for strategic planning to sustain production and ensure that the food chain is not broken because “if we eat what we have today and do not produce for tomorrow, there will be very weak hope of survival.”
In his submission, Dr Bello Ogirima George, Managing Director of Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (ADP) commended the women farmers across the country for taking the lead in agricultural production.
He said that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo being the son of a farmers and a farmer himself, was committed to advancing the cause of farmers because “He knows where the problems are and how to solve them.”
He however, called on all Nigerians to key into Agricultural production to ensure food sufficiency saying that whoever does not work should not eat as “Food is not the Fundamental Rights of anybody.”
There were goodwill messages from the Ministries of Women Affairs, Budget and planning, Kogi State House of Assembly standing Committee on Agriculture, and various Agriculture-related NGOs at the World Food Day celebration
Highlight of the occasion was the exhibition of variety farm produce from various regions of the three Senatorial Districts of the state. (Ends)
NationalUpdate Woman
Senator Natasha Outlines Strategies to Curb Japa Syndrome at Diaspora Committee Inaugural Meeting

At the inaugural meeting of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, newly appointed Chairman Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan unveiled a strategic plan to address the “Japa” syndrome—the mass emigration of Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad.
She emphasized that reversing this trend requires creating an enabling environment that encourages Nigerians to stay and invest in their home country.
Speaking in the presence of outgoing Chairman Senator Victor Umeh, Vice Chairman Anthony Harris, and other committee members, Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted the urgent need for structural economic reforms to retain Nigerian talent and harness the diaspora’s potential for national development.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan acknowledged that forcing people to stay in Nigeria is not an option. Instead, she stressed that creating an attractive and stable economic environment would naturally encourage Nigerians to remain and thrive.
“We cannot keep losing our best brains to other countries. However, the solution is not to force them to stay. People stay where opportunities are abundant, security is assured, and governance is functional. Nigeria must provide these conditions to stop the Japa syndrome,” she stated.
To address this, the senator proposed three key strategies to include Establishing a Diaspora Investment and Development Bank
She advocated for the creation of a Diaspora Bank, where Nigerians abroad can invest their remittances into structured projects in Nigeria.
This bank, she said would be managed by trusted professionals, would allow diaspora contributions to be channeled into sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and technology.
“Diaspora remittances contribute over $21 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy. We must create a system where this wealth can be strategically invested in sectors that will drive economic growth, instead of being consumed on daily expenses alone,” she explained.
The second strategy she is to expand Economic Opportunities and Industry Development
She pointed out that countries like India and Ethiopia have successfully harnessed their diaspora by establishing industries where returning citizens can work and contribute their expertise.
Akpoti-Uduaghan called for the development of high-tech zones, textile hubs, and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that skilled professionals can return home to viable job opportunities.
“Nigeria must take lessons from countries like India, which dominates the global ICT sector, and Ethiopia, which has established over 80 thriving textile industries with the help of its diaspora. We must replicate these models,” she said.
The third strategy she proposed is the creation of a Comprehensive Nigerian Diaspora Database
The senator emphasized the importance of gathering accurate data on Nigerians abroad to properly engage, integrate, and support their participation in national development.
She proposed working with embassies to compile data on Nigerians in America, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa, identifying their skills and potential contributions.
“How many Nigerians are in America? Canada? Europe? We need to know. Data drives decision-making. We must also track how diaspora funds are used to ensure transparency and accountability,” she stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also stressed the need to engage international organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other global NGOs that provide funding, training, and technical expertise for development projects.
She further announced plans to organize a Nigeria Diaspora Business Summit, where Nigerian professionals abroad can showcase their innovations, businesses, and investment opportunities in the country.
“Our goal is to make Nigeria a hub where our citizens, whether at home or abroad, feel confident to invest, return, and build their future,” she concluded.
Former Chairman Senator Victor Umeh praised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s leadership and expressed confidence in her ability to transform the diaspora engagement agenda.
“She is energetic, visionary, and ready to break new ground. I am optimistic that she will drive significant reforms to maximize the potential of Nigeria’s diaspora community,” Umeh stated.
The inaugural meeting marked the beginning of a new era for Nigeria’s diaspora engagement, with Akpoti-Uduaghan vowing to work closely with the Presidency, international stakeholders, and Nigerians abroad to ensure a sustainable and inclusive national development strategy.
NationalUpdate Woman
Prof. Abdullahi Breaks Barriers, Becomes Northern Nigeria’s First Female Professor of Mechanical Engineering

By Lamara Garba
In a historic feat that has inspired the academic community, Prof. Umma Abdullahi has become the first female professor of Mechanical Engineering in northern Nigeria.
Prof. Umma, now in her mid-40s, was among 66 senior academics recently promoted to the esteemed rank of professor, as approved by the management of Bayero University, Kano.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to her unwavering dedication, relentless passion, and steadfast determination to defy the odds and shatter glass ceilings in a male-dominated field.
Born and raised in the Sharfadi quarters of Kano Municipality, Prof. Abdullahi’s journey to academic excellence is a story of providence, perseverance, and determination. After completing her Remedial Science Programme, she initially applied to study Geography. However, fate had other plans, leading her to Mechanical Engineering—a field that became her passion and, ultimately, her claim to fame.
A 2005 graduate and a mother of six, Prof. Umma’s achievement is even more remarkable considering she successfully balanced the demands of family life as a housewife with the rigors of an academic career. Despite these challenges, she remained focused, driven by a fierce determination to succeed.
Prof. Abdullahi’s rise to prominence serves as a beacon of hope for women and girls, particularly in northern Nigeria, where cultural and societal norms often limit opportunities for women.
Interestingly, Umma is the youngest of 21 siblings. Her story underscores the transformative power of hard work, determination, and a refusal to accept societal limitations.
As the first female professor of Mechanical Engineering in northern Nigeria, Prof. Umma Abdullahi is an inspiration to students, colleagues, and the broader community. While pursuing her Ph.D. at the Islamic University in Malaysia, she completed her program in just 24 months—a feat not achieved in the previous 30 years. Her success highlights the transformative impact of education in challenging societal norms.
Prof. Abdullahi’s historic achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a victory for women’s empowerment and a celebration of human potential. As she continues to make strides in her field, she is poised to inspire a new generation of women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
In a region where women’s participation in STEM fields is limited, Prof. Abdullahi’s accomplishment is groundbreaking. She serves as a role model, mentor, and a shining example of what dedication, perseverance, and a passion for learning can achieve.
Looking ahead, Prof. Abdullahi remains committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation of women in STEM. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to motivate others, challenge societal norms, and push boundaries.
Speaking shortly after receiving her letter of promotion, Prof. Umma Abdullahi expressed gratitude to her parents, siblings, and beloved husband—an academic whose financial and emotional support played a crucial role in her success.
NationalUpdate Woman
Beyond Borders: Senator Natasha Empowers Women in Husband’s Delta Hometown

Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has extended her empowerment programmes beyond her Senatorial District to Abigborodo community in Delta State, her husband’s ancestral home in a demonstration of commitment to inclusive development and grassroots empowerment.
At the event held on January 1, 2025, hundreds of women received business tools such as deep freezers, sewing machines, and grinding machines to promote entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.
Renowned for her impactful performance in Kogi Central, Senator Natasha described the initiative as part of her broader mission to empower women and stimulate sustainable development.
“This effort reflects my belief in strengthening families and fostering prosperity through women’s empowerment, irrespective of location,” she stated.
Her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel, emphasized that the initiative aligns with Senator Natasha’s vision of driving economic growth and skills development across Nigeria.
Community leaders and beneficiaries praised the programme as a life-changing intervention, pledging to make the most of the tools provided.
Senator Natasha’s outreach in Delta State reinforces her dedication to inclusive governance and sustainable development, ensuring women are equipped to thrive economically and socially.
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