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Women’s Month 2023: Kuda Celebrates Progress in Gender Equity

by Women Times on

To promote equity and raise advocacy for women’s inclusion and visibility, Kuda, the money app for Africans, has announced a month-long series of activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day is a global event celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point for giving proper attention to the rights of women and issues about their wellbeing such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and protection against violence and abuse. The global theme for this year’s IWD is, ‘Embrace Equity.’

Built around the theme, the goal of Kuda’s IWD activities is to seek more opportunities for women to make progress in their personal and professional lives, as well as to reposition women for economic growth and success in career and business.

The IWD activities planned to stretch the entire month of March include a showcase of the impact that Kuda has made in promoting gender equity from 2022 to 2023. The showcase will also include the company’s further commitment to gender equity.

Speaking on this year’s IWD, Rosie Hewat, the Chief People Officer at Kuda, said, “As an equal opportunity-promoting organisation, we are passionate about promoting a healthy work environment where everyone irrespective of gender can aspire, reach the top of their career and realise their personal goals. We have always been intentional about building an organisation where gender equity is an obvious norm and we are excited to report that we have made progress with reflecting this core essence particularly within our Engineering and Product teams. This is a part of our growth process and we will continue to work towards building the type of workplace we dream of.”

She revealed that over the past year, steps taken by Kuda to promote gender equity include fine-tuning its school-to-workplace internship programme aimed to imbue young engineers and product managers with the requisite skills for career progress. Other steps include the development of a recruitment model that incentivises peer referrals; offering more opportunities for product management trainees to become product managers at Kuda, and the expansion of the Engineering and Product teams to onboard more women into leadership roles. More progressive initiatives are being championed by the company’s woman-led Diversity, Inclusion and Equity committee.

Hewat disclosed further that the company in 2022 bolstered career growth for 20 young women it sponsored to the Africa Girls In Tech bootcamp. The programme in partnership with Africa Agility afforded the beneficiaries opportunity to learn tech and product skills and helped them get internships at tech startups or start freelancing.

“As a result of these equity-promoting initiatives, Kuda remains a workplace of reference. Over the past year, we have increased the number of female hires by 133%, grown the number of women on our Product team by 87% and increased the female membership of our Engineering team by 144%. We’re also proud to announce that the ratio of female-to-male employees at Kuda is now 1:1,” she stated.

Kuda is a fintech company operating in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Co-founded by Babs Ogundeyi and Musty Mustapha in 2019, the company is valued at US$500 million and has raised over US$90 million from institutional investors including Target Global and Valar Ventures. Kuda was listed as one of the seven WEF African technology startups in 2021.

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Institute of Counseling in Nigeria Pays Tribute to Hilda Adefarasin

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The Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (ICN) has paid tribute to Hilda Adefarasin, the mother of Pastor Wale Adefarasin, the institute’s board President, who passed on at the age of 98 years and was buried in Lagos at the weekend after the service of songs & Tribute Night.

 

The Provost of ICN, Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire said Hilda Adefarasin’s contributions to humanity would be missed as she remains a perfect example for many to emulate.

 

A statement signed by the institute’s Board Members;Dr. Lekan Ajisafe, Dr. Tola Winjobi, Dr. Micheal Pinder, H.E. Mrs Ibikunle Amosun, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago and Mr. Augustine Ebose reads, “The Provost of the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria, Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire on behalf of the management, staff, students alumni, and board joined the President of the board Pastor Wale Adefarasin to celebrate the life of elegance, poise, achievement, and impact as lived by Mrs. Hilda Adefarasin.”

 

The Provost restated that most of the values Pastor Wale holds so dear like integrity, humility, and fear of God were unsurprisingly evident in the life of his late mother.

 

“Pastor Wale’s love for humanity has made him champion the cause of mental health counseling as he throws his weight behind the institute.

 

“We celebrate the life and time of this woman of virtue, who has made an impact, and the fact that she left us with a blessing like Pastor Wale,” the ICN statement reads.

 

Hilda Adefarasin was born on 9 January 1925 and died on 5 February 2023. She was a Nigerian women’s rights activist who was the president of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS). She left her nursing profession in 1969 to concentrate on the professional activities of the NCWS. In 1971, she was the council’s treasurer and in 1987, she became the president.

 

The Institute of Counseling was founded in 2010 as a not-for-profit independent educational charity. The passion to help people achieve their dreams of becoming professional counselors birthed this vision; the aim is to fill the vacuum of lack of access to professional training in the field of clinical counseling and the inability to acquire professional certificates in the field of counseling and psychotherapy in Africa.

 

 

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IWD: AAAN Celebrates Women in Advertising, Restates Commitment to Equity

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As the world celebrates the 2023 International Women’s Day, the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), has restated its commitment to equity for Women in Advertising (WIA) and celebrating their contributions to the growth of the advertising industry in Nigeria.

WIA is the female focused network that has the responsibility of championing the cause of female members in Nigeria advertising industry. International Women’s Day is an annual global celebration held on March 8.

In a statement released by WIA, the Chairman of WIA, Mrs. Biodun Adefila, said the vision for WIA is to transform female practitioners into outstanding leaders who can contribute broadly to their firm’s success and provide mentoring and professional guidance.

She explained that WIA has organized some programs and initiatives to continue to educate women on how to navigate within the industry, work life balance and celebrating their success.

AAAN Publicity Secretary, Mrs Tope Jemerigbe, said the association is committed to gender equity, development, and celebration of achievements of women in the industry.

She said “As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we will continue to seek ways to nurture, develop, recognize, and celebrate females who are pushing the limits and changing the narratives of advertising. We will continue to embrace and champion equity for the women within our Industry. As AAAN celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, we are celebrating with our first female director, Mrs. Kemi Fabusoro,”

Advertising is traditionally a male dominated industry, however, the industry is witnessing the arrival of female amazons on the scene, with several female Managing Directors leading the charge in many top agencies.

AAAN Director, Mrs Kemi Fabusoro stated that this year’s IWD theme, ‘Embracing Equity’, is deep and powerful and applies to everyone whether male or female. “It means that it can’t be one size fits all, it’s all about recognizing individual needs and the necessary resources required to make the person successful and we will challenge our members to make this a reality,” she said.

“WIA is partnering with like-minded organizations such as the Street Projects Foundation to groom and mentor talented young women into the fold. The association is also an active member of the United Nations’ Unstereotype Alliance which has the vision to eradicate stereotypes in advertising materials in Nigeria and globally,” Adefila said.

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FirstBank Restates Commitment to Empowering Women, Dedicates March to Celebrate Women

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In furtherance of its leading role in promoting the socio-economic inclusion of women in society, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced its dedication of the month of March to the celebration of women across the world, as it commemorates the globally celebrated International Women’s Day, scheduled for 8 March 2023. 

 

Kicking off the series of internal and activities designed to celebrate women is The First Women Network (FWN), Mentoring, Coaching and Sponsorship Pillar Webinar scheduled to hold on Friday, 3 March 2023. The event is organized by the Bank’s First Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation.

 

On Wednesday, 8 March 2023, the Bank will join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2023 International Women’s Day themed: “Embrace Equity” as it convenes its International Women’s Day 2023 event.

 

As a member of UN Women, FirstBank employs the relevant women empowerment tools including the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Gender Gap Analysis Tool in the process of assessing its performance and provides progress reports that feeds into the WEPs performance indicators. FirstBank has a ratio of about 39%:61% female to men employees while 32% women in management driving a deliberate policy consistent with the WEPs – Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

 

In line with this commitment, FirstBank is partnering with UN Women on 15 March 2023 and is set to play a key role in a scheduled event driven by UN Women that will showcase young women and men between the ages of 18-35 in Nigeria who are using technological innovations and tools to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusion. This is in line with the UN International Women’s Day theme for 2023 is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’’.

 

The conversation on ‘’Embrace Equity’’ as well as ‘’DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’’ will be reinforced on Twitter Spaces with notable speakers including Foluso Gbadamosi, the Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria.

 

Amongst the activities scheduled to round off the Women’s Month commemoration is the Bank’s support of the Heroism of Erelu Ota – a play which aligns with the Bank’s First@arts goal of supporting the arts and women. Heroism of Erelu Ota is an untold story of a legendary goddess in Ikorodu Kingdom who travels on the sea with a mat, and her ability to see what the enemies of Ikorodu are planning in their town, played a huge role in assisting the people of Ikorodu during the Agbala war.

 

Speaking ahead of the events, Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank said that “we remain committed to diversity and inclusion as well as women empowerment through digital education and the provision of opportunities for women to access digital tools to bridge the gender digital divide and achieve gender equality. Therefore, as in previous years, FirstBank has dedicated March 2023 as a month set aside to celebrate women and all their remarkable achievements over the years which include their leadership roles and pace-setting standards in Science Technology Entrepreneurship, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).  We are deliberate about partnering to ensure more impact – ensuring that we touch as many women as possible in Women’s Month and beyond.’’

 

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‘More Women and Girls in Science Equals Better Science’, UN Chief Declares

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The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that gender bias in science has resulted in drug tests that treat the female body as an aberration, and search algorithms that perpetuate discrimination, but the solution is simple: increase the numbers of women working in the field and support the girls hoping to join them one day. 

In his message for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, observed this Saturday, who appealed for concrete action to increase their ranks.

“On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight a simple equation: More women and girls in science equals better science,” said Mr. Guterres.

“Women and girls bring diversity to research, expand the pool of science professionals, and provide fresh perspectives to science and technology, benefiting everyone.”

Theoretically, science should be open to everyone, yet it is still overwhelmingly male.

Even though more girls are in school today than ever before, women and girls are underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, according to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Just one in three researchers is a woman, and women account for just 35 per cent of graduates in STEM-related fields.

Their numbers are even smaller in cutting edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, where only one in five professionals is a woman.

“If these gender inequalities are so significant, it is because they are deeply rooted in our societies,” said Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General, in her message for the Day.

“It is because of the persistence of gender stereotypes and prejudices, which sometimes persuade girls that scientific studies are not for them, despite their tremendous potential.”

 

 

 

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Baby of the Year: Mouka Partners Lagos State Govt to Celebrate News Babies, Families

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Mouka, Nigeria’s manufacturer of mattresses and other bedding products, has celebrated families with babies born on New Year’s Day 2023 in furtherance of its commitment to adding value to life.

Mouka participated in celebratory events to welcome the newborns across 13 public healthcare facilities in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau States.

In Lagos, the market leader in the Nigerian sleep industry joined the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs) lbijoke Sanwo-Olu, at selected public health facilities across the metropolis, during which Mouka presented gifts to mothers of the first babies at the Eti-Osa Maternal and Child Centre [MCC], Lekki-Ajah, Ebute-Meta General Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ayinke House, Ikeja all in Lagos State. The gifts comprised pillows, Dino mats and Dreamtime Baby mattresses.

The Special Guest of Honour, First Lady of Lagos State, Dr [Mrs.] Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, was accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, Dr. Abayomi Majekodunmi, Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye and other top Government functionaries on her visit to the selected hospitals as part of the Annual program to celebrate babies born on New Year’s day in Lagos  State.

Baby Iromain Ayinde, a Female who weighed 2.9 kg delivered at exactly 12:02 a.m by Mrs. Iromain was the first baby of the Year at the Ebute-Meta General Hospital, while the first babies of the year at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital [LASUTH], Ikeja were triplets delivered through the Caesarian Section by Mrs. Olufoye. The first child, a female, weighing 2.2kg was delivered at exactly 12:07a.m; the second child, a male who weighed 2kg was delivered at 2:08a.m while the third child, a male who weighed 2.1kg was delivered by 12:09a.m.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu said, welcoming newborns is a symbolic and significant event that brings forth the assurances that human heritage is carried on to the next generation.

‘’The gift of a new baby is a priceless one from God Almighty and as with a lot of cultures, across the world, the birth of a child brings good fortune to society. We are here today not just to celebrate new life but also to seek opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people who need our assistance. Bearing in mind always that our show of love, kindness and compassion is only an extension of gratitude to our maker for the same grace granted to us’’.

While congratulating the parents of the newly born, the First Lady commended all philanthropists; as well as corporate bodies like Mouka especially the Management of the foremost manufacturer of mattresses and other bedding products headed by Mr. Femi Fapohunda who was a special guest during the event for having been consistently involved in this form of partnerships toward complementing the vision and efforts of the State Government in the health sector over the years.

Commenting on the initiative, the Managing Director of Mouka, Mr. Femi Fapohunda, said as the promoter of quality sleep, the brand continues to advocate for a healthy sleep culture, especially from childhood. This is why Mouka donated Dreamtime mattresses, specially designed with children in mind, to the first babies of the year.

The Dreamtime mattress is water-resistant yet breathable to keep the body cool and comfortable through the night. It is also made with the right foam density to keep children comfortable while sleeping.

Fapohunda pointed out that quality sleep is associated with healthy physical and cognitive development in children, which is why it associates itself with the worthy programme of the Lagos First Lady, bringing succour to families of first babies.

Earlier in his remarks, the commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, appreciated the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr [Mrs] Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the Annual First Baby of the Year event, stating that the State Government and corporate organizations like Mouka have been very supportive and committed to the welfare and wellbeing of mothers and children, especially with regards to quality, efficient and accessible health service delivery in Lagos State.

‘’This event is one of the special events through which the Lagos State Government and corporate organizations is showing commitment and support to the wellbeing of mothers and children and I am proud of the Lagos State Health family for doing wonderfully well in providing quality healthcare service delivery to the populace’’, the Commissioner said.

Expressing their joy,  the parents of a set of triplets born in LASUTH, Mr and Mrs Olufoye,  commended Mouka for the valuable gift items.

Last year, the socially responsible company also partnered with the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State to celebrate the first babies of the year in Lagos.

Similar presentations also took place simultaneously by Mouka at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital in Shagamu, Ogun State, the University College Hospital [UCH], Ibadan, the Edo State Specialist Hospital in Benin City, Edo State as well as other select public healthcare facilities in Imo, Enugu, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau States.

For over 63 years, Mouka has grown to become Nigeria’s preferred brand of mattresses and other bedding products.

Mouka has a wide range of quality products, including Royal Luxury Pillow Top mattress, Wellbeing range of orthopaedic mattresses, Mondeo Firm spring mattress, Wellbeing Memory Foam Topper and an assortment of pillows to help Nigerians sleep well and wake up refreshed.
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Monarch Embarks On Initiative to End Early Girl Child Marriage

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The Monarch of Omor, Anambra State, Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume, EzeAna-Ukwu, Eze Igulube and his council members have embarked on a project called: “The Girl Child Education Project” to eradicate early girl child marriage in the state.

Also, the Omor Monarch expressed displeasure in some parents giving out their underage daughters to marriage due to poverty and illiteracy.

He stated this during his 5th anniversary on the throne of Omor, and the celebration of the annual Ofala Festival.

He noted that the community is presently confronted with the challenge underage girls in Ayamelum being given out in early marriages, describing it as unlawful practice.

“From our understanding and my personal investigation, we have come to find out that the parents that are giving out their under aged daughters in marriages are doing so because of their low economic status and ignorance.

“As a result of this, Omor people, through the guidance of the Supreme Elders Council, the Omor Royal Cabinet, Ozo Omor Title Holders, and others resolved to embark on a project called: “The Girl Child Education Project”

“This project will commence with the construction of a befitting Girls’ Secondary School with boarding facilities here in Omor. By this act, Omor people have taken the first step and seized the initiative to provide a parcel of land big enough for this purpose, and also to envisage the anticipated growth the school will experience, given the population of not just Omor, but the entire Ayamelum and its environs.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it breaks my heart to inform you that as I speak to you this afternoon, there is no school in Ayamelum dedicated to the education of the Girl Child, hence the importance of supporting this project.

“I therefore, call on well-meaning Anambriarians, particularly the Anambra State Government under the leadership of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR., Distinguished Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah, the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial zone, Honourable Vincent Ofumelu, the Honourable Member representing Ayamelum/Oyi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Uche Okafor, the Speaker, and the Honourable member representing Ayamelum Constituency in the Anambra State House Assembly, friends and allies of Omor, our in-laws and anybody in the society who appreciates what education can do in the life of the Girl Child and by implication, the society.

“We are all aware that the most effective way to enhance civilization is to invest in the education of the Girl Child which invariably means that she would become an educated woman and mother. It is my hope that this appeals to your sensibilities, and that you would find it a worthy cause to support.”Igwe Oranu stressed.

In her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Anambra State, Ify Obinabo, noted that Igwe has interest in protecting the girl child, thanking him for this great step.

In her words, “Because Igwe has interest that girl child is protected, that is why he is championing this notable project Omor Girls Secondary School, and we are grateful the Igwe wants to build a house where we will be putting the under-age girls we rescue from child trafficking and early marriage. If you don’t train your child girl child, you will suffer it at old age because it is the women that take care of their aged parents.”

On her part, Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano, the wife of the former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, who wants to represent Omor/Oyi Federal Constituency, pledged that if she becomes a Senator, she will support every project geared towards development of the constituency, especially that of the girl child.

She said, “During my eight years as governor’s wife, I have supported the cause of girl child. I am very glad that Igwe has the mind to change the narrative of the girl child from early marriage. I am fully in support of the girls secondary school.

“I am going to Senate because my husband asked me to do so, that he is in support and I will not let you down. As governor’s wife, I have empowered women through artisanian training and provisions of machinery and equipment, after which, I will support them with take-off funds. I will do more if elected senator.”

Also, Hon. Barr. Vincent Ofume, Member representing Ayamelum/Oyi Federal Constituency, who is popularly called Mr. Project, promised to donate one building in the Girls Secondary School, adding that he will do more.

He noted that he was a product of community project, adding that it was the school built through community project that he attended and became what he is today.

Also, Rt. Honourable Uche Okafor, Speaker, Anambra State House Assembly, expressed that everything Omor concerns him, adding that he benefitted from community project that were done by elders, especially the community Secondary School built with community effort.

“Girls Secondary School is a great project that all of us have to put resources together to achieve. I will take charge of the school fencing,” he pledged.

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Omolaraeni Olaosebikan, McEnies Global Comms. CEO Makes List As ARCON Inducts 3 Fellows, 22 Associates Of Advertising

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The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, (ARCON) has inducted into its fold, Omolaraeni Olaosebikan, as an associate member along with other eminent Nigerians on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, in Lagos.

 

The event which took place in Maryland, Lagos had 25 inductees into ARCON altogether, 22 for Associate membership and 3 for Fellow.

 

ARCON, which is seen to be expanding its membership is the apex advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications’ regulatory agency of the Federal Government, and in accordance with its statutory mandates, responsibilities, and powers as conveyed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.

 

Omolaraeni who is the Chief Executive Officer of McEnies Global Communications with this latest certification now has the full legal rights to establish a full-fledged advertising agency and explore opportunities in outdoor advertising and other independent media space.

 

In a chat with the pressmen, Omolaraeni one of the inductees expressed appreciation for the honour done to her by ARCON which according to her will serve as a boost to her advertising and PR practices.

 

She also praised the council, describing it as very professional, thorough, disciplined, and dynamic in its conducts as well as policy thrust.

 

The Ekiti-born marketing communication guru encouraged young and upcoming advertising practitioners to work hard and always put God first in their dealings while also embracing the ethics of advertising.

 

Omolaraeni, who had handled many blue-chip accounts for over a decade enjoined young practitioners to continue to develop their abilities in serving and satisfying their clients.

The elated Omolaraeni added that with the certification, she was ready to explore more opportunities in the sector; thanked ARCON leadership especially the DG, for the honour done to her and several other esteemed Nigerians on Wednesday and prayed for continued success of council.

 

“You can’t set up agency without getting approval from ARCON and for us stakeholders we are pleased to see this critical sector to be regulated by this reputable council. I am also happy to see this platform creating understanding on how to deal with clients and agency across the entire value chain. One thing I have also learned is that wherever you find your feet, do good and God will bless your works. ARCON is a prestigious professional body, and it must be respected so and I am proud to be part of it.” Omolaraeni said

On his own part, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, FCA, rpa, the Director-General of the ARCON after administering oath on the inductees emphasized on the four areas where inductees can use their certificates in both indoor and outdoor advertising, he also talked about the new ARCON’s Act which puts the regulatory body in good stead to carry out its duties, since it takes care of gaps in the former APCON Act. One of such gaps, he said, is the control of new media and online advertisement, which he believed was not taken care of in the APCON Act.

 

According to Dr. Fadolapo the council is now empowered under law to effectively regulate and enhance inclusive growth. He assured stakeholders that ARCON is not regulating to strangulate, adding that, all it plans to achieve with these new regulatory powers is to ensure good corporate governance and inclusive growth in the sector.

 

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Ezekwesili Tasks Citizens to Fight Monopolistic Democracy

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Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has encouraged participation from the public in the fight against monopolistic democracy.

She stated this at the Office Of The Citizen inauguration, which was organised by #FixPolitics.

 

The important thing, according to Ezekwesili, who is also the founder of #FixPolitics, is that there has been a phenomenal shift in political engagement.

“The apathy and lethargy of Nigerians are what made the political class monopolist of our democracy; now that monopoly will gradually be broken up and what we are doing today is to further accentuate the quality of engagement that citizens must have to break the democracy from being a monopoly in our country to be truly competitive.

“A competitive democracy is what leads to better quality governance. We now know that without quality governance, we are not going anywhere with development.”

Ezekwesili defined monopolistic democracy as a situation similar to a marketplace monopoly, adding that citizens must actively participate in governance to break the political elite’s monopolistic tendencies.

Monopolistic democracy exists in Nigeria and some African countries, she noted, because citizens are not empowered to participate actively in democratic processes.

“The reason we have monopolistic democracy is because we have citizens that cannot engage,” she said.

The Chief Executive Officer, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Mrs Alero Otobo, said the institution would give community organisers more power to sway voters.

SPPG’s work study group came up with the initiative, a social campaign project that aims to encourage civic engagement.

Speaking on citizens’ awareness ahead of the 2023 elections, she said there’s was phenomenal shift.

“I think Nigerians are already coming to that place that I had prayed for so many years. Many citizens are participating in the democratic process. In the 2019 elections, we could not get citizens at the level that we are getting them now.

“We are seeing that the young and the women are all engaged. When you see people who deride the interest of Nigerians in politics saying ‘it is about social media’, don’t mind them, ignore them,” she warned.

In her address, the Coordinating Chair of #FixPolitics Work Study Group 1, Mrs Bolatito Adeniyi-Aderoju, reminded citizens that “by voting, we give authority to leaders to manage our collective resources. So, we must seek to choose leaders the way we choose football teams; elect leaders with competence, capacity and character. We need to vote in all elections, especially elective positions close to the people, like local government chairmen and councillors.

“With the OOTC activation, citizens can become community organisers, who help communities understand how the political process works to deliver public goods and services to Nigerians.”

She noted that more information on the OOTC and community organising initiatives could be found at  www.OOTCNigeria.org.

FixPolitics Work Study Group 1  is responsible for moulding an empowered and engaged electorate, as well as activating the OOTC and community organising initiatives. Community organisers will be trained by the SPPG .

Nigerian rapper and record producer, Jude Abaga, popularly known as M.I. Abaga, said, at the event, that the idea to work on raising awareness of the office of the citizen came up because the supply side of politics was underperforming and needed to be energised to improve the calibre of people entering the political space to run for elective offices.

In his vote of thanks, the Executive Director, #FixPolitics, Anthony Ubani, said, “From the inception of #FixPolitics, our vision has been to activate the OOTC and develop a political class of servant-leaders.”

He added, “Citizens are the foundation of a nation. Indeed the OOTC is the most important office in a democracy.

“Any reform solution designed to correct the structural imbalances in Nigeria must necessarily begin with educating, enlightening and empowering citizens to be able to play their role effectively and productively in our democratic system of government. This is why we are taking the historic step of activating the OOTC today.”

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Influential Nigerians Team Up to support Women and Girls During 16days of Activism Campaigns

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On the eve of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, 24th November 2022, Change.org and Industry Nite, founded by Matthew Ohio, will kickstart the 16 days of Activism Campaign to sensitize Nigerians about the issues impacting women and girls in Nigeria and across the globe.

The two organizations are joined by the United Nations, African Development Bank and other impactful organizations including Invictus Africa, founded by Bukola Shonibare, Nordic Hotels, Eyowo, Sanaa Afrika, with support from influencers and creatives such as Blaqbonez, Dija, Alhanislam and goodwill messages from renowned American poets and songwriters like J Ivy, Aja Monet and Defi.

The expression of power is the fundamental driver of violence against women and girls – this is why advocacy for gender equality is critical, if we must exponentially eradicate sexual and gender based violence worldwide. Gender equality and gender based violence emerged as the largest topics of discussion and decision maker engagement with over 9 victories in Nigeria via Change.org.

There are several petitions on the platform with a combined supporter base of 500K+ people that address the issue of child marriage in Nigeria, and sexual harrassment accounts for about 25% of all petitions started on our platform,” said Wale Ajiboye, Change.org Nigeria’s Country Director. Hence, the need for us to take action now!

According to UNWomen,The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through to the International Human Rights Day on 10 December. Led by civil society, the campaign is supported by the United Nations through the Secretary General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women initiative. This year, the UN marks the 16 Days under the theme “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

“We are thrilled to be working together on the 16 Days of Activism initiative,” says Matthew Ohio, Founder of Industry Nite. “Industry Nite has helped many upcoming and successful female artists, including Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr, over the last 13 years. This month’s show features incredible female talents in music, dance, and spoken word – these creatives will speak on behalf of our women and girls – with the aim of raising awareness”

Change.org is the world’s largest and fastest-growing platform for social change, where its users can start, sign and share petitions on issues that matter to them. More than 450 million people use Change.org in around 196 countries. Launched in Nigeria in August 2021, Change.org currently has about 3 million users in the country and has successfully piloted its movement accelerator, She Creates Change and We Create Change, which is an incubator for civil society leaders who collectively use their voices for change.

For more information and partnership: contact:

Wale Ajiboye, Country Director Nigeria Change.org wajiboye@change.org
Matthew Ohio, Founder Industry Nite and movement leader – mohio@thesanaa.xyz Bukky Shonibare, Founder, Invictus Africa and movement leader – bukky@invictus.ng

Change.org is the world’s largest petition platform, empowering people everywhere to create the change they want to see. Visit www.change.org.

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