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Making Investment in Women a top priority
Making Investment in Women a top priority
By: Victor Emejuiwe
As we celebrate the international Women’s day there are needs to take practical steps to implement a robust agenda that would address the inequality gap and lack of inclusivity affecting Women in Nigeria. This year’s event should go beyond lip service or the ceremonious affinity associated with the event and concrete actions should be taken to fully invest in Women. Investment in Women should be made a top priority because no society can thrive in a scale of balance if a major population that makes up the society (such as Women) is less empowered.
It is also common knowledge that the determination of functional societies with records of economic and social developments as recorded in advanced countries are found in domains with positive indicators of Women empowerment. Currently, Nigerian Women have been excluded in so many ways; most of which includes; poor enrollment level of females in schools. Statistics shows that the number of female enrollments in most states especially in northern Nigeria compared to their male counterparts is abysmally low. Also, the governance indicators on political inclusion of Women is unfavorably in-balanced. Despite the affirmative action to offer Women 35% of political inclusion, a report published by premium times reveals that the 10th assembly has only 3 Women out of 109 senators and 17 Women out of 390 House of reps’ members which is below 5 percent for both chambers.
On the part of the executive, the Women represented in the cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represent just 18.75% which is far less than the required 35% affirmative action. Coupled with this fact is the health and well-being of Nigerian Women, the maternal mortality rate of pregnant and nursing mothers has remained at an all-time low, putting Women at risk of child bearing. Women in the informal sector have also suffered exclusion from government programs and policies despite the economic hardship experienced in Nigeria, most Women in Nigeria are compelled to struggle for daily survival to support the running of the home. The Market Women who sell vegetables, tomatoes and other household items have been totally excluded from any form of social security from the government, with major exclusion experienced in the health insurance sector. The exclusion of Women in the informal sector has led them to resort to alternative medical treatments that endangers their life and well- being. Having highlighted a few of the challenges, it is necessary that the government pay attention to the implementation of its policies on Women inclusion. One of the major policies that addresses the above concern, which requires full implementation, is the National Gender Policy 2021-2026. Some key objectives of the policy aim to explore and fully harness Women’s human capital assets as a growth driver for national development through Women’s economic empowerment. Advance Women’s participation and representation in leadership and governance as well as support Women and Girl’s education, lifelong health, survival and sustainable development.
Also, the ministerial agenda for women empowerment and societal transformation produced by the ministry of Women affairs was strategically designed to uplift communities through Women empowerment, education, and law enforcement. To address the prevalence of illiteracy and out-of-school children, the policy proposes to implement a comprehensive education initiative focused on skill acquisition and vocational education. The implementation of this agenda is an investment priority that should benefit young Girls and Women.
The agenda also plans to liaise with NGOs to organize existing Women cooperative societies into Women affinity groups and provision of essential processing machines and equipment to empower Women in various sectors. Budgetary allocations should prioritize this across sectors. Also, government monetary and fiscal policies should mainstream Women for financial inclusion. In addition, Women should have access to soft loans to enable them to upscale their business and continue to support their families. To reduce maternal mortality, Pregnant Women should be accorded free health insurance as obtained in S.25. of the National Health Insurance Authority Act. Efforts should be made to provide social security in the form of affordable and qualitative health insurance as a top priority for Women. To achieve this, Women in the informal sector should be grouped in a formalized structure according to their line of occupation and registered to access health insurance. For instance, association of Women farmers can be registered under one health insurance umbrella, the same goes for market Women association, Small Scale Women etc. This would guarantee their productivity and increase their life expectancy. The plans contained in the various government policy agenda should be costed and implemented accordingly.
In conclusion, Women should not be left out of the political space, governments at all levels must show strong commitment in the inclusion of Women in all facets of governance by ensuring that the affirmative action on Women serves as a strong basis for future appointments and elective positions in the country.
Victor Emejuiwe
Monitoring and Evaluation/Strategic Communication Manager
Writes from Center for Social Justice Abuja.
08068262366
Making Investment in Women a top priority
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted a naval officer and members of his family in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Aug. 20, 2025, at about 0200hrs, when the gunmen stormed Unguwan Mission, Kachia, and whisked away Seaman Olatunji Enoch, 40, of the Nigerian Navy attached to NNSAT Kachia.
The assailants also took away his wife, Margaret Olatunji, 25, and their daughter, Hellen Bitrus, 13, during the attack.
Security agencies have since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, with cordon-and-search operations ongoing in surrounding bushes. The operation aims to ensure the safe rescue of the victims without harm.
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
News
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The international Police Academy (UNIPOL) has Appointed Deputy Commander General (DCG) Joseph Icha,
Director Training and Manpower Development, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
A statement from the academy’s management stated that “the academy proudly announces the appointment of
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
“This appointment recognizes
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA. exceptional contributions to national security, law enforcement leadership, and international cooperation.”
Icha has served the Agency in various Senior Management capacities as Principal Staff Officer, Assistant State Commander, Assistant Director, State Commander, and Deputy Director among others, with commendations.
The new international counter narcotics boss has attended several law enforcement courses on Drug Supply Suppression and Drug Demand Reduction within and outside the country.
“He is a Master Trainer with the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) in Drug Law Enforcement intelligence led investigation strategies and Criminal Intelligence. ” said the statement.
Joseph Icha has facilitated training programmes on behalf of UNODC to various law enforcement agencies in the country.
DCG Joseph Icha is a Law Enforcement Operative, mentor, curriculum designer, and advisor per excellence.
He is also a member of several international professional Organizations and currently is the Director Training and Manpower Development of NDLEA.
This important appointment was pronounced under the leadership of Dr. Alexander Jan M (Hany El Zahar), Executive Director, Founder, and CEO of the International Police Academy – UNIPOL, and IPA President (Rtd.) Senior Superintendent of Police Shuaib Adam HSC OLY VJ, International Director of Law Enforcement, Police, and Military, with the support of Prof. Yuval Binstoc (IPA) and Sir Junustia Brecen.
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Plateau State Accountant General Naanret Manset has said that it was not true that Plateau state has refused to comply with the deadline given to states for the submission of 2024 audited financial statements.
Reacting to a report published recently, the accountant general in a statement noted that “the attention of the Office of the Accountant-General of Plateau State has been drawn to a publication by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) titled ‘It’s Past Deadline, 5 States Fail to Publish 2024 Financial Statements’, which wrongly lists Plateau State as one of the defaulters.”
Naanret Manset maintained that “For the record, Plateau State fully complied with all statutory timelines for the preparation, audit, and publication of its 2024 audited financial statements
“Submitted same to the Auditor-General in May, 2025 which is within the stipulated period of 6 months.
“Audit completed in June, 2025 and forwarded to the House of Assembly which is also within the stipulated period of 3 months.
“Approved by the House of Assembly
Published online on 27 July 2025, below the legal timeline of 9 months.
The audited report is publicly available here:
“We urge FIJ to promptly correct their publication and remove Plateau State from the list of non-compliant states.
Plateau State remains committed to transparency, accountability, and timely financial reporting.” It noted.
The FIJ had recently published that six Nigerian states are yet to publish their audited financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year.
It revealed that five of such erring states have already past their statutorily implied deadlines which Plateau is saying is not true as it applies to them.
The publication had said that ” erring states are Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers.
“In Akwa Ibom’s case, its amended 2021 audit law gives the auditor general up to nine months to publish the report online after submitting it to the House of Assembly.
“The Accountant General has six months to present the books, followed by a 90-day audit and submission period.
” In the other five states, audit laws differ in the year they were enacted or updated, but the process is similar.
“The Accountant General must submit the financial documents to the audit office within three months after the financial year ends.
” The Auditor General is then required to audit the report, send it to the House of Assembly and publish it immediately.
“The Ogun State Audit Law (2021), Rivers State Audit Law (2021, as amended), Akwa Ibom State Audit Law (2021), Oyo State Audit Commission Law (2021) and Plateau State Audit Law (2021) all set out these requirements.
” In Rivers, however, publishing the audit is left to the discretion of the Auditor General.
“In past years, these states have published their audits between June and August. Some have also been ranked among the lowest in transparency.
” The CJID Openness Index, released in July 2024, placed all six in the bottom tier along with 10 others.”
Recently, FIJ reported Akwa Ibom’s repeated disregard for budgetary transparency despite binding provisions in its Fiscal Responsibility Law.
The FIJ report maintained that two states Yobe and Ekiti, scored above average for transparency and accountability in 2024, with 73 per cent and 54 per cent, according to the Sub national Audit Efficacy Index, published by the Paradigm Leadership Initiative.
The report noted that the annual assessment, which measures financial transparency and policy adoption across Nigeria’s state governments, shows a familiar trend: “stagnation or decline.”
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
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