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Inclusive Investment in Vulnerable Women Critical to Nigeria’s $1tn Economy Goal – Uzoka-Anite
Inclusive Investment in Vulnerable Women Critical to Nigeria’s $1tn Economy Goal – Uzoka-Anite
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s ambition to build a one-trillion-dollar economy will remain incomplete without deliberate investment in vulnerable women and girls, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has said.
The minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during a symposium organised to commemorate the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day and Women’s Month, where stakeholders called for stronger policies to address the challenges facing women with special needs across the country.
Speaking at the event themed “Rights, Justice, Action for Women & Girls With Special Needs in Nigeria: Exploring Strategies & Approaches for Acceleration and Impacts,” Uzoka-Anite stressed that targeted support for vulnerable women is not merely a social welfare responsibility but a strategic economic investment.
According to her, women living with HIV, persons with disabilities, elderly women and internally displaced persons remain among the most excluded groups in development planning despite their potential to contribute significantly to economic growth.
She explained that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is shifting Nigeria’s public finance framework from traditional expenditure-based budgeting to investment-driven planning aimed at producing measurable economic outcomes.
The minister said the proposed National Development Plan for 2026–2030 would prioritise inclusive growth as Nigeria works toward building a $1 trillion economy.
Uzoka-Anite noted that when vulnerable women receive economic opportunities and protection from violence, the impact extends beyond individuals to families and communities.
“When an internally displaced woman receives livelihood support and security, she does not remain dependent. She becomes a trader, an entrepreneur and a pillar for rebuilding her family and community,” she said.
She added that inclusive policies generate stronger economic returns and represent one of the most efficient uses of public resources.
According to her, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is strengthening gender-responsive and disability-inclusive planning within Nigeria’s national development framework, while also introducing systems to track whether government spending reaches the most vulnerable populations.
Earlier, the Representative to UN Women and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said the event was designed to spotlight women whose struggles are often overlooked in policy formulation.
She noted that women facing multiple forms of vulnerability—such as those living with HIV, women with disabilities and internally displaced women—frequently experience overlapping discrimination driven by poverty, stigma and social exclusion.
Also speaking, the Country Director of UNAIDS in Nigeria, Boonto Krittayawa, warned that progress toward gender equality remains slow globally and requires stronger political commitment.
She pointed to persistent gaps in political representation, economic participation and access to opportunities for women, stressing the need for targeted investments and legal reforms to accelerate progress.
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Special Assistant, Princess Joan Jumai, said the government is strengthening programmes designed to address the needs of women facing multiple layers of discrimination.
She highlighted initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774, which aims to expand social protection and economic empowerment for vulnerable women across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
In her remarks, Acting Deputy Representative of UN Women in Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba, said the symposium provided a platform for women with special needs to share their experiences and influence policies affecting them.
She added that the meeting would conclude with a communiqué outlining key challenges and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening protection, inclusion and economic participation for vulnerable women across the country.
Inclusive Investment in Vulnerable Women Critical to Nigeria’s $1tn Economy Goal – Uzoka-Anite
News
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits have killed one person and injured three others in an attack on Shonong community in Bachi District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, in a sustained reprisal attack linked to an earlier livestock-related incident.
Security sources said the attack occurred at about 8:40 p.m. on April 19 when the armed men invaded the community and opened fire on residents.
The sources said the assault was believed to be in retaliation over the killing of nine livestock in the area, an incident that had heightened tensions between farming and herding communities in the locality.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) deployed in the area reportedly came under fire while responding to the attack and engaged the assailants in a gun duel, forcing them to withdraw after a heavy exchange of fire.
Reinforcement teams were later deployed and moved into the community to stabilise the situation and restore order.
According to the sources, the attackers killed a woman identified as Mrs Fibi Solomon, while three others — Mr Solomon, Master Jacob Solomon and Miss Jacobeth Solomon — sustained gunshot wounds.
The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Riyom for treatment, alongside the remains of the deceased.
Troops also rescued 12 civilians comprising three men, six women and three children, who were relocated to nearby Fang village for safety.
Security sources added that troops had intensified pursuit operations to track down the fleeing attackers, while the general area remained calm but tense.
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
Yobe: Baba Malam Wali paid condolences to Senator Mustapha
By: Yahqya Wakili
The immediate past secretary to the Yobe State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni, today paid a condolence visit to Senator Musa Mustapha, senator representing Yobe East in the National Assembly, following the death of his mother-in-law, the late Hajiya Fatima Mustapha Jibrin.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by his press secretary, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi, made available to newsmen in Damaturu, the state capital.
During the visit, the former secretary to the state government, Baba Malam Wali mni, offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul.
He urged the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude, noting that death is inevitable and a path that every mortal must take.
Hajiya Fatima Mustapha Jibrin passed away yesterday, Thursday, 16th April 2026, in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital. She was buried the same day in accordance with Islamic injunction.
Baba Malam Wali further prayed to Almighty Allah SWT to forgive the shortcomings of the late Hajiya Fatima, have mercy on her, and grant her Al-Jannatul Fiddausi as her final abode.
Yobe: Baba Malam Wali paid condolences to Senator Mustapha
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3 Area of Responsibility have foiled an attempted attack by suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 1329hrs on April 19, when the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the base through Charlie/Delta Company axis.
The attackers, operating with two gun trucks, were sighted advancing toward the entrance gate of Mairari town along the Gajiram axis.
Troops immediately engaged the advancing terrorists, forcing them to abandon their mission and retreat.
Following the encounter, troops dominated the general area with patrols, while air support was also deployed and hovered over the vicinity. However, no further terrorist presence was observed after the exchange.
Security sources said exploitation and clearance operations are ongoing to prevent regrouping and to secure surrounding communities.
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
Troops destroy terrorist hideouts, arrest 9 suspected informants in Taraba
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