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IWD: Nigeria, Other Low and Middle Income Counties Lose $1 trillion in GDP to Exclusion of Women from Digital World- UN Resident Coordinator
IWD: Nigeria, Other Low and Middle Income Counties Lose $1 trillion in GDP to Exclusion of Women from Digital World- UN Resident Coordinator
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Matthias Schmale has said the International Women’s Day ((IWD) has lamented that the exclusion of women from the digital world has shaved $1 trillion from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries including Nigeria over the past decade.
He also said IWD should be used to remember the many challenges women still face in their daily lives such as gender-based violence, discrimination, marginalization.
In his message on the IWD, said the day celebrated worldwide January 8 is a call-to-action to stand up for women’s fundamental rights, to strengthen protection against violence and abuse, and to accelerate women’s participation in the economic, social, and political life of Nigeria.
He explained that this year’s theme “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” focuses on how innovations and technology can enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment, although women account for nearly half the world’s population, 259 million fewer women have access to the Internet than men.
He noted that this digital gender gap comes with massive costs, adding that: “According to a report from UN Women, the exclusion of women from the digital world has shaved $1 trillion from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries including Nigeria over the past decade.
He recalled that one of the many formidable women of this country, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (now heading up the World Trade Organization), once said that “investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream, is even smarter economics.”
He agreed that this is undoubtedly true, noting that closing the digital gender divide will be smart economics for Nigeria and for its development aspirations.
He said: “Innovations and technology should be a major part of the services of the Government of Nigeria. The country’s development partners including the UN must help close the digital gender gap and improve the lives of Nigerian women and girls.
“One of the areas we should invest in is rural women’s access to mobile phones. Having opportunities for mobile transfers, improves their opportunities to sell agricultural products. Mobile phone access enhances women’s economic productivity and facilitates direct market access. In parts of Nigeria where there is the additional challenge of insecurity, mobile phones are essential for women and girls.
“A second area worthy of investment is in digital platforms for women entrepreneurs. They are key to bridging the gender gap in business and the economy. Through digital platforms and apps, women entrepreneurs can reach more customers and learn more about their businesses through live feedback.”
He also said: “The private sector is key to advancing gender equality through innovations and technology . The private sector, particularly venture capital, can be a powerful force in removing barriers and driving progress for women’s entrepreneurship by providing digital platforms and resources that are otherwise inaccessible to women.”
Schmale said: “We must promote digital literacy in primary and secondary schools to enhance the employability and skills of young women.
While, insisting that policy action and decision-making rely on evidence-based information, he noted that: “It is important that we invest in innovations and technology that would improve data collection and analysis. This would equip government and policy makers with strong evidence for the benefits to Nigeria of gender equality and women’s empowerment.”
He advises that: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, let’s keep investment in innovations and technology at the centre of our transformative agenda. Closing the digital gender gap will help us achieve a better Nigeria and a better world for all.”
IWD: Nigeria, Other Low and Middle Income Counties Lose $1 trillion in GDP to Exclusion of Women from Digital World- UN Resident Coordinator
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Four Nigerian soldiers have sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.
The accident occurred on Thursday while the troops were moving across the mountainous terrain of the area, Zagazola reports.
The Emir of Mambilla, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju, was said to have personally joined in the rescue operation to ensure that the soldiers received prompt assistance.
Following the rescue, the injured personnel were evacuated to the 20 Battalion Barracks in Serti for urgent medical care.
Community members and traditional leaders in the area have expressed sympathy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the soldiers, while also calling for the safety of other security operatives on duty.
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), in partnership with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have wrapped up a major national initiative to support State-led electricity market reforms.
The State Learning Workshop Series focused on Electricity Market Development, Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) and energy modelling software.
Workshops in Lagos, Calabar, Kano and Jos have been successfully completed, drawing participants from all the 36 States and the FCT and setting a strong precedent for what lies ahead.
These sessions equipped policymakers, regulators and stakeholders with the tools to design robust, sustainable and investor-ready electricity markets at the State level, in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
Reflecting on the significance of this initiative, the Director-Legal/Head Power Desk at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Chijioke Chuku,, stated that: “Nigeria’s electricity future depends on the capacity of our States to lead with vision, clarity, and technical precision. Through the workshop series, we are equipping States not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to take charge of their electricity markets. The NGF is proud to partner with UKNIAF in ensuring that the promise of the Electricity Act 2023 becomes a lived reality across the country.”
The sessions in the State Learning Workshops covered: The legal and regulatory pathways for setting up State Electricity Markets; Commercial models for private sector investment; Integration of State plans into Nigeria’s National IRP;
Practical training on the software platform for energy modelling.
The initiative drew from lessons learned in the course of UKNIAF’s work supporting the Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Oyo State Governments—early movers in electricity market development—in setting up their markets.
It also drew from experience gained in the course of UKNIAF providing technical support to the Federal Ministry of Power in drafting both the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria’s first National Integrated Resource Plan, both of which were approved very recently.
With States now empowered by the Electricity Act 2023, this series is a timely and strategic effort to ensure capacity, coordination, and sustainability in Nigeria’s decentralised energy landscape.
UKNIAF, NGF Advance Electricity Reform with Nationwide Workshop Series
Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed three persons and injured three others in an attack on Galadi town, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Sources confirmed the incident saying the attack occurred at about 10:50 p.m. on Aug. 27.
The sources said the bandits stormed the town, shooting sporadically, which resulted in the deaths and injuries.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were mobilised to the scene. The corpses and injured victims were evacuated to Galadi Primary Health Care Centre for autopsy and treatment.
Meanwhile, a manhunt for the fleeing culprits has been intensified, as the bandits escaped before the arrival of the joint forces,” the sources said.
Three killed, others injured in bandits’ attack on Zamfara community
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