President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to protect Nigerian women against all forms of discrimination, including violence, and ensure that they have access to justice through gender-sensitive policies.
Speaking at the Empower-Her- Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment and Fundraising Programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, the president said he is committed to advancing the cause of women empowerment and gender equality.
“We recognise the challenges women face with limited access to education and healthcare, gender-based violence and economic disparity. This is imperative for us as a nation to together drive down development and create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed,” he said.
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President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume said, “We must ensure women have access to justice, and protection from all forms of violence and discrimination, which require strengthening our institutions, promoting gender-sensitive policies and supporting women’s rural organisations.@
In his keynote address, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) disclosed that over 78% of its loans are geared towards empowering women, as a result of the critical roles they play in society.
He said the bank recognises that women are the driving force behind sustainable development, innovation and economic growth, adding that beyond leadership and representation, there are exclusive SME loan products tailored for women-led and women-owned businesses. “We have ensured that 78% of our working capital loans are empowering these women-led and women-owned enterprises.”
Elumelu, who was represented by Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA, said the institution has embraced the potential and leadership of women, not just in words but in actions.
“With have close to 50% female representation on our board, 40% of senior management roles are held by women and an impressive 59% of our graduate management trainees are female. We are truly leading the charge for gender equality in the corporate world,” he stated.
He described the event, with the theme, ‘Farming to Feed the Nation, Empowerment to Give Women Voices, Justice for Crimes to Have Consequences via Mobile Court’, as a “Beacon of hope and a call to action for the holistic empowerment of women across Nigeria.”
He also promised to support the federal government’s efforts to lift Nigerian women, because according to him, when women thrive, society prospers.
“We must empower women because when women thrive, societies prosper. The United Nations has consistently emphasised that gender equality and women’s empowerment are at the heart of sustainable development,” he stated.
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