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  • NCWS calls for swift action on gender equality, highlights women’s struggles in Cross River

    NCWS calls for swift action on gender equality, highlights women’s struggles in Cross River

    The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has urged authorities to intensify efforts toward achieving gender equality, stressing the need to tackle poverty, illiteracy, and gender-based violence affecting women. 

    This appeal was made yesterday during a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Calabar, Cross River State.

    NCWS President, Mrs. Majority Asuqwo, highlighted that despite ongoing global and local efforts since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995, many women continue to face economic hardship, limited access to healthcare, and exclusion from key decision-making processes. 

    She emphasized that closing the gender gap, which experts estimate could take 135 years requires urgent and accelerated action.

    “This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ is a call for leaders and stakeholders to push for faster reforms. We can’t afford to wait over a century for equality. Women need support now — in education, healthcare, and leadership,” Mrs. Asuqwo said.

    Adding her voice, former NCWS President, Reverend Grace Ekanem, stressed the importance of educating the girl child, warning that denying girls education jeopardizes future generations.

    “When you deny a girl child education, you deny an entire generation. An educated woman contributes not just to her family but to society at large. Look at Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other women breaking barriers globally — this is why we must prioritize education for our girls,” Reverend Ekanem stated.

    She further decried the lack of inclusivity in leadership appointments, noting that, “in a room of 10 appointees, you often find just one woman. This is not fair — we deserve a seat at the table.”

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State, Archibong Bassey, encouraged women to stand united, urging them to support one another in the fight for equality.

    “As we call on the government, we must also uplift each other. When a sister stumbles, we should help her back on her feet. Our strength lies in solidarity,” Bassey said.

  • Pauline Tallen, NCWS want incoming govt. to bridge digital gender inequality

    Pauline Tallen, NCWS want incoming govt. to bridge digital gender inequality

    Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen and the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) urged the incoming government to bridge the digital gender inequality.

    They made the call at an event to celebrate Hajiya Lami Lau’s one year in office as National President of NCWS in Abuja with the theme “Digitalisation of Nigerian Women in the 21st Century.””

    Tallen, while lamenting poor participation of women during the recent general elections in the country, urged the incoming administration to appoint more women in various offices.

    According to her, there are capable and qualified women in all the 36 states, including the FCT, who, when given the opportunity will contribute immensely toward national development, peace and security.

    She said “women are always the greatest voters, they sacrifice their time and energy and support every election but when it is time to enjoy the dividends of democracy, they are left behind.

    “We are appealing to the incoming president to consider filling the gap where women lost in the various elections. The statistics is low.

    “It is a very sad scenario and unacceptable that we have less than five per cent of women from the national down to the local government level as representation in the various houses of state and national and local government assemblies.’’

    The minister also urged the incoming government to keep to the campaign promises, especially the one on meeting the 35 per cent affirmative action.

    She encouraged women not to be deterred by the election results, but rather, show love and support others toward developing the country and ensuring gender equity.

    The minister commended the NCWS for the support and commitment toward women, especially at the grassroots.

    On her part, the NCWS national president said the council had achieved a lot, especially at the grassroots in promoting women in politics, leadership and governance.

    Other areas she listed were promoting health and women empowerment, support end Gender Based Violenec (GBV), child protection and education, as well as promote gender agenda.

    She said “I want to use this medium to call on the incoming government to ensure inclusiveness and consider women politicians, especially those that have tried and those that were dropped during primaries so that they would not be discouraged.”

    Dr Ejike Orji, the Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Health and Hospital Managent, stressed the need for women to use the digital space for economic empowerment and bridge gender inequality.

    He said “the world is moving ahead and one of the key things we are doing presently, we have developed tremendous programmes; one of which is how women will use Artificial intelligence (AI) to search for anything, do their project, market their goods and services and can humanise it to do their bid.

    “We are taking women to the next level and make sure they are equipped.

    “When you train a woman, you have liberated a country and maternal mortality will drop and women will be able to make informed decisions for themselves and support their spouses to enhance the family.”

    Also, Dr Asabe Vilita-Bashir, the Director General, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), said digitising Nigerian women would help in bridging gender gaps, promote women empowerment in all sectors.

    She added that “the world has now gone digital and almost everything rely on computers one way or the other. New digital technologies have changed the world and we socialise and transact businesses using digital platforms.

    “I, therefore, encourage women to embrace digital technology as a tool of economic growth and social inclusion.”

    According to her, the NCWD trained more than 3,000 women and girls, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in ICT and gave them start-up kits, laptops and other supports to assist them.

    Other highlights of the event were the conferment of award to the minister of women affairs and others for their support to the progress of women in the country.

  • NCWS condoles with FCT Minister of State over mother’s death

    NCWS condoles with FCT Minister of State over mother’s death

    The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), has condoled with the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, over the passing of her mother Hajiya Zainab Ali.

    The national president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, in a condolence message on Thursday in Abuja, commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the late matriarch.

    Lau said that Ali was a woman who devoted her life to charity and service to humanity.

    The NCWS national president said that the good life Zainab, popularly called “Gogo” lived reflected in her wisdom while counseling young people.

    She said that Ali’s diligence in business and pervasive love for her children, orphans, neighbours and the community was exemplary life.

    Lau prayed that the Almighty God would remember her profound love for people while on earth and grant her eternal rest.

    She also prayed that the Almighty God would grant the entire families the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • NCWS lauds Wike for assenting to law on rights of women to family Inheritance

    NCWS lauds Wike for assenting to law on rights of women to family Inheritance

    The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) on Monday commended Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers for ending the denial of women to family inheritance.

    The national president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, gave the commendation in a statement in Abuja.

    Newsmen reports that Wike on Thursday signed into law, the Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022 along with the Rivers Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Law No. 3 of 2022, and the Rivers Pension Reform (amendment) Law No. 4 of 2022.

    The law states that female children in Rivers can now fully participate in the sharing of their family inheritance.

    ”We appreciate Wike for signing a law that recognised women in family inheritance.

    ”This is a step in the right direction, as women in Rivers will soon be part of family inheritance.

    ”As a council, we thanked Gov. Wike for this giant support for women, and we called on other state governors to do same.

    ”We hope that this law will make Nigerian men have a rethink on the way they treat women,” she said.

    The national president called on government at all levels to ensure the abolishment of some cultures and traditions that affect women negatively.

    Lau said that women are partners in progress, adding that this gesture should also be extended to women inclusion in governance.

    The national president said she was optimistic that the gender bills which members of the national assembly  rejected during the 1999 Constitution amendments would be given due consideration some day.

  • Eid-el- Fitr: NCWS urges FG to address security challenges

    Eid-el- Fitr: NCWS urges FG to address security challenges

    The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has greeted Muslims on the occasion of the 2022 Eid-el-Fitr and called on the Federal Government to address the security challenges bedevilling the nation.

    NCWS National President Lami Lau made the call on Monday in a statement issued in Abuja while congratulating the Muslim faithful for successful fasting.

    Lau advised Muslims to imbibe the lessons of the fasting while wishing that the Almighty Allah accept their prayers and make them among those who had gained from the event.

    She said that the period of fasting meant self-denial, adding that prayers were the key for fasting and the reason for the fast as a sacrifice to God.

    Lau advised Nigerians and women in particular to embrace the sacrifices for the greater good of their families and the nation at large.

    “Our earnest prayer as Nigerian women is for the Federal Government to do all possible to address the security challenges in the country that has hindered development.

    “As women, the state of the nation is of great concern to us. Our sons, daughters, husbands and fathers are either being killed, kidnapped every day and we are very pained.

    “We pray for the Federal Government and all security agencies that all their efforts will bear fruits,” she said.

    Lau also expressed optimism that affirmative action would be implemented as ruled by the high court.

    She advised women to remain relentless in their prayers for Nigeria, especially as the 2023 general polls draw closer.

  • Edo Govt suspends activities of NCWS indefinitely

    Edo Govt suspends activities of NCWS indefinitely

    The Edo Government has suspended all activities of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in the state indefinitely.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, announced the suspension in a statement on Friday night in Benin.

    Ogie said the suspension included the proposed election of officials of the State Chapter of the society.

    He noted that activities of factions of NCWS, if not checked and harmonized, were capable of breaching the peace and security of the state.

    “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to the activities of factions of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) in the State.

    “The activities of these groups, if not checked and harmonised, are capable of breaching the peace especially in view of the present fragile state of security in the nation.

    “Consequently, the Edo State Government directs that all activities of the National Council of Women Societies in Edo State, including the proposed State Chapter elections, are hereby suspended indefinitely until pending issues are resolved,” the statement read in part.

    The government further warned that anyone who disregards the directive would face the law accordingly. (

  • Women pressure men into acts of corruption- NCWS President

    Women pressure men into acts of corruption- NCWS President

    Mrs Gloria Shoda, President, National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), has said that pressure from women push men into acts of corruption.

    She made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of the Nigerian Women Against Corruption (WAC) Project organised by the EFCC in collaboration with the Office of the Wife of the President. She disagreed with the popular belief that women are not corrupt, saying it was pressures mounted by women that push the men into acts of corruption.

    Shoda said: “they say women are not corrupt, but I have a different opinion. Corruption starts at home, and women are the people that make the men corrupt.

    “You sow the seed of corruption by pressuring your husband for “aso-ebi’’, comparing him to others, and hiding to bribe your children with money.

    “You drive corruption by buying cars for your female children attending universities, and by marching to the police station to report teachers for cautioning your children in school.

    “Those of you who are traders, short-change your customers by manipulating the measures you use in selling rice and `garri;’ is that not corruption?

    “You go to your husband’s pocket when he is asleep and steal some money; is that not corruption?’’

    The NCWS president said women could help their husbands stop corruption by questioning the sources of their money when they begin to live above their means.

    Shoda added that corruption could be stopped in schools when lost values were restored, and when women allowed their children to study for their examinations.

    While noting that corruption was rampant in institutions of learning, she advised women to regularly visit their children in school to know how they lived outside the home.

    She also advised women to reduce their flamboyant lifestyles and learn to live within their means.

    The guest speaker and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Mukhtar, concurred with the views expressed by Shoda.

    In a paper titled, “Women: The Missing Link in the Fight Against Corruption,’’ Mukhtar said that women were not completely blameless in the unfortunate corruptuion situation in the country.

    She said; “In keeping with the Joneses, women contribute to corruption by pressurising their husbands to live above their means.

    “Men in order to please and satisfy their spouses bow and succumb to corrupt practices.

    Former Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri, said that the war against corruption required collective effort, as the commission and the Presidency could not do it alone.

    Waziri said that nobody is safe with corruption, adding that nations fail when money meant for development is channeled into private pockets.

    “Corruption makes countries become banana republics, leading to dissatisfaction and misery that result in terrorism and anarchy because people are robbed of basic necessities of life.

    “When our monies are taken to save havens abroad it becomes so difficult to recover them, and that is why other countries spend so much to prevent these monies from going out.

    “We have seen Nigeria at its worst. Today, there is recession, it has never been like this because monies were taken away into private pockets,’’ she said.

    The former EFCC boss questioned the sanity of corrupt Nigerians who buy houses in different parts of the world, but end up putting up in hotels whenever they visit those countries.

    She reiterated her call for psychiatric examinations to be conducted on individuals before they are elected or appointed into public office.

     

    Waziri commended the EFCC for engaging women in the fight against corruption, noting that by deploying women, the commission was employing the most influential people in the society. (NAN)