Nation

APC Supporters, Others Fight Dirty Over Umahi’s N50,000 Gift

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2022

It was a free-for-all-fight at the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abuja on Wednesday as drivers, security officials and supporters of the ruling party exchanged blows over a cash gift from Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
Umahi, who is also a presidential aspirant of the party, had come to see the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, two days after he was screened by the John Odigie-Oyegun-led presidential screening committee in Abuja.
After the closed door meeting, which lasted over an hour, Umahi brushed aside questions from journalists and headed for his car.
As he made to enter, the governor turned and threw a bale of N50,000 crispy notes at the waiting crowd of party supporters and secretariat workers who were bidding him goodbye.
His action created a stir as many APC supporters, security details and drivers exchanged blows as they rushed to share the largesse.
Umahi was one of the 23 aspirants recently screened by the Odigie-Oyegun’s screening panel at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
The other 22 aspirants included National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Senior Pastor of the Citadel Global Church, Tunde Bakare; former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru; Senator Ajayi Borroffice; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and US-based Pastor, Nicholas Felix.
Others were the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.
The remaining were oil magnate, Tein Jack-Rich; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; former Minister of Information under the late General Sani Abacha regime, Ikeobasi Mokelu and embattled former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
The Tide reports that the outcome of the APC screening exercise which ended on Tuesday is still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.
The Tide also reports that the party’s presidential primary which was initially scheduled to hold on May 29/30 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, will now hold between June 6-8 at the same venue.
The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), successfully concluded its presidential primary last Sunday with the former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, emerging as the party’s flagbearer.

Nation

VCDF in Partnership with LDSVA Sensitise Women on Gender Equality, Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship

Published

22 hours ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Women, the pillars of our society, are resilient and determined as they play essential roles in nurturing families and leading businesses. Despite facing challenges like limited financial resources and unequal opportunities, they persist, inspiring generations and driving positive change.

In honour of Women’s History Month, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), in collaboration with Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd. (SEEPCO) and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LDSVA), embarked on a transformative journey to empower 100 community women, focusing on sexual and domestic violence prevention, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, on March 27, 2024, in Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State.

When women are empowered, they become catalysts for progress, influencing not only their own lives but also the lives of their families and those around them. The programme gave the women the opportunity to acquire knowledge on tools that can help their businesses grow, also providing a safe space for women to learn and connect with others, making them feel more confident and capable in making decisions for their businesses.

Distinguished guests present at the event were Mrs. Bello Oluwakemi, Head of the Field Operations Department, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (LDSVA), Chief Mrs. Eletu-Odibo Wasilat, Community Development Committee Chairman of Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State, and Mrs. Adenike Akintoye, Head of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Unit, Eti Osa LGA.

While giving her feedback, Chief Mrs. Eletu-Odibo Wasilat said, “community-driven efforts like this initiative are instrumental in driving sustainable change and enabling women to realise their full potential.”

Mrs. Bello Oluwakemi noted during her closing remark, “training women in our communities will improve their livelihoods and contribute to household income, thereby leading to better standards of living.”

This collaborative initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), which aim to ensure everyone is treated equally and reduce differences between people.

VCDF will continue to educate and empower women for a greater inclusion in society, supporting their advancement and ensuring their meaningful participation in all spheres of life. Together, let us continue to champion the cause of women, celebrate their achievements, and pave the way for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Nation

Ibom Developers Supports 160 Women with Skill Acquisition Training in Akwa Ibom

Published

22 hours ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Empowering women with vocational skills is a vital step towards fostering gender equality and inclusive growth in society. This effort involves equipping women with practical expertise that can be applied across various aspects of life, including professional, personal, and entrepreneurial settings. Ibom Developers’ recent initiatives to provide skill acquisition training to women in its host communities aim to help them thrive in society.

On April 8, 2024, Ibom Developers commenced its ongoing skill acquisition training programme, themed ‘Virtuous Women’ in Egwenwe and Okoroinyong communities.
Dignitaries, including His Royal Highness Chief Johnson J. Osiba (Ijongo IV), the Okaama of Egwenwe Community; Mr. Warribo Isaiah, Community Development Chairman, Egwenwe Community; Pastor Johnson Christian Ubulom, Youth President, Egwenwe Community; Mrs. Catherine Monday Ogbofork, Women Leader of Egwenwe Community; Mrs. Sarah Evans Nfeija, Health Officer, Egwenwe Community; and representatives from Okoroinyong community, were present at the inaugural event.

This skill acquisition programme aims to empower 160 women in these communities with expertise in catering, packaging, hairdressing, wigging, ventilation, and styling. The program took place from April 8 to April 20, 2024, at Egwenwe Town Hall and Okoroinyong Town Hall in Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, imparting essential entrepreneurial skills to the women in the communities.

During the inaugural event, Chief Johnson J. Osiba (Ijongo IV), the Okaama of Egwenwe Community, expressed, ‘‘This empowerment initiative will provide our women with the autonomy and decision-making power they need to become self-sufficient contributors to the growth and development of our community.’’

The participation of women in several economic activities makes their upliftment a potent strategy for economic growth. Their involvement expands the workforce, cultivating heightened innovation and efficiency within the community.

Mrs. Catherine Monday Ogbofork, Women Leader of Egwenwe Community, emphasised, “Access to training tailored to the needs of women allow them to develop specialised skills. I am glad that this programme has offered options that suit our women’s preferences and goals.’’

Acquiring skills for livelihood elevates family status and unlocks entrepreneurial avenues. Ibom Developers is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship among women and supporting socio-economic empowerment in local communities.