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Speaker Ibrahima Advocates Increased Financial Inclusion For Women In Sub-region

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… as ECOWAS parliament ends 3rd extraordinary session
By Gloria Ikibah
The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for increased financial inclusion and investments to promote women entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in the West African sub-region.
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, stated this at the closing ceremony of the 3rd Extraordinary session and 2nd Parliamentary Seminar on Wednesday in Lome, Togo.
Speaker Ibrahima said that the session offered the opportunity for the regional Parliamentarians to reaffirm their commitment to address the myriad of challenges militating against West African women who are largely represented at the Parliament by the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA).
ECOFEPA also organized a symposium with thebtheme: “Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment of Women in ECOWAS sub region” on Wednesday October 2, 2024 to address the challenges women face in accessing financial services in order to promote economic empowerment.
The Speaker in her remarks called on the regional leaders and institutions to ensure that women have access to the resources they would need, whether it is a bank account, loan or investment opportunities to enable them realize their potential.
“It is clear that women are change agents and they should be supported in the key role that they play if we want to speed up the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Our collective responsibility is therefore to ensure that financial inclusion of women is not limited to access to financial services, but we must ensure it becomes a fundamental human right and a pillar of economic equality.
“Clearly the path to true financial inclusion and economic empowerment calls for concerted efforts of all members of the society to drive policies that will foster equity to enable women overcome the obstacles facing them.
“Let us bear in mind that the path to financial inclusion and economic empowerment is a long process. We need to advocate for equitable opportunities that will enable women blossom.
“Let us commit ourselves to the path where every woman will realize her full potential where economic barriers are eliminated and financial inclusion is a reality for all. This is how we can break the chain of poverty within our families and communities,” she added.
President of ECOFEPA, Veronica Sesay in her remarks said investment in financial inclusion for women will make the region more prosperous and egalitarian, devoid of oppression and discrimination against women.
She stated: “Entrepreneurship is the gateway to women financial redemption,” stressing that ECOFEPA is pushing for more financial resources that will empower women to be economically independent and to pursue their political aspirations”.
Former Vice President of Liberia and the Secretary General of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, noted that the Global Taskforce to empower one million Women in the Trade Industry by International Business Leaders in Washington has opened more possibilities for West African women to benefit from the initiative.
She quoted a report saying that closing the gender gap will trigger a $3 trillion GDP growth rate around the globe even as she called on regional leaders to ensure West African women have access to credit facilities to grow their businesses.
Naijablitznews.com reports that this year’s ECOFEPA symposium was to address challenges women face in accessing financial services, and aimed at unlocking women’s potential and driving regional development.
ECOFEPA was established in 2003 and inaugurated in March 2010. It comprises all female parliamentarians from the 15 ECOWAS Member States and provides a platform for these parliamentarians to unite and discuss issues affecting them as women and politicians.
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Protests erupt in Plateau over incessant k!llings

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Protests erupted in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Monday morning over the continued killings of indigenous residents by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants.

The demonstrations, led by Christian leaders including the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, commenced on Monday morning at the Fawvwei Junction community road, causing a heavy gridlock and stranding commuters.

The latest protest comes amid a surge in violent attacks by gunmen in various communities, with over 100 people killed in Bokkos and Bassa LGAS in the past two weeks.

“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” said Gyang Dalyop, one of the protesters.

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Another protester, Hannatu Philip, called on the government to intervene before it spirals out of control.

The protesters brandishing placards with different inscriptions were seen marching towards the Rayfield Government House.

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Tinubu not your equal – Presidency replies Peter Obi’s ex-running mate, Datti

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The Presidency has said the former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is no match for President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare was reacting to Datti’s remark that he (Tinubu) would not run for the presidency in 2027.

The former LP running mate insisted that Tinubu’s time is up, adding that everything is there for the president and the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, to see that they lose in 2027.

Dismissing such remark, Dare likened Datti’s comment to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through.

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In a statement he signed, Dare said the likes of Peter Obi and Datti would have been president left for the latter’s theories.

According to Dare, Datti has chosen to venture into an unfamiliar terrain.

The statement reads partly: “Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s “illogical logic” was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel.

“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a “double whammy“ in the Nigerian political space.

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“He chose to base his political calculations on President Bola Tinubu not winning a second term given his antecedents and because Nigerians will decide at the polls among other things. He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity.

“Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”

Similarly, the Presidency had also stressed that Tinubu will reveal his plans for a second term at the right time.

It said the APC 2027 presidential campaign billboards had no links to Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

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‘Conducting unfair election in 2027 will lead to Nigeria’s demise’ – Top Northern Politician Sends Warning To Tinubu

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Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima has warned that any attempt by the government in power to manipulate the 2027 general elections will be resisted.

He also said that should the polls or its results be tampered with, this would create dire consequences for the country.

Baba-Ahmed said this in a viral video seen by 9NEWS NIGERIA.

The former leader of the Northern Elders Forum who just resigned his position as a presidential aide said conducting a bad election might lead to Nigeria’s end.

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“Conducting a bad election in 2027 may lead to the end of Nigeria, I swear to God,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He further stated that elders from the Northern region would soon take a stand on the nation’s politics ahead of the 2027 election.

“There will be a time we will come out and say it’s okay, and it’s soon. This injustice is over. We know who we are,” he warned.

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