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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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Financial infractions: EFCC finally , nabs Aisha Achimugu at Abuja airport

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.

Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.

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The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.

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Party Ward Chairman Abducted, Kidnappers Demand N50m Ransom

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The Chairman of Ward 1 of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Okasime Olowojoba, has been kidnapped while traveling along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road.

The incident occurred on Saturday near Sasaro, a location notorious for frequent cases of abduction. Olowojoba, who also works as a realtor, was reportedly returning to Igarra after visiting Auchi to pick up his children following their holiday break.

According to reports, the assailants initially seized everyone in the vehicle — Olowojoba, his children, and a house help — but later freed the children and the domestic aide, taking only Olowojoba deep into the forest.

A family member speaking with Vanguard on Monday revealed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release.

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The source explained, “Valentine Okasime Olowojoba was returning with his children when he was ambushed and kidnapped around Sasaro. The lack of network service throughout Saturday delayed any contact with the kidnappers until Sunday afternoon.”

“The attackers abandoned the vehicle at the scene and took him away. His brother later confirmed that a N50 million ransom has been demanded. We also heard reports of additional abductions in the same area on Sunday,” the source added.

Efforts to reach the Edo State Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.

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Court dismisses N1bn suit against Buhari, Emefiele, CBN

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Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N1 billion suit instituted against former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over the hardships that trailed the 2023 Naira redesign policy.

The judge threw out the suit instituted by an Abuja based legal practitioner, Uthman Isa Tochukwu on the grounds of lack of diligent prosecution of the case.

In a ruling on Monday, Justice Ekwo said that he was convinced that the plaintiff had deliberately abandoned his own case due to his persistent absence in court without legal representation and any explanation.

The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/418/2023 had dragged the former President, Attorney General of the Federation, former governor of the CBN, CBN and two commercial banks before the court claiming that they inflicted series of hardships on him during the redesign of the Naira.

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In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Bala Dakum, the plaintiff alleged that his fundamental rights to freedom of movement and dignity of his person were violently breached.

Specifically, the legal practitioner claimed his movement was curtailed while his money in the two commercial banks could not be assessed during the hardship occasioned by the redesign of the Naira in January and March 2023.

He therefore prayed the court to award N1 billion damages against the defendants to be paid to him for the breach of his fundamental rights.

However, at Monday’s proceedings, both the plaintiff and his counsel were not in court and did not offer any excuse for their absence.

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Counsel to the 3rd and 4th defendants (Emefiele and CBN) Mr Chikelue Amasiani drew the attention of Justice Ekwo to the persistent absence of the plaintiff and his counsel in court during past proceedings.

He prayed the judge to strike out the suit and that the plaintiff can come back to revive the case when ready to show seriousness.

In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo agreed with the lawyer and struck out the suit.

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