Connect with us

Uncategorized

Deepen Digital Literacy Among African Women, Girls, Stakeholders Tasks UN

Published

on

Share

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja 

Stakeholders in women and girl child rights propagation have urged the United Nations (UN) to foster more inclusive partnerships and resources for the digital literacy and innovative education of women and girls within the African region, as that would be the surest escape route from socio-economic backwardness and other inhibiting gender barriers.

This was part of the  passionate appeals made by experts at the ongoing Parallel Event,  United Nations Commission on Status of Women ( NGO CSW 67 Forum), held at the United Nations,  Headquarters, New York, with the theme, “Education and Innovations as the Solution to the Empowerment of Women and Girls in a Digital Age.

One of the stakeholders, President of the Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, in her presentation at the event, said that deliberate efforts have been made by stakeholders toward eliminating gender barriers in the region, but more needs to be done to bridge digital literacy divide amongst women and girls.

“In order to bridge this gap, there is a need to focus our efforts on maximizing the use of every opportunity to educate young girls and women in digital skills.”

Ahmadu noted that the digital divide was very noticeable in Nigerian rural areas, as well as across Africa, hence the need for a partnership that will trigger a digital literacy revolution. 

She disclosed that her Foundation in collaboration with other organizations have taken up the challenge in Nigeria, and has trained over 200 rural women on computer literacy, aimed at empowering them.

According to her, the little efforts by the Foundation and various stakeholders were already changing the tides of digital backwardness amongst women and girls, with appreciable progress being recorded by many of them in the area of the Fintech industry, creating mobile banks, and other mobile platforms. 

She further stressed that particularly in Nigeria, women and girls have shown the willingness to overcome all gender barriers, making inroads into prosperity through technological innovation. 

She, however, noted that it was a call to action for all stakeholders to ensure that all young girls can access quality education and skills in digital technology. 

“We can only achieve this through sustainable partnerships to access funds and these resources are essential for this course. “Many girls and women rely on us to be empowered with these skills; we strongly believe this assembly will yield partnerships and MOUs for the common goal of women and girls in Nigeria and the world,” she added.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NEWS

Ododo Clears N98.8 Billion Debt, Tasks Officials On Grassroots Engagement, Local Patronage

Published

on

Share

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has charged government officials to remain close to the grassroots and ensure constant engagement with the people, noting that such connection is key to responsive governance. Ododo gave the charge during the State Executive Council Meeting held in Lokoja on Monday.

“We are in government to serve the people, and that means staying connected to their needs and aspirations,” the Governor said.
As part of efforts to boost the local economy, the Governor also directed all government officials to wear Made-in-Kogi fabrics as a show of support for indigenous industries. He encouraged Kogites to take pride in local products and lead a cultural and economic renaissance from within.
Also Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the administration is committed to making governance more visible and impactful. “Governor Ododo is driving a government that listens, learns, and leads from the grassroots. His directive on Made-in-Kogi fabrics is a strategic move to grow our economy and export our identity,” Fanwo said. On infrastructure, Fanwo disclosed that perimeter fencing at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara is 90% completed, while both male and female hostels have been completed and are already housing students. Similar projects at the Kogi State University, Kabba, are progressing satisfactorily. To improve public safety, the Council also approved a bill to restrict the movement of heavy trucks during peak hours. Another bill was approved for the establishment of the Kogi State Agency for Climate Change as part of a forward-thinking response to global environmental challenges. In a separate briefing, the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, announced that the Ododo administration has fully liquidated N98.8 billion in debts inherited from previous administrations within just 15 months. The breakdown includes,N8 billion in bonds from the Idris Wada administration,N50.8 billion salary bailout from the last administration,N10 billion ECA-backed infrastructure loan,N15 billion infrastructure loans from Zenith Bank and another N15 billion from UBA Plc.“This is a landmark achievement. His Excellency Governor Ododo has demonstrated fiscal discipline and commitment to economic recovery. Within 15 months, we have cleared N98.8 billion in inherited debt,” Idris said.He added that Fitch Ratings has upgraded Kogi State’s credit rating from ‘B-’ to ‘B’, with a stable outlook, citing prudent financial management. As of September 30, 2024, the state’s debt profile stands at N40.5 billion, placing it on a strong path to debt sustainability.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

France to Partially Ban Smoking in Public Areas to Protect Children

Published

on

Share

 France is to ban smoking in public outdoor spaces, including beaches, parks, school zones, bus stops and sports facilities starting July 1 as part of a nationwide effort to protect children.

Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said where there are children, tobacco must disappear.

She added that plans  to lower the nicotine content in vaping products and reduce the number of flavours available.

“Anyone who violates the new smoking ban will have to pay a fine of 135 euros (153 U.

S. dollars).

“The regulation is to be monitored by the municipal police.

“My goal is both simple and deeply ambitious: to ensure that children born in 2025 become the first smoke-free generation,” the minister said.

The new nationwide smoking restrictions, many of which were already in place at the local level, are designed to support that vision, she said.

However, outdoor seating at cafés and the use of e-cigarettes is exempted from the ban, but young people should no longer smoke outside schools.

The minister said that the size of the area around schools where smoking would no longer be permitted in future was still being determined.

The regulation should also prevent pupils from going outside the building to smoke.

In 2023, 15.6 per cent of 17-year-olds said they smoked, compared to twice as many 10 years earlier.

Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in France, responsible for 75,000 deaths annually or more than 200 per day, the health minister added.

Vautrin noted that it has been proven that prevention reduces the risk.

She also noted the economic toll, with cancer costing the country 150 billion euros per year.

Vautrin emphasised that the right to smoke is not being abolished.

“People are free to smoke at home or in designated areas. But that freedom ends where a child’s right to clean air begins.” (dpa/NAN)

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Tinubu Repositioning Nigeria for Sustainable Growth – Gov. Yahaya

Published

on

Share

Gov. Yahaya of Gombe State has lauded President Bola Tinubu for the implementation of viable social and economic reforms geared towards repositioning Nigeria for sustainable development.

The governor felicitated with the President and his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima on the occasion of their second anniversary in office.

Yahaya, in a goodwill message by his media aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli, said Tinubu’s bold reforms would reposition Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth.

He described Tinubu’s two years in office as those of courage, bold reforms, and purposeful governance under its Renewed Hope Agenda.

“President Tinubu has taken decisive steps to reposition Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth,” he said.

Yahaya said that Tinubu had initiated viable infrastructure development projects such as the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Road, as landmark efforts to bridge developmental gaps and stimulate the economy.

According to Yahaya, these projects, along with other strategic interventions in energy, agriculture, transportation, and the digital economy, are gradually laying the foundation for a more prosperous and resilient Nigeria.

He acknowledged Tinubu administration’s renewed drive to tackle security challenges, describing the intensified campaign against insurgency, banditry and criminality as “commendable.”

Yahaya, who is also the Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), also applauded the president’s inclusive and consultative leadership style, fostering national unity and renewed confidence in governance.

“The Northern region is already feeling the ripple effects of Tinubu’s policies through the improved Federal Government collaborations, increased access to social investments, and targeted empowerment programmes for youths, women and vulnerable groups.”

He further prayed for continued divine guidance, good health and greater wisdom for Tinubu as he steers the nation toward peace, equity and development. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

Economy7 hours ago

Eid-el-Kabir: Ram Sellers Decry Low Patronage as Prices Soar in Ile-Ife

Share The Chairman, Ram Sellers’ Association, Odo-Ogbe Market, Ile-Ife, Osun, Alhaji Akeem Salahudeen, has complained of low patronage, attributing it to...

DEFENCE7 hours ago

Eid-el-Kabir: NSCDC deploys 2,900 personnel in Kwara

ShareThe Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kwara Command has deployed 2,900 personnel for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration. This...

JUDICIARY8 hours ago

Ubani Harps On Urgent Regulation of POS Transactions in Nigeria

ShareMr Monday Ubani (SAN), former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), on...

General News8 hours ago

Mbah Receives Immigration Officer who Apprehended Runaway Enugu ritualist

Share Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has received the immigration officer, Prince Ugochukwu Orji, who apprehended the suspected runaway Enugu...

CRIME8 hours ago

Wife Seeks Divorce Over Domestic Violence

Share One Rihanat Kuranga of Egbejila Area, Ilorin, on Wednesday filled for divorce from her husband, Shuaib AbdulRahman at the Area...

NEWS15 hours ago

Eight Niger LGAS at Risk of Flooding – NSEMA

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, Minna Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has alerted the State that about Ninety communities in eight...

NEWS15 hours ago

Niger Police Arrest Dismissed Soldier for Impersonation, Fraud

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, Minna Niger State Police Command has busted a dismissed Soldier who led a POS robbing syndicate for...

NEWS15 hours ago

Bago Grants State Pardon to 11 Persons Sentenced to Death

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, MinnaNiger State Governor, Umaru Bago has granted unconditional State pardon to 11 persons sentenced to death by...

NEWS15 hours ago

NIRSAL: Livestock Value Chain Actors Tap into $2.5bn FDI

ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja In a bid to position Nigeria as a leading supplier of quality beef to domestic and...

NEWS15 hours ago

NARD Calls on FG to Implement Workers’ Welfare

ShareFrom Christopher Tom, Uyo The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have expressed dissatisfaction on the infrastructural decay and negligence...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc