Metro
Group Charges Nigerian Women to Participate in 2023 Election
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Worried by low participation of women in 2019 election and ahead of 2023 general election, a group has tasked Nigerian women to fully participate by coming out to contest in different political positions.
Speaking at a one day capacity building for women voters in Abuja, Chairperson of the FCT chapter of the League of Women Voters, Nilowv, Marie Enegwea lamented that the underrepresentation of women in decision making undermines the fundamental concept of a democratic form of government.
She decried the lack of support to women participation in politics from men, which has affected women coming out.
Enegwea, who was represented by the Vice Chairperson, Esther Barrow, called on women not to be discouraged by the intimidation of their men counterpart stressing the need for women to belong to any political party and work hard to gain support as the only ways for them to be voted for during election.
The keynote speaker for the occasion, Barrister Ebere Ifendu, said Nigerian women representation in politics in the country is less than 7% and this is unacceptable.
“The underrepresentation of women in the very process of decision making and implementation undermine the concept of democratic form of governance because it is assumed that participation and representation in all areas and levels of public life will be equally available to women and men.
“From available statistics women’s overall political representation and participation in government is less than 7%,” she said.
She enumerated the factors affecting women’s participation in politics, as “gender, cultural pattern, ideology, male dominance, control demands”.
Some of the women participants at the training exercise said women are also one the greatest challenge faced to ensure women emerged top during Election.
Statistics has shown that the national average of women’s political participation in Nigeria has remained 6.7 percent in elective and appointive positions, which is far below the global 22.5 percent average.
Metro
FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration
The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. Tunji-Ojo urged Christians and all Nigerians to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man. The minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promoted values of love, forgiveness and compassion which were essential for social cohesion and harmony.He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they were capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development of Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.Tunji-Ojo further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.This, he said, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.He wished Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.The minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu’s administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.Metro
Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.
Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.
He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.
“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.
“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.
The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.
Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.
The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.
He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.
He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.
According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.
“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.
“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.
“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.
“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)
Metro
British Council Partners NUC on Development of Varsity Curriculum
The British Council has partnered with the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the development of curriculum in tertiary institutions.
Mr Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes, British Council, at a workshop on Enhancing Curriculum and Pedagogical Approaches in Nigerian Universities, in Abuja on Monday, said the partnership was necessary to be in tune with global trend.
He said that there was need to change from traditional approach of teaching and learning to digital literacy in solving problems.
“NUC has since introduced the CCMAS which emphasised the cultivation of critical thinking, digital literacy, problem solving and enterpreneurial skill among graduates and this is imperative for our educational institutions to adopt accordingly.
“We must acknowledge the hurdles that lies ahead the traditional approach to teaching and learning which has long been entrenched in our university system and are not easily overturn.
“To change this will require a concerted efforts from each of us to challenge the status quo,” he said.
Also, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, called for collaborative efforts in initiating continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities.
He emphasised the need for continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities to enable them adapt in a fast-changing world.
He also said that initiating such reforms usually come with challenges, noting that sometimes the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.
“Continuous curriculum reform has been considered a necessary measure to assist schools respond to a fast-changing world.
“Initiating such reforms is not without challenges as, sometimes, the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.
“It is gratifying to note that this workshop is coming on the heels of the implementation of the recently-developed Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in line with the Commission’s enabling laws.
“The new CCMAS is a product of sustained stakeholder interactions and engagement over the years. This involved a blend of academic experts, government (represented by NUC), professional bodies, and the private sector represented by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG).
“In order to enrich the draft documents, copies of each discipline were forwarded to all critical stakeholders including the relevant academic units in Nigerian Universities, the private sector, professional bodies and the academies for their comments and input,” he said.
Maiyaki said these inputs, along with the curriculum of programmes obtained from some foreign and renowned universities, served as major working materials for the various panels constituted for that purpose.
“Innovative courses such as Venture Creation, Entrepreneurship (programme Specific) and innovation, among others were incorporated into the general studies courses to enhance the employability skills of graduates,” he said.
Maiyaki added that the new curriculum unbundles the Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and the Bachelor of Architecture Programmes, while establishing some emerging specialisations in these fields, in line with global practices.
He, however, stated that this was not a one-time process as there would be curriculum development and review to be at pace with current global trends. (NAN)