Economy
Women To Take Charge, Not To Wait For Leadership Roles: TUC
Women To Take Charge, Not To Wait For Leadership Roles: TUC
Women to take charge, not to wait for leadership roles. She also stressed the importance of mentorship and grassroots economic empowerment.
The chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) FCT Women’s Commission, Sandra Ogbonna, has urged women to take deliberate steps towards leadership through proactive action rather than waiting for opportunities.
Mrs Ogbonna made this call at the International Women’s Day 2025 celebration with the theme “Accelerate Action Towards Occupying Positions of Authority” in Abuja on Saturday.
She stated that leadership positions must be actively pursued, as they are not freely given.
Mrs Ogbonna noted the persistent gender gap in leadership, noting that in spite of women’s contributions, decision-making spaces remain dominated by men.
She called on women to equip themselves with knowledge, support one another, challenge barriers, and advocate for policy reforms that promote inclusivity.
“We must break self-imposed limitations and take our rightful place in leadership,” she said, encouraging women to engage in governance and politics.
She also urged members of the TUC Women’s Commission to participate actively in discussions and decision-making processes.
The secretary of the commission, Uche Ukachukwu, underscored the importance of resilience and leadership in advancing women’s empowerment.
Ms Ukachukwu stressed that women’s achievements must never be overlooked.
“The knowledge we gain in spaces like this is invaluable, you may not realise its significance now, but one day, you will,” she said.
She reaffirmed the TUC’s commitment to celebrating women’s contributions and urged attendees to reflect, learn, and continue pushing for gender equality.
“Resilience is key to overcoming obstacles and making a lasting impact,” she added.
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT chapter, Grace Ike, called on women to be intentional in supporting one another, stressing that mere lip service will not drive progress in gender parity.
Reflecting on her own journey, she acknowledged the support she received from women like the union’s secretary but emphasised that such support must be based on merit rather than emotion or gender solidarity.
“Without even questioning my competence, she supported me simply because she believed in women. But beyond that, we must ensure that the women we support are capable.
“We should not blindly follow someone just because she is a woman. Let us do our due diligence, and if she is competent, why not support her?” Ms Ike stated.
She criticised women who refuse to support other women due to personal interests, describing them as obstacles to real progress.
She cited an instance within the NUJ where some men were more willing to back a female candidate than certain women, one of whom openly opposed her candidacy.
“The men said, ‘Women don’t support women,’ but we proved them wrong. However, one woman insisted that unless it was her preferred candidate, she would never support another woman.
“Ironically, this same woman now holds a leadership position, despite once fighting against another woman’s rise,” Ms Ike revealed.
Calling for a shift from performative activism to measurable action, she urged women to evaluate their impact before each Women’s Day celebration.
“We must not just gather every year to talk. By 2026, we should be able to point to tangible achievements from 2025. How many women did we uplift? Who did we empower? If we do not have results, then we are merely running in circles,” she said.
Ms Ike proposed initiatives such as legislative advocacy, gender-sensitive laws, and lobbying for special seats for women in political and decision-making spaces.
She also stressed the importance of mentorship and grassroots economic empowerment.
“It is not about having millions. Have you given a woman ₦20,000 to start a petty trade? Have you given ₦5,000 to help someone start a small recharge card business? These are the real actions that change lives,” she argued.
She warned against hypocrisy in the women’s movement, vowing to expose those who claim to support gender equality but work against it in private.
“If I were to conduct investigative journalism, I would visit people’s homes and ask about them. That is how we will identify those who merely hold microphones and talk but do nothing for women,” she added.
Ms Ike called for a new, action-driven movement, suggesting that the phrase “women supporting women” might be too long and instead advocating for “She for She” as a rallying call.
TUC
“At the current rate, gender parity will not be achieved until 2158. This delay is unacceptable. We must act decisively. Enough of the talk—let’s make women’s support intentional and impactful,” she declared.
The FCT chairman of the TUC commission, Paul Audu, called for urgent action to dismantle barriers preventing women from occupying leadership positions.
He praised the resilience and dedication of women across all sectors, emphasising their role in national development.
Mr Audu acknowledged that in spite of some progress, leadership spaces remain disproportionately occupied by men.
“Talent is not gendered! Competence knows no chromosomes! Yet, systemic barriers continue to hold back the incredible potential of our women,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the trade union movement’s commitment to equality, stressing that empowering women strengthens workplaces, policies, and society as a whole.
“This is not just about fairness; it’s about progress,” he declared, urging intentional efforts to create space for women in decision-making roles.
He urged everyone to accelerate change by challenging the status quo and actively dismantling barriers that hinder women’s advancement.
Mr Audu reaffirmed the union’s commitment to being a driving force for gender equality, stating that real progress will only come when women’s voices are heard at the highest levels.
Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki
Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.
He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.
Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.
Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.
‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’
Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.
“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.
“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”
He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.
“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.
Obaseki
“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.
“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”
Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training
Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.
He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”
Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.
“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.
“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.
Teachers Register For Special Training
He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.
“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.
He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.
PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery
PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality
service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.
Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.
From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.
“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”
Leadway Pensure
Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.
“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.
As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.
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