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IWD 2021: A’Ibom Gov’s Wife Frowns At Rise In Gender Based Violence

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2021

…calls for more women inclusion in governance

Rampant cases of gender based violence in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large have been described as a “huge gap” in Nigeria’s progress on women’s rights and empowerment.

Wife of Akwa Ibom State governor, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, made the observation today Monday March 8th at the Grand Finale celebration marking the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration held at the Ibom Hall Grounds, Uyo.

She said that legislation plays an important role in the fight against gender based violence and the empowerment of women, noting that the domestication of Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in the state has helped to reduce the spate of violence against women in the state.

She also noted that Akwa Ibom State had made considerable progress in empowering women and girls through legislations such as the Child Rights Act which has reduced gender gap in school enrolment, Widows’ Protection Act which criminalizes obnoxious traditional practices against widows, but however added that a lot more needs to be done to give women equality.

Speaking on the theme of the year’s celebration, “Women In Leadership: Achieving An Equal Future In A Covid-19 World,” the governor’s wife averred that it seeks to celebrate the tremendous efforts of women and girls around the world who are shaping a more equal future.

“Today, there is more acceptance than ever before that women bring different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table, and make irreplaceable contributions to decisions, policies and laws that work better for all. This is why we must make good use of this year’s theme to advocate on the importance of advancing women’s leadership and participation in decision-making,” Emmanuel remarked.

In Akwa Ibom state, she added that though a lot has been achieved by the womenfolk who now occupy top positions in government, she maintained that like Oliver twist, they would still demand for more.

“I thank and commend my dear husband and leader, His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel for believing in women and for graciously giving women opportunities in his administration, but like Oliver twist, we would keep asking for more opportunities,” the First Lady said.

While calling on women to shun divisive tendencies which are capable of truncating the efforts so far gained, she said on her part she would continue to amplify their voices. A hundred women were empowered as part of activities of the day by the governor’s wife while also celebrating special women who have made a mark in their chosen fields.

Also speaking, Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel who was ably represented by his Chief of Staff, said that women’s equality was not about women fighting against men but it was about providing equal opportunities for both women and men in the society.

While wishing Akwa Ibom women a happy celebration, he added that while women have risen to positions of authority world over, he was also glad to have given women opportunities to excel in his government.

Also at the event was the deputy governor of the state, Mr. Moses Ekpo who in his goodwill message described women as the bastion of hope, stating that their contributions to humanity can never be downplayed.

In a keynote address, Professor Dorathy Sam Umotan, a professor of Law at the University of Uyo while speaking on the 2021 theme said women must change their mindset, embrace education to the fullest, support themselves and be creative if they her to achieve equality.

The event which was preceded by a thanksgiving service featured March-past from women from the 31local government areas and women groups, food and arts exhibitions, ballad and song competitions while prizes were given out to deserving individuals and groups

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NELFUND: The Renewed Hope Engine Propelling Nigeria’s Youth into Tomorrow

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2025

The Gleamer

By Dayo Israel, National Youth Leader, APC

As the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, I have spent most of my tenure fighting for a Nigeria where every young person, regardless of their ward or local government, family income, or circumstance, can chase dreams without the chains of financial despair.

Today, that fight feels like victory, thanks to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Launched as a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, this initiative isn’t just a policy tweak; it’s a revolution. And under the steady, visionary hand of Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFUND has transformed from a bold promise into a roaring engine of opportunity, disbursing over ₦116 billion to more than 396,000 students and shattering barriers for over a million applicants.

Let’s be clear: NELFUND was always destined to be a game-changer. Signed into law by President Tinubu on April 3, 2024, it repealed the outdated 2023 Student Loan Act, replacing it with a modern, inclusive framework that covers tuition, upkeep allowances, and even vocational training—ensuring no Nigerian youth is left on the sidelines of progress.

But what elevates it from groundbreaking to generational? Leadership. Enter Akintunde Sawyerr, the diplomat-turned-executioner whose career reads like a blueprint for results-driven governance. From co-founding the Agricultural Fresh Produce Growers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFGEAN) in 2012—backed by icons like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina—to steering global logistics at DHL across 21 countries, Sawyerr brings a rare alchemy: strategic foresight fused with unyielding accountability.

As NELFUND’s pioneer MD, he’s turned a fledgling fund into a finely tuned machine, processing over 1 million applications since May 2024 and disbursing ₦116 billion—₦61.33 billion in institutional fees and ₦46.35 billion in upkeep—to students in 231 tertiary institutions nationwide. That’s not bureaucracy; that’s brilliance.

Sawyerr’s touch is everywhere in NELFUND’s ascent. Since the portal’s launch, he’s overseen a digital ecosystem that’s as transparent as it is efficient—seamless verification, BVN-linked tracking, and real-time dashboards that have quashed misinformation and built trust. In just 18 months, the fund has empowered 396,252 students with interest-free loans, many first-generation learners who might otherwise have dropped out.

Sensitization drives in places like Ekiti and Ogun have spiked applications — 12,000 in a single day in one instance, while expansions to vocational centers in Enugu pilot the next wave of skills-based funding. And amid challenges like data mismatches and fee hikes, Sawyerr’s team has iterated relentlessly: aligning disbursements with academic calendars, resuming backlogged upkeep payments for over 3,600 students, and even probing institutional compliance to safeguard every kobo. This isn’t management; it’s mastery—a man who doesn’t just lead but launches futures.

Yet, none of this happens in a vacuum. President Tinubu’s alliance with trailblazers like Sawyerr is the secret sauce securing Nigeria’s tomorrow. The President’s Renewed Hope Agenda isn’t rhetoric; it’s resources—₦100 billion seed capital channeled into a system that prioritizes equity over elitism. Together, they’ve forged a partnership where vision meets velocity: Tinubu’s bold repeal of barriers meets Sawyerr’s boots-on-the-ground execution, turning abstract policy into tangible triumphs. It’s a synergy that’s non-discriminatory by design—Christians, Muslims, every tribe and tongue united in access—fostering national cohesion through classrooms, not courtrooms.

As Sawyerr himself notes, this is “visionary leadership” in action, where the President’s political will ignites reforms that ripple across generations.

Why does this matter to us, Nigeria’s youth? Because NELFUND isn’t handing out handouts—it’s handing out horizons. In a country where 53% of us grapple with unemployment, these loans aren’t just funds; they’re fuel for innovation, entrepreneurship, and endurance.

Picture it: A first-generation polytechnic student in Maiduguri, once sidelined by fees, now graduates debt-free (repayments start two years post-NYSC, employer-deducted for ease) and launches a tech startup. Or a vocational trainee in Enugu, equipped with skills funding, revolutionizing local agriculture. This is quality education that endures—not fleeting certificates, but lifelong launchpads. Sawyerr’s focus on human-centered design ensures loans cover not just books, but bread—upkeep stipends of ₦20,000 monthly keeping hunger at bay so minds can soar. Under his watch, NELFUND has debunked doubts, refuted fraud claims, and delivered results that scream sustainability: Over ₦99.5 billion to 510,000 students by September, with 228 institutions on board.

As youth leaders, we see NELFUND for what it is: A covenant with our future. President Tinubu and MD Sawyerr aren’t just allies; they’re architects of an educated, empowered Nigeria—one where poverty’s grip loosens with every approved application, and innovation blooms from every funded desk. This isn’t charity; it’s an investment in the 70 million of us who will lead tomorrow.

We’ve crossed one million applications not because of luck, but leadership—a duo that’s turning “access denied” into “future unlocked.”

To President Tinubu: Thank you for daring to dream big and backing it with action.

To Akintunde Sawyerr: You’re the executor we needed, proving that one steady hand can steady a nation.

And to every Nigerian youth: Apply. Graduate. Conquer.

Because with NELFUND, your generation isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving, enduring, and eternal.

The Renewed Hope isn’t a slogan; it’s our story, now written in scholarships and success. Let’s keep turning the page.

Dayo Israel is the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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