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

Published

6 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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Alake Inaugurates Nigeria-US Solid Minerals Committee, Dismisses $700bn Claim, Says No Assets Sold

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, on Tuesday inaugurated the Nigeria-United States Committee on Strategic Cooperation in the Solid Minerals Sector in Abuja, dismissing reports that Nigeria sold $700 billion worth of solid minerals to the US.

The inauguration followed the strategic cooperation framework established between Nigeria and the United States during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head PRESS and Public Relations Department Mrs. Kania Maliki Andeyaba stated that, Alake in the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed with the US is a government-to-government platform to facilitate business-to-business engagements between American investors and Nigerian local operators, not a sale of assets.

Harping on the importance of the solid minerals sector to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda, he noted that the administration was committed to reducing dependence on a mono-product economy through the sustainable development of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.

According to him, the Nigeria–US partnership as a strategic initiative to attract investment, promote technology transfer, strengthen local mineral processing and create employment opportunities.

“There is no sale of any Nigerian asset. There’s nothing exchanging hands,” Alake declared.

“We created a platform to facilitate mingling of US investment ventures with Nigeria’s local operators. It is in the public domain. We signed it in public and published it in four or five national newspapers.”

The Minister said reports claiming the US was coming to take over Nigeria’s minerals and security architecture were untrue at best and products of riotous imagination at worst.

Explaining the policy thrust, Alake said Africa has historically held the short end of the stick in global economic transactions, and Nigeria is determined to change that model.

“We have the resources, the critical elements the world needs to transit to clean energy. So we are creating a new paradigm — you bring your capital, expertise and technology, to match with our natural resources and create a win-win situation . The investor gains, Nigeria gains.’’he said.

Nigeria, he stressed, had operated a mono-cultural economy dependent on oil, while solid minerals were exploited informally — with ores taken “from pit to port” without value addition.

Alake said government has now made local processing mandatory, refusing to grant mineral titles to investors without a clear pathway to processing in Nigeria.

He said the policy led to the springing up of processing factories, including the largest lithium processing plant in West Africa commissioned recently in Nasarawa by the Vice President, and informed the formation of the African Minerals Strategy Group.

Alake noted that investor confidence has returned due to macro-economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu that guarantee security of tenure and repatriation of profits.

He charged the committee to discharge its assignment responsibly, saying its work is strategic to achieving the President’s $1 trillion economy target.

To this end, he told the Committee to ensure effective coordination, identify investment opportunities and translate the framework into measurable outcomes capable of positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global solid minerals industry.

In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, said the inauguration translates growing bilateral engagements into a structured framework for practical cooperation and investment mobilization

Economic Officer at the US Embassy, Jonathan Baas, said President Donald Trump has prioritized three areas for US embassies — energy, artificial intelligence/super intelligence, and critical minerals.

Baas said Washington’s direction is to work with partners to secure critical supply chains while ensuring partners capture value.

“We just signed a contract today on looking into building AI data centres in Nigeria at the Nigerian Economic Summit. That’s the direction Washington wants us to go,” he said.

In his vote of thanks, CEO/Managing Director of Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, NSMC said that the committee

is expected to coordinate implementation, facilitate investment and monitor progress towards achieving the objectives of the Nigeria–US cooperation framework.

The inauguration reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the solid minerals sector as a key driver of economic diversification, industrial development and national prosperity under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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