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Closing gender gaps can add N15trn to GDP annually – Minister
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said closing gender gaps has the potential to add N15 trillion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Productivity (GDP) annually by 2025.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the joint UN Accountability Forum and Orange/Lighting ceremony, themed: ” Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
She noted that studies had shown that countries with higher levels of gender equality experience faster economic growth, improved governance, and more stable societies.
She said: “For Nigeria, closing gender gaps has the potential to add N15 trillion to our GDP annually by 2025.
“Women constitute 49 per cent of our population and account for 41 per cent of small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) owners.
“Yet their representation in senior leadership is just 22 per cent, with only 3.6 per cent holding seats in parliament.
“These disparities represent untapped potentials that if harnessed, could drive our nation’s development forward.”
The minister, said that the event was an opportunity to reflect on shared commitment towards advancing gender equality and ending violence against women and children.
She said: “it is an opportunity to evaluate our progress, reassess our strategies, and reaffirm our commitment to achieving the bold vision outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, now approaching its 30th anniversary. “
Nigeria Report Consultant, Dr Felicia Onibon, said the over 100 paged “Nigeria Beijing Report” contains all the activities done around SDGs and also the Beijing platform for action in the past five years.
Onibon said: “To resolve some of the issues and gaps that we have in the report, we would still continue to ask that our partners within the United Nations and development agencies come up with strategic plans to support the Nigerian government.”
UN Women Deputy Representative, Nesreen Elmolla, while speaking on the Nigeria Beijing Report, noted the huge milestone recorded in Nigeria.
“Nigeria has been an inspiring country on many fronts, but on Violence Against Women, Nigeria has actually been leading on operationalising and domesticating the violence against persons, Prohibition Act.
“This is now enacted in 35 states. This is a huge milestone for Nigeria that we are proud to be celebrating.”
According to her, the orange and lighting ceremony symbolises hope, unity and a collective vision for a world and a Nigeria free of violence.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to a Nigeria where women’s rights, girls rights, men’s rights, human beings rights underpin justice, solidarity and prosperity for all,” she said.
Head of Office and Country Representative of UNESCO to Nigeria, Abdourahamane Diablo, reiterated their commitment to ending GBV, girl-child education and advancing gender equality.
“UNESCO aligns strongly with the goals of the Beijing Platform for Action, particularly in advancing gender equality through education and eradicating gender-based violence,” he said.
Deputy Representative, UNFPA, Francis Koessan, called for more synergy between stakeholders, engagement with men and boys and advocacy for policies implementation to end GBV and investments in preventive measures that will ensure safety of women and girls.
UNODC Representative in Nigeria, Cheikh Toure, said: “we can transform commitment into tangible outcomes, fostering a society where women and girls can live free from violence, fear and inequality.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other activities include the launch of the Nigeria Beijing Report, orange and lighting ceremony and signing of commitment board by stakeholders. (NAN)
By Our Reporter
The Management of Federal Housing Authority FHA, under the leadership of Hon Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo has asked residents of its estates in Abuja to provide approvals and approved documents and building plans for commercial purposes to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Housing Authority FHA, Abuja forthwith.
A Press statement issued by the management and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Chigelu on behalf of the authority directed the submission to be carried out at the Authority’s Head office, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro , Abuja beginning from Wednesday , 3rd April , 2025.
The directives covers all buildings irrespective of the approval dates , that became expedient , following management discovery of sharp practices by commercial outlets ,as most of this buildings are built either without approval and or in contravention to the granted approval.
Chigelu stated that management discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of approval granted them, through alterations in total contravention to the development control regulations of the Authority.
Following the danger posed , management will not allow such negative consequences that will pave way for indiscriminate building collapse, therefore, a controlled demolition was carried out by the authority, with a building with structural defects in March , 2025, on 5th Avenue, Gwarimpa Estate.
Consequently, owners of commercial apartments, which included Hotels , Supermarkets, Hospitals, Schools and Banks including shopping malls through this announcement are expected to submit their approved plans for revalidation.
Management expect strict compliance to this directive, as violators will attract heavy sanctions with authority’s non negotiable stance .
The release further said ..
SPECIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
“The Management of Federal Housing Authority, FHA hereby calls on all owners of commercial properties in FHA Estates in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory to submit their approved building plans to the office of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, at the Authority’s head office, No 26 Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro Abuja from Wednesday, April 3rd, 2025.
“This directive which covers all buildings irrespective of when the approval was given, has become expedient following Management’s discovery that most commercial outlets in these Estates are built without approvals, or developed outside the granted approval.”
” Management has also discovered that some commercial buildings are in contravention of the approval granted them for alteration, in total contravention and disregard to Development Control regulations. ”
“Following the dangers posed by this development, the Management of FHA would not fold its hand to allow this looming disaster to happen. It is to avert the ugly incidence of building collapse that the Authority carried out a controlled demolition exercise of one of its buildings with structural defect on Monday, 24th March. 2025 in 5th Avenue. Gwarinpa estate.”
“Consequently, all owners of commercial outlets: hotels, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, banks, shopping malls etc through this announcement are requested to submit their building approved plans for revalidation. All such buildings must undergo an integrity test.
Strict compliance to this directive is not negotiable as severe sanctions await defaulters. “
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has successfully intercepted eight trafficked children who were en route to the South East and Cameroon.
In a statement to journalists in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, Mrs. Mary Sinjen, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, revealed that the children had been deceived and transported to various southeastern states in Nigeria.
According to her, the children were trafficked to locations such as Aba, Onitsha, and Imo State under the false pretence that they were orphans.
The interception took place in Gembu, the headquarters of the Sardauna Local Government Area, where it was reported that the traffickers were seeking additional children to abduct.
Mrs. Sinjen affirmed, “Thanks to the prompt response from the Ministry and NAPTIP, eight of the children have been safely returned to Taraba State.
“The primary suspect, Mrs. Patience, along with several of her accomplices, has been apprehended and is currently in custody as legal proceedings commence.
“Search and rescue operations for other trafficked children are ongoing.”
She further emphasised that the state government will not tolerate any unscrupulous individuals who exploit children’s rights for illicit gain.
“This administration is wholly committed to ensuring justice, rehabilitating victims, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration to combat child trafficking,” she stated.
“We urge all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as the welfare and protection of our children is a collective responsibility.”
In the meantime, authorities in Taraba have reiterated the importance of community vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities, stressing that safeguarding children requires a unified effort.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.