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Encourage women in senate, traders woman leader, institute registrar urge men
The Woman Leader, Abuja Chapter of National Association of Nigerian Traders Chief (Mrs) Rachael Adewumi, (2nd from right, displaying the award and its certificate), the Registrar, West African Association of Institute of Strategic Educational Administrators, Dr Ibrahim Simon, (3rd from right), Traders Woman Leader, Dutse Alhaji Plaza, Mrs Esther Ojedokun and others at the occasion of conferring Dr Adewumi with Fellowship Award, by then institute, which coincided with her birthday celebration on Thursday in her office in the nation’s capital.
By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka,Abuja
Worried by continued declining of women in Nigeria’s upper and lower chambers of parliament, the woman leader, National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANTs), Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, Chief (Mrs) Rachael Adewumi and the registrar, the West African Association of Strategic Institute of Educational Administrators, also in the FCT, Dr Simon Ibrahim have called for encouragement and involvement of women in Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives.
They made their feelings known to journalists at separate interviews during the conferment of fellowship award by the institute to the FCT NANTs Woman Leader on Friday which coincided with her birthday celebration in her office in the nation’s capital.
While praising and thanking God for the award and adding another year in her age under good health, whose celebration coincided with the award, and promising to continue to involve God in all her dealings, Adewumi prayed to God to continue to give her all it takes to do more of whatever she has been doing, that earned her the award.
Speaking on the importance of women in the both legislative chambers, the woman leader, said that she wasn’t challenging the men, adding that she recognizes them as their husbands and the head of the families, but was quick to demand that due to their prudence in management of resources, the women, according to her shouldn’t be discouraged to participate in the parliament.
Adewumi however believed that with all the genders in the parliament, the results, according to her would be perfect deliberation and effective legislation, even as she added that knowing the importance of a woman, God created them a man and a women.
Advising the few women in the two chambers to represent Nigerians well, and prove it to the world that Nigerian women legislators can perform, she advised the men to stop frustrating and discouraging the women in the country’s politics and governance. “This country belongs to all of us, so no one gender should claim monopoly over it,” she stated.
Also frowning at the declining of the number of women in the two chambers of legislature, the Institute’s registrar however spoke at length on the need for the women to be encouraged into politics, so as to have among other equal gender in the parliament.
Speaking on the reason why they gave her the award, Ibrahim Simon explained thus: “She has trained and empowered widows and other less privileged, using her Non Governmental Organisation, the TAKEM Empowerment Initiatives; she has created employments, contributed to increase in the GDP and tax, through her TAKEM Trading Company Limited and; she has been effectively, leading the women traders in the FCT. All these, among others were the reason behind the award.”
A National Youth Service Corp member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday has regained freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m.
ELANZANEWS reports that Lawal was kidnapped while en route to Ibadan, Oyo State from Benin, Edo State to resume at her place of primary assignment.
The abductors were said to have demanded an N20m ransom which her family appealed that they could not afford.
Following back-and-forth negotiations, the kidnappers reportedly reduced the N20m ransom to N5m.
Giving an update on the incident, Lawal’s friend identified as Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed on Saturday that Aminat has regained her freedom.
Sharing a video of the victim in a Facebook post, Agbakwara wrote, “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return.
“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, her colleagues in school, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family.
“Through the collective efforts and generosity of so many, we were able to raise N1.1 million, which was sent at 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers.
“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”
He stated that Lawal was finally reunited with her family on Saturday morning.
“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital.
“This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.
Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, has launched two lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and infringement of her fundamental rights.
In her legal filings, Mrs Akpabio is seeking an astounding ₦250 billion in damages, alongside an additional ₦1 billion to cover legal costs.
The suits, presented to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, arise from sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against her husband, Godswill Akpabio, during an interview on Arise News last Friday.
In the fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs Akpabio contends that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on 20th February 2025, as well as during the televised interview, represent a “flagrant violation” of her fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Referencing Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mrs Akpabio is pursuing several legal remedies, including: “A declaration that the Senator’s remarks breached her fundamental rights and subjected her and her children to emotional and psychological distress.
“A perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any further inciteful, scandalous, and defamatory remarks against her.
“₦250 billion in damages for what she categorises as exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages incurred as a result of the senator’s statements.”
In a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), the wife of the Senate President challenges the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that they have inflicted irreparable harm on her reputation and that of her family.
She argues that the claims, aired on national television, have “tarnished her family’s reputation and brought them into disrepute and opprobrium.”
“The Defendant’s assertion on national television that the Claimant’s husband, who serves as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made sexual advances towards her without any substantiation has severely damaged the reputation of the Claimant and her entire family,” the suit states.
Mrs Akpabio is also seeking a court declaration affirming that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements were indeed defamatory.
Her requests include: “A declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertions on national television—that the Claimant’s husband, the Senate President, made sexual advances towards her without evidence—have harmed her reputation and that of her family, resulting in disrepute and opprobrium.
“An order compelling Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal written retraction of her statements and to provide an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in two national newspapers.
“An order mandating Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the ramifications of her statements on the Akpabio family’s reputation.
“A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements against the Akpabio family.”
These lawsuits represent a notable escalation in legal proceedings following a contentious exchange between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Akpabio.
The dispute first gained prominence when Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a verbal altercation with the Senate President during a Senate session, which she subsequently escalated by levelling allegations of sexual harassment during a televised interview.
The allegations have ignited a nationwide debate, drawing significant attention and eliciting mixed responses from the public.
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Governor Uba Sani Extends Warm Ramadan Greetings, Calls for Unity and Reflection in Kaduna State
As the holy month of Ramadan 1446 AH begins, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Muslim faithful in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and across the globe.
In his Ramadan message, Governor Sani emphasized the importance of reflection, empathy, and solidarity during this sacred period.
Governor Sani urged Muslims to embrace the noble values of Ramadan, including generosity, brotherhood, and cooperation. He called on citizens to share food, love, time, and respect with the less privileged in society, reinforcing the spirit of compassion that defines the holy month.
“This is the time to renew our relationship with Almighty Allah and seek His mercy for our state and country,” Governor Sani stated. He also encouraged citizens to pray fervently for the sustenance of peace and unity in Kaduna State, highlighting the strength of the state’s diversity.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating peace, revitalizing the economy, and ensuring sustainable growth and development in Kaduna State. “As a government, we shall continue to do all that is necessary to place Kaduna State irreversibly on the path to progress,” he said.
Governor Sani concluded his message with a prayer for the spirit of Ramadan to illuminate the hearts and souls of all citizens. “May this holy month bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to our state and nation. Ramadan Mubarak,” he added.