Headline

Obaseki Prioritising Women’s Economic Empowerment – Edo First Lady

Published

3 years ago

February 22, 2022

The First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has stated that the Godwin Obaseki’s administration is prioritising women’s economic empowerment, in order for them to be more productive, thereby moving the state and Nigeria forward.

Mrs. Obaseki made the disclosure in Benin on Tuesday, while declaring open a policy dialogue to reflect on women economic empowerment intervention and programming in Edo State.

The policy dialogue was organised by Edo State Partnership for Advancing Women in Economic Development (PAWED) Advocacy Coalition, which was supported by the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC).

The wife of Obaseki who was a special guest of honour at the event also stated that Edo government was ready and committed to adequately empowerinh the state’s women.

Edo First Lady, who was represented by the Managing Director, EdoJOBS, Ukinebo Dare, noted that Obaseki’s government had continually prioritised women’s empowerment through the administration’s various interventions targeted at improving women’s economic livelihoods and development.

The Coordinator of Edo State PAWED advocacy coalition, Mrs. Vivian Evbotokhai, in her welcome address, declared that Obaseki’s administration was taking the lead in investment in women’s economic empowerment.

She noted that the project was targeted at pushing for Edo government to fulfil its commitments for women’s economic empowerment.

Evbotokhai also urged women in Edo to be more industrious and supportive of the state government, while stressing that PAWED and dRPC had a responsibility to establish a platform for productive and continuous interface between the Edo state women’s economic collectives and women’s empowerment related Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

While also speaking, PAWED advocacy coalition’s second lead, Mrs. Bliss Ojeruse, stated that Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) had been recognised as a bridge to glaring gender disparity across the globe.

She said: “It is recognised that investing in WEE, through training and financial support, boosts productivity, increases economic diversification and income equality, in addition to other positive development outcomes.

“When a woman is given the same access to productive resources as men, on average, they could increase yields on their farms by 20-30 per cent. Investment in women economic empowerment helps to reduce gender issues relating to land acquisition by allowing women secure rights to land, reduce difficulties in securing labour and credit, and prevent inequitable access to herbicides, fertilisers, and extension service.

“Ensuring economic opportunities for women is an important entry point for ensuring better education, health and nutrition outcomes for families.

“In 2022, the Edo State government three specific projects for the women economic empowerment projects include Edo women for agric project – N10 million; provision of equipment for women/economic empowerment – N20 million; and the construction and installation of cages (women and youth empowerment programme), with N40 million allocated to WEE in 2022, compared with N7 million in 2021, thereby constituting 471.42 per cent increase.”

Headline

26-year-old Nigerian Fatally Stabbed In London

Published

1 hour ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Two individuals have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old Nigerian, Ayowale Aladejana, in New Cross, southeast London.

The Metropolitan Police reports that detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Ayowale charged a man and woman with murder.

“Ben Wazabanga, 23 (24.10.2001) of Fairfax Road, Bedford was charged with murder and possession of a knife on Monday, 4 August. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.

“Ronique Belfon, 23 (10.05.2002) of Morinsbury Road, Bedford was charged with murder on Monday, 4 August. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August,” the report read.

Speaking on the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, was quoted as saying, “Our thoughts are with Ayowale’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances. I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us.”

The investigation was reportedly launched after officers were called to reports of a man with stab wounds at a residential address in Monson Road, New Cross, at 19:26hrs on Saturday, August 2.

The officers were said to have responded alongside the London Ambulance Service and medics from London’s Air Ambulance, however, Ayowale died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

The report added that a post-mortem examination conducted on Sunday gave a preliminary cause of death as stab wound to the chest.

Ayowale’s family are also reportedly being supported by specially trained officers.

Headline

Trump Threatens 250% Tariffs On Foreign Pharmaceuticals

Published

2 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could reach 250 percent, after starting at a lower level, while adding he plans to also unveil fresh duties on foreign semiconductors.

“We’ll be putting (an) initially small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year, one-and-a-half years, maximum, it’s going to go to 150 percent,” Trump said in an interview on CNBC.

“And then it’s going to go to 250 percent because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country,” he added.

In the same interview, Trump said he expects to raise the US tariff on Indian imports “very substantially over the next 24 hours” due to the country’s purchases of Russian oil.

While Trump has aimed at products from different countries with varying tariff rates after imposing a 10-percent levy on almost all trading partners in April, these have excluded certain products he planned to target separately.

These sector-specific tariffs have generally come after government investigations that look into the national security concerns surrounding certain imports.

After earlier embarking on probes on imported semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, the Trump administration has signaled plans to wrap up these studies, which could lead to new tariffs.

Already, Trump has slapped steep tariffs of 50 percent on imported steel and aluminum, and also rolled out a separate but lower duty on autos and parts.

AFP

Headline

UK Opens Application For Chevening Scholarships

Published

6 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced that applications for its Chevening Scholarships are officially open, with prospective scholars encouraged to apply between August 5 and October 7, 2025.

The Chevening programme offers fully funded one-year master’s degrees at UK universities to individuals with demonstrated leadership potential and a strong commitment to driving positive change in their home countries and globally.

In a statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja, the Head of the Scholarships Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Emma Hennessey, described the programme as highly competitive, selecting only the most outstanding candidates from across the world.

“Chevening’s highly competitive selection process ensures that those chosen to become Chevening Scholars or Fellows represent the brightest and most driven individuals from around the world.

“Chevening Alumni use their world-class education, global networks, and confidence gained in the UK to create meaningful, lasting change when they return home, whether by tackling global challenges or making a tangible impact in their own communities.

“If you can clearly demonstrate the skills needed to join them — outstanding leadership, influence, and networking skills — I strongly encourage you to apply.

“If you’re not quite there yet, I encourage you to take the time to build the experience that will make your application competitive,” Hennessey noted.

According to the statement, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, urged Nigerians with leadership potential to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Chevening is more than a scholarship — it is a gateway to a global network of leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” he said.

“Whether your aspirations lie in shaping public policy, launching a business, or addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, the Chevening Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom to advance your knowledge and skills.

“While there is no ‘typical’ scholar, we seek individuals with the passion, ideas, and influence to drive meaningful change in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our alumni network includes dynamic professionals across diverse sectors who are making significant contributions in their fields.

“If you have the potential to lead positive change in your community, Nigeria, or globally, I encourage you to submit your application before the 7 October 2025 deadline.

“Apply today and take the first step toward this life-changing experience,” he said.

Applications must be submitted online via chevening.org/apply.

Interested applicants are also encouraged to review available guidance at chevening.org/guidance to determine their readiness for the competitive application process.

Since its launch in 1983, the Chevening programme has supported over 60,000 professionals from over 160 countries and territories.

The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations.