News

UN Showcases Young Female Nigerian Tech Innovators

Published

2 years ago

March 24, 2023

The UN Women on Thursday showcased various technological innovations by young women and men that advanced gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.

Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the event was part of activities to mark the International Women’s month, with a theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality,” in Abuja.

Eyong noted the wide gender gap in employment and education in the technological sector in Nigeria, with women making up only 22 per cent of the total engineering and technology university graduates annually.

“This is due to gender stereotypes and social norms that still categories jobs in these sectors as “men’s jobs”, which inhibits women from applying to study and demonstrate interest in such subjects.

“It also prevents companies from hiring qualified women for these roles.”

According to her, the showcase will demonstrate young women and men in Nigeria digital and innovative solutions to a variety of issues across a number of sectors in the society.

Also speaking, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said the organisation through its several policies and strategies had trained over 200,000 young people on ICT to bridge gender divide.

“We trained no fewer than 222,000 Young people in ICT and we believe that we have a growing population, vibrant entrepreneurial and expanding tech eco-system, which if we leverage can provide an opportunity for us to achieve Gender Equality and women empowerment.”

Similarly, Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, stressed the need for women and young girls to leverage on technological innovations to improve their lives and bridge the gender disparity in all sectors.

Tallen, represented by Mrs Funke Oladipo, Director, Women Development also highlighted the need to empower women and girls on digital skills, access to technology and support women-led businesses.

Also, Mrs Ola Williams, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria said the organisation had partnered with the Federal Government to skill five million youths through the ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to improve on technological innovations.

Williams said these would improve access to jobs, right tools and resources, as well as markets for their business.

“Because the world has become a global village, any technology developed today can actually be accessed by anyone in the world.

“So that is why beyond just providing skilling mentoring, we are also providing means to employability,” she said.

Other highlights of the events include exhibition of technological innovations by young women and men on gender issues, tech-apps, amongst others.

Ms Edeh Catherine-Chinyere,a legal practioner and a hearing impaired person, developed an app, “Voice of Disability Initiative” an audio translator app that coverts audio to text for persons with heading impairment.

Also, Ms Fatima Haliru-Yahaya, “Honor of Haven,” e-platform was developed to support women and girls in reporting incidents of sexual and gender based violence.

Also, the UN women launched an app, Buy-from women digital platform to link women farmers and entrepreneurs to markets, information and finance.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.