News

Why We Don’t Sponsor Female Politicians — UN Women

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2023

…Gives Guidelines On How To Access Fund

Beatrice Eyong, United Nations, UN, Women Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, has explained why the body cannot financially sponsor female politicians.

Eyong said that the UN Women does not sponsor female political candidates due to policy restrictions existing in various countries and also that some funders say Nigeria has a lot of money,

Eyong spoke in Lagos at a workshop organised by the UN Women and the government of Canada in partnership with the Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre, WARDC.

She spoke in response to an appeal made by Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, a member of the House of Representatives and former Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, to the UN Women and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).

Akande-Sadipe, while delivering a keynote address, had appealed to the UN Women and NGOs to consider funding the campaigns of women political candidates as a means of helping them overcome the burgeoning challenge of finance.

Eyong said: “I have always advocated this also, even while in New York; that money be given directly to candidates.

“However, there is a problem with the rules that govern financing campaigns.

“Sometimes, some countries may allow it while others may not. Some countries have restrictions on direct funding of political campaigns by international organisations.

“Another thing I must put on the table is that when we are mobilising funds, what they (funders) tell us is that Nigeria has a lot of money and does not need money.

“So, we face difficulties mobilising funds for middle-income countries. When I was in Mali, I had nearly double the budget that I had in Nigeria because the argument is always that Nigeria has money and does not need money.

“This is the truth.

“We, however, are working on the electoral process so that it can be gender-responsive even though we are not giving money directly to candidates. So, we are working around the candidates to create a favourable environment.

“With the funding from Canada, for example, we have been working with owners of media houses to influence how the media is reporting on women, especially women in politics.

“Among other things, we worked with the Girl Guides to mobilise rural women to vote for women candidates. We have also mobilised private sector CEOs to support women candidates.

“In addition, in terms of capacity building, we have worked with INEC and security agencies to ensure a gender-responsive security during elections.

“We have also set up three resource centres for women in politics. Also, we mobilised traditional rulers.

“Amid the many things that we have done, the law does not yet allow us to give money directly to candidates to fund their campaigns.”

‘How to access UN Women fund’

Eyong, however, advised that funding from the UN Women can be better accessed collectively, through a formally organised platform; and not individually.

“Another way you can have funding is if you are together. If we have a platform for female parliamentarians, it is easier to tell funders to fund your activities.

“Even when put together at the zonal levels, such platforms can easily have access to funding,” she said.

Earlier, Akande-Sadipe had said: “UN Women and other non-governmental organisations love you for your efforts; but we need money.

“Women’s access to money to finance their political aspirations is very limited.

“It is very important that you identify credible women and begin to finance their projects and campaigns, including vehicles, media, and more.

“We need those tangible cash assistance. The training centres are brilliant ideas but what happens if you train me and I do not have the money?

“What has limited women in this part of the world is money.”

News

Benue Crisis: I’m Happy Nigerians Rebuked You – VDM Slams Billionaire Kiddwaya For Donation Appeal

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

Social commentator and activist, VeryDarkMan has called out billionaire heir and reality star Kiddwaya for seeking public donations to support victims of the recent attack in Yelwata, Benue State.

Kiddwaya had shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging Nigerians to contribute funds for the affected community.

However, the post drew widespread criticism, leading him to delete it.

Reacting in a video also posted on X, VeryDarkMan condemned the move, questioning the sincerity of someone who is known for flaunting his wealth, now asking ordinary citizens for money.

“The first thing you could do, you just quickly do one write up next thing you go drop account number. How would you know what the Benue people need when you never go there. You just dey wherever you dey, write one nonsense letter come drop account,” he said.

The activist added, “I’m happy Nigerians rebuked you to the point wey you go delete am, e sweet my body. Because you na guy man wey like dey brag about your wealth. Every time you rub your wealth on people’s face, show say na you better pass every Nigerian.”

VeryDarkMan also cautioned NGOs against exploiting the crisis in Benue by raising funds for food items, arguing that the real issue is insecurity, not hunger.

“To every NGO in the country that might want to take advantage of the happenings in Benue State, the people of Benue are not hungry. You will collect money from government say una wan bring relief material una go bring rice beans garri, the people of Benue are not starving, food is not their problem, insecurity is,” he said.

He proposed that financial support should only be solicited if community leaders set up vigilante groups and receive approval from the Inspector General of Police to bear arms.

“If the community leaders of its local government can come out, set up a vigilante, write to the inspector general of police that they need arms, if the inspector general of police approves of arms, we go put account number online tell every Nigerian even if na 5 Naira contribute.

“This isn’t the time to talk and keep quiet, it is beyond that, everybody needs to play their part.”

News

VIDEO: Wike Promises Pay Rise After Band Sings In Chinese At Road Unveiling

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday left many Nigerians amused after he publicly promised to increase the wages of his official music band during a project commissioning in Abuja.

Wike made the announcement while commissioning the newly completed collector road from Mabushi to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, a project executed by a Chinese construction firm.

Midway into the event, the band’s lead singer entertained the crowd with a hilarious twist, mimicking a song in what appeared to be ‘Chinese’, in a nod to the nationality of the contractors.

Impressed by their performance, the Minister announced that he would increase their wages.

“Now that the musician can sing in Chinese language, his fee will be increased,” the minister said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.

Shortly after his statement, the band broke into another tune, chanting, Agreement is agreement ooo, “Agreement is agreement ooo, Nysome Wike don talk am, Chinese people go see, Agreement is agreement ooo,” before ending with the phrase “Chi hu chan.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1936079174038331767https://twitter.com/i/status/1936079174038331767

News

Anambra Directs Residents To Repaint Houses

Published

7 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Government has directed residents and occupants of dilapidated buildings defacing the environment in public view areas across the state to repaint their structures, adding that regulators will be embarking on field operations to enforce compliance beginning from July 1.

In a press statement released on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, said repainting of buildings with particular emphasis in Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewi and Ekwuluobia areas, respectively, will commence with immediate effect with the aim of achieving a clean, beautiful and eco-friendly environment.

Odimegwu said concerned residents and corporate organisations in the areas mentioned are required to repaint their houses/buildings, especially those that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or buildings whose current paint is defacing the environment.

He said the exercise is aimed at strengthening the existing building structures, improving the aesthetic ambience, and the green space of the state as enshrined in the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 sec 79 (1-7).

The statement partly read, “Notice is hereby given to all residents and occupants of buildings which are in public view areas of the state with particular emphasis on Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewil and Ekwuluobia respectively, that general house hold inspection on dilapidated and unpainted structures defacing the environment shall commence with immediate effect.

“This exercise is aimed at strengthening the existing building structures, improving the aesthetic ambience, and the green space of the state as enshrined in the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 sec 79 (1-7).

“Hence, residents are enjoined to fully maintain, repaint (if necessary) their residential and commercial premises which are in public view (anyaora) areas.”

He added that the Anambra State Environmental Management Protection and Administration Law 2024 provides the legal framework for beautification and aesthetic face-lifting of the state.

“Regulators will be embarking on field operations starting from July 1, 2025, for this particular purpose. Therefore, concerned individuals and corporate organisations within the purview as stated above are required to repaint their houses/buildings, especially those that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or buildings whose current paint is defacing the environment.

“A clean, beautiful and eco-friendly Anambra is possible if we join hands together to improve her aesthetic ambience,” the statement added.