Poor Policy Implementation an Hindrance to Agricultural Transformation in West Africa - Don

By Temitope Musowo 

A University Don from the Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV),University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Dr. Olawale Olayide has described poor policy implimentation has a hindrance to agricultural tranformation for shared prosperity in West Africa.

Dr. Olayide who was speaking as a facilitator at the just concluded maiden edition of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAs) People's Agriculture Budget Summit in Abuja, yesterday, lamented poor funding of agriculture in ECOWAS sub-region. 

The 2-day summit which  took place at the ECOWAS Building in Abuja was organised by ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Agriculture in conjunction with Oxfam, ActionAid, and Trust Africa,  with the  theme; "The State of Public Financing of Agriculture in ECOWAS Member States: Sustaining the CAADP Commitment".

U.S. Supports Full Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

By Temitope Musowo 

The United States Consulate in Lagos on Thursday called for more concerted efforts to ensure the full inclusion of persons living with disabilities in every aspect of social, political, economic, and cultural life.

Delivering remarks at a program organized by Project Enable Africa in commemoration of the 2018 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Russell Brooks, reaffirmed the U.S. government’s support for the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Brooks explained that the United States, as part of its foreign policy, works to remove barriers and create a world in which disabled people enjoy dignity and full inclusion. According to him, promoting disability rights is an integral part of  the promotion of human rights.

“In pursuing diplomacy that is inclusive and empowering of persons with disabilities, the United States opposes discrimination against persons with disabilities everywhere and in all its forms. If we permit anyone in our society to be accorded less than their full human rights, we are all diminished as a result,” Brooks stated.  

At the event, rights activist and President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, and Access Bank’s Head of Sustainability, Ms. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, emphasized the importance of the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society.

In 2017, Project Enable Africa, a Nigerian civic organization that promotes the rights, empowerment and social inclusion of persons with disabilities established a disability-friendly digital hub in Lagos with funding from the U.S. government. 

To date, the hub has trained 20 young persons with disabilities in various information and communication technology-based skills, and supports them through mentorship. During today’s event, Project Enable Africa announced a second cohort that will be trained next year. Project Enable Africa is also the winner of the Google Impact Challenge Funds Competition in Nigeria and will receive an award of $250,000.

Project Enable is led by Mr. Olusola Owonikoko, a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow and 2014 Fellow of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI).

Ondo First Lady Canvasses Support for Women Empowerment

By Temitope Musowo 

 

The wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has encouraged the people of Ondo State to support the move towards women empowerment in each of their individual communities.

She made this call during the Grand Finale of the First Summit of the Forum for Wives of Political Officials in Ondo State which held at the Arcade in Akure, the State capital.

Speaking at the event themed “Unlocking the Hidden Potentials in Women: a Task for All”, Mrs Akeredolu appreciated individuals and corporate bodies whose contributions have furthered the vision of FOWOSO especially those who had recently raised 9.5 million Naira towards combatting cancer.

“My address is more of an appreciation to all those whose contributions are helping to further the attaining of FOWOSO Empowerment visions.

“How can I forget to mention it? Wednesday night, 9.5million Naira was raised in support of the fight against breast cancer. We appreciate those who made this contribution. “She said.

While expressing hope in the limitless prospects of a nation whose women are given agency, Mrs Akeredolu observed that through FOWOSO, Nigerian women are being prepared to live out their full potentials.

Later in his remarks, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who was represented by the Secretary to Ondo State Government, Hon. Abekunle Ifedayo, thanked the FOWOSO women for their many humanitarian programmes while restating the continued support of his administration to FOWOSO.

Also speaking at the event were the Chairman of the occasion and FOWOSO Calender Chief Launcher, Mr Segun Olugboyegun, the Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, SSA to Ondo State Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi among others who lauded FOWOSO for their many empowerment programmes while pledging their unwavering support to the forum.

The function which also featured parade and march past by women of different LGAs within the Ondo State, cancer awareness displays and raffle draws had in attendance Government functionaries, traditional rulers and heads of religious organizations.

PHOTO NEWS 01:  Ondo state First Lady, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu (secord right), Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (secord left) and Mr Segun Olugboyegan

Chairman, CEO JOF NIG.(right), during the grand finale of 1st  Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Appointees (FOWOSO) summit,
at Gani Fawehimi freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, on Thursday, 6th December, 2018. 

PHOTO NEWS 02:  Ondo state First Lady, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu (middle), Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (left), during the grand finale of 1st  Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Appointees (FOWOSO) summit,

at Gani Fawehimi freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, on Thursday, 6th December, 2018.

PHOTO NEWS 02:  Ondo state First Lady, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu (right), Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (left), during the grand finale of 1st  Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Appointees (FOWOSO) summit,

at Gani Fawehimi freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, on Thursday, 6th December, 2018.