Headline

AWLO Launches Canada Chapter Amidst Glitz And Glamour

Published

5 years ago

October 6, 2019

Editor

At last, the African Women Leadership Organisation (AWLO) has landed in Canada-and the launch at the posh Woodbine Banquet and Convention Centre in Ontario was a colourful and glamorous affair.

The event which attracted women from Africa, Diaspora and the Caribbean also featured the First Ladies Summit and the Vigor Awards. It was a wonderful night to behold.

Here is the full speech of AWLO Founder, Mr Elisha Attai “This is one of the most exciting times to be part of a driving philosophy and to be a member of the African Women in Leadership Organization Family. The clarity of our vision is not in doubt, the ideals we profess has stood up to scrutiny and passed all the tests of enduring legacies. We have come a long way since the dream first took root in my heart. From 2009 till 2019; it has been a satisfying decade of connecting dreams, aspirations, purpose, and empowering women in leadership, collaborations, and partnerships across the world.

We did not stop with women. Yes, you may question why? It is impossible to connect with women, and not get through to children, the youth and ultimately, the men. It is only the discerning that can fully understand the power embedded in the female gender. Only the wise can humble themselves to harness that extraordinary power. And only a select few can connect that power and direct its matchless force towards creating a future. Therein lies the secret of sustainability. A thickly corded thread woven in relentless pursuit and strategic focus.

As believers in the vision of the global champion for gender equality #UNWomen; AWLO strives to uphold the standards that create an enabling environment for every woman and girl to freely exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. We work globally raising awareness through our programs to make the vision of the UN Sustainable Development a reality for women and girls. In advancing and positioning AWLO’s mission internationally, we have greater influence in building sustainable peace through humanitarian actions, and resilience through stability in a violence-free society.

We are witnessing an unprecedented growth across borders, changing mindsets and investing in human capital development. We have no choice, no alternative, but to continue walking the blazing trail where AWLO has created in courageous discipline and dedication. That is why we stand with you all, boldly today, opening impactful and rewarding alliances, building and reinforcing an unshaken foundation. We are not stopping. Our strategy is to expand further internationally as changing agents in the long-neglected ideals of instilling worth in our capabilities.

Focusing on empowerment for sustainability is critical to realizing our vision. The AWLO Canada Family has been created to do just that! This new family will help build your network across the world and give you new exposures to ideas, with access to professional development in your competencies. Do you know what your competency gaps are, and what experience you need to bridge them? AWLO is that BRIDGE! To be able to adapt, to leverage the many opportunities offered, your next level will be achieved through a partnership between you and a supporting team. AWLO is that TEAM!

There has never been a better time to consolidate on our giant strides than now; contributing directly to a restored future through sustainable platforms in the corporate world. Over the unfolding years, we strongly believe that our deepening competencies and broadening experiences will set AWLO on a path of empowered sustainability, leading to economic autonomy, income security, women leadership, and total eradication of gender discrimination. AWLO is certain of a future where women are overwhelmingly represented in political and economic decision-making processes.

I hope you find this brief speech helpful in understanding our journey and will guide you in actively supporting, generating and expanding our goals in whatever roles suited to your growing potentials.

Thank you all, for this amazing opportunity and the warm reception of a widening family bond. On behalf of the many branches of AWLO worldwide, our Board of Trustees, our Coordinators, our Regional Heads, our HeforShe heroes; we gladly welcome you into a thriving community of visionary go-getters, passionate builders, and worthy ambassadors where ideas and best practices are shared, new relationship is formed, and collaboration and learning is the norm”

Headline

Senate Approves Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers, Sack of Governor, Elected Officers

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Eric

Like the House of Representatives, the Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.

The approval grants President Tinubu the authority to enforce emergency measures while mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.

Per the Constitution, the National Assembly has also imposed a joint committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.

Additionally, the Senate has resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.

Just like the Senate, the House of Representatives had earlier approved Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

In a voice vote, the lawmakers backed Tinubu’s decision, two days after President Tinubu made the move.

Two hundred and forty House of Representative members attended the preliminary which was presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

While deliberating on the decision, the House made some amendments including that a committee of eminent Nigerians will set up to mediate on the matter.

They also noted that the National Assembly is empowered to make law for a state where its house of assembly is unable to perform its functions as against the Federal Government’s plan for the Federal Executive Council to take up that duty.

President Bola Tinubu during the swearing-in of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as sole administrator for Rivers State in Abuja on March 19, 2025

On Tuesday, President Tinubu wielded the big hammer in Rivers State, declaring a state of emergency in the state. He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months and appointed a sole administrator to take charge of the state in a move that has triggered a wave of criticisms.

Legal experts, governors, and prominent Nigerians like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi to name a few have condemned the proclamation, demanding a reversal.

However, the Federal Government has doubled down on Tinubu’s decision and argued that it was needed to bring peace to the oil-rich state.

Headline

Resist Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers, Atiku Tells Nigerians

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Eric

A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called on Nigerians to stand up and defend the country’s democracy by resisting the state of emergency imposed in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

Atiku made the remarks during a press conference of concerned political leaders, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said it is not only the responsibility of the opposition parties to defend democracy but the duty of everyone to reject the “brazen assault” on the elected government in Rivers.

Headline

Wike Not to Blame in Rivers Political Crises, FG Exonerates FCT Minister, Condemns Fubara

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2025

Eric

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, on Wednesday, cleared the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, of all wrong doings in the Rivers State crises, fingering the suspended Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, for being solely responsible for the imbroglio that has led to a declaration of State of Emergency.

At a media chat with State House correspondent in Abuja, the AGF said President Bola Tinubu acted timely with his proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State, the suspension of the governor, and the appointment of a sole administration, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).

Fagbemi said Fubara demolished the State House of Assembly Complex to avoid being impeached and refused to rebuild it more than one year later, and blamed the governor for failing to implement the February 28, 2025 ruling of the Supreme Court as well not cautioning militants, who had threatened to blow pipelines in the state. “There was not a word dissuading the militant who issued the threats,” he said.

He said the situation could not have been allowed to continue as the critical economic lifeline of the nation was criminally touched.

Fagbemi said Wike did not feature in the matter that was decided by the Supreme Court and should not be sentimentally brought into it, noting that the emergency rule declaration was some sort of saving grace for Fubara who had been served impeachment notice by pro-Wike lawmakers.

“If that impeachment had been allowed to take its full course, the governor would have entirely lost and completely.

“So, in a way, instead of allowing the impeachment to continue, and which in the end would have seen both the governor and the deputy governor out of office for the entirety of their four-year term with the remainder of what they have — a balance of two years and two months,” the AGF said.

Fagbemi said Wike should not be brought into the matter as he was not responsible for the actions of Fubara who failed to act in line with the constitutional requirements of getting the approval of the state legislators in the affairs of the state.

He said, “There are occasions when it comes to national issues, we have to come out plainly and sincerely. Where do you put the Minister of the FCT in this case? Was he the one who asked for the demolition of the House of Assembly?

“Was he the one who said the governor should not present the budget to the House of Assembly? Was he the one who advised the governor not to go through the House of Assembly for purposes of ratifying the commissioner-nominees?

“I don’t know because if you want to look at a case, you look at the facts that have been presented. The Supreme Court made these critical findings. The FCT minister did not feature.

“Assuming he featured, he would have featured on the side of the legislators but what you have here is let everybody go home for the first six months. So, I don’t see his hands here in what we have.”

Fagbemi advised all those who do not agree with the president’s move to channel their energy to the National Assembly to veto the president’s decision.

Wike, who is the immediate-past governor of Rivers State, has been locked in a protracted power tussle with Fubara, his estranged political godson, for about two years. The apex court recently backed the pro-Wike Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.

The suspension of Fubara and other democratically elected representatives has been expressly rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, and groups including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), among others.

However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike suspended lawmakers, who accused Fubara of contravening the Supreme Court ruling on the political situation in the state.