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AWLO Set To Host Capacity Building Programme For 500 Women

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African Women in Leadership Organisation  (AWLO) in partnership with Justina Ovat Foundation is set to create empowerment opportunities for 500 women in the Niger-Delta Region and Others.

While women make up a large population of the Nation, women’s economic participation is comparably low. A World bank’s 2019 research, shows that Nigerian women’s under-participation in economic activities stems from cultural factors, namely; gender-specific roles. The WEF’s 2018 gender-gap report also corroborates that the gender pay gap is a result of women’s considerable participation in unpaid tasks. Overall, there is an incidence of 77.1% gap in women’s economic participation and opportunities, making it the area with the highest gender-gap incidence followed by Political participation.

The African Women in Leadership Organisation’s (AWLO) participation in the 2018 UN Women’s empowerment principles forum, saw it adopting resolutions to form its 2019 scope of work with the theme- Empowered for Sustainability. Thus, channeling the forum’s resolutions for long-lasting empowerment solutions.

The AWLO-500 Capacity-building Workshop, as a result, is an effective economic empowerment initiative with the goal of keying women into opportunities; for upscaling their skills to gain empowerment in areas of decision-making, enterprise building and financial asset control.

The workshop targets 500 women and will be a prerequisite for post-workshop opportunities namely; cooperative membership, access to resourceful business community, routine business mentorship, ready-market opportunities, and funding.

AWLO is collaborating with the Justina Ovat Foundation to deliver the workshop in Cross River State. Justina Ovat Foundation is a not-for-profit Entrepreneurship, Employability and Enterprise Development organization that delivers innovative, high-quality solutions for the development and growth of people who are independent of government but are core contributors to the commonwealth of their communities.

Dr. Elisha Attai; the Founder of African Women in Leadership Organisation noted that the backbone of the organization is “to harness the synergies of alliance and create an empowering platform for women”. Hence the end goal of the workshop is to build an industrious community of women that will maximize the leverage of AWLO to get funding, assets, mentorship, and e-marketplace for their businesses. This he said will be achieved via post-workshop activities, and will help AWLO achieve its vision of a continent with women who are home and nation builders with equal access and opportunities.

He conveyed the backing of the management, while commending the AWLO General Manager; Ms. Ekemini Akpakpan; for developing the initiative, and being an organizational builder, saying“She has gone a step further to build the right partnerships, and we are currently in the middle of plans to launch the most impactful economic empowerment experience for women”. According to him, the programme first aims at creating a beneficial membership experience for AWLO Members targeting a minimum of 200 AWLO members in Nigeria.

The Founder of the Justina Ovat Foundation; Mrs. Justina Ovat, who is passionate about Human capital Development and the project, said, “ Human capital development is at the core of JO Foundation. We are hinged on impacting and connecting with a new generation of smart, ambitious African women and it is a delight to be hosting the AWLO-500 capacity building workshop in collaboration with the African Women in Leadership Organization, come December.“

The AWLO-500 Capacity building workshop holds on 14th December 2019 at Tinapa Calabar for women who own small businesses, need access to subsidized loans, grants and the necessary tools to grow their business. It is also for women who have skills to transform into businesses, want to start businesses, or are in paid employment but want a side hustle. There will be post-workshop opportunities for women in production businesses. These are women in Agri-businesses, merchandize production and sales, Craftwork, Textile & Fashion, Product manufacturing, and others.

The one-day workshop will be providing practical business lessons in the areas of business set-up and growth, finances, leadership, and management. Onsite activities include Exhibitions, Skills Acquisition Booths, Business Set-up Unit, Business Resource Corner, Free Cooperative Registration, Networking Lunch, and others.

The AWLO-500 Registration portal opens on October 14th, 2019 via www.awlo.org/500. More details coming soon. AWLO Induction Dinner for new members also holds the following day – 15th December 2019 at Transcorp Hilton Calabar.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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