At PIC Summit, Alausa, Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Others Push for Removal of Barriers to Gender Inclusion

•Education minister says FG clearing financial, cultural obstacles to learning
•Nigeria can’t achieve $1tn economy if women are relegated, insists minister

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, yesterday said the federal government was putting in place policies and programmes to ensure that all barriers to gender inclusion in Nigeria’s education system are removed.

Speaking in Abuja at the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2025 (GS-25) organised by Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), an initiative of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Alausa stressed that the arguably 15 million out-of-school children in the country was unacceptable to the Bola Tinubu administration.
To this end, he stated that the government was taking action to ensure nobody is excluded from getting an education whether due to paucity of funds, insecurity or as a result of cultural barriers.

Alausa listed several ongoing programmes by the federal government, including those focusing on the menstrual health of women; the school feeding programme, which is currently being reworked, reinforcement of security in risk-prone areas, among others.

According to him, there’s currently massive infrastructure revamp in the schools, in collaboration with sub-national governments, explaining that the efforts are already yielding tangible results nationwide.

At the programme themed: “New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society,” Alausa emphasised that the Bola Tinubu administration takes education and gender inclusion seriously, which accounts for why he has the largest female appointees in a long time.

“So we’re tackling the problem from the centre, and we’re beginning to see good results. We’re using data, we’re using technology, and we’re advancing. The President places a lot of emphasis, on women, on girls, and he’s done this before. He did it even when he was governor of Lagos state,” he pointed out.

Alausa, while commending the leadership of PIC for the annual programme, highlighted the cultural and ethnic sensitivity of some of the issues surrounding the out-of-school children phenomenon, stating that consultations were ongoing with sub-national governments to ensure all misconceptions are dealt with.
Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, while assuring that the conversations will directly inform policies under the current administration, argued that Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy cannot be achieved if women, who represent over 50 per cent of the population, remain consigned to the margins.

“Already, women own 43 per cent of MSMEs in Nigeria, yet only 9 per cent of them have access to formal credit. Women representation in leadership remains below expectation, and girls in rural areas are still twice as likely to be out of secondary school as boys. These, amongst others, are stark reminders of the barriers we must continue to confront. But they are also signals of where the greatest opportunities lie,” she stated.

She highlighted some of the flagship interventions launched by Tinubu, with a range of support that cuts across enhancing women’s participation in the agriculture value chain, clean cooking initiatives, empowerment and skill acquisition programmes, market linkages, and others.
Through the Families First Initiative, she explained that the government was empowering women, protecting children, and supporting vulnerable households to secure the foundation of Nigeria’s national stability.

Earlier, the Chairman of PIC, Udeme Ufot, disclosed that the Gender Summit, now in its fourth edition, has become a central platform for reflection, dialogue, and collaboration and has over the years evolved into a hub where research meets practice.

“This year, at GS-25, we gather under the theme: “New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society.” This theme is both timely and urgent. It reflects the reality that achieving inclusion in Nigeria and indeed across Africa requires us to go beyond business as usual. We must look critically at our approaches, challenge old assumptions, and embrace fresh perspectives,” he affirmed.

Also, Chairman, NESG, Olaniyi Yusuf, said the 2025 summit was different as it acknowledged the limitations of past approaches and embraced the creativity, innovation, and diverse perspectives needed to accelerate progress.

“The global development community reminds us that inclusion is not only a matter of fairness but also of economic survival and sustainability. Across the world, inequality undermines productivity, erodes social cohesion, and weakens governance.
“Women continue to face structural barriers in accessing economic opportunities, young people are burdened by unemployment and underrepresentation, and marginalised groups struggle with systemic exclusion,” he noted.

Some other persons who spoke on the first day of the two-day event were: GS25 Technical Advisory Committee Chair, Hansatu Adegbite; UN Women Country Representative, Beatrice Eyong; Executive Director, PIC, Osasuyi Dirisu, among others.

The post At PIC Summit, Alausa, Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Others Push for Removal of Barriers to Gender Inclusion appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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    Telcos  Urged to Guide against Mast Collapse, Noise Pollution  in Osun

    Telcos  Urged to Guide against Mast Collapse, Noise Pollution  in Osun

    Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

    Telecommunications companies currently operating in Osun State have been admonished to guide against the rampant falling of masts, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy power-generating sets.

    Speaking with journalists in Osogbo yesterday on the importance of environmental impact assessment reports for masts in the state, Ms. Morenike George-Taylor, director of Operations and Project Management at Global Transactions Nigeria Limited, explained that the rate of mast falling in the state and the noisy pollution is too alarming.

    According to her, “We hear the news of masts falling, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy generators. Protecting the environment, whether from noise pollution, contamination, or otherwise, is something that should concern us all.

    “It’s about keeping our homes, our families, and our future safe. In Osun State, the telecommunications industry has grown rapidly, bringing us better connectivity and opening doors for economic opportunities. However, with this growth also comes the responsibility to make sure that our progress does not harm the environment or the people who live in our communities.

    “We have had incidents where masts are falling, and this has an impact on the host community. This is why we have NESREA and why telecommunications companies are required to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before masts are erected.”

    Ms. George-Taylor narrated that this was also where the Osun State Environmental Protection Law of 2022 (as amended) comes in, saying that the law emphasises that every telecommunications project, like the installation of masts, must follow proper procedures, including carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). “An EIA is not just a formality; it is a careful study to make sure projects are safe, sustainable, and beneficial for everyone,” she stated.

    She further opined that: “Telecommunication companies play an important role in our daily lives. But as they build, they also need to think about the safety of the people living near these structures and the long-term impact on the environment.

    “That’s why the Environmental Impact Assessment is so important, as it protects lives, property, and ensures that development benefits everyone, not just today but for generations to come.

    “Oversight of telecommunications infrastructure in Osun State lies with the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, but collaboration extends beyond the state.

    The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has the direct responsibility for ensuring Environmental Impact Assessments are carried out and properly enforced across Nigeria.

    “Alongside NESREA, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) plays a key role in regulating the telecommunications sector to ensure that safety, compliance, and quality are upheld.”

    George-Taylor further noted: “We want companies to see compliance as an opportunity, not a burden. By working with NESREA, the NCC, and the state Ministry of Environment, they can build trust, protect the environment, and strengthen their businesses.”

    She said that at the end, “everyone wins-the people, the government, and the industry- but unfortunately, while some telecommunications companies have impeccable compliance records, others do not bother complying with the law, which has far-reaching implications. We call on all non-compliant organisations to comply with the laws on EIA.”

    The director remarked that there is a need for states to partner with NESREA to effectively monitor telecommunications infrastructure within the state and ensure compliance with the laws. This is the only way to achieve a win–win situation for all parties involved. She further advised that environmental protection should be at the heart of telecommunications growth in Osun State by following the Osun State Environmental Protection Law of 2022 (as amended), and by respecting NESREA’s direct responsibility for Environmental Impact Assessments, while also engaging with the NCC, telecommunication companies can achieve sustainable growth.

    “This way, they safeguard the environment, protect public health, and build stronger, more trusted relationships with the communities they serve,” she said.

    The post Telcos  Urged to Guide against Mast Collapse, Noise Pollution  in Osun appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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    Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Telecommunications companies currently operating in Osun State have been admonished to guide against the rampant falling of masts, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy power-generating sets.
    The post Telcos  Urged to Guide against Mast Collapse, Noise Pollution  in Osun appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

    Origin Tech Chair Urges Nigerians to Key into Tinubu’s  Agric Sector Vision

    Origin Tech Chair Urges Nigerians to Key into Tinubu’s  Agric Sector Vision

    Raheem Akingbolu

    The Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group Nigeria, Prince Samuel Joseph Samuel, has admonished Nigerians to key into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of agricultural revolution captured in his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and as encapsulated in the Greener Hope Agricultural Productivity Programme (GHAPP) as a catalyst for unlocking the nation’s economic potentials. 

    Samuel reiterated this position while receiving the Governing Council members of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU-Ile-Ife, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire,  in continuation of talks around developing robust partnership between the university and  the group.  

    Samuel said: “Agriculture is key to Nigeria’s growth potential.” 

    “In driving Nigeria’s economic  development. Agriculture value-chain presents an opportunity that can easily transform Nigeria’s economy into an engine room of prosperity through partnerships, strategic investment, strong governance, and sustainable practices and as such the pivotal role of tertiary institutions such as OAU is very important.

    “The 21st century had opened new vistas for economic growth, and with agriculture now in its ascendancy, commercial large-scale farming and its value-chain stand out as the most promising tool for economic enhancement. Describing large-scale agriculture as the sustainable use of innovation, mechanisation, irrigation, water resources amongst other components for growth of food systems, market re-organisation, job creation, and improved livelihoods”, Samuel said: “Nigeria was strategically positioned to benefit immensely.” 

    “The Nigerian population continues to grow at nearly  three per cent  per annum with a projection of 378 million by 2050, and with nearly 70 per cent of its population are under the age of 30 leading to increasing urbanization and invariably an increase in food demand. Ensuring food security requires value chain that connects rural and urban areas so that the expected high demand for food is achieved. Hence, the role of stakeholders including institutions like OAU generating ideas, producing skilled manpower and boosting capacity is crucial towards achieving this food challenge.”

    Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire commended Prince Samuel and Origin Tech Group for the laudable and innovative focus that they are employing in solving societal challenges especially around food systems transformation. He submitted and agreed that we all should return to the farms as the panacea to solving our multifarious economic challenges.

    Bamire showed enthusiasm in the various works and projects being embarked upon by the company and affirmed that partnering with an organisation such as the Origin Tech Group is valuable given the abundant technical skills, access to resources, longevity in the agriculture space will provide the right kind of impetus to the future industry leaders we are currently training.  He thanked the Chairman and management of Origin Tech Nigeria for their willingness to enter into this partnership and expressed his commitment and team to ensure its success. 

    The post Origin Tech Chair Urges Nigerians to Key into Tinubu’s  Agric Sector Vision appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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    Raheem Akingbolu The Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group Nigeria, Prince Samuel Joseph Samuel, has admonished Nigerians to key into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of agricultural revolution captured in
    The post Origin Tech Chair Urges Nigerians to Key into Tinubu’s  Agric Sector Vision appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

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