News

Women Engineers Advocate Equal Representation, Inclusive Policies

Published

7 months ago

March 8, 2024

Association of Professional Women Engineering Technologists (APWET) has emphasised the need for strategic investment and conducive environment to improve and retain women in science and engineering careers.
The Chairperson of the association, Hajiya Umma Jega, made the call at the inaugural seminar of the association on Thursday, with the theme “Professional Women and Society” in Abuja.
She said the seminar was aimed at exploring the diverse roles of women in technology, addressing technological advancements, innovation, and their significant contributions to society.
According to her, APWET, as the women wing of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering, is dedicated to promoting professional excellence among engineering personnel, advocating for women and girl-child education.
She said it was also to safeguard the interests of female graduates of engineering technology in the country.
She added that “the event is a significant step toward fostering a supportive community, providing networking opportunities, and encouraging collaboration.
“It is also to create a platform for professional women to connect, share experiences, and thrive in their careers, while maintaining healthy work-life balance.”
Jega thanked all for making the seminar possible, urging participants to learn, connect, and pave the way for a brighter future for professional women in technology.
Dr Elizabeth Eterigho, the Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, expressed concern over under-representation of women in crucial leadership roles across various sectors in Nigeria.
This absence, she said, contributed to the lack of interest among young girls in engineering and other male-dominated professions.
Eterigho emphasised that boosting women’s representation in scientific leadership roles would enhance diversity, inclusion, and ultimately drive profitability, productivity, and creativity in key economic sectors.
She highlighted the potential to address skill shortages by encouraging more girls to pursue and retain engineering courses and careers.
“There is need to address and end stereotypes affecting women engineering technologies in all positions and developments.
“Infact, 30 per cent of female researchers are women, and it’s sad to note that women and girls are still underrepresented in critical spaces.
“So, the way forward is to be innovative. I am a girls’ rights advocate and I always tell them that they should have the ‘I Can’ mentality’, That is, nothing is impossible for them.
“There is also the need to invest more in women-led research. Also, tiers of government must support women in science to stay put. In fact, many have left because there is no enabling environment.
A Keynote Speaker, Dr Harmony Chimezie-Nwosu, emphasised the crucial need for work-life balance among female engineers, urging them to prioritise their mental well-being.
Recognising the significant contributions of women engineers to the nation’s economy, she also stressed the importance of safeguarding their careers and family life.
Chimezie-Nwosu pointed out that the challenges of balancing work-life, especially in the engineering field, often lead women to exit the sector.
“Juggling multiple roles as mothers, wives, daughters, and professionals pose difficulties,” she said.

News

Nigeria’s Rail Transport Generated N1.69bn In Q2 -NBS report

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

The Nigerian rail system generated N1.69billionn in revenue from passengers in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 53.14 per cent increase compared to the N1.10billion recorded in the same period of 2023.
This data was disclosed by the National Bureau of Statistics in its report released yesterday.
According to the report, a total of 689,263 passengers travelled by rail in Q2, representing a growth rate of 45.38 per cent compared to 474,117 passengers in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
The volume of goods transported via rail also saw a significant increase, with 143,759 tons moved in Q2 2024, up from 56,936 tons in Q2 2023. Additionally, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported a volume of 5,940 tons of goods transported through pipelines in Q2 2024, an increase from the 2,856 tons recorded in the same period of the previous year.
Revenue from goods conveyed via rail stood at N537.36m in Q2 2024, a remarkable increase of 206.68 per cent compared to N175.22m in Q2 2023. The movement of goods through pipelines also contributed to revenue generation, with N42.08m collected in Q2 2024, compared to N12.81million in Q2 2023.
Other revenue receipts amounted to N994.68million in Q2 2024, representing a staggering increase of 5,206.68 per cent from the N18.74m recorded in the corresponding period of last year.
In the first quarter, of 2024, The Tide source reported that Nigeria spent more on servicing the debt incurred for building its railways than the revenue generated by its railway system. The country spent 2,470 per cent more on railway debt servicing than it made from revenue from rail services in the first quarter of 2024.

News

NDDC Unveils Initiative To Enhance Food Security In N’Delta

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.
Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta State representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, yesterday by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta.
He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.
“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.
Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.
“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.
The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.
According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security.

News

Tinubu Shelves UNGA79 Trip To Address National Challenges

Published

3 days ago

September 20, 2024

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the annual summit.
Tinubu “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘Vice President Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly.’
It reads, “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this year.
“Therefore, the President has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.”
Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trips to China and the United Kingdom, “wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding,” said Onanuga.
At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.
The high-level General Debate, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024.