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IWD: Dangote Pledges Greater Investment in Women Empowerment

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4 years ago

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Aliko Dangote middle
Dangote Group has reiterated its commitment to continue supporting all forms of investments that would help develop and empower the women personnel within the organisation in Nigeria and across its pan-African operations.
To commemorate the annual global International Women’s Day, Dangote Group, through the Dangote Women’s Network (DWN) celebrated the various outstanding contributions of its female workforce while hosting all its members of staff across Africa to collectively mark the 2022 IWD celebration titled: “BreakTheBias”.
International Women’s Day, celebrated yearly on March 8 since 1911, has become a day set aside for companies to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while speaking out against inequities including gender-based violence and workplace discrimination.
Speaking at the opening of the virtual event, President/CE of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote described “BreakTheBias” as “the start for a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; one that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.”
According to him, “#BreakTheBias is not a slogan but a continuous fight to eliminate gender discrimination, social, cultural, religious or other forms of deliberate or unconscious bias stereotypes that hinder women from fulfilling their potential.”
Dwelling on his personal experience, Dangote revealed, “I personally understand the value of women and the power of having them involved in all aspects of business, including the boardroom. I have always been a champion of women’s empowerment. I am sure that it stems from being raised by a strong Mother, who taught me about business and philanthropy.
“I am also the father of three women, and grandfather to four girls. I have seen what they can do when given equal access to opportunities. My three daughters, Mariya, Halima and Fatima are all senior executives at the Dangote Group, and I can tell you they are critical to the success of our business. They have challenged, pushed, and made me a better leader. They are not alone in the Dangote Group.  We have a strong bench of women leaders across the Group. Our focus is on skills, productivity, and ability to deliver on given assignments. I am confident that they will help drive the organisation through its next stage of growth.”
He disclosed that the company is working hard to completely eliminate any bias against women. “Within the Dangote group, I am proud to say that women are taking up topmost responsibilities and are doing very well in contributing to the rapid growth and expansion of our conglomerate across Africa. I will continue to support women and depend on their tremendous potential to transform the organisation and societies in positive ways”, he said.
Group Managing Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Olakunle Alake, said the theme of this year’s IWD celebration “BreakTheBias” is an inspiration to women and young girls all over the world.
According to him, equal education opportunities remain one of the foundational steps in promoting a world free of bias. “The female child should be given equal opportunity while growing up and made to understand that she is not inferior to the male child. She should be encouraged to always put her best foot forward, and that there is no barrier against her ambitions,” he said.
Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement and Matron, Dangote Women’s Network, Halima Aliko-Dangote, said the International Women’s Day provides a useful opportunity to reinforce the fact that everyone has a role to play in forging a more gender-balanced world.
Halima said, in its effort to ensure women empowerment within and outside the organisation, the company launched the Dangote Women’s Network in 2016 to support the growth of women in the organisation and to serve as a place for them to share experiences and interact.
According to her, since the establishment of the network, the group has recorded tremendous growth in just six years. “From empowering and collaborating as a community (charity walk where we raised over N20 million for Internally Displaced Persons in Borno State), donating food, clothes and sanitary products to the less privileged across our Pan African countries (including Nigeria), to changes in policies that protect, support and enable our women to thrive,” she added.
Moderating a special panel session with focus on gender bias and possible solution to it, Managing Director, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou said Dangote Group has increased its female representation on boards, executive committees, and senior management and is committed to have one of the most gender-balanced senior management team among all its businesses.
Speaking during the panel session, Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa (Ex-RSA), Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Mrs. Yvonne Ike Fasinro, commended the Dangote Group for its efforts in having a more gender inclusive workplace. She stressed the need for women to develop confidence in themselves and be ready to speak out when necessary.
Fasinro also emphasised the need for women in senior cadre to pull others along in the development of their career path.
Also, Special Advisor to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Investments, Hajiya Maryam Wali-Uwais urged women to pay special attention to their mental health. “Mental health is a serious concern for all women who strive to be at the top of their game in an organisation. Trying to balance family and work may have serious impact on their mental health. They need to create time for leisure as a way of protecting their mental health”
Senior Advisor to the Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, said that Dangote Group has done so much in breaking bias, and urged women to support each other in career development.
Speaking on her experience over the years in her career, Group Executive Director at the Dangote Group, Dr. Adenike Fajemirokun, urged women to eliminate bias against one another. She said that most bias that she has encountered so far came from fellow women, therefore the need for women to support one another.
Speaking at the end of the event, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Dangote Industries Limited, who is also an Advisory Board Member of Dangote Women’s Network, Mrs. Nglan Niat said the Human Resource Department of the company is involved in raising greater awareness on gender issues.
She stated, “We are reviewing our retention and succession plans, ensuring we include our women in our talent pool and in addressing the skills gap to provide more opportunities.” She commended the speakers and colleagues who made out time to attend the event to commemorate the celebration of the International Women’s Day.

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ICPC to Arraign ex-Minister Uche Nnaji over Forged Credentials

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3 minutes ago

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July 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over allegations of certificate forgery that led to his resignation in 2025.

According to Peoples Gazette, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission was compelled to open an investigation on Mr Nnaji after evidence of forged credentials surfaced, further reinforced by a follow-up petition by the HEDA Resource Centre, an anti-corruption group.

Reports had in 2023 that Mr Nnaji’s discharge certificate from the National Youth Service Corps was a dupe and that his so-called bachelor’s degree certificate was so poorly done that any curious observer could spot its inconsistencies without extra effort.

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Despite resigning over alleged certificate forgery, Mr Nnaji picked up the 2027 PDP Enugu governorship nomination form earlier this year and emerged the winner.

He was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on July 1, having shirked previous invitations to visit the ICPC office for questioning.

Sources acquainted with the matter said the anti-graft commission has built a “water-tight” case against Mr Nnaji and filed criminal charges against him before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce.

The Gazette learnt that it will be nearly impossible for Mr Nnaji to wriggle his way out of these evidence-backed charges, which border on corruption, including the submission of forged credentials to the National Assembly during his ministerial screening, and so on.

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Remi Tinubu Urges Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, to Help Tackle the Economy, Says Govt Alone Can’t Fix It

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31 minutes ago

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July 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said that although luxury is good, Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and other wealthy Nigerians should help the less-privileged.

She said “the burden on the government is huge”, so the rich should help.

Also, Mrs Tinubu reiterated her call for Nigerians to consider small businesses such as akara.

She made the calls in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Saturday, where she launched the national community food bank.

“Nigeria is a great country. We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country.

“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry.

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“I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.

“The Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money.

“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls-Royce is good, but still you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.

“You can still help.

“There are pepper sellers. There are vegetable sellers. There are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara, kulikuli. Akara is delicious; I can tell you that,” she added.

The first lady also urged Nigerians not to look down on legitimate means of eking out a living.

“And I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. And he said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job, and he’s in Abuja.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers under him, and he’s doing very, very well.

“So our people should never despise jobs,” she said.

Speaking on empowerment programmes in Kogi, Tinubu announced the donation of ₦100,000 to empower another 2,000 petty traders in the state.

She also commended the beneficiaries for their efforts.

“Today in that same spirit, the Renewed Hope Initiative has donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in Kogi State with the sum of ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.

“And I’m glad that the women who are beneficiaries, they got the idea because I saw them bringing their tray of different food items, very small items, to welcome me today.

“And I think the message is quite received, no matter how people want to turn it around,” Mrs. Tinubu added.

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Obi Fires Back at Umahi, Says Presidential Debates are for Candidates, not Ministers

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4 hours ago

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July 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has dismissed a challenge by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to a public debate on governance, saying the minister must first become a presidential candidate before seeking such an engagement.

Mr Obi made the remark during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, while responding to comments by Mr Umahi, who had downplayed his political relevance and declared that he posed no threat to President Bola Tinubu.

The minister had also challenged the former Anambra State governor to a debate, claiming he possessed stronger credentials on governance.

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Responding, Mr Obi said presidential debates are traditionally meant for candidates contesting the presidency, not government appointees.

“If he is inviting me to a debate as a presidential candidate, then he has to become a presidential candidate first,” Obi said.

Drawing an analogy with international football, the former Labour Party presidential candidate said participation in presidential debates should follow a qualification process.

“The World Cup is going on now. You cannot stay outside and invite a team that qualified for the World Cup to come and play against you simply because you think you are good. No. There is a qualification process,” he said.

The exchange is the latest in the growing war of words between key political figures as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.

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