The Federal Government is to introduce a $100 million World Bank funded Nigeria for women project, President Bola Tinubu (P-BAT) Cares for Nigerian Women project, amongst others to economically empower women.

Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, made this known while briefing journalists after a solidarity walk with women groups as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja.

She said the programmes were targeted at empowering women across the country and improving their productivity in whatever capacity they may find themselves.

She stated, “The President will officially be launching the P-BAT Cares for Nigerian Women alongside other programmes such as the Nigeria for Women project and the Integrity Brigade which I want all of you to be part of. As a people, let us start realising who we are because this is the greatest nation in the whole of Africa. As members of the integrity brigade, you play a crucial role in helping us fight some of these challenges. Not just the media, the royal fathers and the religious leaders are also part of this vanguard that the President will be launching. But the media is important to me because it is only you that I can use to achieve our goals for this country.’’

She noted that most of the intervention programs in the form of loans aimed at empowering women, ended up in the hands of a few greedy persons.

The minister expressed worries that some of those she called greedy approached donor organisations in the name of the vulnerable in Nigeria for funds which they ended up pocketing, rather than using them to assist the poor and vulnerable.

“They use terms like consultancy, advocacy, research to get these monies but for how long should we allow this as Nigerians. I want you people, (the media), to join the integrity brigade, that the integrity brigade is to fight these ills. So I am pleading that for the sake of our country we use this opportunity well to get things right,” she said.

According to her, the integrity brigade will aid in preventing misappropriation and discourage counterproductive protests among women, with NGOs expected to play a pivotal role in disseminating information.

Calling on the media to closely monitor projects and programmes to ensure they reach their intended beneficiaries, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainability and women empowerment.

Also, a former Country Director of ActionAid, Nigeria, and gender activist, Ene Obi, who represented women in the media, highlighted the media’s commitment to supporting initiatives beneficial to women.

 (NAN)