News

RWVL-N Project Strengthens Women’s Rights Organisations To Advance Gender Equality

Published

11 hours ago

July 20, 2026

Preport

A0d959ff 11b1 4130 93c8 11cf57488554 1024x575.jpeg

By Oluwatope Lawanson
The Renewed Women’s Voices and Leadership Nigeria (RWVL-N) Project is strengthening Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) across the country to advance gender equality.

The project is also strengthening WROs to advance women’s leadership and improve socio-economic wellbeing of women and girls.

Mr Emmanuel Olonade, Communications Specialist with the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation (VOWEF), gave the assurance in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

He issued the statement on behalf of Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Gender and Development Action (GADA), Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation (VOWEF), Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Women Radio 91.7FM, and other WROs.

Olonade said the five-year project implemented by ActionAid Nigeria with funding from Global Affairs Canada, was supporting women-focused organisations through institutional strengthening, funding, movement-building and advocacy initiatives.

He said the project was being implemented in Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Enugu, Imo, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, among other locations.

According to him, the initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of WROs to champion gender equality while improving lives of women and girls across Nigeria.

“The project goes beyond programme implementation by helping participating organisations to strengthen their institutional systems, improve organisational sustainability and build stronger collaboration among WROs.

“It also promotes strategic communication and visibility to increase public awareness of interventions while documenting the impact of organisations working to advance the rights of women and girls,” he said.

Olonade said that the project was sustaining locally-led approaches to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Highlighting some of the interventions, he said the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) was implementing programmes in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau states under RWVL-N Project.

He said, “This is focused on women’s economic empowerment through financial literacy, entrepreneurship development and community engagement.

He said FOMWAN had also convened 56 traditional, religious and community leaders across 10 communities to strengthen support for women’s financial inclusion initiatives.

According to him, Gender and Development Action is implementing activities in Cross River to promote women’s economic empowerment and participation in decision-making, also under RWVL-N) Project.

He said the organisation was mapping gender gaps within the palm oil, cocoa and seafood value chains to identify opportunities for greater participation by women and support advocacy for more inclusive economic policies.

He disclosed that, in Enugu State, the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) was implementing the project through strategic partnerships with the aim of strengthening responses to gender-based violence and protecting the rights of women and girls.

He noted that WACOL had facilitated the inauguration of the Enugu State RWVL-N Project Steering Committee.

“This brought together government agencies and civil society organisations to promote collaboration and policy engagement.”

According to him, members of the committee include representatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Enugu Zonal Command, and some Enugu State ministries.

The communications specialist said the project was also promoting women’s political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said Women Radio 91.7FM was implementing programmes on voter education, candidate visibility and public discussions to encourage greater participation of women in politics.

He said participating WROs in Benue, Imo, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos and FCT were implementing interventions on women economic empowerment, prevention of gender-based violence, leadership development, institutional strengthening, and social inclusion.

Olonade urged stakeholders including government institutions, development partners and communities to support initiatives that would promote the rights, leadership and economic advancement of women.

He said that stronger WROs were essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable national development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Related Topics:Advance Equality gender Organisations PROJECT Rights RWVLN Strengthens Womens

Up Next

X relaunches a rebuilt Android app after year-long effort

Don't Miss

Tinubu, APC betrayed El-Rufai – Imran Wakili

Click to comment

News

2 Days to Go: The Wait Is Almost Over… Can Team Nigeria Write Another Golden Chapter in Glasgow?

Published

1 hour ago

July 21, 2026

Preport

In just two days, the eyes of the sporting world will turn to Glasgow, Scotland, as more than 3,000 athletes representing 74 Commonwealth Games Associations gather for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, competing for 215 gold medals across 11 sports.

Among them will be Team Nigeria, one of the Commonwealth’s most respected sporting nations, carrying not only the dreams of millions of Nigerians but also a legacy built over more than seven decades of excellence.

Since making its Commonwealth Games debut in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1950, Nigeria has grown into one of the competition’s traditional powerhouses. From Joshua Majekodunmi’s historic silver medal in the high jump to the country’s dominance in wrestling, athletics, weightlifting, boxing and para powerlifting, Team Nigeria has consistently demonstrated that talent, resilience and determination are part of its sporting identity.

Today, Nigeria’s Commonwealth record stands proudly at 271 medals—82 gold, 84 silver and 105 bronze—placing the nation among the Games’ most successful competitors.

Every medal tells a story.

Every gold represents years of sacrifice.

Every podium finish reflects the determination of athletes who carried the Green and White with pride.

This year’s Games present another opportunity to strengthen that remarkable record.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has challenged Team Nigeria to pursue an ambitious target of 20 gold medals, a feat that would surpass the country’s previous best gold-medal performance of 12, achieved at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It is a bold target, but one inspired by months of careful planning, improved athlete welfare, world-class preparation and encouraging performances on the international circuit.

Preparation has been meticulous.

For weeks, Team Nigeria has trained and acclimatized in Aberdeen, fine-tuning tactics, sharpening fitness and adapting to Scottish conditions before beginning the final move into the Games Village in Glasgow. The NSC has backed the delegation with technical, medical and welfare support, ensuring athletes arrive ready to perform when competition begins.

Confidence has also been boosted by recent performances.

Sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi heads into the Games after equalling the Nigerian 100m record of 9.84 seconds for the third time this season with a stunning victory at the London Diamond League. In para powerlifting, Nigeria once again looks to stars like Folashade Oluwafemiayo, one of the country’s most decorated athletes, as the team targets an early medal when the sport opens competition.

These performances have reinforced belief that Team Nigeria possesses both the experience of established champions and the hunger of emerging stars eager to make their mark on the Commonwealth stage.

Scotland itself is no stranger to the Games.

This will be the fourth time the country has hosted the Commonwealth Games, following Edinburgh 1970, Edinburgh 1986, and the hugely successful Glasgow 2014. Once again, the city is preparing to welcome the Commonwealth family for 11 days of world-class competition, unforgettable moments and sporting excellence.

For Nigeria, however, Glasgow is more than another host city.

It is another opportunity to inspire.

Another chance to raise the national flag.

Another chance to hear the Nigerian anthem echo across medal ceremonies.

Across the country, the anticipation continues to grow. Families are preparing to cheer from their homes, young athletes are looking for heroes to emulate, and a nation waits to celebrate the next generation of champions.

The waiting is almost over.

The training is complete.

The countdown is nearly finished.

Now comes the moment every athlete has worked for.

Two days from now, Team Nigeria will step onto the Commonwealth stage once again—not just to compete, but to continue a legacy that has already delivered 82 gold medals and 271 podium finishes.

The next chapter begins in Glasgow.

2 Days to Go. The Stage Is Set. The Green and White Are Ready.

Business

Cornerstone Insurance Strengthens Balance Sheet, Declares 28 Kobo Dividend

Published

2 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Preport

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Nigeria’s leading underwriter, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, has strengthened its financial position after posting solid growth across key performance indicators for the 2025 financial year.

‎Speaking today during the company’s 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Lagos, its Acting Chairman, Afolabi Balogun, said the company’s profit after tax rose to N11.76 billion at the end of 31st December, 2025 when compared to N25.89 billion reported in 3025. D

‎According to him the Group recorded insurance revenue of N51.66 billion, representing 34% increase over the previous year of 2024, while earnings per share stood at 64 kobo per share.

‎Total assets rose to N141.03 billion while shareholders’ fund rose to N72.86 billion from N60.50 billion in the previous year of 2024.

In recognition of these performance, the Board recommended a dividend of N0.28 per share.

‎These results he noted reflect the strength of its franchise, the quality of its customer relationships, and the disciplined execution of our strategy.

‎‎On future outlook he said “Cornerstone enters this new phase from a position ‎strength. We have a clear strategy, a strengthened Capital base, an experienced leadership team, and the support a committed majority shareholder. Most importantly, ‎have a trusted brand and a growing customer franchise that provides a strong platform for sustainable growth.

‎Managing Director, Stephen Alangbo, further explained that the company’s profit before tax declined to ₦8.73 billion from ₦28.62 billion in 2024 due to the normalisation of earnings after the exceptional foreign exchange gains recorded in the previous year.

‎‎He noted that the company had posted ₦30.83 billion in one-off foreign exchange gains in 2024 following the Naira devaluation.

‎“Adjusting for this one-off effect, our underlying performance demonstrates sustained growth in our core insurance operations,” Alangbo said.

‎The company’s report also showed that net profit for the year stood at ₦11.76 billion, down from ₦25.89 billion in 2024, further reflecting the normalisation of earnings after the exceptional gains recorded in the previous year.

‎

The post Cornerstone Insurance Strengthens Balance Sheet, Declares 28 Kobo Dividend appeared first on Business Today NG.