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UN Women Evaluate Women’s Participation in Peace and Security in Plateau
The UN Women-supported Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) networks convened a one-day focus group discussion themed “Women, Peace, and Security in Northern Nigeria and the WPS Media Network” to evaluate their progress in fostering inclusivity and gender equality in peace and security efforts.
The event, held on Wednesday, January 23, 2025, at the EYN Hall beside Challenge Bookshop in Jos, Plateau State, brought together stakeholders from various networks, traditional leaders, and state representatives to evaluate achievements, challenges, and the impact of their programs in fostering gender equality and inclusivity. Participants acknowledged the organization’s role in enhancing women’s participation in peacebuilding and security advocacy across Plateau State.
Peter Mancha, Project Manager of the WPS Network with UN Women, commended stakeholders’ dedication and highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
He stated, “This gathering aims to evaluate achievements, challenges, and the impact of our programs on promoting women’s engagement in peace and security, while also providing recommendations from stakeholders and beneficiaries.”
Achievements Highlighted
Participants reported notable successes, such as increased representation of women in traditional councils, where they play vital roles in addressing potential conflicts. Traditional leaders emphasized women’s ability to engage in sensitive areas, such as youth hideouts, where male counterparts might struggle to intervene. Women’s involvement has enabled communities to resolve disputes internally, reducing reliance on security agencies.
Challenges Identified
Despite progress, participants noted several challenges:
- Limited Representation: Out of 17 local governments in Plateau State, fewer than seven include women in their traditional councils.
- Intimidation and Exclusion: Women face political intimidation, societal stigma, and restrictions on attending critical decision-making meetings.
- Gender Norms and Stereotypes: Cultural and religious beliefs hinder women’s participation, with many facing societal pressure or being viewed as “weaker” or less authoritative.
- Economic Barriers: Financial constraints and traditional gender roles often limit women’s ability to contribute effectively to peace initiatives.
Effectiveness of UN Women Interventions
Participants highlighted several positive impacts of UN Women’s programs:
- The inclusion of women in traditional councils and advocacy campaigns.
- Media reforms, including more balanced and conflict-sensitive reporting.
- Increased support for women in political and leadership roles, exemplified by champions like Eli Bako, Chair of the House of Assembly on Women’s Affairs.
- Empowerment programs enabling women to achieve financial independence.
Recommendations for Improvement
The meeting concluded with actionable recommendations, including:
- Leadership Inclusion: Advocating for women’s representation in all levels of government and traditional councils.
- Capacity Building: Providing logistical, financial, and technical support for networks like HeForShe and media mediators.
- Sustainability Measures: Ensuring long-term support for programs and addressing budget mismanagement.
- Expanded Interventions: Diversifying efforts to tackle emerging issues like human trafficking.
- Increased Advocacy: Promoting community ownership of initiatives and fostering stronger stakeholder collaborations.
Peter Mancha assured attendees that the feedback and recommendations would guide future interventions, aiming to overcome challenges and enhance the effectiveness of the WPS programs in fostering gender equality and sustainable peace in Northern Nigeria.
Fidelity Bank Plc has appointed Jonathan Ososuakpor as a Non-Executive Director of the bank, taking effect from 22 May.
The bank disclosed the appointment in a statement posted on NGX Group and signed by the Fidelity Bank’s secretary, Ezinwa Unuigboje, on Monday, noting that Mr Ososuakpor can achieve the bank’s strategic objectives.
According to the statement, the appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, while the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria have also been notified about the appointment.
“The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Oniovosa Ososuakpor as a Non-Executive Director of Fidelity Bank Plc with effect from May 22, 2026.
“The appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and notice of the same has been communicated to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
“The Board is pleased with the appointment and looks forward to working closely with Dr. Jonathan Oniovosa Ososuakpor to achieve the Bank’s strategic objectives,” the bank stated.
The bank said Mr Ososuakpor brings impressive cross-functional experience to the Board.
Profile
Mr Ososuakpor joins the Board of Fidelity Bank Plc with over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, including Credit and Marketing; Retail; Consumer and Commercial Banking; Public Sector; Banking Operations; and Risk Management.
He enjoyed an illustrious banking career, which commenced in 1983 with Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and served in various capacities at notable financial institutions, including former Gateway Bank, Oceanic Bank, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, and Access Bank Plc.
Mr Ososuakpor held key leadership and management positions before he was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AMJU Unique Microfinance Bank Limited in 2012, a position he held until he retired from the bank in July 2025.
He was Chairman of Universal Finance Consult & Investment Limited from 2007 to 2017, and V-Capital Consulting Limited from 2015 to 2025.
He currently chairs the Board of Directors of Top Rank Oil Services Limited, a leading multifunctional engineering company providing diverse services to the nation’s Oil and Gas industry, Public and Private Sectors.
Mr Ososuakpor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, and Masters Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Benin. He also has both a Master of Science and a Doctorate Degree in Economics from Delta State University, Nigeria, and a Master of Business Administration (Finance) Degree from Bangor University, Wales, UK.
His professional qualifications include Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; Institute of Credit Administration; Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria, and Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals.
He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; Member of the Nigeria Economic Society, and Chartered Banker Institute, Wales, UK.
READ ALSO: Fidelity Banks first quarter revenue up by 38%
The new non-executive director is also a Certified Expert in Risk Management and a key resource person at local and international training. His areas of interest include Risk Management, Data Analytics, Monetary, Macro, and Microeconomics, Financial Inclusion, and Corporate Governance.
He has attended leadership and executive development programmes at world-class institutions, including the London Business School and United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released $3.9 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies and is establishing a continental Incident Management Support Team with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to scale up response efforts to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this on Monday during an Africa CDC ministerial briefing, saying the national risk level in DRC had been raised to “very high” due to rapid transmission and the absence of vaccines or therapeutics for the rare Bundibugyo strain.
Mr Ghebreyesus said WHO made the decision last Friday following fresh assessments showing increasing transmission risks.
The WHO chief said the organisation was finalising a multi-agency Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan aligned with national response plans for DRC and Uganda, while expanding contact tracing, treatment centres, laboratory capacity and community engagement.
“So far, 101 cases have been confirmed in DRC with 10 confirmed deaths. In Uganda, five cases and one death have been confirmed, linked to cross-border movement,” he said.
According to him, WHO assesses regional risk as high and global risk as low, but warned bordering countries face high risk and should act immediately, according to the latest WHO update report.
He noted that the response had been complicated by insecurity in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, where fighting has displaced more than 100,000 people in recent months, worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation.
The WHO boss said that two security incidents at health facilities were reported in the past week, and distrust of outside authorities was hampering community-based interventions, according to the WHO field reports update.
He said building trust in affected communities was now one of the WHO’s highest priorities to improve outbreak response effectiveness and community engagement across affected regions in DRC and Uganda, which is urgently required.
“To address lack of countermeasures, WHO convened interim Medical Countermeasures Network last week and recommended prioritising two monoclonal antibodies for clinical trials,” he said according to WHO emergency response update report.
“The agency is also developing a trial for the antiviral obeldesivir as post-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk contacts in partnership with Africa CDC and the Collaborative Open Research Consortium on filovirus research.
“Discussions are underway with partners on candidate vaccines in the pipeline,” he said.
He said the evaluation of vaccine candidates and strengthening regional preparedness against Ebola outbreaks in DRC and Uganda was currently ongoing
Mr Ghebreyesus said he would travel to the DRC on 26 May with Chikwe Ihekweazu, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, to directly review ongoing response operations.
He also thanked President Yoweri Museveni for cancelling Uganda’s Martyrs’ Day commemoration, which attracted up to two million people, as a preventive measure against further spread of the outbreak.
“We are facing an extremely serious and difficult outbreak. It will get worse before it gets better.
READ ALSO: Ebola: UNICEF raises concern over impact on children in DRC, Uganda
“But we know this virus, and we know how to stop it. With unity under the leadership of the governments of DRC and Uganda, and in close partnership with Africa CDC and all partners, we will stop this outbreak.”
According to him, WHO credited the governments of the DRC and Uganda for leading the response and said it remained fully committed to supporting them.
He urged neighbouring countries to strengthen surveillance, infection prevention and control, and readiness at points of entry to contain further spread.
(NAN)
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