More than 25,000 women in Ekiti State are set to benefit from a major economic empowerment initiative after the Federal Government, in partnership with the World Bank and the Ekiti State Government, launched the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) and disbursed N234.3 million to 142 women groups in Efon Local Government Area.

The fund, released through the programme’s Community Investment Fund, marks the official commencement of the intervention in Ekiti and forms part of a nationwide effort aimed at expanding financial inclusion, supporting women-owned businesses and reducing poverty among vulnerable households.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at the Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and seeks to empower about five million women across Nigeria.

She said the programme was designed to tackle long-standing barriers that limit women’s access to finance, productive assets, technology and market opportunities.

“No economy can afford to exclude the majority of its productive force,” the minister said, noting that women constitute more than half of Nigeria’s population and remain critical contributors to agriculture and the informal economy.

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that the first phase of the programme empowered about 450,000 women across participating states, while the scale-up phase would deepen enterprise development, strengthen entrepreneurial capacity and support community-based economic organisations through Women Affinity Groups.

According to her, Ekiti has emerged as one of the leading states in the programme, with over 1,500 Women Affinity Groups already established and more than 25,000 women actively participating in economic activities.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the state met all eligibility requirements for participation after paying a counterpart fund of N450 million in 2024.

Mr Oyebanji described the programme as a practical intervention capable of transforming businesses, increasing household incomes and improving living standards across communities.

He urged beneficiaries to channel the funds into productive ventures and business expansion rather than personal consumption.

“When this money is invested properly, it will help businesses grow, create prosperity and improve the welfare of families,” the governor said.

He also called for the programme’s expansion to all 16 local government areas of the state, citing its potential impact on poverty reduction and economic growth.

The Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, described the intervention as a significant boost for women across the state, saying economic empowerment remains one of the most effective tools for strengthening families and communities.

She noted that women who earn sustainable incomes are better positioned to support education, healthcare and household welfare.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Olapeju Babafemi, said the programme had already created 215 jobs in Ekiti and expanded economic opportunities for thousands of women.

She disclosed that each of the 142 Women Affinity Groups in Efon Local Government Area received N1.65 million after successfully completing the programme’s six-month operational requirement.

The World Bank Task Team Leader and Senior Social Development Specialist, Michael Ilesanmi, said the intervention adopts a broad approach that combines access to finance, business training, leadership development and social empowerment.

He explained that the groups provide women with opportunities to save collectively, access loans, build enterprises and participate more actively in household and community decision-making.

Several beneficiaries shared stories of how access to group loans had transformed their livelihoods.

Wosilat Akande said she invested funds obtained through her group in farming and later acquired her own farmland, where she now cultivates maize and plantain.

Another beneficiary, Deborah Ategbero, said support from the programme helped her establish a successful ponmo business, while Juliet Iyanuoluwa credited the initiative with helping her expand her enterprise through savings and affordable credit facilities.

The Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up is currently operating in Efon, Moba, Gbonyin/Ayekire, Ado, Ijero and Oye local government areas, with additional communities expected to join as more women groups qualify for support.

A political analyst and APC stakeholder, Elder Adigun Otaomokunola, has raised concerns over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, warning that unresolved grievances could affect the party’s electoral fortunes ahead of key elections in the state.

In an opinion article released on Monday, Mr Otaomokunola questioned the outcome of the primary that produced former Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Hon. Ibrahim Olarenwaju, as the party’s candidate for the constituency.

The analyst argued that the result had generated debate among party members and supporters, particularly when compared with the political standing of the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole, who currently represents the constituency in the House of Representatives.

According to Mr Otaomokunola, Hon. Kolawole enjoys significant grassroots support and has built political goodwill through constituency projects, empowerment programmes and legislative activities.

He recalled that during the APC primary ahead of the 2023 general election, Hon. Kolawole defeated Hon. Olarenwaju for the party’s ticket, a development he said reflected the preference of party members at the time.

The analyst also stressed the importance of legislative continuity, arguing that experienced lawmakers often gain strategic influence through committee assignments, parliamentary networks and the ability to attract federal projects to their constituencies.

He expressed concern that replacing a serving lawmaker at a stage when he has gained legislative experience could affect representation for the constituency.

Mr Otaomokunola further alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary election, including concerns over vote counting, result collation and the role of electoral officials involved in the exercise.

The APC has not publicly responded to the specific allegations contained in the article, and this newspaper could not independently verify the claims at the time of filing this report.

The concerns come as political activities intensify ahead of the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for 20 June 2026 and the 2027 general election.

Mr Otaomokunola warned that internal disputes arising from contentious primaries could discourage party mobilisation and create divisions within the APC’s support base if not properly addressed.

He urged the national leadership of the party to review complaints arising from the exercise and take steps to reassure members of its commitment to internal democracy.

The analyst specifically called on President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee to investigate concerns raised by stakeholders and ensure that party processes remain transparent and credible.

He argued that the party’s ability to manage internal disputes fairly would play a significant role in maintaining confidence among members ahead of future elections.

As discussions over the primary continue, political observers say the development highlights the growing importance of internal party democracy in determining electoral stability and party cohesion across the country.

Venite University College of Law Opens Academic Recruitment Exercise

Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, has opened applications for a wide range of academic positions within its College of Law, calling on qualified scholars and practitioners to join its full-time and part-time faculty as the institution expands its legal education programmes.

The university said it is recruiting across all major academic ranks, including Professor, Associate Professor or Reader, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer I, Lecturer II, Assistant Lecturer, and Graduate Assistant positions.

The vacancies cut across several areas of legal study, reflecting what the institution describes as a push to strengthen specialist training and research capacity in its law programme. Available disciplines include Public Law, Private and Property Law, Commercial and Industrial Law, Jurisprudence and International Law, Islamic Law, Criminal Law and Security Studies, Constitutional Law, Environmental and Energy Law, Banking and Finance Law, Information Technology and Cyber Law, Medical Law and Ethics, and Alternative Dispute Resolution, among others.

The institution is positioning the recruitment as part of its broader academic development strategy aimed at expanding both teaching depth and research output in emerging and traditional fields of law.

Interested applicants are expected to submit their applications through the university’s recruitment portal at Careers Portal.