By Muhammad Amaan
A lecturer with the Department of Economics at the Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS), Dr Bashir Achida, said closing the gender gaps in empowerment opportunities will increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 20 per cent.
Achida stated this at a lecture organised by the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day, in Sokoto on Saturday.
He encouraged women to explore thier potentialities and become relevant entrepreneurs and employers of labour, adding that such could be achieved by taking advantage of business opportunities in the country.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to ensure women friendly policies in both government and private sectors to facilitate their active involvement in the nation’s growth and development.
The don explained that families where both wife and husband contribute in routine responsibilities have lower dependency ratio during retirement period and even death.
According to him, this year’s IWD theme, “Invest in Women to Accelerate Progress” is apt and a call for action.
While calling for more support to women education and entrepreneurship, Achida observed that women were veritable pillar for societal development.
He said women create, nurture and transform the society, saying that they possess positive mindsets for growth and development.
In thier separate presentations, Dr Nabila Bako and Dr Hafsat Olatunji, from Sokoto State University, dwelled more on women contribution to the society, challenges and how they became catalyst of success.
The lecturers called for more affirmative actions to pave way for women inclusion and advised bodies to celebrate women successes all year round instead of IWD alone.
In her address, Mrs Florence Mutkut, the wife of General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigeria Army, Sokoto, and State’s NAOWA chairperson, said the event was organised to sensitise women on the need to be relevant in the society.
“My belief in the transformational power of women, is the reason for organising talk shows, road walk and lectures to awaken women on thier potentialities,” Mutkut said.
She called on women to study and become professionals, while advising them to engage in viable businesses to make meaningful contribution to the society.
The Chairperson called on leaders in the public and private sectors to bring more women to the table.
“Stakeholders need to support their words through increased financial support as well as access to opportunities for female students,” she advised.
