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IWD: AIF Celebrates Transactions that are Women-Owned, Women-Led and Gender Influenced
By Sandra Ani
In solidarity with International Women’s Day (IWD), the African Investment Forum (AIF) is reinforcing its commitment to raise women as investment champions in the lead up to its virtual boardroom sessions from 15 to 17 March.
This was contained in a statement released by the AIF Senior Director, Chinelo Anohu in Abidjan, Côte d’ Ivoire, on Monday in commemoration of the 2022 International Women’s Day.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), we are reminded of the hurdles that women and women-led businesses face in Africa. At the AIF, we are doubling down on curating deals that are women-owned, women-led and gender influenced”, she stated.
AIF further observed that research showed that women’s economic empowerment had significant macroeconomic impacts, boosting productivity and increasing economic diversification and income equality, yet even with all the available data and proof points, women entrepreneurs were too often over-mentored, but undercapitalised.
The statement added that there was a $42 billion gap between men and female entrepreneurs, according to the African Development Bank studies.
“In addition, data reveals that businesses run by women in emerging markets, and in particular Africa, receive less than half of the funding made available to their male counterparts, be it venture capital, private equity, or even traditional bank loans.
“This is despite overwhelming evidence that these businesses deliver greater returns and with lower default rates.
Ii is recalled that in 2019, the AIF launched the “Women as Investment Champions,” an initiative which led to the establishment in 2021 of a standalone pillar for transactions that are not only founded and led by women, but also have a significant gender impact.
AIF’s equally unveiled a 45 projects worth up to $50 billion during its March 2022 Partners Meeting.
“Of these projects, nine are women-led with a potential value of $5 billion. These deals cut across a variety of Africa’s critical sectors, from a billion-dollar energy project in East Africa to an array of projects focused on health, textiles, and Africa’s emerging creative sector.
“The AIF has prepared Deal Books on these women-led projects going into the boardrooms next week to share with investors and impact funders. They include both projects that require capital and those that are in the pre-development stage,” explained Anohu.
“I am enthusiastic about these opportunities and investment interests received so far to take these projects to the next phase”, she emphasised.
The statement explained that the projects ranged from an investment value of USD2 million to USD4.5 billion, in sectors such as Textile Printing Processing Plant, tannery Project, an Integrated Telemedicine Platform and a Regional Refinery Project.
Anohu said the AIF was eager to continue supporting women on the continent both at its upcoming virtual boardroom sessions on March 15 to 17 and the 2022 Market Days in November, which would be held in-person in Abidjan, Côte d’ Ivoire.
Championed by the African Development Bank and its partners, the AIF is Africa’s investment marketplace, seeking to close the continent’s investment gaps.
It operates as a multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary platform dedicated to advancing projects to bankable stages, raising capital, and accelerating the financial closure of deals.
Its strategic vision is to tilt the balance of capital towards the aim of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063 and the African Development Bank’s AFAWA initiative.
Within this mandate is a strong focus on improving African women’s access to financing and capital.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka
The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.
The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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