Women’s Minister disrupts Abuja seminar, calls for real empowerment

Nigerian Minister of Women disrupts an Abuja seminar, declaring that events without real empowerment are a waste of time and resources.

Once again, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye – the Minister of Women Affairs has stirred up commotion at an event in Abuja that was arranged without her authorization and lacked a focus on serving the public.

An event took place almost a month later following comparable conduct by the minister on August 8, 2024, in Abuja.

At the event titled “Unveiling the Power of Women and Food Security”, which wasn’t authorized by the ministry, it was disclosed by the minister that for posing as a representative of the ministry, authorities from Department of State Services (DSS) had apprehended its organizer.

An impersonation is occurring here, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs denies involvement. The lady responsible has been apprehended by authorities and is currently in custody with the DSS.

She posted a video on her X page, saying “Despite us communicating our cancellation and receiving the president’s approval to cancel until further notice, she proceeded to print this thing.”

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The minister’s recent video has become viral on social media. In it, she strongly opposes workshops and seminars that do not provide empowerment to attendees. She highlights how such events use the government’s scarce resources in vain.

“I demand that Women Affairs inform me of any future events they plan to organize. If this request is not honored, I will publicly shame them for their lack of consideration and understanding. I am already dealing with significant challenges in this nation, yet we keep spending resources on needless activities like the recent hunger protest focused on peace and security while women remain disempowered, children suffer, and Nigerians struggle daily.”

“I apologize for the potential misunderstandings many may have about me, but I am prepared to endure such misconceptions. Even if it means enduring pain and suffering, I am ready. My narrative has been rephrased: any program must involve empowerment,” she asserted.

“How can we expect to achieve peace and security when poverty is rampant? Merely talking about it in workshops won’t solve the problem. We need a real solution for poverty, but directing money towards ineffective channels won’t help those who desperately need change.” The minister emphasized these points during his statement.

According to Mrs. Uju, she has altered the storyline by cautioning against conducting any program without empowerment. She noted that ministries receive funding which is solely utilized for travel and programs with no significant impact on the nation whatsoever.

“You will be astonished when you hear the sum of money that ministries receive from the government. Why must this persist? Should we simply sit back and let these things go on? Who can rescue us? It is up to us to save ourselves. They may label me as a ‘troublemaker’, or even a ‘mad woman,’ but I am prepared for it,” she declared bravely.