Empowering Women An Economic Imperative – UBA GMD, Alawuba
Oliver Alawuba, the Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa, has revealed the need for a comprehensive approach to multifaceted issues confronting women in Nigeria.
The CEO of Africa’s global bank with a presence in 24 countries disclosed this while speaking at the groundbreaking event of Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment, and Fund Raising Programme.
“Here in Nigeria, empowering women is not just an ethical obligation, it is an economic imperative. A woman with access to resources, education, and justice becomes a powerful force for change, lifting her family, her community, and her nation,” Mr Alawuba maintained at the ceremony themed: “Farming to Feed the Nation, Empowerment to Give Women Voices, Justice for Crimes to Have Consequences via Mobile Court.”.
Aptly tagged EMPOWERHER, the ceremony was held at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Acknowledging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s outstanding efforts at advancing gender equality and women empowerment, the CEO of one of the leading financial institutions in Africa said the EMPOWERHER project “is a beacon of hope and a call to action for the holistic empowerment of women across Nigeria.”
“We have seen the prioritization of inclusive policies that address the needs of women in every sector, from Agriculture to Healthcare and Justice,” he pointed out on Tinubu’s administration’s handling of gender-based issues.
Highlighting United Bank for Africa’s contributions to women’s development in Africa, Mr Oliver Alawuba who praised the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu for her passion “toward improving the social, economic, and political standing of women in Nigeria” said:
“At United Bank for Africa Pic (UBA), we recognize that women are the driving force behind sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth. Across our 24 countries of presence, we have actively embraced the potential and leadership of women, not just in words but in actions. With close to 50% female representation on our Board, 40% of Senior Management roles held by women and an impressive 59% of our Graduate Management Trainees being female, we are truly leading the charge for gender equality in the corporate world.”
“Beyond leadership and representation, through exclusive SME loan products tailored for women-led and women-owned businesses, we have ensured that 78% of our Working Capital Loans are empowering these women-led and women-owned enterprises. This unwavering commitment underlines our role as a foremost pan-African Global Banking Group dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment and fulfilling the promise of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5, l.e. achieving Gender Equality and empowering all women and girls.”
Alawuba who believes empowering women should not left in the hands of government alone said ” it requires the concerted effort of every one of us individuals, Civil Society Organizations, Development Partners, and the Private Sector – to come together with a shared commitment to this cause.”
“By contributing to the EMPOWERHER programme, you are not only investing in women but you are also investing in the future of Nigeria, the brilliant banker who sees the fundraising initiative as an opportunity for all to play a role in transforming women’s lives across Nigeria insisted.
Hailing the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye’s commitment to advancing gender equality, the UBA boss, said: “Her hands-on approach to tackling the barriers faced by Nigerian women whether in accessing economic opportunities, healthcare, education, or justice has helped push the agenda for gender equality forward.”
