Secretary for Women Affairs Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi was one of Nigeria’s delegations to New York for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79). She speaks on the gains of the global event to the country and space of opportunity provided for women in Abuja among other issues. Newsquest was there and brings the excerpts:
Q: How is the SDGs (5) implementation helping women’s participation in governance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)?
The key takeaway for me here, is the focus on impact and innovation. The emphasis on impact is crucial, and I believe innovation plays a significant role in this context. The administration of President Bola, being represented by Barrister Nyesom Wike as Minister in the FCT recognizes the importance of establishing a mandate Secretariat for Women in Abuja. This is a significant step that had not been taken in 48 years and it aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda for women.
This initiative aims to effectively implement policies that promote economic empowerment and human capital development by creating gender-equitable opportunities for women. It goes beyond merely addressing their wants and needs but also considers their expectations and aspirations. This includes supporting women who have received professional certifications through formal education as well as those who may not have had such opportunities, by creating pathways for secondary educational interventions that can help them thrive.
The Girl Child Curriculum initiated by the First Lady focuses on closing gaps in women’s security through digital economy solutions and comprehensive human security strategies. This approach extends beyond mere physical safety to encompass food, agricultural, educational, and environmental security. For instance, it addresses health risks faced by women using traditional cooking methods.
In essence, the initiative aims to foster social development across the 884 communities in FCT and 62 wards in those 17 chiefdoms, working with the six area councils.
By collaborating with local leaders, including women in governance and community development roles, it seeks to create targeted interventions that enhance women’s empowerment and holistic development in Nigeria’s capital.
Q: What has been the level of enthusiasm from the beneficiaries, the locals themselves?
I believe that the most crucial aspect is the value of connection. The community has discovered a genuine commitment not only to making a difference but also to empowering them to create that difference through their own unique and authentic models of social development. They are learning to harness the opportunities available to them. For instance, the Aku women in Kwali identified their needs clearly: they required a borehole and assistance with fixing their shed.
Although these requests may seem simple, they hold significant potential for transformation. Through our partnership with UN Women and the dedicated efforts of Madame Beatrice Eyong and her team, we are making these improvements a reality.
Additionally, we are revitalizing the Kuje Palm, which has been neglected since 1996. We have taken over the five fishponds, an overhead tank, a borehole, and hatcheries on this site that had long been abandoned. Now, we are in the process of recapitalizing these resources. With the help of consultants, have begun breaking grounds to plant new seeds for an upcoming harvest—marking the start of a promising new chapter for this community.
Recently, we visited Kwali, where a demonstration farm which spans three by four hectares, complete with a constructed river canal for year-round farming. This development has become a priority as we focus on revitalising these projects in alignment with Her Excellency the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, which includes the farmer granting scheme, Young Farmers Club, and the “Every Home a Garden” project.
As of September 27th which was the deadline, we have received about 300 entries for the garden competition. It’s exciting to see women actively participating by showcasing their home gardens and farming projects. Each participant who expressed interest has now formed a critical mass that we will support to scale up the home garden development project in the FCT.
Q: Can you expantiate on that?
We are now expanding Her Excellency’s “Every Home Garden” competition into the Food Security Initiative for the Federal Capital Territory (FSI-FCT). This competition has evolved into a vital food security intervention that we will continue to scale.
The Abuja Parks and Recreation will provide green spaces for all registered participants to cultivate economically valuable crops such as ugu, tomatoes, peppers, and okra, contributing to the establishment of a women farmers’ market.
In collaboration with NTA Abuja Channel Five, we will host a weekly women farmers’ market every Thursday. The Security and Exchange Commission will assist by purchasing any unsold produce, ensuring that these women have a reliable market for their goods.
Thanks to the inspired initiative launched by Her Excellency, we now have a comprehensive intervention focused on food security and, more importantly, on neighbourhood agricultural development. The produce from your garden will not only meet your own needs but also provide plenty to share with your neighbours.
Q: Your minister, Nyesome Wike is known for his commitment to women’s issues in the FCT, which led to the establishment of this Secretariat. How do you perceive his funding efforts in this sector?
The minister’s commitment to the Women Affairs Secretariat is evident in his focus on budget allocations and capital projects, rather than solely on soft programmes typically associated with women’s issues. Initiatives addressing gender-based violence and support for adolescent girls are underway, emphasising the need for sustainable structures. He has urged a shift towards capital interventions that leave a lasting legacy, including digital innovation accelerators to combat digital poverty. This approach aims to equip women with essential skills for financial literacy and entrepreneurship, crucial for the FCT administration’s objectives.
The FCT Minister, His Excellency, has prioritised women’s projects as part of the FCT administration’s Renewed Hope agenda. He emphasises that true hope is reflected in tangible outcomes for women, rather than mere palliatives. The focus is on providing substantial capital interventions that empower women and foster lasting change in their lives.
Q: Why was it essential to hold a side event at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly with the Italian Mission to the UN and The Renew Our Earth Initiative, focusing on harnessing technology and youth leadership to enhance security, shared prosperity, and empower women in the FCT and Nigeria?
I have elevated the discussion on gender and human security to engage with the United Nations platform, focusing on outcomes from our collaboration with the University of Abuja’s gender and security department and youth in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Instead of seeking interventions from the UN, we showcased our own initiatives. Women have proposed solutions and strategies, culminating in a communique.
We have engaged the youth, who emphasised that the future lies in their intellectual, creative, and innovative potential. Dr. Adeola Olubamiji and Professor Helen Paul and Deji Salu have facilitated this dialogue, encouraging women to present their strategies and interventions. Dr. Olubamiji concluded that we must utilise the Abuja Accelerators Hub, established during the CSW side event hosted by the Women Affairs Secretariat in March. This hub will provide a structured curriculum to help women scale their businesses and advocacy efforts. We are setting up accelerator classes to empower women in six area councils, aligning with the CSW’s message of unifying women for global impact, which must extend beyond New York to Abuja.
We have established a new model for Abuja, positioning it as the premier destination for Africa’s wealthiest women. This transformation will be driven by agriculture and the digital economy, ensuring that these women not only achieve financial success but also maintain good health. Our initiatives will focus on nutritional interventions for adolescent girls, emphasizing that nourishing healthy young women is essential for future generations of female leaders.
Additionally, we are exploring value-driven contributions through intellectual property. It’s important to note that expertise doesn’t require an Ivy League education; understanding how to utilize resources like orange-fleshed sweet potatoes can be impactful.
By establishing this value chain, we are not only empowering women but also providing comprehensive nutritional education. This initiative will lead to wealth and health, creating a unique reference point for success. Just as people travel to Rwanda to learn about the impact of women there, they will soon come to the FCT. I recently met with Annie Akpe, head of the Africa Women Digital Franchise, who has committed to participating in the Abuja Business Investment Summit. From there, we will set up digital intervention accelerator hubs for women and girls.
Investing in girls is just the beginning; they will also serve as peer educators for young adults. This approach fosters holistic relationships and promotes equality, ensuring that both genders engage in constructive ways that prevent them from becoming victims of negative influences.
Q: A year later, what obstacles have you encountered as pioneer mandate secretary? By your submission, it appears that the journey has been quite seamless.
Over the past year, my biggest challenge has been learning to lead without sufficient investment. I would have appreciated more budget support, especially considering our infrastructural limitations. We currently lack our own office and an officially approved organisational structure for effective budget management. Formalising our structure is essential, and this has posed a significant challenge.
However, drawing from my entrepreneurial background, what I called disruptive background and resilient spirit, I have chosen to focus on maximising every resource at my disposal rather than making excuses for what hasn’t been provided. I continue to push forward despite these obstacles. My hope is to leave a legacy as someone who overcame the odds, as they have indeed been substantial.
Q: As a cleric and someone involved in various roles, have you found it challenging to balance your responsibilities as a wife, mother, and in your clerical duties? Is anyone feeling overwhelmed?
I believe the greatest challenge has been for my husband, though he has also been my strongest supporter. This dynamic has introduced significant challenges in terms of our personal space, but we have always managed to navigate these issues without harbouring resentment. After nearly 30 years of marriage, this is simply how we continue to evolve together.
As a cleric, wife, and mother, I have managed very well. I recently ran a master class on cooking soup with my daughter while at the office. Using my phone, I guided her step-by-step: “Cut the onion like this,” and “Add this ingredient.” It felt as if I was right there in the kitchen with her, and when I got home, the aroma of the soup that filled our house was just like mine. My husband was thrilled and even prayed for our daughter, because he has been expressing concern that I hadn’t had time to teach her these skills amidst my busy schedule. So, my daughter and I took it upon ourselves to embrace this challenge, leveraging technology to connect.
Just the other day, she proudly told me she had made crunchy yam with palm oil pepper sauce. I was so pleased to see her gaining confidence in the kitchen! I feel that I am being trained to help others; as a mother, I am learning to support other mothers, and as a woman of faith, I aim to inspire other women of faith. There’s a common misconception that you can’t be a politician and a Christian or that pursuing these roles will compromise your integrity.
People often say that if you pursue this path, you’ll fail as a wife or struggle with your clerical duties. While I may not be able to do everything full-time, my heart is fully committed. On Sundays, my husband and I are busy from early morning until late at night, often returning home around 11 PM after counselling sessions at our church. If you visit our station at Nicon Hilton on Sundays, you will find us there, dedicated to counselling after services until we can no longer continue. I’m not perfect; I’m simply striving to do my best with God’s help.
