Category: News

As part of activities marking the 2025 International Women’s Month, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, hosted the quarterly edition of its Business Series event, where leading female professionals from diverse industries shared insights on overcoming systemic challenges, driving change, and redefining success.

Held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre, UBA House, the hybrid event reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to promoting gender parity, creating opportunities, and empowering women to build lasting legacies in their careers and businesses.

The panel featured accomplished women, including the Founder and CEO of Shule Direct, Faraja Kotta Nyalandu; Former Attorney General and Board Chairman of Africa Prudential Plc, Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi; award-winning actor and entrepreneur, Nancy Isime; and the Managing Director of BOI Investment and Trust Company Limited, Mrs Flora Fabyan.

Each panelist shared personal experiences navigating their careers, tackling gender bias, and achieving financial and professional independence, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic transformation.

Faraja Kotta Nyalandu highlighted the ripple effect of women’s empowerment on families and communities. “Empowering a woman transforms her household, her family’s health, and the wider society. My call today is for everyone to create opportunities that enable women to unlock their potential through education and learning,” she stated.

Chief Eniola Fadayomi reflected on her journey in the legal and public sectors, noting the challenges women face in leadership. “As an Attorney General, every day was a battle. Women often have to prove themselves twice as much as men. When you’re collaborative, they say you’re weak; when you’re assertive, they call you aggressive. Women should capitalize on their unique strengths to excel,” she said.

Nancy Isime emphasized the importance of financial independence for women. “Financial stability influences life choices, including partnerships. Budgeting, investing wisely, and continuous learning are key steps towards achieving financial independence,” she advised.

Chief Flora Fabyan spoke on balancing professional and personal responsibilities. “Women are naturally trained to juggle multiple roles. Managing work and home requires being present and making decisions that benefit both spheres,” she noted.

UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Alero Ladipo, commended the bank’s dedication to gender equality. “At UBA, we recognize the vital role women play in shaping economies, businesses, and families. While progress has been made, there is still much work to do, and UBA remains committed to accelerating that progress,” she said.

United Bank for Africa, one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, operates in 20 African countries, the UK, the USA, France, and the UAE. With over 25,000 employees and 45 million customers globally, the bank continues to drive financial inclusion and leverage cutting-edge technology to serve its clients.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strongly criticized the Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, calling it an unconstitutional move that undermines democracy and legislative independence.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), CISLAC condemned the Senate’s action, stating that “it directly violates the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sets a dangerous precedent for legislative governance.”

CISLAC argued that the suspension of an elected senator contradicts Sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution, which clearly outline the lawful processes for a legislator to lose their seat. Section 68(1) & (2) states that a legislator’s seat can only be declared vacant under specific circumstances such as resignation, defection, conviction, or recall by constituents through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The statement reads: “Section 69 stipulates that the recall process is the only constitutional means for removing an elected legislator, making the Senate’s decision legally baseless. By suspending Senator Natasha, CISLAC noted that the Senate has effectively denied the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District their right to representation, an action that constitutes an abuse of power.”

The civil society group also highlighted past judicial rulings that have consistently declared legislative suspensions unlawful. It referenced key cases such as Hon. Dino Melaye v House of Representatives (2009), where the Federal High Court ruled that legislative chambers lack the authority to suspend elected members.

“In Ali Ndume v Senate President & Ors (2018), the Court of Appeal nullified the senator’s suspension, reinforcing the principle that lawmakers cannot be arbitrarily removed by their peers. Similarly, House of Assembly v Hon. Danna (2003) established that only the judiciary or the electorate have the power to remove an elected official. CISLAC accused the Senate of disregarding these precedents and eroding legislative independence by silencing dissenting voices,” Rafsanjani said.

The group also questioned the impartiality of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in handling the matter. It pointed out that Senator Natasha’s suspension stems from her raising sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.

“CISLAC argued that allowing the Senate’s Ethics Committee—seen as influenced by leadership—to dismiss the allegations without a fair and neutral review violates Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to a fair hearing. The principle of Nemo Judex in Causa Sua (no one should be a judge in their own case) has been completely disregarded in this matter,” CISLAC stated, calling it a misuse of legislative power.

The organization also warned that suspending lawmakers for expressing dissent weakens the oversight function of the National Assembly. It stressed that Section 39 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, including for lawmakers. Parliamentary immunity exists to protect legislators from persecution over statements made in the course of their duties.

“A legislature where members fear retribution for questioning leadership cannot function as a true democracy. CISLAC warned that the move sets a dangerous precedent where Senate leadership can silence opposition through suspensions, effectively turning the National Assembly into a tool of intimidation.”

The organization also expressed concern over the implications of the suspension on gender inclusion in politics, stating that the decision discourages women from participating in governance. “This move sends a message that female lawmakers can be silenced and intimidated at will, reversing decades of progress toward gender inclusion,” CISLAC noted. It further criticized the Ethics Committee for failing to uphold integrity by dismissing the sexual harassment claims instead of conducting a transparent investigation.

CISLAC expressed concern over the global reputational damage caused by the Senate’s decision, emphasizing that “this action has legitimized attacks on freedom of expression, encouraged intimidation, and institutionalized sexual harassment in public spaces.” The organization warned that Nigeria risks being perceived as a country where democratic institutions are weaponized against dissenting voices, undermining its credibility in the international community.

CISLAC demanded the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha and urged the Senate to retract its decision and uphold democratic principles and the peaceful resolution of the crisis.