News

COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate, but societies do – Women frontliners

Published

4 years ago

March 9, 2021

Women doctors and scientists on the frontlines of the global battle against COVID-19 have revealed how the pandemic has exposed gender gaps in both access to healthcare and professional development in their fields.

The women doctors and scientists spoke at World Health Organisation (WHO) bi-weekly media briefing in Geneva to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD).

IWD is globally celebrated on March 8 to recognise the achievements of women and to take stock of progress toward gender equality.

Dr Roopa Dhatt, the Executive Director of Women in Global Health, and two scientists who have developed COVID-19 vaccines – Prof. Sarah Gilbert of Oxford University and Dr Özlem Türeci of German company BioNTech, one of the vaccine pioneers – were guest speakers at the briefing.

Dhatt, a physician in the United States, spoke of her “rollercoaster” year treating COVID-19 patients while also working to expand her organisation and manage duties at home.

The physician warned that the fundamental flaws and inequalities which the pandemic had exposed must be resolved urgently before the next global crisis.

“The extraordinary work done by women in the health and care workforce in this pandemic has not earned them an equal seat at the decision-making table, and as a result, we have all lost out on their talent and expertise,” she said.

Although proud of her contributions, Dhatt said like many health professionals, she felt furious that richer nations were not prepared for the pandemic “even though it was not unexpected”.

She was also angry that her sickest patients tend to be black or Latina “and this is not new”, she said, adding “COVID-19 does not discriminate, but societies do”.

Similarly, Gilbert from Oxford University in the United Kingdom previously worked on vaccines for influenza, Ebola and MERS, which was also caused by a coronavirus.

She acknowledged women’s “enormous contribution” during COVID-19, including in comprising two-thirds of the team that developed the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

“However, of the senior positions in the team, only one-third are women,” she said, emphasising that more needs to be done so that women can progress in the field and other disciplines.

“There are concerns that the pandemic has had more of an effect on the careers and livelihood of women than men, and as we begin to make our plans for recovery, we must not neglect this,” she said.

Gilbert reported on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine’s effectiveness in protecting older populations, but pointed to the work ahead in assessing its ability against COVID-19 variants, saying “preparations are being made to update the vaccine, if necessary.

“As vaccinations are rolled out around the world, with the most vulnerable being protected first, we need to continue to monitor virus transmission.

“We need to continue to monitor virus transmission and apply all available measures to reduce it to protect those not yet vaccinated and reduce the chances of new variants arising.

“And to increase the amount of vaccine doses that can be delivered across the world, I encourage vaccine manufacturers to form new partnerships in diverse geographical locations to manufacture, fill and distribute vaccines that are already approved.”

Also speaking, Türeci said she had witnessed lack of gender equality but that the situation was not the same with her company.

But things are different at BioNTech, the company she co-founded with her husband, Prof. Uğur Şahin, as women make up 54 per cent of employees and nearly half of the top management.

“We like to think that being a gender-balanced team has been critical for making the seemingly impossible possible: to develop the COVID-19 vaccine within 11 months without shortcuts,” she said.

The BioNTech vaccine, developed with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, was the first-ever authorised for use.

Together with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, it is part of the UN-backed COVAX initiative that is working to make inoculation accessible to all people everywhere.

As more vaccines come on stream, Türeci underscored the goal of achieving herd immunity, or widescale population protection, through equitable rollout worldwide.

Meanwhile, the WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said the pandemic had disproportionately affected women, who have faced challenges ranging from rising violence, to higher levels of unemployment.

According to him, although women make up the majority of health workers globally, or 70 per cent, they only account for a quarter of those in leadership roles

News

Oluwole Foundation Lifts 70 Branch Members Of C&S Church in Ilorin

Published

8 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Barely a month after empowering no fewer than 70 members at the headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Oluwole Foundation has extended the noble gesture to 24 branches of the Church within Ilorin metropolis and Oke-Oyi.

In the new dispensation, the Oluwole Foundation provided material and financial support to additional 70 beneficiaries, costing the Foundation about N37m.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, said the extension of the empowerment programme this year to the branches of the Church was in obedience to divine instruction and as a means to tackle poverty within the Church community.

“We have 62 branches under our Church, but this is the first time we are going beyond our headquarters. For now, we have covered 24 Churches and empowered 70 people, spending close to N37 million. This is not just charity; it’s also evangelism. Some people will not be converted through preaching but through welfare,” Pastor Popoola explained.

He urged beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously, work hard, and extend help to others, assuring the congregants of further expansion of the empowerment programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming years.

“They should not see this as a national cake. Be prudent, save, grow your business, and from what you have, help someone else. That way, we help the family, society, and the nation,” he cautioned.

Pastor Popoola also called on other foundations, especially those owned by Christians, to carry out their work with sincerity, rather than for personal gain. “This service is first to God, then to society. When we help people genuinely, we reduce poverty, crime, and unemployment.”

The cleric, however, stressed the need for the government to prioritise agriculture and rural development in order to tackle poverty and unemployment ravaging the nation.

He added: “Every wealthy nation built its economy on agriculture. So, government should secure our farmlands, provide tractors, and support our farmers holistically. Let each region focus on its strength, like cocoa in the West and groundnut in the North. We must also develop rural areas with electricity, motorable roads, hospitals, and jobs to curb rural-urban migration.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Shaba, who expressed gratitude to the Oluwole Foundation for the kind gesture, promised that they would make judicious use of the items received.

End

News

Audu Ogbeh’s death a big loss for North Central: Kwara Gov

Published

8 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Governor AbdulRazaq said the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh is a big loss to the North Central Region, calling him a statesman, thoughts leader, and nationalist.

“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a dependable leader of our region. He earned the respect of all on account of his outstanding leadership and service to the nation at different times, especially during his time as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,” the Governor said in a statement on Sunday.

Governor AbdulRazaq has, however, sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Benue State and to his family and associates.

He prayed to God to give the family the strength to bear the huge loss.

End

News

Ambode Declares Total Support for President Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Bid

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2025

milcah

• Dismisses claims of gubernatorial ambition under ADC.

Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has publicly reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging full commitment to the President’s 2027 re-election campaign.

In a strongly worded statement, Ambode dismissed recent speculations linking him to a governorship ambition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the reports as “false publications” aimed at causing distractions.

“I wish to publicly reaffirm my absolute and unshakable loyalty to the APC, the party under which I had the privilege of serving Lagos State as governor in 2015, and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my leader, mentor, and a tireless champion for Nigeria’s progress,” Ambode said.

The former governor praised President Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as a “proven achiever and result-oriented leader” whose administration has delivered significant reforms in pensions, student loan accessibility, youth empowerment, and national economic growth.

Highlighting key achievements of the Tinubu administration, Ambode pointed to the elimination of fuel scarcity, improved security measures, and policies designed to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“His focus, determination, and inclusive governance style are restoring hope and delivering tangible results. I am convinced that, given another four years, Nigerians will have even greater reason to celebrate,” Ambode stated.

He urged party faithful and Nigerians at large to ignore political distractions, pledging to work tirelessly to strengthen the APC and ensure President Tinubu’s victory in 2027.

“Let it be clear: I stand solidly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress. We will work together to ensure victory in 2027 to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians,” Ambode concluded.

Ambode’s declaration comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the former governor making it clear that his political loyalty remains firmly with the APC and its leader.