Abuja, NIGERIA — An unexpected confrontation unfolded at a high-profile workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with the United Nations on Wednesday, as Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye voiced her strong dissatisfaction with the event’s focus and expenditure.
The workshop, held in Abuja, was designed to review and validate various programs aimed at improving women’s welfare. However, the session was disrupted when Minister Kennedy abruptly interrupted the proceedings. Her outburst, captured in a video shared by Silverbird TV, highlighted her concerns regarding the allocation of the event’s substantial budget, reported to exceed 100 million naira.
In her remarks, Ohaneye criticized the expenditure as disproportionately high for an event that, in her view, did not adequately address the core issue of directly empowering women. She argued that a significant portion of the budget should have been redirected towards tangible empowerment initiatives rather than solely on organizing the workshop.
“You can’t use 100 million naira for just a program,” Kennedy declared emphatically in the video. “My people, that is the fact. I am not lying. Over 100 million naira is used for programs and I said always cut it into two. Use half to empower the women and then use half for whatever you want to do.”
Kennedy’s intervention was characterized by her impassioned plea for greater accountability and transparency in the use of funds. She warned that such an expenditure pattern, if repeated, would compel her to take drastic actions against the organizers.
“Let it not be that I am coming here to block everybody. If it happens again, I will disgrace them and disgrace myself. I am not going to disgrace them alone; I will disgrace them and disgrace myself and there will be no program. Anywhere I hear it, even if I am not invited, I will come there,” Kennedy asserted.
The Minister’s outspoken criticism has sparked a broader discussion about the efficacy and financial management of government-funded programs aimed at women’s empowerment. Critics argue that while workshops and conferences are valuable, they must be balanced with direct, impactful initiatives that provide tangible benefits to the target demographic.
In response to Ohaneye’s remarks, the organizers of the workshop have not yet issued an official statement. However, the controversy has already ignited a wave of discourse among stakeholders and the public, emphasizing the need for a more effective allocation of resources in the implementation of women’s empowerment programs.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in government expenditures, particularly in sectors dedicated to social welfare and development. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and its partners will address these concerns and whether future events will reflect a more balanced approach to budgetary allocations.
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