A development expert and researcher, Dr Nkemdilim Ene, has advised the in-coming administration to leverage on women to take development faster to grassroots communities in Nigeria.
Ene gave the advice in Abuja on Sunday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the expectations of Nigerian women as the country gets set to inaugurate a new government on May 29.
On Feb. 25, Nigeria held a landmark presidential election, to keep democracy going in Africa’s most populous nation, which returned to elective governance in 1999 after years of military rule.
“Research has shown that the inclusion of women in leadership has contributed significantly to socio-economic growth.
“This shows that sustainable national development requires the contributions of women,’’ said Ene, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Preston Associates International Development Ltd., an Abuja-based think-thank.
She described womenfolk as the magic wand that could be used by the government to engender development and make Nigeria to rise above its current challenges.
“I appeal to government to be deliberate in encouraging women and girls to partake in digital opportunities available to them because this can change lives of women and that of their immediate communities.’’
The researcher said that government should alsoThe Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Gangandharan Balasubramanian, has called on Nigerians to embrace Yoga practice as a way of improving their physical and mental well-being.
The High Commissioner told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja that Yoga should be seen as another form of exercise that helps condition the body and mind for optimum benefit.
“Yoga is a form of exercise that is very good for physical and mental well-being, it can also help enhance vitality, focus and productivity,” Balasubramanian said.
He said in view of the enormous benefits of Yoga, the High Commission in Abuja had opened free Yoga classes for members of the public, which would also help to deepen relations between both countries.
“I am happy to announce to the Nigerian public that we have opened our free yoga classes at the High Commission of India, Abuja, so our Nigerian friends should avail themselves of this opportunity.
“We have an excellent facilitator (Mr Dipitiranjan Mohanty), who has a PhD in Yoga and has been sent by the government of India to the mission.
“The classes are of course free from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. on week days (after registration) and we believe this will help improve our health; also deepen relations between both countries, ” he said.
The High Commissioner assured that plans were underway to further strengthen the cordial bilateral relations between both countries.
NAN reports that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originates from India.
The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit, meaning to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.
As part of the growing appeal for Yoga, the United Nations on Dec. 11, 2014, proclaimed June 21, as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria