Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has once again taken a bold stand, disrupting an event in Abuja that she condemned for lacking a people-centered focus and being organized without her consent. This marks the second time in a month that the minister has intervened in such events, highlighting her commitment to ensuring that government resources are utilized effectively for the empowerment of Nigerian citizens.
In a recent viral video, the minister is seen addressing participants at the event, expressing her frustration with workshops and seminars that do not lead to tangible empowerment. “Let this be the last time Women Affairs will organize anything that I am not aware of. If you try next time, I will come here and disgrace you,” Kennedy-Ohanenye warned, emphasizing the importance of aligning government programs with impactful outcomes.
She continued, “I know what I am going through in this country. For a while, this is what we keep organizing—seminars without results. A few weeks ago, there was a hunger protest, and they talked about peace and security. But how can you address these issues without empowering women? How do we solve poverty by directing money to the wrong channels that don’t make an impact on humans?”
The minister’s statements reflect a broader concern about the allocation of government funds, which she argues are often spent on travel and events that yield no real benefits for the people. “If you hear the amount of money the government gives to ministries, you will be shocked. Why should it continue like this? Why should we fold our hands and allow these things to continue?” she questioned, challenging the status quo.
Her stance has drawn both praise and criticism, with some lauding her for confronting systemic inefficiencies, while others have labeled her a “troublemaker.” Nevertheless, Kennedy-Ohanenye remains undeterred. “Let them call me names—‘troublemaker,’ ‘mad woman’—I am ready to take it,” she asserted, vowing to continue her fight for meaningful change.
The incident follows a similar disruption on August 8, 2024, when the minister intervened in an event titled “Unveiling the Power of Women and Food Security,” which was organized without the Ministry’s approval. In that instance, she revealed that the organizer had been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly impersonating the ministry.
