The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has furiously lamented the structure of an event that was organised for the Ministry without her consent.
In a video making the rounds on social media, Kennedy-Ohanenye warned that she would disgrace the organisers if the situation repeats itself.
She explained that she is not against organizing workshops and seminars but that organisers of such programmes must ensure they infuse empowerment of women in their activities.
The Minister lamented that a huge amount of money should not be spent on organising seminars while people are hungry.
She stated that she does not care if people resort to name-calling, but she would ensure that she changes the narrative.
According to her, “Let this be the last time Women Affairs will organize anything that I am not aware of. You try next time, I will come here and get you people disgraced. I know what I am going through in this country. For a while, this is what we keep on organizing. Few weeks ago, there was hunger protest and they talked about peace and security.
“Women are not empowered. Children are suffering. Nigerians are suffering but we waste money all the time in frivolous things that don’t make sense. I am sorry. Many people may misunderstand me but I am ready to be misunderstood. I am ready to be tortured. I am ready. I have changed the narrative, I said no programme without empowerment.
“You are talking about peace and security. With poverty, how can you solve it? You keep talking, doing workshops. With poverty, where are we heading to? How do we solve that poverty? By directing money to the wrong channels that don’t make impact on humans? On those people you want them to change and give you peace?
“I have changed the narrative. I said do not do any programme without empowerment. They give monies in the Ministries and it is used for travel, programmes. Nothing that will impact the nation. If you hear the monies the government gives out to ministries, you will be shocked. Why should it continue like that? Why should we fold our hands and these things will continue? Who do you think will save you? It’s you that will save yourself. Let them call me names, troublemaker’, ‘mad woman’, I am ready to take it.’’
