Mavin Records’ latest sign-on, Tiwa Savage, has signed a multi-million naira endorsement deal with Pepsi.

The “golden skirt” policy refers to af¬firmative action especially towards redressing the imbalance in gender inequalities in com¬panies, for example, setting targets for female board level representation in listed firms.

Even modest solutions can make big impact in the lives of people. With rising poverty figures in Nigeria-almost 100 million people living on less than $1 a day, it has become absolutely necessary for well meaning Nigerians to join in the fight against poverty through vocational skills empowerment,

The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, says the FCT and its environ will notice a change in driving culture on the roads and highways soon with women as commercial drivers.

Jonathan made the statement in Abuja on Friday at the inauguration of  Lady Chauffeur Training Scheme (LCTS) by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in collaboration with  Women for Change and Development Initiative.

The collaboration is aimed at training female drivers, starting with 200 women.

``I am confident that when this first batch of 200 ladies complete their training, Abuja and its environs will notice a change in driving culture and attitude on the roads and highways.

``These young ladies are expected to become change agents by bringing the feminine virtues of caring, carefulness and of course patience to bear on the way we conduct ourselves on the road,'' she said.

The president's wife expressed delight that NDE had ``consistently and vigorously pursued the task of creating jobs for our teeming unemployed youths through training in various skills.

``This is in line with my NGO's objective which, since inception, has graduated more than 4,000 trainees who were trained free and given starter
packs to enable them to begin on their own business.

``I, therefore, urge you ladies to put in your best and embrace the training with all sense of responsibility.

``I assure you that this two-month intensive training will contribute immensely to your empowerment,'' Jonathan said.

Earlier, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu, said that the training was aimed at empowering the women.

Also, the Director-General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, said the occasion was ``another milestone for NDE, with special emphasis on women, who are the most vulnerable in the society.

``Please maintain discipline during your training and I assure you that you have the job already.''

In his goodwill message, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Osita Chidoka, said ``you ladies have chosen a noble
profession.

``This is because it is imperative for people to move from place to place and we know from our statistics that there is a higher number of men
involved in accidents than women.''

Mr Wilson Alade, the FCT Director of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, said ``this initiative is unprecedented and we're in support
because women do things patiently.''

Mr Tunji Tolani, the Managing Director of the Abuja Leasing Company, said ``we have obtained approval from the Ministry of Finance to purchase
customised pink cabs under the Pink Cab Scheme designed for women.

Meanwhile, Miss Olubayode Lilian, a trainee,  said ``I feel encouraged, I really appreciate it and I think this will be a good opportunity for unemployed young women.''

Miss Ijeh Rosemary, another trainee, said ``I am a graduate of University of Benin. I have been seeking for employment in the last three years. I thank the NDE and the First Lady for this opportunity.''