Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, has urged for ongoing investment in Nigerian women to further support the progress of the country.
Akpabio, in a statement written by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, praised women and said they deserved all the respect.
He also admired the strong spirit of Nigerian women and acknowledged their daily challenges, describing them as a “full package and a special breed”.
He mentioned that the National Assembly would keep advocating for the improved well-being of Nigerian women to demonstrate their awareness that neglecting women would harm development and harm the country.
He stated, “Promoting inclusion aligns with the focus of the 10th Senate, which is working diligently to create laws that would increase girl-child enrollment in school, combat sexual exploitation, and overall give women what they deserve.”
The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also expressed that Nigeria must invest in women now more than ever, and emphasized that advancing progress in any area required greater involvement of women.
She also urged women to support each other.
“Today, on International Women’s Day, I celebrate every woman; daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers, grandmothers, and also great-grandmothers, for your resilience, passion, and courage that brought us thus far.
“That is why I see investing in women, not as charity, but as a strategy to build the future of our dear nation, Nigeria. Equipping you with education, resources and opportunities to unleash your full potential, supporting your businesses, helping to dismantle economic barriers, and ensuring your voices are heard is a very crucial step.”
“Therefore, my question to all women is: What are you doing to help the other woman? How are you investing in her? Let us all come together, bond and love one another. This is the pathway to accelerated progress.
“I charge all women; just pull a sister up, one at a time. You will be amazed at what we can achieve collectively,” she added.
‘Break violence’s barrier’
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, also in his goodwill message, praised the exceptional contributions of women to the development of the state, advocating more inclusion of women in decision making
Ododo, who recognized the challenges of violence and discrimination faced by women in the state, stressed the need to reflect on how the courage and determination of women around the world had shaped human progress in civil liberties.
The governor also revealed the state government’s plan to increase the level of investment in women in every aspect, mentioning that the administration had demonstrated its commitment with the appointment of more women in the state executive council, improving access to healthcare for women and children, and ensuring a favorable environment for women to achieve greater success in their chosen careers.
He also praised the progress made in achieving gender equality, addressing gender-based violence, and bridging gaps in opportunities for women in education, entrepreneurship, and political leadership in the state, saying “women play crucial roles in the development of individuals, families, and society. They are the foundation of our communities, raising families, supporting community development initiatives, and driving economic growth.
The speaker emphasized that despite women's achievements in various fields, they still face violence and discrimination. It's important to work hard to remove these barriers and ensure that all women have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background.
Enugu, Kogi, and Gombe governors praise women's contributions.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State stated that his administration would keep supporting women through policies, empowerment, capacity building, and investment to drive the growth and progress of society.
In a statement on Friday, Governor Mbah commended women for their strong and outstanding efforts to uphold moral values in society through family discipline.
He also acknowledged women's essential roles in nation-building and development, describing their achievements as the foundation of our families, examples of resilience, pioneers, and visionaries.
The governor added that women's grace, courage, and knowledge inspire us every day.
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, emphasized his administration's readiness to create opportunities for women to actively participate in politics, governance, and community leadership in the state.
Yahaya stated that women would hold important cabinet positions and play significant roles as aides and heads of agencies as part of his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment for women in the state.
The governor reflected on the progress made by the government in creating a supportive environment for girls to pursue their aspirations across all spheres of life.
He underlined the importance of providing opportunities for women to actively participate in politics, governance, and community leadership, as empowering women goes hand in hand with inclusivity.
The governor highlighted the key positions held by women in his administration and their significant contributions towards policy implementation, ultimately enhancing the livelihoods of the people.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group, Dr. Dele Alake, expressed the African continent's commitment to equipping women with the necessary skills to participate actively in the mining sector value chain.
At the International Women’s Day Forum 2024 organized by the Women Miners Association in Abuja, the minister emphasized the importance of progressive transformation that includes everyone, regardless of gender.
“The African Minerals Strategy Group is dedicated to giving women the right skills to participate in all stages of the mining industry, from exploration to processing. We support providing technical training in mining for young women, helping women entrepreneurs get started with financial aid, and advocating for women to take on leadership roles in regulatory agencies.”
‘Include women in making decisions’
Meanwhile, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, has said that having women actively involved in decision-making and politics at all levels is crucial for achieving equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy.
She also emphasized the urgent need for political parties to revise and update all founding and policy documents, including constitutions, manifestos, party rules, and strategy documents, to integrate national and international norms and obligations on gender equality.
During the Women in Parliament Summit in Abuja organized by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, Isopi observed that despite efforts from various women’s groups and stakeholders, female representation in politics has been steadily decreasing.
Isopi remarked, “In Nigeria's 25 years of democracy, no woman has been elected Governor, and the percentage of women appointed to political positions is significantly lower than men. I am not sharing these figures to highlight the impossibility, but to demonstrate that it is indeed achievable.”
However, Edo State's first lady, Betsy Obaseki, encouraged women to gain the necessary knowledge to be competitive and contribute alongside men in the country.
Obaseki, speaking on Friday, urged women to aspire to reach top positions in their chosen careers, be part of decision-making, participate in politics, and change the existing narratives.
She emphasized, “Men and women have their own unique traits, and no one can replace the other. Women must recognize their value and role in society. Do not let anyone undermine you.
“Strive to build your capacity so that you can qualify for certain positions in society. We need to gain knowledge so that we can contribute effectively to our work.”
Similarly, the wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, called for more empowerment and opportunities for women to succeed in their careers and businesses.
Soludo emphasized that empowering women goes far beyond temporary interventions, and highlighted the importance of education in driving women’s development.
Speaking in Awka, the state capital on Friday, she highlighted that being a woman represents uniqueness, immense strength, resilience, and great aspirations. She also stressed the need to eliminate certain socio-cultural, religious, and economic barriers faced by many women, particularly those in rural communities.
The Commissioner for Health in Osun State, Jola Akintola, praised women for their important roles in society. He said that Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration included cervical and breast cancer screenings in the Imole Free Medical Outreach programme to help protect women’s health.
He said that International Women’s Day on March 8 is important for empowering women and ensuring gender equality. The celebration helps create an inclusive environment where women can access comprehensive reproductive healthcare services.
The Nasarawa State chapter of the Police Women’s Association distributed food items to 37 underprivileged members to celebrate International Women’s Day. The Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu Nadada, presented the food items at the POWA’s head office in Lafia.
At the ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Richard Gara, explained that the gesture was to help the underprivileged women cope with economic hardship.
Men have failed, says PDP chair
Umar Damagum, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, expressed his desire for a woman to be the next President of Nigeria, stating that men have let down the current generation.
During the PDP International Women’s Day 2024 celebration in Abuja, the PDP National Chairman's representative, Samuel Anyanwu, conveyed Umar Damagum's statement about wanting a woman to be the next President of Nigeria.
The PDP National Chairman expressed his hope for a woman to become the president of Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of mothers and the role of women. He believed that men have failed the current generation.
The founding fathers of PDP recognized the importance of women in politics, making the party the most democratic in Nigeria and Africa. They provide women with the opportunity to aspire to any position without having to buy any form, in order to encourage women.
The PDP National Woman Leader, Amina Divine Arong, stressed that gender equality in political participation and leadership is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals by 2030.
Amina Divine Arong emphasized the importance of having women in leadership positions, mentioning that companies and organisations led by women have fared better than their counterparts during financial crises. She believes that having women as leaders and decision-makers at all levels is critical to advancing gender justice, equality, and economic, social, and political progress for all.
It's important to keep advocating for women's active involvement in Nigerian politics, but we also need to actively support and involve women and girls in leadership roles and decision-making processes.
