Lšššš¢šØš§šš¢š: Greater Women Inclusion in Leadership Crucial to Nigeria's Development
By Peter Dansu
ActionAid Nigeria has called for increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making, saying the country's quest for sustainable development will remain elusive unless women are given equal opportunities to contribute to governance.
The organisation made the call during a women leadership and empowerment workshop organised in collaboration with Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and HUFFPED at the Iworo Secretariat in Badagry.
Speaking at the workshop, a women's rights advocate and ActionAid Nigeria specialist, Mrs. Niri Goyit, said the exclusion of women from leadership positions has continued to undermine Nigeria's growth and development.
Addressing participants from Badagry Local Government, Olorunda LCDA and Badagry West LCDA, Goyit noted that many of the nation's enduring challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure and economic hardship, require inclusive leadership that harnesses the strengths of both men and women.
She maintained that leadership should not be dominated by one gender, stressing that balanced representation would produce better governance and stronger institutions.
According to her, women have repeatedly demonstrated competence whenever entrusted with leadership responsibilities. She cited the late former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Dora Akunyili, as well as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, among Nigerian women whose contributions have left lasting impacts.
Goyit also decried the dominance of men in making decisions on issues that directly affect women, insisting that women must be adequately represented in policy formulation and governance.
She urged women to actively pursue leadership positions in their homes, communities, workplaces and political spaces, saying their voices are indispensable to national development.
Earlier, the workshop facilitator, Mr. Adebowale Keinde, said ActionAid Nigeria remains committed to empowering women, particularly those in rural communities, through advocacy, capacity building and development programmes.
He explained that the workshop was designed to strengthen women's leadership capacity, encourage civic participation and promote greater awareness of opportunities available to women at the grassroots.
Representatives of the chairpersons of Olorunda LCDA, Badagry Local Government and Badagry West LCDA attended the event and highlighted various women-focused programmes being implemented in their respective councils.
The Deputy Leader of Olorunda LCDA, Hon. Itunuoluwa Ambe Alice, represented the Chairperson of Olorunda LCDA, Mrs. Folashade Ajose, wife of the Executive Chairman of the council. Miss Ayo Apede represented the Chairperson of Badagry Local Government, Mrs. Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Hunpe, while the Supervisor for Women Affairs represented the Chairperson of Badagry West LCDA, Mrs. Mariam Ibrahim Kayode.
During an interactive session, participants acknowledged the existence of several empowerment initiatives but lamented that many women in rural communities had not benefited from them due to inadequate information.
Responding, Keinde urged the council representatives to improve grassroots sensitisation, stressing that rural women should not be denied access to government interventions because of poor communication.
Speaking on behalf of Mrs. Folashade Ajose, Hon. Ambe commended ActionAid Nigeria and HUFFPED for bringing the workshop to Olorunda LCDA.
She described the programme as a valuable platform for inspiring women to take on greater leadership responsibilities and reaffirmed Mrs. Ajose's commitment to promoting women's welfare and empowerment through initiatives that enhance their economic and social wellbeing.
Ambe said she would brief Mrs. Ajose on the outcomes of the workshop and expressed optimism that the council would continue to partner with organisations committed to advancing the cause of women.
She also appealed to ActionAid Nigeria to sustain similar interventions in Olorunda LCDA, noting that continuous investment in women's leadership and empowerment is vital to building stronger communities and accelerating national development.
By Peter Dansu
ActionAid Nigeria has called for increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making, saying the country's quest for sustainable development will remain elusive unless women are given equal opportunities to contribute to governance.
The organisation made the call during a women leadership and empowerment workshop organised in collaboration with Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and HUFFPED at the Iworo Secretariat in Badagry.
Speaking at the workshop, a women's rights advocate and ActionAid Nigeria specialist, Mrs. Niri Goyit, said the exclusion of women from leadership positions has continued to undermine Nigeria's growth and development.
Addressing participants from Badagry Local Government, Olorunda LCDA and Badagry West LCDA, Goyit noted that many of the nation's enduring challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure and economic hardship, require inclusive leadership that harnesses the strengths of both men and women.
She maintained that leadership should not be dominated by one gender, stressing that balanced representation would produce better governance and stronger institutions.
According to her, women have repeatedly demonstrated competence whenever entrusted with leadership responsibilities. She cited the late former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Dora Akunyili, as well as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, among Nigerian women whose contributions have left lasting impacts.
Goyit also decried the dominance of men in making decisions on issues that directly affect women, insisting that women must be adequately represented in policy formulation and governance.
She urged women to actively pursue leadership positions in their homes, communities, workplaces and political spaces, saying their voices are indispensable to national development.
Earlier, the workshop facilitator, Mr. Adebowale Keinde, said ActionAid Nigeria remains committed to empowering women, particularly those in rural communities, through advocacy, capacity building and development programmes.
He explained that the workshop was designed to strengthen women's leadership capacity, encourage civic participation and promote greater awareness of opportunities available to women at the grassroots.
Representatives of the chairpersons of Olorunda LCDA, Badagry Local Government and Badagry West LCDA attended the event and highlighted various women-focused programmes being implemented in their respective councils.
The Deputy Leader of Olorunda LCDA, Hon. Itunuoluwa Ambe Alice, represented the Chairperson of Olorunda LCDA, Mrs. Folashade Ajose, wife of the Executive Chairman of the council. Miss Ayo Apede represented the Chairperson of Badagry Local Government, Mrs. Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Hunpe, while the Supervisor for Women Affairs represented the Chairperson of Badagry West LCDA, Mrs. Mariam Ibrahim Kayode.
During an interactive session, participants acknowledged the existence of several empowerment initiatives but lamented that many women in rural communities had not benefited from them due to inadequate information.
Responding, Keinde urged the council representatives to improve grassroots sensitisation, stressing that rural women should not be denied access to government interventions because of poor communication.
Speaking on behalf of Mrs. Folashade Ajose, Hon. Ambe commended ActionAid Nigeria and HUFFPED for bringing the workshop to Olorunda LCDA.
She described the programme as a valuable platform for inspiring women to take on greater leadership responsibilities and reaffirmed Mrs. Ajose's commitment to promoting women's welfare and empowerment through initiatives that enhance their economic and social wellbeing.
Ambe said she would brief Mrs. Ajose on the outcomes of the workshop and expressed optimism that the council would continue to partner with organisations committed to advancing the cause of women.
She also appealed to ActionAid Nigeria to sustain similar interventions in Olorunda LCDA, noting that continuous investment in women's leadership and empowerment is vital to building stronger communities and accelerating national development.
