Mato Reaffirms Her Support For NILOWV

... says her experience in United Nations' women conferences will help to galvanise NILOWV in Benue State and Nigeria

By Terfa Naswem

Former member of the House of Representatives for Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency in Benue State and Co-Founder, Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko, Benue State, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Dorathy Mato has reaffirmed her support for League of Women Voters in Nigeria (NILOWV) in Benue State and Nigeria by extension.

She made this known during the Zone A awareness meeting held on Tuesday, 1st July, 2025 at the hall of Fidei International Special Science Secondary School, Katsina-Ala, Benue State. 

Zone A comprises seven (7) local governments: Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande, Ushongo, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum.

League of Women Voters in Nigeria (NILOWV) is a voluntary, non-sectarian, non-profit organisation. As a Civic Organisation, it advocates for women to be given greater roles in governance and public affairs in Nigeria. Hon. Mato is one of the pillars of NILOWV in Benue State; ensuring its effectiveness.

Mato has attended United Nations 68th and 69th annual commissions on the status of women in March 2024 and March 2025 respectively in New York, United States.

In those conferences, the areas of interest were, accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with gender perspective; assessment of current challenges that affect the implementation of the platform for Action and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and its contribution towards the full realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

While speaking at the meeting, Mato reiterated her support and commitment to NILOWV to enlighten and empower women in Benue State and Nigeria at large for self-development and also make commendable impact on their respective communities.

The Zone A Coordinator of NILOWV, Hon. Mrs. Hannah Member Akenawe eulogized Hon. Mato as a visionary leader who has navigated the activities of many organisations, associations and institutions to commendable successes. 

She encouraged women at the meeting to play active parts in politics and public affairs in Benue State and Nigeria by extension. She said NILOWV has the wherewithal to give them the support they need to succeed in their aspirations.

Reacting to the speeches by Mato and Akenawe, Hon. Mrs. Ansho Mngusuun a participant at the meeting expressed her delight in the encouragement, saying that she gave up on politics and public affairs but with their speeches under the canopy of NILOWV, she has been revived to go into politics and public affairs once again.

In their separate speeches, Elizabeth Afeah, Salome Hembadoon and Mrs. Y. Kwaghgba appreciated Mato and Akenawe for bringing such a wonderful platform to their doorsteps to motivate them to play active roles in politics and public affairs. They expressed their readiness to be involved politically or otherwise at anytime the need arises.