Women

Marginalisation: Ray Of Hope For Women

Published

4 years ago

April 15, 2022

Recently, history was made as judgement was delivered in favour of Nigerian women at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The Federal High Court granted all the reliefs sought in the suit filed by various coalitions and organisations challenging the Marginalisation suffered by women in the political space.
That seemed like a ray of hope for women, suffering marginalisation in Nigerian political space as court okays 35per cent Affirmative Action.
In that incidence, Nigerian women were represented by a counsel of the Falana and Falana Chambers, Barrister Marshal Abubakar.
Lately, women realising that they possess so much potentials felt that they have suffered enough of the marginalisation in the Nigerian political space therefore decided to seek redress in the law court.
To their advantage, the Federal High Court, Abuja, on April 6, 2022, delivered a judgement in a matter on Affirmative Action before Justice Donatus Akorowo.
Representatives of the women as well as other stakeholders were a coalition of women groups including the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Women In Politics Forum (WIPF), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), YIAGA, Africa, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and 100 Women Lobby Groups.
The group had gone to court, seeking true reflection of democracy through strict compliance to the anti-discriminatory provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Gender Equality in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution.
It was a landmark judgement for Nigerian women who have earnestly desired a truly inclusive governance process in Nigeria since the matter started in 2020.
Reports have it that Nigeria currently ranks very low globally as it is rated 184th (out of 187) in female representation in parliament.
Although, the matter was adjourned a number of times but the development shows the extent of readiness of Nigeria to practise inclusion based on the international and regional instruments that it signed especially since independence in 1960.
It would be recalled that on March 2, 2022 over 1000 women groups in Nigeria wrote National Assembly and demanded reconsideration of all Gender bills for passage as a matter of urgency.
March 7, 2022, as it would be recalled, also recorded another scenario on gender bills where women vowed to continue to occupy National Assembly until six point demands were met.
As women celebrated International Women Day (IWD) 2022 recently, USAID, State2State put together “dialogue to proffer solutions to gender biases.
It was celebration for Nigerian women as they congratulated themselves for the fact that a litigation process which was on since 2020 ended with victory.
It is hoped that those clear interpretations of the Constitution both at the states and National Assembly will provide an enabling environment for women in governance and politics in Nigeria.
A Sharia Court of Appeal headed by Muhammad Uthman El- Mainari, has lamented that Nigeria as a male-dominated society has limited women in the country from discovering their full potentials and as such relegating them to the background.
El-Mainari raised such concern recently at a one-day stakeholders consultative meeting on women, peace and security in Nigeria (phase 11) organised by UN women. He said that women should have a say in matters directly affecting them in the family and society.
According to him, there is urgent need to stand up for women and support every programme aimed at promoting gender equality and place women in their proper position.
“We need to stand up to fight for the rights of women, support them to get into positions of decision making in governance”, he emphasised.
While the UN and sister organisations are commended for coming up with different programmes aimed at making women feel a sense of belonging in the society, concerted efforts must continue to ensure that every form of gender-based violence against women and girls was eliminated in the society and the rights of women were adequately protected.
Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of the Rights of Women to Share in Family Property Bill, 2022 came up for hearing in the Rivers State House of Assembly, recently.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, took laudable steps to streamline the issues of obnoxious traditional practices and discrimination laws against women and the girl-child in the state.
The bill as The Tide Women Desk gathered was initiated by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 11, Hon. Kingsley Oke-Chinda.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter, commended the Rivers 9th Assembly for the bold step taken to pass such Bill into law and made some recommendations.
NAWOJ also recommended for Repeal of Laws that terminate Widows Share Upon Remarriage.
The Chairperson, NAWOJ, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, says NAWOJ prides herself as one of the first respondent in issues of abuses because according to her, we always get the calls to probe further in discrimination and neglect in collaboration with sister agencies, have continued to champion the cause of women and girls in the society by making sure that our voices are heard, using our various media platforms.
She expressed optimism that the Bill would put into consideration that the state civil laws shall have supremacy over customary laws and obnoxious practices where some opinion leaders will insist their tradition is supreme.
In her words: “We also hope that the legislation should state that, upon remarrying, a surviving spouse retains the full rights of any property she inherited from the deceased’s estate”.
“Drafters should repeal any law that terminates interests upon remarriage for the widow, but not widower”, she insisted.
Although, Rivers State is already leading other states in women emancipation, but when the Bill is speadily passed into law, it will place Rivers as the most gender-friendly, not just in Nigeria but in Africa at large.
Members of the committee of the 9th Assembly must be commended while ensuring that the Bill receives the attention it deserves.

By: Eunice Choko-Kayode

Women

Nigerian Women And Dividends Of Democracy

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Recently a gathering of women from all parts of Nigeria took place at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Lagos geared towards advancing women’s empowerment.

It was tagged: “10 Million Women Empowerment Mega Rally 2026”. It was a historic event.

There was a full-capacity attendance at the rally, with not less than 100 participants from each of the 36 states of the federation, despite the significant logistical challenges and costs involved.

The theme was: “10 Million Women, One Movement, One Voice, One Goal,” and was described by stakeholders as an unprecedented gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event marked a strategic shift from symbolic participation to substantive empowerment and representation of women at all levels.

During that event, the First Lady and wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Fubara’s dedication to women’s empowerment was rooted in a clear vision: to strengthen women’s economic independence, educational advancement, and leadership capacity, ensuring that no woman was left behind.

Her consistent display of compassion, humility and service to humanity, particularly to women at the grassroots, has set a benchmark for first ladies across the country.

The rally stood as a testament to the power of collective female mobilization. She was described as a pillar of support for the advancement of peace, progress, and development among women.

The rally was to make a national impact and to have a strategic vision for Nigerian women.

In a keynote address at the rally, the National Convener of the 10 Million women empowerment mega rally initiative and Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaam Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the rally as a “defining moment”for Nigerian women and a transition from mere political participation to active leadership and influence.

The Minister outlined the initiative’s core objectives to include: Presentation of the Women’s Charter for National Development, to promote increased political and economic inclusion of women, Grassroots Integration Framework, to connect women’s groups across all 9,410 wards in Nigeria and tangible empowerment programmes, including the symbolic distribution of tricycles, hair dryers, and sewing machines to beneficiaries.

She reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to placing economic resources directly in the hands of women through targeted interventions that create jobs, provide business support, and expand access to skills training.

The Minister also expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her maternal leadership and unwavering support for the initiative, as well as to the wives of state governors whose contributions were instrumental to the programme’s success.

The 10 Million Women Empowerment Mega Rally 2026 signalled a new era where Nigerian women are not only participants in national development but active shapers of policy and progress.

That rally for me was not a mere one. I think that that rally may have been a kind of reminder to both the women and all stakeholders that women are prepared to get involved in politics when given the opportunity.

Such rally could also have served as an avenue to let the women know that they can.

During the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, women were represented in governance. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was the coordinating minister and minister of Finance and later served as minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Obi Ezekwesili was minister of education. Late Dora Akunyili served as minister of information after serving as chair of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Boma Jack, a Rivers daughter, was the minister of culture and tourism under that administration.

Dr. Kema Chikwe was appointed minister of transport, minister of Aviation and Aerospace and later, National Women Leader of a political party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Rivers State has produced two powerful and qualified deputy governors, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, who is currently representing Rivers South West Senatorial District. Another is Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, the deputy governor of Rivers State.

Prior the 2015 electioneering period, the former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, PhD, during each gathering of women would always go by their slogan: “Can we?” And women would say:”Yes we can”.

She championed the course of women attaining the 35% affirmative action. To a large extent, it was realistic. Women all over Nigeria were carried along in politics. Many states of the federation had female deputy governors.

There was a particular rally that brought women from every part of the country as they converged on Abuja. That rally had the likes of Prof Dora Akunyili of blessed memory, Josephine Aneni, just to mention but a few.

I remember when late Akunyili said:”if a man is the chairman of a local government, a woman should be the vice. If a man is a governor, the woman should be the deputy, and so on. Their message then was clear. They clamoured for creation of appointive and elective positions for women in Nigeria.

Of course women can. Those who at one time or the other were given opportunity to vie for elective positions and or appointed into positions of authority have done well.

Many women became deputy governors, vice chairmen, some were elected into state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate.

Nkeiruka Onyejocha represented Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives and currently, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

Uche Ekwunife was a member of House of Representatives and later represented and recently a Senator representing the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District.

Hon Blessing Onyeche Onuh was elected and is representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State in the House of Representatives.

Senator Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan, represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. Her performance in representing her people is second to none. In fact, what she has done is worthy of emulation.

These and many are interested in participating in politics despite the knocks they receive from their counterparts.

Some stakeholders have come to say that Nigerian women at this time in history deserve full inclusion in politics rather than agitation for special seats in the National Assembly.

During the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) women conference that held in Yenagoa, recently, women from the Niger Delta region were asked to demand total freedom to participate in politics because they do not deserve to be treated as second-class citizens.

What happens in other countries of the world can also happen in Nigeria as regards women.

Reports have it that women in Britain do not have special seats in parliament as well as America. Their own system flows and recognises them, and women participate fully in politics. Nobody talks about special seats or women being under-privileged there. It can be done in Nigeria.

Nigerian women are very intelligent and are active in politics. They are also very active in their various professions. So, why are they asking for special seats?

Women across the world participate and become members of parliament, governors and presidents. Nigeria should not be an exception. The system should cover women.

As elections are coming next year, efforts to get more women integrated in politics in Nigeria should be intensified.

Bring in more women into governance either in the state executive, the state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate.

In previous elections, there were situations where about 10 women would contest in various positions in some states, be it states or national assembly, but less than five of them would emerge winners. Most of those positions are dominated by the males.

A lot of problems are hindering Nigerian women from full participation in politics. Some of the problems range from competition from the opposite gender since it is assumed that women are weaker in nature.

Sometimes, the problem is even coming from fellow women. Nigerian women need full support and encouragement from their folks.

Family pressure is also one of the problems affecting women from participating fully in politics.

The quest for women’s participation in politics clearly means that women’s education does not end in kitchen.

As Nigeria marks 27 years in her return to democracy, it should be noted that women’s involvement and contribution can never be overemphasized.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

Women

NAWOJ Seeks Partnership With Hotel Presidential On Summit

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National Summit Planning Committee of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Rivers State Chapter has paid a courtesy visit to the Management of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, to seek partnership for its forthcoming National Summit scheduled for 28th to 30th October, 2026.

The visit, led by the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Rivers State Chapter, Susan Lekara Nwinee and the Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Comrade Uchenda Bibian Okogbule, took place last Tuesday, at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.

In her address, Okogbule said NAWOJ, the women’s wing of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, is the umbrella body for all female journalists in Nigeria and the largest platform of women in media in West Africa.

“We are Storytellers, Truth-seekers, and Nation-builders. In Rivers State, our women are on the frontlines – reporting conflict, amplifying women’s voices and holding power to account. This morning, we come to you with a vision and a request for partnership,” she stated.

She said the 3-day National Summit, themed, “Empowering Women: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Change and Achieving A Sustainable Future: The Joy of Truth”, is expected to host over 5,000 women journalists, corporate leaders, editors, media owners, policymakers, development partners, entrepreneurs, civil society actors, and international delegates* from across the 36 States of Nigeria and beyond.

According to the Committee chairperson, the summit will interrogate critical issues including breaking glass ceilings in newsrooms, shaping constructive narratives, and ensuring women’s voices are heard and acted upon for national sustainability.

Okogbule noted that Hotel Presidential was selected based on three considerations namely, legacy, capacity, and partnership.

Her words: “This Hotel is Port Harcourt’s first 5-star address. It is a symbol of Rivers pride, excellence, and hospitality. Our national delegates deserve an iconic venue that matches the weight of our theme. We believe in ‘Rivers Women Supporting Rivers Institutions.”

She maintained that the he committee is seeking a sustainable partnership with Hotel Presidential in two key areas: such as venue partnership: A concessionary rate or sponsorship of the main conference hall for the 3-day summit.

In return, she said Hotel Presidential would be branded as NAWOJ’s “Official Venue Partner” across all national platforms, banners, TV, radio, and press materials.

She said that NAWOJ was also seeking financial and kind support, support for delegate welfare, refreshments, branding, or accommodation for out-of-state speakers, with partners’ logos listed as “Champion of Women.”

Her words: “Over 5,000 influential women will sleep, eat, meet, and post from Hotel Presidential. They will return to Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu, among others, with stories of your excellence”.

The Committee appealed to the Hotel Management to support the initiative, noting that the partnership would position Hotel Presidential as the “home of change” and reinforce its reputation for hosting landmark national events.

“We have come with respect. We have come with a plan and we have come with faith that Hotel Presidential will say yes to Rivers women, yes to truth, and yes to a sustainable future,” she concluded.

The visit had in attendance members of Hotel Presidential Management, members of NAWOJ, Rivers State Chapter, led by the Chapter Chairperson, Susan Lekara Nwinee.

A copy of the Summit’s budget estimation was submitted to the Management for consideration.

Responding, the Managing Director of the hotel Presidential, Rex Yaakpogoro, promised to partner with the association.

Women

Nigerian Women And Dividends Of Democracy

Published

3 weeks ago

June 12, 2026