Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Heebah Kingibe has underscored the importance of women’s active participation in nation-building, asserting that inclusivity is crucial for Nigeria’s development.
Speaking at the 8th edition of the Voice of Women (VOW) Conference and Awards in Abuja, themed “Achieving Women’s Inclusion for a Sustainable Nigeria,” Senator Kingibe emphasized that no meaningful progress can be made when women, a significant portion of the population, are excluded from key processes.
Known fondly as ‘Abuja Landlady’ Kingibe highlighted the need for elected officials to focus on delivering results rather than engaging in symbolic gestures like post-election “thank you visits.”
While acknowledging the tradition, she stressed the importance of fulfilling electoral promises through tangible actions.
“Instead of focusing on thank you visits, my priority is to lobby relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that the needs of my constituents are included in the budget,” Kingibe stated.
She also pointed out the particular challenges faced by female legislators, especially those not aligned with the ruling party, in securing necessary resources and pushing for inclusion.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, added to the conversation by urging elected officials to show appreciation through action, such as improving infrastructure.
“It’s not enough to say thank you without fixing the bad roads you campaigned on. Infrastructure development should be part of the appreciation shown to voters,” she said.
Mrs. Fayemi further outlined the VOW 2024 strategic focus, which includes amplifying women’s stories, promoting accountability, and building leadership capacity for women. She encouraged women to uplift one another through empowerment initiatives.
In her opening address, Mrs. Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO of Women Radio and convener of the VOW Conference, described the event as a platform for dialogue between grassroots and urban women, aimed at promoting gender inclusion and empowerment for a more sustainable Nigeria.
The annual VOW Conference is organized by the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation in collaboration with Women Radio 91.7FM, serving as a forum for actionable strategies to advance women’s inclusion in national development.