The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for sustained efforts to achieve gender equality, emphasizing its importance in building a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable society.
Speaking at the 2024 Gender Conference on Tuesday at the University of Lagos, Tinubu underscored the need for justice, equity, and empowerment as cornerstones of societal advancement.
“Gender equality is essential for achieving a peaceful and equitable society,” Tinubu affirmed during her keynote address. Represented by Mrs. Maryam Obadina, she highlighted the global importance of empowering women and girls, stating, “Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and potential. Empowering them is critical for productivity and economic growth.”
The First Lady also reflected on her personal experiences in politics, shedding light on the obstacles women face in leadership and decision-making.
“For 12 years, I worked in politics without the numbers to influence policies that directly impacted women. For example, I couldn’t effectively challenge harmful laws like child marriage, which severely affect young girls,” she shared.
Encouraging women to take initiative, Tinubu urged them to seize opportunities and not wait for them to be handed over. “Be bold, stay informed, and create your own opportunities. Hard work and faith go hand in hand,” she advised.
In a goodwill message, the First Lady of Oyo State, Tamunominini Makinde, echoed Tinubu’s sentiments, emphasizing that gender equality benefits everyone.
“Gender equality is not just about women. A man can be a nurse, and a woman can be a pilot or a lawyer. It’s about having the opportunity to pursue your dreams irrespective of gender,” Makinde said.
She further encouraged women entering male-dominated fields to prepare thoroughly, adding, “Ask yourself: How well do you know the field? Who has succeeded in it before you? What can you do better? These questions will help you build a solid foundation.”
The conference served as a platform for inspiring dialogue and reaffirmed the commitment to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for all, regardless of gender.
