By Cynthia Batuta and Gloria Josiah
As the world celebrated International Women’s Day, stakeholders in Nigeria converged to discuss the challenges facing rural women and the need to empower them to take their rightful place in decision-making spaces.
The event, organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) FCT Chapter and the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association, highlighted the critical role rural women play in Nigeria’s development.
According to the Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT Chapter, Bassey Ita Ikpang, “Rural women are the backbone of our communities, and their voices must be heard.”
The keynote Speaker speaker, HRM Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, the Etsu of Kwali, noted that rural women face limited access to education, healthcare, financial resources, and decision-making platforms. Despite these challenges, they persist, innovate, and lead.
The National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, represented by former President NAWOJ Rtn. Evelyn Onyilo, tasked women to remain steadfast and perform their role in nation-building and empowering rural women. She emphasized that empowering women empowers the community.
The Chief Host, Comrade Grace Ike, Chairman of the NUJ Abuja Council, urged women to work in solidarity, raise their voices in unison, and be agents of change. To encourage rural women The Chief Host appreciated two of the rural women with N50,000 each.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, commended FCT NAWOJ and Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association for organizing the event. He emphasized that women deserve all the necessary support for their potentials to show and impact the community.
CWAY company, a leading beverage manufacturer, supported the event with assorted products, including CWAY water, CWAY biotic drink, branded water bottles, t-shirts, ball pens, wrist bands, faz caps, and a newly unveiled snack. All 500 guests in attendance received the branded packs. According to their spokesperson, “This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, and we were glad for the opportunity by NAWOJ FCT to be part of the 2025 IWD.”
The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Rtn. Evelyn Onyilo, President/Founder Initiative for Women Accelerated Development in Africa (INWOAD) with panelists including Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, Executive Director of Make a Difference Initiative and Men Against Rape Foundation; Chairperson FIDA Nigeria, Abuja Branch, Barr. Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko; Deborah Apochi, a visionary leader and trailblazer in international trade; and Hon. Lady Perpetua Nkechi Okafor (LSM), FCT Chapter Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria AFAN.
The event concluded with a cultural performance by FCT NAWOJ’s cultural troupe, who showcased different women who have done Nigeria proud and highlighted the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in their communities. They called on relevant government agencies to take necessary action.
Other friends and partners who graced the occasion includes; Hope Raisers Global Foundation, Women for Women, W4W, FCT Chapter, Standup for Women Societies, SWS, National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, AHBN, League of Women Voters in Nigeria, NILOWV, to mention a few.
