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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, New York
Top women leaders in Nigeria have called for ‘partnerships without borders’ to smash the legal and economic chains on women, spotlighting the country’s dismal rankings amid global gender gaps, at the NGO CSW70 side event in New York.
Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hulayat Omidiran, kicked off the Global Women Partnership Without Borders’ Forum by declaring, “Nationhood is more than a geographical expression; it is a shared covenant of belonging. Unity cannot flourish where exclusion persists. A nation divided by imbalance cannot fully harness its strength.”
She hammered home the stakes, saying, “Gender balancing means equitable representation of all genders in leadership and economic participation. Inclusivity ensures governance reflects the diversity of the governed. When leadership mirrors its population, trust deepens and participation increases.”
Omidiran vowed her Commission’s fight, saying, “Our vision is a Nigeria where opportunity is not determined by bias but by merit; where diversity is harmonised into unity.”
Former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, reeled out raw statistics and resolved that, “No country has achieved full legal equality for women. Globally, women hold just 64 percent of men’s legal rights. In Nigeria, women are 70 percent of farm labour, yet own under 15 percent of land. We rank near-bottom in women’s political empowerment, with under four percent of the national assembly’s seats. That is sad and it must change.”
Tallen, Plateau state’s former deputy governor, touted her record, saying, “We declared a national emergency on gender-based violence, rolled out the Violence Against Persons Act and built the Ministry’s HQ after 20 years.” She added: “Partnership without borders is a call to action, sharing legal reforms, cross-border mentorship tech to make no woman invisible. Not photo-op alliances, but ones standing three years later when work gets hard.”
Drawing from personal experience, she roared, “I’ve lost my husband, raised five kids amid campaigns and crises and I have been underestimated countless times. Challenges test and strengthen us. No man bears labour pains like women, that’s why you’re God’s last born, wonderfully made. Ignore the voice saying ‘stay small.’ You are ready. Your experience is your credential.
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“Leave with commitments that reach grassroots girls. When partnerships form without borders, justice, opportunities and hope become borderless. God bless Nigeria.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, President of Betneely Charity Foundation and Global Coordinator of Women of Worth Global, Betty Olutunde, declared: “Women must celebrate women across borders, sectors and generations. Women of Worth Global Group was founded in Nigeria to recognise and amplify the contributions of women, whose achievements often go unseen.”
“Our mission is simple but transformative; it is to build women,” she declared. “We create platforms where women’s voices are heard, accomplishments recognised and leadership strengthened. Recognition matters because visibility creates voice. When women’s work is acknowledged, they gain influence and institutions begin to change.”
Tying into CSW70’s focus on access to justice, Olutunde stressed, “Justice means women being safe, heard and having equal opportunity for education, leadership and economic empowerment without barriers. We commit to strengthening networks, promoting mentorship and raising rights awareness, so every woman stands confidently.”
President Bola Tinubu led the pack with Women of Worth Global Group’s Champion of Women’s Empowerment Award, received by Nigeria’s Consul General to New York, Abubakar Jedda, on his behalf, recognising his pivotal role in elevating women’s roles nationwide. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), earned Distinguished Male Advocate for Gender Equity, Tallen received a lifetime trailblazer award; Pastor Paul & Mrs Lillian Musa’s empowerment pillar recognition went to Dr. Betty Olujide.
Others are Maj-Gen Henry Wesley Tapita who received Distinguished Service in Women’s Advancement and was taken by his deputy; Pastor Shola Adesoye received Global Trailblazer for Women’s Advancement award; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s policy leadership was recognised; Amb Abubakar Jidda, Consul General, received Diplomatic Leadership in Advancing Women in Power; Dr. Babangida Puri received Champion of Gender Equality and Women’s Growth award; Mrs. Ogugwuabe Musa for Championing Women’s Collaboration; Mrs Ngozi Adeleke, Osun Governor’s Wife, received Inclusive Community Development award.
Others are Mrs Rachel John-Enyo as empowerment advocate; Dr. Olasupo Olusi, MD Bank of Industry, applauded for stellar women’s funding; Bolaji Akeremi received diplomatic women’s champion award and DIG Aisha Abubakar and widow-aid warriors rounded up the gender champions award, igniting vows for unstoppable global impact.
