Minister celebrates women, urges inclusive democracy

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has extended heartfelt felicitations to Nigerian women, children, families, and vulnerable groups on the occasion of Democracy Day.

In a statement released by her media aide, Jonathan Eze, she praised the resilience of Nigerians and emphasised the importance of inclusive democracy for the nation’s future.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim congratulated President Bola Tinubu and all Nigerians, highlighting that “Our future is brighter when no one is left behind.” She reflected on Nigeria’s journey, underscoring that the day is not only a celebration of past struggles but also of the current progress achieved under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“Nigeria’s democracy has been renewed with hope, inclusion, and vision,” the Minister said. “The President’s commitment to building a One Trillion Dollar Economy is not merely economic—it is transformational. It is unlocking doors for Nigerian women in leadership, enterprise, innovation, governance, and across our financial architecture.”

She pointed to significant strides made by women in various sectors: “We see women today leading as Chief Executives of major financial institutions, presiding over courtrooms as Justices, shaping futures in universities, and transforming policies in public service. This is no longer symbolic; it is structural. It is a testament to what democracy makes possible when it works for all.”

Highlighting the Ministry’s achievements, Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted an unprecedented increase in budgetary allocations to the Ministry and its parastatal, the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development. “This signals national recognition of the strategic role women and families play in national development,” she affirmed.

The Minister also expressed support for renaming the Ministry to better reflect its expanded mandate, stating, “We support the call for the renaming of the Ministry to the Federal Ministry of Women, Children, Families and Vulnerable Groups. The name must match the vision. The vision must match the need. And the need must guide the mission.”

She paid tribute to the courage and resilience of Nigerian women, saying, “Nigerian women are not bystanders in our democratic journey—they are defenders of democracy, builders of peace, keepers of resilience. From the marketplaces of Aba to the classrooms of Zaria, from the farms in Nasarawa to the courtrooms in Lagos, women continue to light the path forward.”

On the role of children and families, the Minister emphasised, “Nigerian children are the voices of our tomorrow, calling us to build a nation where no child hawks under the sun when they should be learning under a roof, where no girl is robbed of her future through marriage before maturity, and no boy is lured into labour before literacy. Our families—the bedrock of any nation—must be supported with policies that secure livelihoods, strengthen care systems, promote mental health, and safeguard dignity.”

Closing her message, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for renewed commitment to democracy:

“Democracy is not an event; it is a daily covenant. Let us keep it alive, not just with laws, but with love. Not just with policies, but with purpose. Not just with votes, but with values. As we celebrate today, let the message be clear: Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our democracy is stronger when it is inclusive. Our future is brighter when no one is left behind. And our calling is higher when it is rooted in justice, dignity, and hope.”

She concluded with a hopeful note: “Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria. Let the bells of freedom ring, in every home, every heart, and every horizon.”