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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas on Monday stressed the need for transformative gender advocacy at the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) International Women’s Day event themed “Communicate to Balance: Gain Equity, Empower Women.”
Speaking as the special guest of honour in Abuja, Kefas urged stakeholders to harness communication as a powerful tool for dismantling barriers to women’s advancement in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the governor emphasised the pivotal role of strategic communication in achieving gender parity. “Communication is not just about words; it is the bridge that connects policy to people, ideas to action, and dreams to reality,” Kefas declared. “Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Communicate to Balance: Gain Equity, Empower Women,’ we must commit to using our platforms—media, public relations, and interpersonal dialogues—to amplify women’s voices. In Taraba State, we have seen firsthand how empowering women through education, economic opportunities, and leadership roles transforms communities. But this cannot happen in silos. We need equitable policies that balance the scales, from boardrooms to rural markets. Let us communicate boldly, challenge stereotypes, and build a Nigeria where every woman’s potential is unleashed. Equity is not a favour; it is a right, and communication is our weapon to secure it.”
The event, held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja, drew high-profile speakers who echoed and expanded on the governor’s message, blending policy insights with calls for action.
Keynote speaker and Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, hammered on integrating communication into national gender strategies. “As we navigate Nigeria’s complex socio-economic landscape, communication must be the fulcrum for gender equity,” Usman stated. “In the Presidency, we are prioritising policies that empower women, but without effective communication, these remain on paper. Think of the millions of Nigerian women in agriculture, informal trade, and tech startups—their stories must be told to inspire investment and policy support.
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“The theme ‘Communicate to Balance’ reminds us that equity begins with visibility. We must counter misinformation that sidelines women, promote data-driven narratives on their contributions to GDP, and foster inclusive dialogues. I call on PR professionals to lead this charge: craft campaigns that gain equity by highlighting women’s resilience—from IDP camps in the North-East to entrepreneurial hubs in Lagos. Empowerment is not abstract; it is women accessing credit, leading cooperatives, and shaping governance. Let’s communicate to balance the scales today for a prosperous tomorrow.”
NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku, underscored the institute’s commitment to ethical communication for women’s upliftment. “Public relations is the conscience of society, and on this International Women’s Day, NIPR reaffirms its role in balancing the narrative,” Neliaku affirmed. “Our theme encapsulates the urgent need to communicate intentionally—gaining equity through transparent storytelling and empowering women via capacity-building. In Nigeria, women constitute over 50% of our population yet hold less than 20% of elective positions. This disparity demands that we, as communicators, amplify their agency.
“We are launching NIPR’s Women in PR Initiative to train 5,000 women annually in strategic communication skills. Imagine the ripple effect: empowered women leading crisis communication during elections, health campaigns amid outbreaks, and corporate sustainability drives. To fellow professionals: reject tokenism, embrace intersectionality—addressing rural women, those with disabilities, and young girls equally. Through communication, we gain equity; through equity, we empower women to lead.”
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, brought a governmental perspective, outlining federal interventions amplified by communication. “The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs stands resolute in translating the Beijing Declaration and SDGs into action, but communication is our accelerator,” she declared. “Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we’ve rolled out the National Gender Policy 2021-2026, targeting 35% women in appointments. Yet, challenges persist—violence, economic exclusion, and underrepresentation. The theme ‘Communicate to Balance’ calls us to action: let’s use radio jingles in local languages to reach 70% of rural women, social media to engage youth, and town halls for feedback loops. I’ve witnessed empowered women in Kano weaving cooperatives lifting families from poverty, and in Enugu, tech-savvy girls coding solutions for climate change. But we need more—budgetary allocations must rise, and PR must humanize not just ‘70% of households headed by women are poor,’ but stories of their triumphs. To gain equity, communicate relentlessly; to empower women, equip them with tools. Nigeria’s future hinges on this balance.”
First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Bago declared, “As wives of governors, we bridge policy and people, and communication is our strongest ally,” she said. “In Niger State, we’ve empowered over 10,000 women through skills training in tailoring, ICT, and agriculture, but scaling this nationally requires unified voices. The theme resonates deeply—communicate to balance family dynamics, community roles, and national leadership.”
National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Laka (rtd), addressed security’s intersection with gender equity. “In counter-terrorism, women are not just victims; they are vanguards,” Laka asserted. “Communication has demobilised insurgents by amplifying women’s testimonies of resilience. We must balance narratives: from Boko Haram-affected regions, women rebuild communities. Equity means training them as peace ambassadors—over 2,000 already engaged via NCTC programs. Empower them with info tools to report threats early. Communicate their strength to deter extremism.”
