Former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Nigerian women to prioritise education as a pathway to leadership, growth, and equal participation in national development.
Amaechi made the call on Monday at the inauguration of the World Women Organisation (WWO) Nigeria chapter, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, where he served as the guest of honour.
Referencing globally celebrated leaders such as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, Amaechi said educated women continue to prove their capacity to thrive on the world stage.
“Education, not marriage, is key to women’s growth. When educated, women become responsible wives and impactful citizens,” he said. “Women are equal partners in society and deserve positions of influence irrespective of gender.”
Amaechi added that if elected president, he would ensure that women occupy 50 per cent of political appointments, noting that gender inclusion is critical for national progress.
China’s Consul-General in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the shared future of women around the world and the need for solidarity in advancing gender equality. She said the inauguration aligns with the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women held in Beijing in October.
“Representatives from over 110 countries gathered to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women,” she noted. “China integrates national development with gender equality and champions women’s causes globally. I am proud, as China’s first female Consul-General in Lagos, to witness women’s empowerment in Nigeria.”
Yuqing highlighted the achievements of Chinese women, stating that they make up over 40 per cent of the workforce, lead the majority of internet start-ups, and account for 60 per cent of China’s Olympic medalists.
Speaking earlier, the founder of the World Women Organisation, Rachel Akem-Harumi, said the Nigeria chapter aims to inspire women to rise to global leadership positions.
“Our inauguration fuels a movement in Africa’s largest nation, where women are already excelling in diverse industries,” she said. She added that the organisation’s Women Own Wealth initiative will equip women with skills in project management, fundraising, artificial intelligence, and technological efficiency.