The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu has commended the role of women, especially the dynamic and resourceful women of Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo, in achieving the objectives of unity, development and inclusivity.
Kalu gave the commendation as the Chairman of the Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo (NNII) Annual Conference Abuja 2024.
He said that the conference was a significant gathering of accomplished Igbo women committed to fostering transformative leadership and sustainable development in Nigeria.
“As we convene today to discuss the theme, “Driving Transformation through Value Re-Orientation, Inclusive Leadership, and Sustainability,” we are reminded of the unique challenges and opportunities we face as a nation striving for progress.
“The theme of this year’s conference speaks directly to the pressing need for a cultural and leadership renaissance in Nigeria. To achieve true transformation, we must reorient our values, emphasizing integrity, communal responsibility, and respect for diversity. Leadership must become a shared responsibility, and we must promote inclusivity in governance and decision-making to ensure every voice is heard and every community is represented” Mr. Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker also particularly commended the NNII’s focus on addressing challenges such as gender-based violence, insecurity, poor
political representation, and economic disempowerment.
“These issues require urgent and coordinated action, and the NNII’s advocacy serves as a blueprint for achieving equity and fairness across Nigeria” he said.
He also promised the women that the House of Representatives is committed to passing laws and driving policies that will create an enabling environment for inclusive leadership and sustainable development.
“For instance, we are actively working on legislation that promotes gender equality and increases women’s participation in governance–this is in conjunction with our ongoing dialogues with stakeholders using the House of Representatives
Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a vehicle. I pledge my continued support in championing these cause and ensuring that the ideas generated in conferences like this one translate into actionable policies” he said.
Mr. Kalu also reiterated that the strength of Nigeria lies in its people, particularly the women who have always played a critical role in shaping the socio-economic and cultural landscapes.
“Together, let us redefine leadership, restore our values, and drive
sustainable growth for Nigeria” he said.
Addressing pressing regional and national issues
The Founder and President General of the group, Iyom Josephine Anenih, disclosed that the aim of the conference is to urgently, through conversation, address pressing regional and national issues.
“Nkata is a great tool for development and we have through this year’s conference theme voiced our concerns about what ails the larger Nigerian nation. We believe that there must be a shift from the channel noise of partisanship to the re-orientation of our value system, the need for social, economic and political inclusion and their sustainability. We as women are always the greatest victims of any dysfunctional society. We are therefore happy that you all have come to this table of conversation. Nkata is very important and there is no better time to have this national conversation about what ails our society than now” Iyom Anenih said.
She said that the women have had to intervene in addressing the insecurity problems in the South East, encouragement of small and medium businesses especially through agriculture.
“We have addressed the flourishing pandemic of Ovum trade by fertility clinics that tends to be ruining the reproductive health of young ladies in our region. We are happy that our little interventions have slowly but steadily been yielding fruits” she said.
The conference attracted notable Igbo men and women as well as prominent Nigerians who agreed that Nigerian women have been in the forefront of national rebirth and deserve commendation.
The theme of the Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo Annual Conference Abuja 2024 is “Driving Transformation Through Value Re-orientation, Inclusive Leadership And Sustainability”.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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