Women leaders, development advocates and stakeholders have underscored the critical role of women in promoting peace, security and sustainable development in the Niger Delta, calling for greater investment in economic empowerment, mental health support and inclusive governance to accelerate regional and national growth.
The call was made at the convention of the Daughters of Niger Delta Development Forum (DONDEF) held at Merit House, Abuja, under the theme, “Daughters at the Heart of Regional Development” and the sub-theme “Empowering Daughters for Inclusive Growth and Good Governance in Nigeria”.
In her welcome address, the President of Daughters of Niger Delta (DONDEF), Mrs Patience Shelu Afelu, called on women and girls from the Niger Delta to take a more active role in promoting peace, security and sustainable development.
She explained that the Forum was established to unite daughters of the region around a common purpose of contributing to the progress of their communities and the nation.
Mrs Afelu noted that the organisation deliberately adopted the term “Daughters” rather than “Women” to encourage inclusiveness and participation across generations.
“We want every female, from the youngest girl to the oldest woman, to feel included and empowered to contribute to society. Every region where we find ourselves becomes our responsibility, and we must work towards its development,” she said.
She stressed that security should not be left solely to law enforcement agencies, describing it as a collective responsibility requiring the involvement of families and communities.
“Security is everybody’s business. As mothers, sisters and daughters, we must speak out against crime and insecurity. We must guide our children and discourage every form of criminal behaviour. Silence can sometimes encourage wrongdoing,” she stated.
Mrs Afelu said women have a crucial role to play in shaping societal values, promoting peaceful coexistence and supporting efforts aimed at attracting investment and driving economic growth.
She further encouraged women to participate actively in governance and leadership, insisting that they must position themselves to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
“We should not wait to be included. We must position ourselves, seek leadership opportunities and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. Women have the capacity and responsibility to shape the future,” she said.
Addressing young people, she urged them to embrace integrity, hard work and discipline, warning against the growing trend of seeking quick wealth through unlawful means.
“There are no shortcuts to genuine success. Sustainable wealth comes through hard work, dedication and integrity. Crime does not pay, and every young person must strive to make their family, community and nation proud,” she added.
Welcoming participants to the event, the Coordinator of the Abuja Chapter of DONDEF, Mrs Joyce Omuwa Odor, described the gathering as a significant platform for promoting development, empowering women and strengthening communities in the Niger Delta region.
She expressed appreciation to stakeholders, partners and guests for their support, noting that their commitment continued to inspire efforts towards sustainable development, peace, education, economic empowerment and social transformation.
According to her, daughters of the Niger Delta have a responsibility to foster unity, leadership and community service while working collectively to create opportunities for future generations.
“As daughters of the Niger Delta, we recognise the immense potential of our people and the responsibility we bear in fostering unity, leadership and community service. Through collaboration and collective action, we can create lasting opportunities for future generations and build a region where every woman and child can thrive,” she said.
Mrs Odor urged participants to actively engage in discussions and contribute ideas capable of advancing regional development and improving the welfare of communities across the Niger Delta.
The convention also highlighted the importance of mental health in national development.
Founder of the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI) and Convener of the Association of Mental Health Reform Organisations in Africa, Ameh Zion Abba, expressed concern over the low level of awareness and understanding of mental health issues among women in Nigeria.
According to him, women are particularly vulnerable to conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, trauma-related illnesses and postpartum mental health challenges.
He revealed that one in every seven pregnant women is at risk of developing postpartum mental health conditions, stressing the need for increased awareness, early intervention and improved access to healthcare services.
“Mental health services should be fully integrated into primary healthcare centres where women can easily access quality care without unnecessary burdens,” he said.
Abba also called for stronger implementation of mental health policies and greater support systems for women, noting that mental wellbeing is critical to productivity, family stability and national development.
Speaking on economic empowerment, the Founder and President of the Platform for Women in Economic Development Foundation, Annette Mubarak, reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to promoting women’s economic inclusion and sustainable development.
Presenting a paper titled “Empowering Women Economically for Sustainable Regional Development,” Mubarak highlighted the significant contributions women make to economic growth despite facing barriers such as limited access to finance, inadequate property rights and unequal opportunities.
She noted that women contribute substantially to food production and economic activities across the country but often lack access to resources needed to maximise their potential.
“Women contribute between 60 and 80 per cent of food production in many communities, yet many still lack access to land, credit facilities and other productive assets. When women succeed, communities become stronger, families thrive and regional development accelerates,” she said.
Mubarak described women’s empowerment as both a social responsibility and an economic necessity, emphasising that empowering women contributes directly to poverty reduction, improved healthcare outcomes and sustainable economic growth.
She highlighted the foundation’s empowerment programmes in Abuja, where women have been trained in entrepreneurship and vocational skills, enabling many beneficiaries to establish businesses and become financially independent.
She advocated expanded access to education, entrepreneurship training, microfinance services and digital financial tools, particularly for women in rural communities.
According to her, removing barriers that hinder women’s participation in economic activities would unlock greater opportunities for development and prosperity.
Participants at the convention agreed that empowering women, strengthening mental health support systems, promoting peace and enhancing inclusive governance remain critical to achieving sustainable development in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole.
The event brought together community leaders, policymakers, development experts, women’s groups, youth representatives and civil society organisations to explore practical strategies for advancing peace, economic inclusion and regional development.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among governments, communities and development partners would create more opportunities for women and young people while accelerating progress across the Niger Delta and beyond.
