In light of International Women’s Day 2024, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), has underscored the vital role of women’s empowerment and gender inclusion in realizing sustainable development across Nigeria. Her call to action, articulated through a statement by her media aide, Desmond Utomwen, coincides with this year’s theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ and the campaign theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion.’
Princess Orelope-Adefulire, leveraging the platform provided by International Women’s Day, asserts that sustainable progress is unattainable without the full participation and empowerment of women. She urges stakeholders in both public and private sectors to renew their commitment to enhancing the status of women, viewing it as crucial for the advancement of society and humanity at large.
Highlighting the commendable strides taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Orelope-Adefulire praised his administration’s proactive stance on gender empowerment and inclusion. The President’s dedication to fostering an environment where gender equality is not just aspired to but actively practiced is evident in his policy directions and appointments.
Drawing on her extensive experience, including her tenure as the deputy governor of Lagos State, Orelope-Adefulire shared her observations on the President’s unwavering commitment to these ideals. “The President firmly believes that the prosperity and well-being of our nation hinge on our ability to embrace inclusion, empowerment, and justice for all women. His actions, both in rhetoric and policy, reflect this belief,” she stated.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, Orelope-Adefulire’s message resonates with a call to action for all to take inspiration from the President’s dedication to women’s empowerment and inclusion. Her closing remarks not only celebrate the achievements of women but also emphasize the ongoing journey towards equality and empowerment.
“This International Women’s Day, let’s draw inspiration from our President’s commitment and recommit ourselves to the crucial work of empowering and including women in all aspects of societal development. Congratulations to our women on this significant day,” Orelope-Adefulire concluded, marking a call to collective action in the pursuit of sustainable development through gender equality.
