When resources invested in women have been made to evenly go around, not just diverted to a few beneficiaries, only then can Nigeria see the exceptional rise of the womenfolk in the wider society, according to the First Lady of Nigeria’s thinking.

Every 8^th of March, the United Nations (UN) elects an International Women’s Day (IWD) theme that is meant to communicate what is at that moment in history, known to be the next most crucial step or action that the rapidly changing world needs to take in favour of closing gaps of inequalities that have ensured that women by default, are rendered disadvantaged.

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This year, the message being delivered by the UN is to Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. And so in her IWD champions charge, Senator Oluremi Tinubu chose to direct her call to action to women themselves, be they young or old. They are the ones, not just men, who need to make better opportunities for their gender.

Today, on International Women’s Day, I celebrate every woman – Daughters, Sisters, Aunts, Mothers, Grandmothers and also Great grand Mothers, for your resilience, passion, [and] courage that brought us thus far.

The theme this year resonates deeply – “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”. It’s a call to action. This is the time to invest in women more than ever. Accelerating progress in any sphere requires that women have to be more involved.

That is why I see investing in women, not as charity, but [as a] strategy to build the future of our dear nation, Nigeria.

Equipping you with education, resources and opportunities to unleash your full potential, supporting your businesses, helping to dismantle economic barriers, and ensuring your voices are heard is a very crucial step.

With a devastating economic situation getting worse, what was already a difficult situation for the marginalised communities who never truly survived the COVID-19 Pandemic, has grown worse. Tragically, women find themselves perpetually lost to that marginalisation, although campaign groups continue to voice out the need for quick action.

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No doubt, there are efforts from the government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and sub-national administrations, but the innovation must come from within, and that means more empowered females helping their gender to excel.

Therefore, my question to all women is: what are you doing to help the other woman? How are you investing in her? emphasised the wife of the president.

Let us all come together, bond and love one another. This is the pathway to accelerated progress. I charge all women; just pull a sister up, one at a time. You will be amazed [at] what we can achieve collectively.

Meiza Nigeria