A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, Iyabo Obasanjo, has celebrated Nigerian women while calling for greater justice and decisive action to ensure equality and opportunities for women and girls.
In a statement issued on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day, Obasanjo, said the annual global observance serves as a reminder that progress for women must go beyond policies and promises to real change in society.
“Fellow Ogun Women, today, we join millions around the world to celebrate International Women’s Day,” she said. “This year’s theme, ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls’ is a powerful call to move beyond promises and toward results.”
She noted that although many countries now have legal frameworks meant to protect women, the reality in many societies still falls short of those commitments.
“We live in a time when most nations have laws on paper that protect women. We have policies for equal pay, laws against discrimination, and quotas for representation. But as we look around, we see that a right on paper is not the same as justice in practice in our country,” she said.
According to Obasanjo, justice should be reflected in the everyday experiences of women, whether in professional, social or institutional spaces.
“Justice is what happens when a woman can walk into a courtroom, a boardroom, or a doctor’s office and be seen as a whole and equal human being. It is the bridge between the law and our lived reality. But justice doesn’t happen by accident. It requires action,” she said.
She stressed that achieving meaningful progress requires confronting subtle forms of discrimination and investing in the wellbeing of women and girls.
“Action means challenging the ‘quiet’ biases in our offices. It means investing in the health and safety of girls in every corner of the globe, not just where it is convenient. It means realizing that when we give to gain—when we invest in women—the entire community benefits,” she said.
Obasanjo also expressed confidence in the support she receives from women, dismissing the notion that women often work against one another.
“I do not share the belief that women are women’s greatest enemies. I indeed believe that women are my greatest supporters. I have been taught and mentored by several formidable women, from my mother and grandmother to teachers and advisors,” she said.
She added that greater representation of women in leadership positions would help inspire younger generations.
“If elected the first female Governor in Nigeria, it will add to what is possible for women and inspire girls,” she said, urging women to work together toward a future of greater opportunities and equality.
Obasanjo concluded by encouraging collective efforts to ensure women play a stronger role in shaping the nation’s future.
