By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi,Abuja

The interim national chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, on Saturday charged women to build bridges of justice, prosperity, and empowerment across continents.

She said her charge followed the unsettling decline in recent decades of the role of women in high leadership in Africa, Europe and America.

Insisting that the “world needs your leadership,” the Labour Party leaders said the world is stronger, more just and more hopeful when women lead.

She made the call at the graduation ceremony of the Lois Dewberry Leadership Institute which took place at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States of America.

Presenting a paper titled, “A Legacy of Leadership Across Continents: Reflecting on the Past, Conquering the Future,” the Labour Party leader seized the opportunity to congratulate the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) for “marking 40 years of Women’s extraordinary legacy of leadership, purpose, power, and impact.”

She described the anniversary as an “enviable milestone,” adding that it “did not emerge by chance; it is the product of vision, dedication, and hard work.”

While commending NOBEL Women’s leader, Senator Anderson, she assured her of appreciation of the group’s efforts “in shaping democracy, strengthening communities, and opening doors for the next generation of women leaders.”

Senator Usman’s speech read in parts, “I address you today not only as the first and only woman to lead a political party in Nigeria’s nearly 65-year history, but also as one who has been an active participant in my nation’s complex democratic journey for over three decades.

“The theme of today’s event, “A Legacy of Leadership: 40 Years of Purpose, Power, and Impact,” resonates deeply with me. My own journey reflects the power of education, resilience, and purpose.

“Growing up in northern Nigeria – a region historically disadvantaged in terms of education – I understood early that access to education could change the trajectory of a girl’s life.

“At 37, I became Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, and subsequently, at 40, the nation’s substantive Minister of Finance – the youngest woman to hold that office at the time.

“From 2011 to 2015, I also served as Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, where I championed gender equality, advocated for special seats for women in parliament, and worked to prioritize the welfare of women and children – whom I regard as the most vulnerable members of society.

“Today, I lead the Labour Party of Nigeria – a party that has captured the hearts and hopes of millions as a credible alternative to a faltering ruling establishment.

“Why do I share this journey? To inspire our graduating women here today: your certificates are not an end, but a beginning.

“The world needs your leadership. Sadly, from Africa to Europe, to America and Asia, the role of women in high leadership has witnessed an unsettling decline in recent decades.

“History reminds us that this was not always so. Women of valour once led mighty empires. We once had Cleopatra VII of Egypt, renowned for her political acumen and strategic alliances; Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman to rule China as emperor; Queen Isabella I of Castile, who helped unify Spain and sponsored the voyage that led to the discovery of this very land; Queen Elizabeth I of England, whose reign heralded the Elizabethan Golden Age; and from my own homeland, Queen Amina of Zazzau – a fearless warrior queen whose leadership and military conquests expanded her empire and secured her place in African history.

“Even in more recent history, Benazir Bhutto defied the odds to lead Pakistan as Prime Minister in the 1990s. Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady,” led the United Kingdom for over a decade, shaping modern British history.

“Yet, paradoxically, the 21st century – an era of greater civilisation and globalisation – has witnessed a troubling decline in women occupying apex positions in leadership and business.

“In the examples of Pakistan and the United Kingdom cited above, Malala Yousafzai today lives in self-exile in the UK for merely expressing public views similar to those Benazir Bhutto held about two decades ago, while Liz Truss, emerging nearly three decades after Margaret Thatcher, bears the unenviable record of being the shortest-serving British Prime Minister in history.

“This paradox should compel us to act. It should challenge today’s graduates to rise, to aspire, and to lead. I encourage you not to view the above history solely through nostalgia. View it as a call to duty. The past proves what women can achieve; the present demands that we do even more.

“If I, a young woman from a marginalized region of Nigeria, could break barriers to become a federal minister at 37 and a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and now lead a major political party, then none of you here should see any dream as unattainable.

“Today, as we celebrate your achievements and the 40-year legacy of NOBEL Women, let us recommit ourselves to building bridges across continents – bridges of justice, prosperity, and empowerment. For when women lead, our world is stronger, more just, and more hopeful.

Congratulations once again, and thank you for the honour of sharing this moment with you.”