By George Mgbeleke<\/p>\n
Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele Thursday observed that no nation could meaningfully realise its full potential when a significant proportion of its population \u201cis unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bamidele, therefore, said inclusion of women in public governance and leadership \u201cis never an act of favour, but indeed a strategic investment in Nigeria\u2019s human capital and institutional strength\u201d while emphasising the centrality of gender inclusion to the future of Nigeria and the world in the 21st century.<\/p>\n
He made these remarks at the presentation of the book, \u201cThe Female Diplomat: Navigating Power, Ambition and Identity,\u201d held at Nigeria House, New York, United States, on Thursday, reflecting on the significance of gender inclusion in the country\u2019s national life.<\/p>\n
The book presentation, among others, brought together prominent dignitaries and diplomats namely the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria\u2019s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim; Nigeria\u2019s Ambassador to the United States, Amb. Kayode Are and President\/CEO, Montefiore Einstein.<\/p>\n
Apart from the book presentation, Bamidele also participated in the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026 designed to bring together government representatives, international investors, development finance institutions, multinational corporations, business leaders and strategic partners to explore viable investment opportunities across Nigeria.<\/p>\n
Bamidele, who chaired the book presentation at the Nigeria House in the United States, noted that Nigeria\u2019s democracy could only be strengthened when all citizens \u201care adequately represented in the institutions established to serve them.\u201d <\/p>\n
Bamidele disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, evident in the Renewed Hope Agenda, recognised that Nigeria\u2019s development must draw on the abilities and contributions of all its citizens, <\/p>\n
He added that President Tinubu had consistently affirmed that women and young people must not be relegated to the background in the political, economic and national life of the country.<\/p>\n
He said this commitment \u201cis important because meaningful inclusion goes beyond the presence of women in institutions. It requires genuine opportunities to participate in decision-making, exercise responsibility and contribute to the formulation and implementation of public policy.\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cGender inclusion is not an act of favour. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria\u2019s human capital and institutional strength. No nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur democracy is strengthened when citizens see themselves represented in the institutions established to serve them. Our foreign relations are also enriched when Nigeria is represented by capable professionals whose knowledge, judgement and experience reflect the breadth of our national talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bamidele explained the vital role of the National Assembly in deepening gender inclusion, noting that the parliament \u201cwill continue to promote institutions that are fair, accessible and responsive through legislation, representation and oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n
The senate leader further emphasised that the National Assembly should help establish an environment in which competence is recognised, opportunity is broadened, and leadership is strengthened through the participation of qualified women.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a responsibility for the government alone. Political institutions, the diplomatic service, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society all have roles to play. Progress will require deliberate policies, supportive institutions and a collective willingness to recognise talent wherever it is found.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s occasion contributes to that broader national conversation. It offers leaders, diplomats, scholars and members of the public an opportunity to engage with ideas relevant to Nigeria\u2019s ongoing development and its engagement with the international community,\u201d Bamidele observed at the book presentation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By George Mgbeleke Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele Thursday observed that no nation could meaningfully realise its full potential when a significant proportion of its population \u201cis unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.\u201d Bamidele, therefore, said inclusion of women in public governance and leadership \u201cis never an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3121,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17940"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17940\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17941,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17940\/revisions\/17941"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}