Gender
Stop Treating Women as Second-Class Citizens – Bayelsa Governor
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has called for the full inclusion of women in Nigeria’s political space, arguing that they deserve equal participation rather than special seats in the National Assembly.
The governor made the remarks on Tuesday at the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Women Conference held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Diri said that while the agitation for reserved legislative seats for women may serve as a temporary measure, it ultimately risks reinforcing the perception of women as second-class citizens.
“I was told that the British High Commission is a major sponsor of this programme. I had the opportunity of meeting with the Deputy High Commissioner when she visited Bayelsa last week, and we discussed women participation in politics,” he said.
According to him, although the Deputy High Commissioner supported the idea of special seats for women, he only agreed in part.
“She believes that the agitation for special seats for women in the National Assembly is good. While I agreed with her, in part, as a temporary solution, I however largely disagree with the idea. My point is, I do not want our women to be treated as second-class citizens,” Diri stated.
The governor noted that countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States do not operate special parliamentary seats for women, yet women actively participate and hold key political offices.
“The women in Britain do not have special seats in parliament just as in America. The system flows and recognises them, and they participate fully in politics. Nobody talks about special seats or women beingunderprivilegedd there. We can do it in Nigeria,” he added.
Diri emphasized that Nigerian women have demonstrated competence across professions, including law, medicine, engineering, and academia, and should demand full political freedom rather than concessions.
“Our women are very intelligent and are active in politics. They are also very active in various professions. So, why are we asking for special considerations for them?” he queried.
He further identified what he described as a “structural deficiency” in Nigeria’s political framework, urging reforms that would create equal opportunities for women.
The governor also recounted his efforts to integrate more women into governance in Bayelsa State, including appointments into the state executive council and support for female candidates during elections.
“In 2023, I thought we would have about five women in the assembly, but when we went for the election, only two succeeded. So, I know what you are facing,” he said, while encouraging women in the Niger Delta to remain united and persistent in their political aspirations.
Earlier, the PANDEF National Women Leader, Rev. (Mrs.) Grace Ekong charged women to equip themselves with education, skills, and experience to effectively participate in politics.
She urged them to contribute meaningfully to regional development and advocate for infrastructure, environmental protection, and greater political representation for women in the Niger Delta.
The conference was attended by former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Rivers State Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and PANDEF National Chairman, Dr. Boladei Igali, among other dignitaries and women groups from across the Niger Delta.
The United Kingdom has reinforced its partnership with Bayelsa State following a three-day working visit by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Mrs Gill Lever OBE, aimed at consolidating gains in community security, youth development, governance, and women’s empowerment.
The visit centred on the UK-funded Serious and Organised Crime Prevent Programme, locally known as the Brighter Futures Programme, which supports vulnerable young people with skills training, mentoring, and resilience-building initiatives to prevent their recruitment into criminal networks.
The programme, which recorded an 80 per cent success rate in diverting at-risk youths from organised crime, is set to conclude its current phase in March 2026.
Full ownership will transition to the Bayelsa State Government, marking what officials described as a significant milestone in local capacity-building and sustainability.
During the visit, Mrs Lever met with Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to review the programme’s progress and formally recognise his role in advancing youth-focused security initiatives.
The UK acknowledged the governor as a Prevent Ambassador in recognition of his support and commitment to the programme’s objectives.
Discussions also explored opportunities to expand the initiative to additional local government areas and vulnerable communities.
The delegation also held talks with the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr Gloria Diri, focusing on strategies to enhance women’s political participation, strengthen leadership development pathways, and broaden support systems for women and girls across the state.
In a broad stakeholder engagement, the Deputy High Commissioner met with civil society organisations including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organisations Forum (BANGOF), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Fringe Voices, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria.
The session examined issues surrounding governance, civic engagement, youth vulnerability, and emerging security trends.
Mrs Lever also paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty King Bubaraye Dakolo (Agada IV), Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, where discussions highlighted the role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, community cohesion, and positive youth engagement.
At a community town hall meeting in Amarata, beneficiaries of the Brighter Futures Programme shared testimonies of how the initiative had equipped them with marketable skills and new opportunities, particularly in Amarata and Amassoma communities.
The visit comes ahead of a significant diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a state visit to the UK from March 18–19, 2026; the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, hosted at Windsor Castle by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties under the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership and the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), with a focus on sustainable growth, security cooperation, and economic expansion
In observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for unified efforts to address the growing threat of digital violence targeting women and girls. Marked annually on November 25, this year’s theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”
In her official message, Senator Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria stands with the global community to highlight the urgent need to combat online abuse, harassment, extortion, and exploitation. She stated that digital spaces should be environments that foster genuine human connection, facilitate learning, and promote productivity, not fear. “Yet, too many women and girls face bullying, blackmail, stalking, and gender-based hate online. This is unacceptable,” she said. The First Lady further noted, “Violence in any form, offline or online, undermines the dignity, safety, and the potential of women and girls.”
Expressing solidarity with survivors and advocates, Senator Tinubu declared, “I stand in solidarity with all survivors and with those working tirelessly to end gender-based violence.” She issued a strong call to action, urging government institutions, particularly the legislature and the judiciary, along with technology companies, civil society, and every Nigerian citizen, to take bold steps. “I call on government institutions especially the legislature and the judiciary, technology companies, civil society, and every Nigerian to take bold action to make digital spaces safe, inclusive, and respectful for all,” she said.
The First Lady’s message underscores a collective responsibility to ensure that digital platforms become safer for women and girls, aligning with the international commitment to eliminate all forms of violence against them.
Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, concluded her message with wishes for a “Happy International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2025.”
Hajiya Safarau Yahaya, chairperson of the Adamawa State Divorcees Association, has spoken out about the harsh realities confronting divorced women, widows, and victims of forced marriages in the state.
“Men are taking our vulnerabilities for granted,” Hajiya Safarau lamented. “Because of our difficult economic conditions, many think we are immoral. They see us as objects of pleasure, but I always insist that not all of us fit that description.”
The association, locally known as the Zawrawa Association, serves as a beacon of support for women struggling with the stigma of broken marriages. Hajiya Safarau, who once felt humiliated by the label “divorcee,” now embraces it as a symbol of strength.
“I used to get angry when called a divorcee,” she confessed. “But now, I accept it. It’s my destiny, and I’ve made peace with it.”
The association includes widows, divorcees, and women abandoned by their husbands. Sharing distressing examples, Hajiya Safarau recounted cases of members deserted for years, left to raise children alone.
“I personally know three women whose husbands have been gone for over seven years,” she said, highlighting the depth of the problem.
The Zawrawa Association offers these women a sense of community, a place to share their experiences and pool resources to help one another.
“Sometimes we contribute money to support members who have nothing,” Hajiya Safarau explained. “We do our best to lift each other.”
Despite challenges, the association remains focused on empowerment, with plans to establish small-scale businesses to help members achieve financial stability and reduce their exposure to exploitation.
“We are not bitter women,” Hajiya Safarau emphasized. “We are survivors determined to start anew.”
Through the courage of Hajiya Safarau Yahaya and the Zawrawa Association, Adamawa’s divorcees are reclaiming their dignity and proving that, even in the face of hardship, resilience and unity can rewrite their story.