Iyabo Obasanjo, a contender for the governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, has honored Nigerian women while advocating for enhanced justice and firm measures to guarantee equality and opportunities for women and girls.
In a statement released on Sunday to commemorate International Women’s Day, Obasanjo remarked that this annual global event serves as a critical reminder that advancement for women must transition from mere policies and promises to tangible societal transformation.
“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 pointed out that while numerous nations have established legal frameworks intended to safeguard women, the actual conditions in many communities continue to lag behind 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.
In Obasanjo’s view, true justice should be evident in the daily lives of women, whether they are in professional, social, or institutional environments.
“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 emphasized that making significant strides requires tackling subtle biases and making real investments in the health and prosperity 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 voiced her belief in the solidarity she finds among women, rejecting the common stereotype that women are often their own worst enemies.
“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 further noted that increasing the number of women in leadership roles would serve as a powerful inspiration for the next generation.
“If elected the first female Governor in Nigeria, it will add to what is possible for women and inspire girls,” she said, calling on women to unite in pursuit of a future defined by greater equality and opportunity.
Obasanjo ended her message by urging a joint effort to ensure that women have a more influential role in determining the nation’s path forward.
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