Wives of Nigerian governors unite against sexual and gender-based violence at retreat

IDONGESIT INYANG, CALABAR

Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum (NGSF), has resolved to sustain the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). It has also, endorsed the “Reserved Seat for Women Bill,” and intensify advocacy for the adoption of six-month paid maternity leave in all states.

At the end of its annual retreat, in Cross River attended by 22 First Ladies, the forum issued a communiqué and also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s health, gender equity, and child welfare.

They also pledged continued collaboration with donor partners, civil society groups, and health agencies to reduce maternal mortality, strengthen immunization coverage—particularly on HPV, Measles, Rubella, and Hepatitis.

The Forum, also deaired to end child labour through a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and in a landmark resolution, the forum endorsed the 2026 RenewHER Roadmap Strategy presented by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, aimed at improving health outcomes for women and girls nationwide.

Speaking to receive the governor’s wives, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, pledged his administration’s full support for gender inclusion and public health advocacy.

Describing women as “the true backbone of national development,” the Governor said Nigeria’s sustainable progress depended on the active participation of women in governance and community declaring that “this nation cannot move forward without women.”

Governor Otu, received members of the forum, led by its Chairperson and First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador (Prof.) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, at Government House, Calabar, as part of the 2025 NGSF Annual Retreat, which later concluded with a communiqué charting a bold course for women’s advocacy in the coming year.