African countries have been urged to renew their commitment to women and girl-child’s empowerment as a crucial step towards nation-building. Former Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Obafemi Omokungbe, made the call in his keynote address during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Omokungbe, who is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, aligned his advocacy with the broader initiative by WINBAFRICA for women’s empowerment in Africa, which aims to improve access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and political participation for women.
He emphasised that this multifaceted effort aims to eliminate gender inequality, uphold women’s rights and create an environment where women could thrive socially, economically, and politically.
President, WINBAFRICA, Dr Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi, said the event with the theme, ‘Bridging the Gap: Celebrating a decade of Nation Building’ was designed to celebrate the legacy and advancement of women’s course.
She said: “Nation-building is an ongoing effort carried out by women of every generation. As we reflect on our accomplishments over the past decade, we remain committed to empowering future generations in all sectors of the economy. We provide tuition, teaching equipment, and other resources to young girls and boys to show them that we care about their education and that they are the ones who will continue this effort. Our ultimate goal is to promote unity and peace and to inspire hope for a better future.”
