By Asuquo Cletus
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in collaboration with the Ukpai Empowerment Foundation, have commemorated the 2025 World Women’s Day in Calabar, Cross River State, with a strong call to action for accelerated gender equality across the South-South region of Nigeria.
Themed “Accelerate Action,” the event drew female leaders, government officials, civil society advocates, and community representatives together to spotlight the progress and persistent gaps in gender representation across sectors such as politics, judiciary, economy, and governance.
Speaking at the event, the Cross River State Director of the NDDC, Dr Daniel Ajunwa, underscored the global significance of the day and emphasized the Commission’s commitment to recognizing and empowering women, regardless of political affiliations.
“Today, we are celebrating women our mothers who have been pillars in nation-building, women are professors, captains of industry, and leaders in their own right. This celebration is not politically driven. It is women-driven. The NDDC chose to honour their contributions across all spheres.”-Ajunwa said
Ajunwa also addressed concerns about the transparency and inclusiveness of the event, noting that honourees were selected based on merit and recommendations from state governors, senators, lawmakers, and women-led associations.
He dismissed speculations of political bias or internal conflict within the NDDC and Cross River State Government, stating, “This event is about celebrating progress and unveiling renovated infrastructure, including our refurbished NDDC State Office. Any other issues are unrelated to this celebration.”
Delivering a keynote address, Chief Magistrate Nkechi Usani provided an assessment of gender disparity within the Nigerian judiciary.
She revealed that out of 1,391 judges in Nigeria’s Superior Courts, only 449 are women highlighting a striking imbalance in leadership.
“Despite having near gender parity in university enrolment and law school attendance, women are vastly underrepresented at the top. The question remains: why are these numbers thinning as we ascend the ladder of leadership?”-Usani said .
She also traced historical examples of women’s activism in the region, referencing the Aba Women’s Riots and the lesser-known Ikot Abasi Uprising, where women led successful protests against colonial taxation. “Our history proves that women have never been passive. They have always led from the front,” she stated.
Usani called for a reinvigoration of that legacy, urging policymakers to commit to tangible reforms that would ensure better representation of women in decision-making spaces.
The 2025 World Women’s Day celebration in Cross River State also featured panel discussions, exhibitions, cultural display, and dance festival.
