AWLA confab: Rivers deputy gov tasks women on nation building

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Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Odu, has called on women not to see themselves as mere beneficiaries of empowerment but strive to become agents of transformation and contribute to nation-building.

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Odu, however, said that while women needed to prove themselves, the right environment must be provided for every woman to achieve her potential, noting that society was replete with women who had excelled in their chosen pursuits.

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The deputy governor spoke as the special guest of honour at the African Women Lawyers Association, Nigeria 2026 Annual Parley Conference, with the theme, ‘Excellence Wears Heels’, held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Tuesday.

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Represented by a former Permanent Secretary in Rivers State, Dr Josephine Chukuigwe, the deputy governor lauded the association for its commitment to advancing the rights, welfare and empowerment of women and children.

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She urged members of the AWLA, Nigeria, to encourage the younger generation, mentor women, support women-owned businesses, promote education and skills development, and create opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in leadership and decision-making.

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She also congratulated the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, on her victory in the last election.

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She stated, “The theme, ‘Excellence Wears Heels’, is both inspiring and symbolic. It reminds us that excellence has no gender, but women must be encouraged and supported to occupy spaces where their talents, intelligence, courage and leadership can make meaningful contributions.

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“The heels represent confidence, resilience, dignity and the determination to rise above barriers. As female lawyers and advocates, you occupy a particularly important position in this struggle.

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“Through your professional knowledge, advocacy and commitment to justice, you can influence policies, advocate for the rights of vulnerable people, promote access to justice, and give a voice to women and children whose rights are threatened.

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“Today, therefore, I encourage every woman here to see herself not merely as a beneficiary of empowerment, but as an agent of transformation.

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“Let us mentor the younger generation, support women and women-owned businesses, promote education and skills development, and create opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in leadership and decision-making areas.”

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In Rivers State, she said, the government remained committed to initiatives that promoted the welfare of women, children and vulnerable groups, adding, “Empowering women is, therefore, not only a matter of fairness; it is an investment in stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger economy.

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“As we celebrate women who have broken barriers, let us equally commit ourselves to creating a society where the girl child can dream without limitations, where women can lead without discrimination, and where every child can grow in an environment of dignity, protection and opportunity,” she added.

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The President-elect of the NBA, Badejo-Okusanya, said women had the potential and resilience to excel but emphasised the need for them to endeavour to actualise their potential.

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Speaking on the theme, she referenced her emergence as the 33rd President of the NBA, saying those who did not support her in the run-up to the election made her work harder.

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“Last year in Enugu, here we were, and we had many interesting conversations.

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“Since then, the journey has been long, sometimes torturous, but the fact that I’m standing before you today, and I mean standing, yes, on heels, is a testament to the resilience that we all have in us.

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“Let me say that again, that we all have it in us. We only need to call it forth, and so I’m grateful for the opportunity to be an inspiration to many of us.

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“I’m grateful for the opportunity to stand before you, and for you to look at me and say, if she can do it, I can do it too, because you can,” she stated.

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The NBA President-elect continued, “We want the NBA to be relevant to everyone in their professional lives. I also recognise that even though I was intentional about not running a gender card, I’m not running away from the fact that I’m a woman, and that women are coming from far behind.

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“Therefore, we do need affirmative action, and we will take every opportunity, every advantage that we can of affirmative action, but we will put capacity first, because there are so many capable women in and out of the profession.”

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Earlier in her welcome address, the President of AWLA-Nigeria, Caroline Ibharuneafe, described the theme of this year’s parley as both inspiring and thought-provoking, saying excellence was a natural companion of every worthwhile effort.

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While noting that excellence was not attained by chance, she said, “It is cultivated through hard work, commitment, resilience, continuous learning, and an unwavering determination to become better each day.

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“It is reflected in the quality of our work, the strength of our character and the consistency of our actions.

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“When excellence is always ‘on our heels’, it becomes more than an inspiration—it becomes our lifestyle. It allows us to overcome challenges and embrace new opportunities with confidence.”

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She added, “As members of the African Women Lawyers Association, Nigeria, and guardians of justice, this theme must resonate deeply with each of us.

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“Regardless of the platform or pedestal on which we stand—whether visible or behind the scenes, in positions of influence or in quiet service, we are called to embody excellence in all that we do.

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“Our commitment to excellence should define our thoughts, shape our words and guide our actions.”

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The keynote speaker, George Etomi, noted that excellence came with expectations, describing women as the moral compass in their respective homes.

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He said that given the right environment, women would excel in their chosen endeavours, as demonstrated by many women in society.

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Etomi urged men not to develop complexes when they saw women around them in positions of influence, saying society stood to gain more when both sexes co-existed and complemented each other.

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He also lauded the association for its mentorship efforts and contributions not only to the legal profession but to society in general.

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“To men, allow women to soar. Allow women to succeed. We’ll not be poor because there are rich women around us. We’ll not be less human; we can co-exist,” he said.

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Other speakers at the AWLA Nigeria parley included President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Port Harcourt, Dr Chinyere Nwoga, who also chaired the event.

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