The First Lady of Gombe State, Hajiya Dr. Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, has called on women across the North-East region to actively aspire for leadership and decision-making roles, stressing that women’s participation is essential for balanced governance and sustainable development.
She made the call on Thursday while declaring open the 2025 North-East Women in Politics and Governance (WIPG) Summit held in Gombe, with the theme: “From Grassroots to Governance: Empowering Women’s Political Leadership in the North-East.”
Hajiya Dr. Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya represented the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, who served as the Special Guest of Honour at the event.
Delivering the message of the Vice President’s wife, she praised the resilience and contributions of women in the subregion, describing them as pillars of peacebuilding, economic growth, and political stability.
“We must continue to create platforms that prepare women for leadership, from the community level to national positions. Empowering women politically is not a privilege but a necessity for progress,” she said.
In her own remarks, the Gombe First Lady reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion and women’s empowerment under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
> “I urge all women to rise beyond limitations, believe in their abilities, and aspire for leadership positions. Our time to lead, influence, and transform is now,” she added.
In a keynote address, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, commended North-East women for their resilience and commitment to peace and development. She emphasized that women’s leadership is vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and transforming governance across Africa.
“From the grassroots to governance, women must have a seat and a voice at every decision-making table. When women lead, communities become more just, inclusive, and prosperous,” she stated, assuring that the UN stands with Nigerian women in their quest for full political participation.
Other speakers at the summit stressed the need for mentorship, collaboration, and institutional support to nurture future female leaders and strengthen women’s participation in governance across the region.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, who pledged continued support for gender-responsive policies and leadership development.
The African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA–NEPAD) also lauded the initiative, noting that empowering women from the grassroots remains central to achieving inclusive governance and sustainable development across the continent.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by the Gombe First Lady to advance women’s political leadership, economic empowerment, and participation in governance in line with the inclusive development vision of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.
