The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has joined the global community in celebrating women and calling for greater inclusion of women in political leadership and governance as the world marks the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Cap’n of the National Association of Seadogs, Dr Joseph Oteri, the organisation said the day provides an opportunity to recognise the resilience, achievements, and invaluable contributions of women to societal development, while also reflecting on the persistent challenges that continue to limit their full participation in leadership.

Oteri noted that although women remain central to family stability, community development, and national progress, their representation in Nigeria’s political leadership remains alarmingly low.

“International Women’s Day is not only a celebration of women’s achievements but also a reminder that the journey toward gender equality is far from complete.

Nigerian women contribute immensely to our nation’s development, yet their representation in political leadership remains disproportionately low,” he said.
According to NAS, statistics from Nigeria’s current political landscape reveal the depth of the challenge.

“Following the 2023 general elections, women occupy only three out of 109 seats in the Senate and seventeen out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives, amounting to roughly 4.2 per cent representation in the National Assembly.

“These figures place Nigeria among countries with the lowest female representation in parliament globally, despite women constituting nearly half of the country’s population and actively participating in civic and democratic processes,” Oteri stated.

He observed that globally, the average level of women’s representation in national parliaments exceeds 26 per cent, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), with several African countries making notable progress in promoting gender-inclusive governance.

The NAS Cap’n attributed Nigeria’s poor performance in this regard to a combination of structural and cultural barriers that continue to discourage women from seeking public office.

“High nomination fees imposed by political parties, entrenched gender biases in the political space, electoral violence, and weak institutional support remain major obstacles limiting women’s entry into political leadership,” he said.

Oteri cited Rwanda as a notable African example in which deliberate reforms and political commitment have significantly improved women’s representation in governance, with women currently occupying more than 60 per cent of seats in the country’s national legislature.

According to him, inclusive governance strengthens democratic institutions and results in more balanced policy outcomes.
“Societies that promote women’s participation in leadership benefit from broader perspectives in decision-making, stronger democratic legitimacy, and improved social policies that reflect the needs of all citizens,” he added.

He therefore urged Nigerian political parties to reform internal processes that discourage female aspirants, particularly excessive nomination fees and opaque candidate selection processes.

He also called on lawmakers to revisit policy proposals that encourage affirmative action and provide institutional support mechanisms for women seeking elective office.

“Democracy cannot reach its full potential when half of the population remains largely excluded from spaces where critical national decisions are made. Nigerian women must not remain only voters in the democratic process; they must be fully represented as leaders, lawmakers, and architects of national policy,” Oteri stressed.

The association further urged electoral institutions and security agencies to ensure that the political environment remains safe and accessible for women who often face intimidation and violence during electoral cycles.

Oteri emphasised that empowering women to participate fully in political leadership is not merely an issue of fairness but a democratic necessity for Nigeria’s development.

“As Nigeria navigates complex social and economic challenges, empowering women to participate fully in governance is essential for building a stronger, more inclusive nation,” he said.

The organisation therefore called on government institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, and citizens to work collectively toward creating a political system that reflects the strength, talent, and aspirations of all Nigerians.

A new civic engagement platform, Soft Nigeria, has been officially unveiled in Asaba, Delta State, with stakeholders calling on young Nigerians to adopt constructive advocacy as a tool for national development rather than resorting to destructive agitation.

The initiative, launched on February 26, 2026, is designed to mobilize youth participation in governance through structured engagement and civic education.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Youth as Partners in Governance: Constructive Advocacy versus Destructive Agitation,” Woyemi Adeyemi emphasized the need to recognize young people as critical stakeholders in governance.

“Youth are not merely beneficiaries of public policy; they are partners whose engagement shapes legitimacy, innovation, and sustainability,” he said, noting that meaningful participation requires political literacy, institutional inclusion and responsible activism.

He distinguished constructive advocacy — which he described as peaceful, organized and evidence-based engagement — from destructive agitation marked by violence, vandalism and institutional disruption, warning that while grievances such as unemployment and inequality are legitimate, destructive methods could undermine democratic stability and economic progress.

Adeyemi referenced global governance frameworks supported by bodies such as the United Nations and the African Union Commission, which promote inclusive policymaking models that incorporate youth perspectives.

Also speaking, Mr. Uche Mgbakor described Nigeria as being at a defining moment and urged young citizens to support ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that Soft Nigeria is not a political party structure but a civic bridge designed to simplify government policies and promote informed participation.

In her welcome remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Media, Oputa Ebipade Okoh-Vida, said the initiative would operate both digitally and at the grassroots to ensure that government policies are communicated in accessible formats.

Organizers disclosed that the platform would partner with student bodies, youth associations, faith-based groups and community leaders nationwide, while rolling out town hall meetings, campus engagements and community dialogues across the 36 states to explain reforms in areas such as job creation, education and economic opportunities.

The Asaba launch signals what promoters describe as a coordinated effort to channel youth energy into structured democratic participation and policy dialogue, aligning civic engagement with national development goals.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD

Speakers at the inauguration of Soft Nigeria in Asaba have called on young Nigerians to embrace constructive advocacy as a pathway to national development rather than destructive agitation.

Delivering a keynote address titled “Youth as Partners in Governance: Constructive Advocacy versus Destructive Agitation,” Woyemi Adeyemi stressed that youth must be recognized as critical stakeholders in governance processes.

“Youth are not merely beneficiaries of public policy; they are partners whose engagement shapes legitimacy, innovation, and sustainability,” he said.

Adeyemi noted that governance extends beyond government institutions to include processes, policies, and civic interactions. He argued that meaningful youth participation requires institutional inclusion, political literacy, and responsible activism.

The keynote distinguished between constructive advocacy, defined as organized, peaceful, evidence-based engagement — and destructive agitation characterized by violence, vandalism, and institutional disruption.

While acknowledging that agitation often stems from legitimate grievances such as unemployment, inequality, and political exclusion, he warned that destructive methods could undermine democratic stability and economic progress.

He cited global examples, including initiatives supported by institutions like the United Nations and the African Union Commission, which promote inclusive governance models that incorporate youth perspectives.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Uche Mgbakor described Nigeria as being at a defining moment, calling on citizens, especially youths, to support ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He explained that Soft Nigeria is not a political party or campaign structure but a civic bridge designed to simplify government policies and promote informed participation.

Over the next 12 months, the movement plans to organize town hall meetings, campus engagements, market outreaches, and community dialogues across the 36 states to explain reforms in job creation, education, and economic opportunities.

In her welcome remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Media, Oputa Ebipade Okoh-Vida, said the initiative would operate both digitally and at the grassroots to ensure government policies are communicated in accessible formats.

Organizers said the movement would partner with student bodies, youth associations, faith-based groups, and community leaders nationwide to promote civic education and unity.

The Asaba launch signals what promoters describe as a coordinated effort to transform youth energy into democratic capital through structured engagement and policy dialogue.

After a five-year standstill, the Administrative Officers Forum of the Delta State Civil Service has successfully inducted 151 officers into the Administrative Officers Cadre, marking a significant step toward strengthening institutional capacity and professionalism within the public service.

The induction followed an intensive two-day orientation programme for newly converted administrative officers held in Asaba, which was presided over by the Head of Service, Mininim Oseji, and witnessed by former Heads of Service, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, as well as other senior government officials.

While declaring the ceremony open, Dr. Oseji congratulated the inductees on their successful conversion into what she described as the prestigious Administrative Officers Cadre, noting that their elevation reflected the confidence reposed in them to provide effective leadership across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

She charged the officers to uphold the Public Service Rules and Financial Regulations without compromise, render sound administrative advice, ensure proper records management and documentation, and promote transparency, accountability and professionalism, while maintaining neutrality and loyalty to government policies.

“You should see your conversion and induction not as an elevation of status, but as an expansion of responsibility. Expectations are higher, scrutiny is greater, and the burden of duty is heavier,” she said.

Dr. Oseji added that the Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, expects more from the civil service, stressing that his approval and support for the induction align with the MORE Agenda of his administration.

Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Emokiniovo Itobore, who assumed office in 2025, explained that the induction covered officers converted between 2021 and 2024.

He expressed satisfaction that the milestone was achieved during his tenure, despite prevailing challenges and lauded the contributions of seasoned resource persons who facilitated the two-day training, expressing confidence that the inductees would justify the investment by contributing meaningfully to the advancement of the civil service.

“For several years, this induction could not hold due to paucity of funds. In times like these, it is not easy. We therefore commend the Governor and the Head of Service for making resources available to accomplish this feat,” he said.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Forum, Mr. Kingsley Olomukoro, urged the inductees to embrace professionalism, efficiency in service delivery, ethical decision-making and innovation in addressing public sector challenges.

Earlier, a patron of the Forum and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas, called on the Forum’s leadership to explore sustainable strategies for further professionalising the Administrative Cadre.

The ceremony culminated in the administration of the oath of allegiance by the Forum’s Legal Adviser, Ukpedor Oghoghomeh, presentation of a communiqué by Mr. Lucky Izomor, and a symbolic handshake with the Head of Service, signifying a renewed commitment to service and career progression.