GOODWILL MESSAGE DELIVERED BY HER EXCELLENCY, BARR. CHIOMA UZODIMMA, WIFE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE AT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY (IWD 2021) CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION WOMEN FORUM (NBAWF) VIA ZOOM WEBINAR ON MARCH 24, 2021
Protocols
Your Excellencies, Esteemed Dignitaries, Distinguished Speakers and Guests, I am particularly delighted to be part of this august summit, first as a member of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) and secondly, to be part of the college of speakers at the maiden edition of this conference.
I commend the efforts of NBAWF at changing the narratives and elevating the discourse to include issues pertinent to the overall interest of our women in the legal profession and indeed, all other spheres of life and endeavours. This in line with their core mandate and goal.
May I seize the opportunity of this speech, to acknowledge the weight and profile of highly esteemed men and women - individuals who have distinguished themselves in all spheres of life, who were chosen to colour the stage and address critical topical issues at this auspicious occasion.
The choice of theme of this conference, “The pathway to diversity: Challenging blind spots and powering up for inclusion” could not have come at a better time than now when the world needs to acknowledge the unique roles women play in global development, challenging the status quos, stereotypes, biases and sundry ugly incidences of rape and other forms of Gender-Based Violence(GBV) in our society so that positive changes can come forthwith.
In my address at a similar event (A Conference Marking The Annual International Women's Day- IWD) on March, 11, 2021 in Owerri, Imo State, I mentioned that in order to do justice to the message, as contained in the campaign theme - #ChooseToChallenge, women must choose to challenge the limits, labels and inequalities placed on us; for a challenged world is a world prepared to forge a gender equal space and celebrate the social, cultural, economic, political and other achievements of our women across the globe, no matter how little.
I am particularly glad that my charge at the event is synonymous with the aim of this conference which is to spotlight the achievements of the Nigerian female lawyers, while charting solutions to address areas of necessary improvement such as diversity in the profession, stereotypes, representation in governance, and growth acceleration for young female lawyers.
In various fora and speaking engagements, I have continued to maintain that women can be more, only if we come together and forge a common front. When women work together, we do exploits. This can only be possible when women embrace hearts devoid of destructive envy, backbiting, unhealthy rivalry and competitions. Women are meant to see themselves as pillars and ladders for each other to climb when and where necessary.
Finally, it is important to highlight that women’s voices and experiences are central to our national development and so I salute the work of our women within the various institutions and organizations in showing leadership and diminishing sundry equalities.
My best wishes to the leadership and members of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum and also, the organizers of this NBAWF-IWD conference.
Thank you and may God bless us all.
Her Excellency, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma Wife of the Executive Governor, Imo State
