Not fewer than total of 22 States First ladies, under the aegis of ‘Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum,’ are currently in Calabar, the Cross River capital for their 2025 annual retreat.
Addressing the guests during a courtesy visit on him at the State Executive Chambers in Calabar, the Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, lauded the Forum for its critical role in promoting social welfare, gender inclusion, and public health across Nigeria, describing women as “the true backbone of national development.”
He praised the collective impact of the governors’ wives in advancing key social causes such as maternal and child health, gender equality, and family welfare, admitting that, Nigeria’s sustainable progress depends on the active participation of women in governance, advocacy, and community building.
Otu highlighted several gender-focused policies under his administration, including the introduction of six-months paid maternity leave for women civil servants, and the upgrading of primary healthcare facilities across the state.
He revealed that his administration has invested heavily in nutrition and healthcare, especially the primary healthcare system, where all indices have improved significantly, positioning Cross River as one of the leading states in immunization coverage nationwide.
“We have discovered that most maternal deaths occur at the primary healthcare level, so we are upscaling those facilities and training health workers to ensure better service delivery as our goal is to make sure no mother or child dies from preventable causes,” the governor said.
Applauding the forum for its humanitarian initiatives, he urged the First Ladies to continue their advocacy beyond political lines, noting that their work transcends politics and directly touches lives.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Forum, Prof Olufolake Abdulrazaq, thanked the governor for hosting the retreat amid his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
She recalled that the Forum, originally launched as the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Against Gender-Based Violence (NGWA-GBV) in 2020, has evolved into a national platform driving advocacy on gender equality, health, and family welfare.
Abdulrazaq noted that the forum has achieved major milestones, including the domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) across states, establishment of shelters and sexual assault referral centres, and the creation of survivors’ funds for victims of gender-based violence.
She commended Otu for adopting the six-months paid maternity leave for women in the state urging other governors to emulate the policy, which she pointed out, promotes exclusive breastfeeding, strengthens family bonds, and enhances workforce productivity.
She further called for the governor’s continued support for the “Reserved Seat for Women Bill,” describing it as a milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive governance.
Her words: “By ensuring equitable representation of women in legislative bodies, we open the door to policies that reflect the realities of half our population as when women lead, communities prosper; when women participate, societies grow stronger."
Esther Okoi
