Independence: Ijaw Women Forum Calls For Better Nigeria, Demands Justice For Women

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

The Ijaw Women Rights’ Protection Forum (IWRPF) has called for a better Nigeria where women and girls are protected and communities enjoy meaningful development.

In its Independence Day message to mark Nigeria @66, the group said it celebrates “the strength, resilience and diversity of our great nation.”

According to the Forum, independence should go beyond celebrating a date. It said: “Independence should mean more than the celebration of a date. It should mean freedom from injustice, freedom from fear, freedom from discrimination, and freedom from the conditions that keep our people vulnerable.”

The group, which is committed to “Justice for Women, Dignity, and Change,” demanded a Nigeria “where women and girls are protected, where children are given quality education, where our communities have functional healthcare, clean water, good roads and opportunities for economic empowerment.”

The IWRPF particularly highlighted the plight of Niger Delta communities, saying they deserved more attention.

“Our communities deserve meaningful development, inclusion, opportunity and respect,” the Forum said, noting that the people of the Niger Delta “continue to contribute immensely to the wealth and development of Nigeria.”

It urged women and youths not to give up on the country, charging them to “continue to speak against injustice, stand for peace, demand accountability and participate constructively in building the nation we want.”

To leaders, the group said: “The people are watching. Leadership is not only about occupying office; it is about serving the people, protecting their dignity and leaving communities better than you found them.”

It concluded: “Nigeria belongs to all of us. Let us build a nation where justice is not a privilege, dignity is not a luxury, and development is not reserved for a few.”