Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) has urged women in Nigeria to mobilise and vote wisely in the 2027 general election in accordance with their conscience.
The President of NCWS, South-West Forum, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, who made the call in her welcome address at the council’s annual conference held in Ibadan, Oyo State, said women should actively participate in the electoral process and support candidates committed to good governance, the rule of law and promotion of fundamental human rights.
According to her, the council was concerned about insecurity, kidnapping, unemployment, hunger and inadequate access to water and electricity in the country.
“We want good governance and promotion of the rule of law. We want all women and girls to be accorded their fundamental human rights in accordance with our constitution,” she said.
Kuye disclosed that the seminar, which focused on ‘Human Rights, Justice, Action for all Women and Girls in the Society’, was organised to educate women on issues affecting them, particularly ahead of the 2027 elections.
Stating that the conference brought together women from various associations across the South-west geopolitical zone.
In its communiqué, the conference called for the mobilisation and sensitisation of women to vote wisely, while advocating increased representation of women in political positions of responsibility.
The council also urged women to seek more elective and political positions while calling for the empowerment of women through access to low-interest loans to enable them to establish and expand businesses.
The NCWS further encouraged educated women to guide and support less-educated women, while calling on men to stop relegating women to the background in all spheres of life.
It also recommended increased media publicity for the council’s activities, including jingles, interviews, and other platforms to showcase the achievements of its members.
The council proposed the organisation of a mega meeting where political stakeholders and other power brokers would be invited to pledge their support for women.
The communiqué also announced plans to celebrate the centenary birthday of one of the founding mothers of NCWS and its first Secretary-General in 1962, Prof. Adetoun Ogunsheye.
Ogunsheye, according to the council, is Nigeria’s first female professor, and her centenary celebration is scheduled for December 5, 2026.
The NCWS was registered as a society on June 24, 1965, after its formation in Ibadan by women’s organisations seeking to promote women’s education, political participation and economic development.
The organisation has since expanded to all states of Nigeria with a national body.