On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, AdvoKC Foundation, alongside its Edo State cluster partners, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s participation in politics and governance.
The delegation included Nelson Otabor, Programme Assistant at AdvoKC Foundation; Mrs. Grace Eseobakina, Executive Director of the Caring Heart Initiative; Mrs. Wonderful Osa-Temple Akinwa of The MiND Initiative, as well as volunteers from both partner organisations.
During the visit, Nelson Otabor commended the Edo State Government for taking steps to support women, particularly through the provision of soft loans to women across the state. He described this effort as a strong example of how policy can directly improve the lives of women.
He also introduced the Gender Composition Bill, a key focus of the Strengthening Women and Youth Participation Project being implemented by AdvoKC Foundation. He explained that the bill is designed to improve women’s representation in governance, especially in appointive positions, and forms part of a broader push for inclusive governance reforms across Nigeria.
The purpose of the visit, he noted, was to seek executive-level support from the Ministry to help move the bill forward.
Speaking during the meeting, Mrs. Grace Eseobakina highlighted the long-term impact of the proposed legislation. She explained that once passed, the Gender Composition Bill would provide a clear legal framework to support increased inclusion of women in both political and public appointive positions.
She also noted that the Ministry championing the bill would not only accelerate its passage but also leave a lasting legacy for inclusive governance in Edo State.
In her response, the Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, welcomed the delegation and commended the initiative. She described the Gender Composition Bill as a timely and important step toward building a more inclusive and representative governance system in Edo State.
The Commissioner reaffirmed her commitment to advancing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making processes. She pledged her full support for the bill at the executive level and emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
She also indicated her willingness to leverage additional institutional support, including engagement with the Office of the First Lady, to help drive the bill forward and increase its chances of passage.
The highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of the draft Gender Composition Bill to the Honourable Commissioner, marking an important step in the journey toward institutional reform.
This engagement reflects a shared commitment between the government and civil society to move from conversation to action. It also reinforces a central idea: inclusive governance is not just aspirational; it must be intentional and backed by law.
As advocacy efforts continue, AdvoKC Foundation and its partners remain focused on ensuring that women are not just included in governance conversations, but are meaningfully represented where decisions are made.
