The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has commended members of the Nigerian Governors Spouses Forum (NGSF) for what he described as their “transformative influence on the moral, social and developmental architecture of the nation”, and pledged his administration’s full support for gender inclusion and public health advocacy.
Governor Otu gave the commendation on Friday when he received members of the forum, led by his President and First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador (Prof.) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, at the Government House, Calabar, as part of the NGSF 2025 Annual Retreat, which later concluded with a statement charting a bold course for women advocacy in the coming year.
Describing women as “the true backbone of national development”, the Governor said Nigeria’s sustainable progress depended on the active participation of women in governance and community building. “No woman, no nation,” declared Otu. “It is very clear that this nation cannot move forward without women. My rise in politics has been largely attributed to the support of women, because when they make a decision, it is very difficult to change it.”
The Governor highlighted the six-month paid maternity leave introduced by his administration for female public servants as a model of gender-sensitive governance, adding that Cross River had made significant progress in healthcare delivery and vaccination coverage. “We have found that most maternal deaths occur at the primary health care level, so we are expanding those facilities and training health workers to ensure better service delivery,” he explained. “Our goal is to ensure that no mother or child dies from preventable causes.”
Otu praised the First Ladies for their humanitarian initiatives, describing them as “selfless architects of compassion whose impact transcends politics.” He also commended the First Lady of Cross River, Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for her people-centred programs aligned with the objectives of the NGSF. “His retirement here will be fruitful,” he assured. “Nigeria is emerging from a dark time and things are starting to take shape again. We must all work together to build a better Nigeria.”
In her response, Ambassador (Prof.) Olufolake AbdulRazaq thanked Governor Otu for organizing the retreat and for his government’s strides in infrastructure, healthcare and education, describing Cross River as “a home of grace, culture and progress.” He recalled that the forum, which started as Nigerian Governors Wives Against Gender-Based Violence (NGWA-GBV), has evolved into a powerful national platform for gender equality and family well-being.
“By ensuring equal representation of women in legislative bodies, we open the door to policies that reflect the realities of half of our population,” she said. “When women lead, communities thrive; when women participate, societies strengthen.” He further applauded Cross River’s adoption of six-month maternity leave and called on other South-South governors to emulate it, saying the policy “strengthens family ties and improves workforce productivity.”
At the end of the retreat, attended by 22 First Ladies, the forum issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to advancing women’s health, gender equity and child well-being. The First Ladies resolved to sustain the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), support the “Reserved Seat Bill for Women” and intensify advocacy for the adoption of six-month paid maternity leave in all states.
They also pledged to continue collaborating with donor partners, civil society groups and health agencies to reduce maternal mortality, strengthen vaccination coverage (particularly against HPV, measles, rubella and hepatitis) and end child labor through a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour. In a historic resolution, the forum endorsed the RenewHER 2026 roadmap strategy unveiled by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, which aims to improve health outcomes for women and girls nationwide.
The statement described the retreat as “a gathering of shared wisdom and renewed commitment,” and noted that the NGSF would maintain its role as a unifying platform for advocacy, partnership and leadership. “We are determined,” the First Ladies collectively declared, “to continue to stand where the cries of the weak are heard, where the hope of women and children is rekindled, and where the light of compassion continues to shine.”