The minister of women affairs and social development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, on Saturday in Abuja, emphasised that investing in women is key to societal progress.

She made this remark at the launch of a book titled “From Margin to Mainstream, Volume 2: Towards Inclusive Governance”, authored by Nikky Onyeri, a Nigerian cancer treatment advocate.

The event also celebrated the author’s 60th birthday and marked the unveiling of her new NGO, Rise Up Women Initiative (RUWI).

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that she is committed to supporting any initiative that drives development for Nigerian women.

She noted that the Renewed Hope Women Agenda under President Bola Tinubu is poised to provide women with opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Commending the author, the minister said: “The book recognises the role women play in society, and I will continue to project women’s plight to the world.”

She highlighted several initiatives under the ministry, saying the Happy Woman App connects women to resources, mentorship, and opportunities for personal and professional empowerment across the country.

She also noted that Women and Youth Value Enhancement (WAVE) promotes entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and access to finance, helping women and youth develop sustainable livelihoods.

According to the minister, the Women’s Resource and Innovation Centre (WRIC) serves as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and support for women-led enterprises across different sectors.

She added that the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII-774) delivers tailored support to every local government area, ensuring women benefit from inclusive governance and social development programmes.

“These efforts are guided by President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on inclusive governance, economic empowerment, and social development,” she said, adding that it is time to amplify the voices of the marginalised who have long been overlooked.

Earlier, Asabe Vilita-Bashir, director-general of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) and the book reviewer, commended Ms Onyeri for highlighting the transformative journey of Nigerian women.

She said the book aligns with the administration’s mission to empower women.

“By the time you read through all pages of the book, chapter by chapter, you will appreciate the writer because it is in line with the core mission of this administration for women.

“This administration has launched many programmes for women. It has recognised that women are in the corridor of development. The administration’s initiative has given women the lead way to thrive,” Mrs Vilita-Bashir said.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Mohammed Ndarani-Mohammed (SAN), described the book as a “moment of intellectual triumph” and said it is a practical tool for equipping women with knowledge, skills, and confidence to shape their future.

Ms Onyeri, founder of the Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation, explained that the event was also a thanksgiving after surviving breast cancer three decades ago, when she was given six months to live.

She said the programme included health screenings and empowerment sessions for vulnerable women and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for increasing women’s representation in governance.

“Next year, we plan to empower more women to go into business so they can support their families,” she said, adding that she also intends to advance her political career to do more for women.

(NAN)