The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on School Feeding, Dr Yetunde Adeniji, has called on youths, especially women across Nigeria, to continue believing in themselves and to remain committed to driving positive change in their communities and the nation.
She also expressed support for the Reserved Seats Bill for Women being considered by the National Assembly, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring women’s inclusion in governance and policymaking.
Adeniji disclosed this in Abuja while addressing youths at the 10th Anniversary and Inauguration Ceremony of the National Female Students Association of Nigeria (NFSAN), where new national executives of the association were officially sworn in.
Themed “Trailblazers: Female Students Leading for National Transformation,” the anniversary celebration also featured inspiring speeches on the roles of women in national development and leadership.
She commended the association for its commitment to nurturing young female leaders and shaping them into agents of transformation, describing NFSAN as a “top contender” in promoting governance and social impact among students.
She said: “I would urge the youths to continue to believe in themselves, to believe in their passion, to believe in creating a change, especially in their communities and in society. It’s a breath of fresh air to see young women want to create impact within their community.
“At the level where we are trying to bring young minds from schools, we are trying to mould them and shape them into becoming pillars of society. So I commend the National Association of Female Students, and I want to continue to encourage them to be more than they are.”
According to her, the association is making meaningful contributions toward preparing young minds for national development.
Adeniji also expressed support for the Reserved Seats Bill for Women being considered by the National Assembly, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring women’s inclusion in governance and policymaking.
She added, “I’m glad that the National Assembly is coming up with this reserved seats bill for women. It’s a significant bill. What we are looking at is increasing the number of seats at the table for women. That is the only way our voices can be heard.
“I would continue to tell them not to give up, not to relent. Let’s see how we can work together to create the change we’re looking for.
“A woman is not only a home builder, she is a nation builder. When a woman rises in wisdom, leadership, and courage, a community changes, a generation is inspired, and a nation is transformed.”
She urged female students to continue advocating for greater participation of women at all levels, from local communities to the national stage, and to work together to create the change they desire.
At the event, a paper titled “Women Spearheading National Transformation”, delivered by Ijeoma Emeribe, represented by Pastor Mrs Sabina Adepoju of Priesthood Stream Church, Abuja, highlighted the central role of women in driving social and spiritual renewal in society.
She cited biblical and contemporary examples of women who have demonstrated courage and purpose in leadership, from Deborah and Esther to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emphasising that “when women rise, nations rise.”
In her inaugural address, the newly inaugurated National President of NFSAN, Comrade Faith Progress Istifanus, pledged to strengthen the association’s role as a formidable voice for female students in Nigeria and a driver of gender inclusion, academic excellence, and leadership development.
She outlined key priorities for her tenure, including promoting mentorship, entrepreneurship, and digital empowerment; advocating for gender equity; and building strategic partnerships with government and private institutions.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Gender Education, Engagement, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship (G4E) Program, Hon. Judith Mayen Etuk-Ogbara, described the anniversary as a celebration of “a decade of resilience and triumph” for Nigerian female students.
She challenged NFSAN members to strive for greater leadership roles, including the election of the first female President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
She said: “This is the time to make history, to produce the first female NANS President. Not by tokenism, but by merit, capacity, and courage.”
Etuk-Ogbara urged the new NFSAN leadership to deepen its impact, strengthen partnerships, and remain a platform for mentorship and empowerment, adding that “empowered women don’t wait for history, they make it.”
