440
By Tracy Moses
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening initiatives that empower women, support families, and uplift vulnerable groups as the Ene Obi Development Centre (EODC) officially opened its doors on Tuesday in Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the centre as a transformative hub that will equip women and girls with vital skills and opportunities to succeed. She commended the initiative, calling it a symbol of hope and a significant step toward bridging gender gaps across the country.
“This centre, with its focus on skills development, training and essential support services, demonstrates how education and resilience can fundamentally reshape lives,” she said. “The Federal Government remains deeply committed to programmes that advance women’s empowerment, strengthen homes and uplift the vulnerable. I am confident that this centre will accelerate our push toward achieving true gender equality in Nigeria.”
The minister noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs is open to purposeful partnerships, stressing that collaboration remains crucial to achieving long-term, measurable impact.
Also speaking, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), urged government to prioritise civic freedoms, uphold human rights and widen participation opportunities for citizens. He pressed the National Assembly to fast-track work on the Reserved Seats Bill, while urging civil society groups to remain united and courageous in confronting societal challenges.
“We cannot afford silence,” he said. “Women and youth must speak boldly and claim their rightful space in leadership. Development partners must also invest in institutions like EODC that are driving social justice and community development.”
Former First Lady of Imo State, Mrs. Ngozi Okorocha, praised the centre’s founder, Mrs. Ene Obi, describing her as an exceptional woman with a deep passion for national progress and women’s advancement. She said Obi’s vision reflected the broader potential Nigeria holds through its resilient citizens.
ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Representative, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, equally commended Obi’s leadership qualities, describing her as courageous, compassionate and unrelenting in speaking truth to power. He noted that ActionAid is eager to deepen collaboration with the newly launched centre, especially as the organisation works toward its goal of lifting five million Nigerians out of poverty within the next decade.
“It would be impossible to meet our targets without strategic partnerships with organisations like EODC,” he said.
In her address, Founder of the centre, Mrs. Ene Obi, said the launch represented the culmination of a long-held dream shaped by years of working closely with women and young people across Nigeria. She noted that despite the country’s abundant potential, many young women still face persistent barriers that hinder their progress.
“These obstacles limit potential, reinforce gender inequality, weaken communities and silence those who are most vulnerable,” she said. “This centre exists to confront these issues head-on. Our mission is to foster gender equality, strengthen governance and human rights, nurture youth leadership and ensure that marginalised groups are not overlooked.”
Obi urged government institutions, donor agencies, academic bodies and the private sector to collaborate with the centre and ensure accountability in its operations as it works to fulfill its mandate.