Prof. Odu Advocates Women’s Empowerment, Mentorship And Collaboration For Sustainable Development 

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has emphasized the importance of women’s voices, mentorship, and collaboration across generations and sectors in advancing gender equality and sustainable development.

Prof. Odu made this known during the Mentoring the Next Generation and Joint Commemoration of International Women’s Day and World Water Day Programme, organized by the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) at Rivers State University on Tuesday, 24th March, 2026.

Describing the Women Elders Forum as a vital platform for promoting dialogue, mentorship, and advocacy for sustainable development, the Deputy Governor expressed delight at being part of the initiative.

According to her, mentorship remains a critical tool for progress, noting that the initiative empowers young advocates with guidance, inspiration, and the confidence to champion gender equality and inclusive development in society.

The Deputy Governor further highlighted the importance of collaboration fostered by the platform, which brings together government, academia, and civil society.

“You can see that today all three sectors are here under one roof. Such partnerships are essential in promoting inclusive governance and achieving meaningful long-term impact,” she stressed.

Prof. Odu urged stakeholders to remain committed to amplifying voices, nurturing future leaders, and building a society where opportunities are accessible to all, while commending UNITAR and CIFAL for their achievements.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, stated that celebrating women’s strength and resilience on International Women’s Day and World Water Day helps amplify Nigerian voices and empower women in water management, ensuring sustainable access to clean water for all.

He added that the occasion honors the resilience of women globally and recognizes their critical role in managing water resources, while also highlighting their contributions to water conservation and governance.

In her keynote address titled “Inclusive Leadership: Building Institutions that Reflect All Voices,” the Chairman of the occasion, Dame Ibim Semenitari, described mentorship as the bridge to inclusive leadership. She noted that mentorship is not just guidance, but also access, exposure, and the transfer of power.

According to her, many young people today seek mentors who understand their context, stressing that mentorship must evolve from hierarchy to partnership, from instruction to conversation, and from occasional interactions to structured engagement.

“Where mentorship flows, leadership grows. Where mentorship is blocked, inequality deepens,” she stated.

Also speaking, the Director of CIFAL Nigeria, Mrs. Ihuoma Njemanze, explained that the CIFAL Global Initiative was established in 2003 and is coordinated by UNITAR. She noted that the agreement to establish the Port Harcourt Centre was signed by Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.

According to her, the initiative aims to deliver training and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with CIFAL centres spread across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.