Adewumi Ademiju
The Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON, has called for deliberate and genuine inclusion of women in governance, diplomacy and national development, describing it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength.
Bamidele stated this at Nigeria House, New York, where he served as Chairman of the Occasion at the presentation of the book, :The Female Diplomat: Navigating Power, Ambition and Identity, organised by the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The high-level diplomatic event, hosted by the Consul General, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, had the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Chief Presenter of the book authored by Oluwakemi Amuda.
The invitation to Bamidele, according to the Consulate, was in recognition of his distinguished leadership, commitment to public service and support for inclusive governance.
Speaking as Chairman of the Occasion, Bamidele said the presentation of the book in an important diplomatic setting demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity to contribute thoughtfully to international discourse and reinforces the value of intellectual engagement as a key component of diplomacy and national representation.
The Senate Leader noted that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that Nigeria’s development must draw on the abilities of all citizens. He quoted President Tinubu as consistently affirming that women and young people must not be relegated to the sidelines in political, economic and national affairs.
According to Bamidele, “Meaningful inclusion goes beyond the presence of women in institutions. It requires genuine opportunities to participate in decision-making, exercise responsibility and contribute to the formulation and implementation of public policy.”
“Gender inclusion is not an act of favour. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength. No nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership,” he declared.
He stressed that democracy is strengthened when citizens see themselves represented in institutions established to serve them, adding that Nigeria’s foreign relations are enriched when the country is represented by capable professionals whose knowledge and experience reflect the breadth of national talent.
Bamidele said the National Assembly has a vital role to play through legislation, representation and oversight in promoting institutions that are fair, accessible and responsive, and in establishing an environment where competence is recognised and opportunity broadened for qualified women.
He congratulated the author, Oluwakemi Amuda, for the discipline and commitment required to complete the book, and commended the Consulate General in New York for providing a platform to promote Nigeria’s intellectual, professional and diplomatic contributions on the world stage.
The Senate Leader was also formally invited to participate in the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026 scheduled for September 25 at Nigeria House, under the theme “Connecting Capital to Opportunity: Investing in Africa’s Next Frontier,” a high-level economic diplomacy initiative to connect government, investors and development finance institutions to bankable opportunities in Nigeria.