IWD2026: “Why we must continue to empower women” – Peter Obi
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party has said that human capital development, especially for women, remains a nation’s surest path to prosperity.
Obi while speaking at the REFELA National Conference in Banjul, The Gambia on Tuesday said nations that deliberately invest in their people eventually gain stronger economies and more stable societies.
The former Anambra State Governor was at the conference themed, Accelerating Representation, Safeguarding, and Strengthening Women’s Rights’, as the guest speaker.
He joined in commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in th Banjul were he was honoured with the key to the city.
In a post shared on his social media accounts, Obi said focusing on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” he emphasised that the wealth of nations is directly tied to how seriously they invest in their people, particularly women.
“I reiterated a fundamental truth that nations that deliberately invest in human capital eventually gain stronger economies and more stable societies. When women are given equal access to education, finance, and leadership opportunities, they become not just participants but critical drivers of national development.
“As Nobel Laureate in Economics, Amartya Sen, famously argued, billions of women are “missing” from economic transactions, and this exclusion is holding back the prospects of development in Africa and other developing economies,” Obi said.
He added that nations must become aggressive and deliberately choose paths that bring about development and growth for their people.
He said, “Prioritising education, healthcare, skills development, and economic inclusion for women and youth is the foundation for sustainable growth and development of any nation.
“On this International Women’s Day, I thank the Mayor of Banjul, Hon Rohey Malick Lowe for the honour of inviting me, for the warm reception and for graciously hosting my team and me. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Nigerian community in The Gambia for the useful interaction we had.
“I join all men and women of goodwill in celebrating women across the world, recognising their crucial and complementary roles in society. Now more than ever, women must step into public service and leadership roles,” the former presidential candidate stated.
He also noted that by empowering women, fostering accountability, and prioritising education and skills development, Africa can transform potential into tangible progress, building shared opportunity for all.
“This is ‘development as freedom’”. Obi added.
