Showunmi awards National Health Builder Award, urges inclusion of women in nation building

A People’s Democratic Party leader in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has called for greater inclusion of women in governance and national development, warning that their exclusion continues to weaken Nigeria’s moral and economic foundations.

Showunmi made the call while giving a presentation at an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the College of Health Sciences and Technology and the birthday celebration of Rev. Mrs Kemi Ishola, where he was also awarded the National Health Builder Award.

In her speech, Showunmi argued that conversations about nation-building must go beyond traditional priorities such as security, infrastructure and fiscal policy to recognize what she described as the “underutilized power” of women.

Anchoring his position in Christian doctrine, he referred to the concept of Imago Dei, underlining that both men and women are created in the image of God, with equal dignity, free will and responsibility.

“Equal creation implies equal stakes. Any system that limits women’s participation in governance distorts this principle,” she said.

Drawing from biblical examples, she cited figures like Deborah and Esther as evidence of women’s leadership ability, especially in times of national crisis.

“These are not symbolic references. They are practical examples of women leading effectively under pressure,” she added.

Showunmi further emphasized women’s role in shaping social values, describing them as central to moral formation within homes and communities.

According to him, virtues such as discipline, integrity and empathy – crucial to national development – ​​are largely passed on through women.

On the economic front, he described women as active contributors in key sectors including agriculture, trade and services, warning that sidelining them amounted to “bad economic practice”.

It also highlighted their role in peacebuilding and community cohesion, particularly in fragile societies, while lamenting their limited representation in formal decision-making structures.

“This gap is not only unfair, but also strategically unfounded,” he said.

While acknowledging ongoing debates within Christian circles about gender roles, Showunmi cautioned against confusing cultural practices with religious doctrine, insisting that many restrictions placed on women are rooted in tradition rather than theology.

He criticized what he called the confinement of women to “soft roles,” stressing that their exclusion from critical areas such as security, fiscal management and executive leadership limits national capacity.

She called for targeted policies to expand women’s access to education, economic opportunities and leadership positions, stressing that inclusion must be treated as a strategic imperative.

“A nation cannot afford to build with only half its strength,” he said.

Showunmi dedicated her National Health Builder Award to the cause of inclusive development, expressing optimism that nations that fully harness the potential of women will achieve more sustainable growth and stability.

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