Renowned disability rights advocate and founder of the Cedar Seed Foundation, Lois Auta, has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following her appointment to the Governing Board of the National Women Development Centre.
In a statement filled with gratitude and renewed commitment, Lois Auta described the appointment as not only a personal honour but also a significant step toward deepening disability inclusion and women’s representation in governance and national development.
She commended President Tinubu for what she described as his continued recognition of inclusivity, particularly in creating opportunities for women and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
According to her, the appointment reflects the administration’s willingness to embrace diversity and ensure that no group is left behind in the affairs of the country.
Lois Auta also extended heartfelt appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her consistent support for women empowerment initiatives and her unwavering commitment to advancing the welfare of vulnerable groups across the country.
She further acknowledged the efforts of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, and the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, SGF, for their roles in the appointment process and their contributions toward strengthening inclusive governance.
The disability inclusion advocate noted that the recognition of women with disabilities at such a strategic level sends a strong message of hope to millions of Nigerians who have long advocated for equal representation and participation in leadership and decision-making processes.
She emphasized that women with disabilities possess enormous potential and capacity to contribute to national growth when given the opportunity and enabling environment.
While congratulating other members appointed to the board, Lois Auta reassured Nigerians of her readiness to work collaboratively with stakeholders to advance the mandate of the National Women Development Centre and improve the lives of women across the country, especially women with disabilities who often face multiple layers of discrimination and exclusion.
She pledged to use her new position to advocate for policies and programs that would promote accessibility, empowerment, economic inclusion, education, leadership opportunities, and social protection for women and girls with disabilities.
Lois Auta stressed that true national development can only be achieved when inclusion becomes a deliberate and sustained priority, adding that empowering women remains one of the strongest pathways to sustainable growth and social transformation.
She further praised the First Lady for continuously championing initiatives aimed at uplifting women and vulnerable populations, saying her passion for women’s advancement continues to inspire hope among marginalized communities.
Observers within the disability and women advocacy space have described her appointment as a landmark moment that could strengthen conversations around gender equality, disability inclusion, and participatory governance in Nigeria.
Many believe that her wealth of experience as a disability rights campaigner and social inclusion advocate will bring valuable perspectives to the board and contribute meaningfully toward shaping programs that respond to the realities faced by women across different social backgrounds.
The appointment has also been widely celebrated by advocates who see it as a major victory for inclusive representation and a positive indication that the voices of Persons With Disabilities are gradually gaining recognition at the highest levels of government.
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