…Says ‘Ibukun and the People’ should encourage women’s inclusion in politics, decision making

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

In a bid to promote gender equality and increase women’s inclusion in politics, UN Women on Friday in Abuja screened a new movie, ‘Ibukun and the People’, to strengthen advocacy for the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill in Nigeria.

The movie, screened under the Side by Side Naija campaign, focused on the need for increased representation of women in parliament and leadership positions, while encouraging stronger support for inclusive governance in Nigeria.

The production, supported by UN Women, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, and the Government of Canada, featured Nollywood stars including Ivie Okujaiye, Uzee Usman and Joke Silva.

Speaking at the event, Ms Beatrice Eyong, Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the initiative as a major step towards promoting women’s political participation and advancing gender equality in Nigeria.

Eyong said the movie was designed to strengthen conversations around women’s inclusion in governance and support ongoing advocacy for the Special Seats for Women Bill.

She stressed that women must be included in decisions affecting their lives, noting that such inclusion was necessary for national development.

Eyong expressed optimism that the message of the movie would resonate across the country and encourage more support for women seeking political offices.

She commended the actors and production team for participating voluntarily because they believed in the cause being promoted by the film.

Eyong urged Nigerians to look beyond the entertainment aspect of the movie and focus on the realities women face in politics.

She said, “Not as an act of charity, but as a necessity for national development. We need more women at the table when decisions that affect them are made. That is what the movie is advocating.

“That is what we are asking. Ladies and gentlemen, a project of this magnitude is the result of collective passion.

“As you watch this film tonight, I ask you to look beyond the screen. See the faces of the women in your own constituencies. Think of the laws that still need to be written.

“And the barriers that still need to be broken. Let the movie be the spark that ignites a new era of inclusive governance in Nigeria.”

Also speaking, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, described women’s participation in politics as an urgent democratic priority.

She noted that storytelling helps bring policy debates to life and allows people to connect emotionally with the realities women face in politics.

According to her, the movie aligns with advocacy for special seats for women and would help push conversations that could lead to reforms and more inclusive governance.

The Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, said special seats remained one of the key ways to improve women’s representation in Nigeria’s political system.

He, however, noted that education and broader political reforms were also important in addressing gender imbalance in leadership.

He expressed hope that the advocacy around the movie would help sustain conversations on women’s inclusion in governance.

The Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Sanna Selin, said gender equality promotes peace, development and social justice.

She noted that Finland has long supported women’s rights and inclusive governance, stressing that women should be part of decision making processes at all levels.

Selin added that advancing gender equality benefits the entire society through improved development, peace and stability.

The National President of the National Council of Women Societies, NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, commended UN Women and the young producers behind the movie.

Meanwhile, the movie director, Patience Ejoke Ogedegbe, said the film sends a strong message that women should no longer be intimidated from contesting political offices.

Popular actor Uzee Usman, who featured as a senator in the movie, stressed the need to encourage and support more women to seek political positions.

Also, Ivie Okujaiye, who played the lead role of Ibukun, said the movie would inspire women to overcome blackmail and stereotypes while pursuing leadership positions.