As part of our commitment to gender equity and social justice, the Institute for Developmental Education and Agricultural Services (IDEAS), in collaboration with Oasis of Love International Center (OLIC), UK, hosted an award night in Gboko, Benue State on 8th March, as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations tagged INSPIRE ACTION.

Welcoming attendees, Barrister Clement Iornongu, co-host of the event, underscored the necessity of equity over mere equality. “Equity ensures dignity for all,” he stated, urging men, women, and children alike to contribute their quota in building a safe and just society for women. Drawing attention to the challenges faced by women, he lamented the persisting victimisation of women, in different settings and spaces, from local communities to civil service, calling for collective action.

Similarly, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Erdoo Ikyereve-Kukwa, emphasized the global theme Accelerate Action, urging both men and women to work towards a more inclusive society. She highlighted the need for tangible steps that would honour and empower women, ensuring they receive the same recognition and opportunities as their male counterparts.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of awards to 5 women who have significantly contributed to society through their character and actions. The honourees included Mrs. Cynthia Kudumyol Dajo (Philanthropy), Rev. Mrs. Hannah N. Ikyernum  (Virtuous Woman Award), Dr. Ella L. Rodgers (Education (Girl-Child), Mrs. Felicia Harrison (Entrepreneurship), and a posthumous award to Mrs. Rhoda Peiver Gavar for Honesty and Integrity.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Cynthia Kudumyol Dajo, wife of the Benue State Speaker of the House of Assembly, expressed deep gratitude to the organisers and pledged to advocate for policies that uplift women and the broader society. She vowed to use her position to champion reforms that address gender disparities.

A key segment of the event was the second inaugural edition of the annual colloquium on education. Associate Professor Adaka Terfa Ahon, PhD, FCILED, of Federal University, Lafia, delivered a paper on Relevant Education for All Women and Girls as a Catalyst for Gender Equity and Community Advancement.

Professor Ahon highlighted the persistent gender gaps in education, citing UNICEF estimates that 122 million girls remain out of school, particularly in low-income and conflict-affected regions. He discussed systemic barriers, including cultural norms that prioritise male education, gender biases that deter girls from pursuing STEM fields, and economic hardships that force many girls into domestic labour instead of schooling.

He listed some key objectives of functional education such as real-life application, critical thinking, life skills education, career preparation, adaptability, holistic development, and community engagement.

He argued that functional education, which focuses on practical skills and critical thinking, is vital in empowering women. He urged stakeholders (governments, educational institutions, and civil society) to intensify efforts in bridging gender gaps and creating sustainable opportunities for women and girls.

The next paper, Women in Agriculture: A Revolutionary Initiative Against Hunger in Nigeria, was presented by Dr. Peter Gyanden Kughur. He traced the historical contributions of agriculture to Nigeria’s GDP and emphasised the critical role of women in agricultural production, food security, and poverty alleviation.

Despite their immense contributions, Dr. Kughur highlighted the systemic challenges women face, including institutional bias, lack of access to leadership positions, poor remuneration, and restricted access to agricultural resources.

To counter these challenges, he referenced the Women in Agriculture (WIA) program, established in 1989 under the Benue State Agricultural Rural Development Authority (BNARDA). The initiative provided female extension workers to support women farmers with knowledge, physical resources, improved crop varieties, fertilizers, and loan procurement opportunities.

Key recommendations from his paper include financial inclusion for women farmers, policy reforms promoting women’s agricultural rights, reformation of agricultural services to be more women-friendly, introduction of women-centered farming technologies, land tenure reforms ensuring women’s ownership rights, and cultural shifts to dismantle gender-based discrimination

The event ended on a powerful note, with an entertaining cultural performance from students of IDEAS School who performed the Tiv cultural dance.