Politics
A member of the Kwara House of Assembly, Ogbeni Ogunniyi, has congratulated Ms. Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia on her election as Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (UN CEDAW).
Ogunniyi, Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Nutrition, conveyed the congratulatory message in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
He described Eghobamien-Mshelia’s election as a monumental achievement for Nigerian women and a significant diplomatic and leadership milestone for the country on the global stage.
According to him, the election held on June 26 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where Eghobamien-Mshelia secured the endorsement of 123 member states.
Ogunniyi said that UN CEDAW was one of the most competitive organs within the United Nations system, with limited seats that attracted strong interest and contestation from countries worldwide.
“Being part of this committee is a great honor for Ms. Eghobamien-Mshelia and indeed Nigeria.
“It offers a strategic platform to lend a strong voice toward creating an inclusive system around the world,” Ogunniyi said.
He also hailed Eghobamien-Mshelia’s accomplishments, describing her as a seasoned international gender expert, public policy analyst and innovator in digital financial inclusion initiatives.
Ogunniyi said that she developed a mobile application that served as a financial literacy tool for market women and was the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Women Arise Development and Humanitarian Initiative (WADHI).
A strong advocate of gender equity, Ogunniyi said the election represented progress in advancing women’s rights and expressed confidence in her ability to deliver a successful tenure.
Established in 1982, UN CEDAW comprises 23 independent experts elected from different regions of the world to monitor implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
The committee is responsible for ensuring that member states fulfil their obligations under the convention and take concrete steps to eliminate discrimination against women and girls globally.(NAN)
A.I
June 29, 2026
Tags: Ms. Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia Ogbeni Ogunniyi