society
There Can Be No New World Order Without Women: The Irreplaceable Role of Gender Inclusion in Global Leadership
There Can Be No New World Order Without Women: The Irreplaceable Role of Gender Inclusion in Global Leadership.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Why Sustainable Peace, Prosperity, and Progress Depend on Women’s Full Participation in World Affairs.”
There will be no legitimate, enduring or equitable new world order until women are fully part of it. This is not a slogan, a buzzword or a momentary slogan for social media likes; it is an empirical, historical and moral truth. For too long, discourses on global governance, peacebuilding, economic reform, climate action and technological innovation have marginalized women and relegating half of humanity to the sidelines of decision-making. The evidence is overwhelming: nations, institutions and global systems that elevate women to positions of leadership and influence outperform those that do not. To reimagine and rebuild a world order in the 21st century (one that is just, resilient and prosperous for all) women’s voices must not only be included but central.
Why Women Matter in Global Leadership. At its core, the call for women’s inclusion in world affairs rests on justice and merit. Women make up approximately 50% of the global population yet remain underrepresented in political offices, corporate boardrooms, peace negotiations and diplomatic arenas. According to the United Nations, women comprise only 26.1% of all national parliamentarians worldwide with only 22 countries having women as heads of state or government as of 2025. These figures reveal not just a gender gap but a leadership deficit that compromises the quality of global governance.
Renowned gender scholar Dr. Mona Lena Krook of Rutgers University asserts: “Inclusion is not a token gesture. It is fundamental to legitimacy, to accountability, and to a system that reflects the peoples it serves.”
This assessment underscores a simple truth: if half the world lacks equal access to power, systems claiming to serve “all humanity” are inherently flawed.
Women and Peace: A Case Study in Effectiveness. Nowhere is the case for women’s inclusion more compelling than in peace and security. The conventional approach to resolving conflict (historically dominated by male soldiers, politicians and diplomats) has often failed to produce durable peace. In contrast, research by the Council on Foreign Relations and UN Women has shown that peace processes with meaningful female participation are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years. When women are on peace negotiation teams, agreements are more likely to address community needs like justice mechanisms, education and social reintegration.
Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee, who led women’s peace movements in Liberia that helped end civil war in 2003, famously said: “If women stop, war stops.”
Her words are not hyperbolic; they reflect the reality that women’s perspectives prioritize community well-being, reconciliation and rebuilding, dimensions too often ignored in male-centered diplomatic strategies.
Economic Growth Depends on Women’s Inclusion. A new world order worthy of the name cannot succeed without addressing economic disparities that sideline women. The McKinsey Global Institute reported that advancing gender equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025, a figure larger than the entire economy of Germany and Japan combined. This is not charity; it is smart economics.
Investments in women’s education, workforce participation and entrepreneurship yield extraordinary returns. Countries that bridge the gender employment gap experience higher productivity, innovation and economic stability. When women earn and control financial resources, they reinvest a significant portion in their families and communities, creating a multiplier effect that benefits society at large.
World Bank Senior Economist Mariana Mazzucato explains: “Equitable economies are not just morally right, they are more dynamic, more resilient and more innovative.”
The logic is undeniable. Marginalizing women in global economic systems is not merely unjust but it is self-defeating.
Women at the Forefront of Climate Action. The climate crisis demands urgent, coordinated global action. Yet many international climate negotiations and policy decisions have been dominated by male leaders with limited engagement of women’s voices. A growing body of research, including work from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reveals that women are disproportionately affected by climate change (especially in vulnerable regions) yet they also offer innovative and sustainable solutions.
Communities led by women demonstrate higher levels of environmental protection and sustainable resource management. In rural Africa and Asia, women’s traditional ecological knowledge has preserved water systems, food supplies and land fertility, long before climate change became a global term.
As environmental justice advocate Mary Robinson has stated: “Climate justice is gender justice.”
Recognizing women as leaders in climate policy is not optional; it is essential for the survival of communities and ecosystems worldwide.
Breaking Barriers: Women in Global Governance. A true new world order must transform global governance structures and from the United Nations Security Council to international financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These institutions shape global policy but historically skew male in leadership and perspective.
The UN’s own Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight gender equality as a standalone goal (SDG 5) and as a cross-cutting priority across all goals. This reflects a growing recognition that gender equality is not a “women’s issue,” but a development imperative linked to poverty reduction, education, health outcomes and political stability.
Despite international commitments, progress remains uneven. Structural barriers (from discriminatory laws to cultural norms) continue to restrict women’s opportunities. Closing this gap requires proactive policies like gender quotas, equal pay legislation, reproductive rights protections and expanded access to education and healthcare.
International relations scholar Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter has argued: “Diversity in leadership is not a luxury, it is a strategic necessity.”
Her assertion captures the stakes: when global leadership reflects diversity, societies benefit from expanded creativity, empathy and strategic vision.
Addressing Criticisms and Misconceptions. Some detractors argue that emphasizing women’s inclusion undermines meritocracy or distracts from “universal” goals. This is a false dichotomy. Inclusion and excellence are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, a system that widens the talent pool inherently raises standards of competence and innovation.
Others claim that gender parity is a Western agenda imposed on other cultures. Yet the desire for dignity, fairness and opportunity transcends borders. Women in every region (from Asia to Africa, the Middle East to Latin America) have led movements for freedom, justice and progress. Their voices are not imported; they are organically rooted in their communities.
The Path Forward: Toward a Truly Inclusive World Order. To build a new world order that is equitable, sustainable and resilient, we must champion transformational changes:
Legal Reforms: Eliminate discriminatory laws that limit women’s political participation, property rights and economic freedom.
Education Access: Ensure girls receive quality education from primary to tertiary levels and because education is the foundation of empowerment.
Political Representation: Implement gender quotas and mentorship programs to accelerate women’s entry into parliaments, cabinets and diplomatic corps.
Economic Inclusion: Support women entrepreneurs, guarantee equal pay for equal work, and invest in childcare and family-friendly policies.
Leadership Training: Expand forums that prepare women for leadership and in technology, science, diplomacy and international organizations.
Cultural Transformation: Challenge stereotypes and norms that limit women’s roles, fostering societal attitudes that value women’s contributions equally.
Closing Perspective: A New World Order That Honors Women’s Power. The call to place women at the center of global decision-making is not merely rhetorical and it is rooted in evidence, history and justice. A world order that excludes women is inherently crippled: it lacks the full spectrum of human talent, experiences and wisdom needed to confront the defining challenges of our time.
As former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon famously declared: “There is no peace without development, no development without peace and neither can be achieved without women’s full and equal participation.”
Let these words guide us. The future we seek (peaceful, just, prosperous) demands that women are not just participants but equal architects of the world we build together.
There will never be a new world order until women are part of it. And until that vision becomes reality, the promise of our shared humanity remains unfulfilled.
society
“A Heritage Under Siege”: Thousands of Unity School Alumni Protest in Lagos, Abuja and Kano over Controversial FGC KANO Land Swap in
“A Heritage Under Siege”: Thousands of Unity School Alumni Protest in Lagos, Abuja and Kano over Controversial FGC KANO Land Swap in
Over 2,000 alumni of Nigeria’s Federal Government Colleges (Unity Schools) took to the streets across three cities on Saturday, May 9, in a coordinated protest against a contentious land concession deal that critics say amounts to the “commercialisation of a national legacy” .
The nationwide awareness walk, organised under the auspices of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) and branded with the rallying call “Pro Unitate – Better Together,” targeted a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement at Federal Government College (FGC) Kano . Under the deal, approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Pluck Global Construction Company would invest approximately N8.5 billion in infrastructure upgrades in exchange for roughly 30 to 33 hectares of the school’s land—a plot alumni estimate to be worth over N36 billion .
The protest followed a breakdown in talks with the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, earlier this week. Multiple online reports had detailed a meeting where USOSA and FGC KANO leaders formally offered to match the developer’s proposal funding the N8.5 billion project without ceding a single inch of land a proposition the Ministry reportedly declined to accept .
“We are not enemies of development, but this development must not choke the school,” said Humphrey Nwafor, National Chapter President of USOSA in Lagos, addressing a crowd of placard-wielding alumni. “If the government says it does not have enough money to run the schools, the old students can provide support without taking one inch of land” .
This weekend’s rallies are the latest escalation in a dispute that has been brewing since at least April 2026. As previously reported by the media, the controversy erupted publicly when the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, laid the foundation for the project, describing it as part of the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda .
At the time, the minister argued that the government “cannot spend over N8bn at once in just one school when we have over 100 federal government colleges” . However, alumni quickly mobilised opposition, with FGC Kano Old Students Association (FGCKOSA) President Shoyinka Shodunke describing the move as a destruction of a national educational legacy .
“Our unity schools were established as symbols of excellence, integration, and nation-building,” Shodunke had stated in an April 6 press release . “Any action that diminishes their integrity reflects a troubling disregard for education as a driver of national progress.”
During Saturday’s protest, which drew representatives from over 40 Unity Schools, speakers emphasised that the fight extends far beyond Kano.
“We have representatives from Federal Government College Ido Ani, Federal Government College Odogbolu, Okigwe, Port Harcourt, Ikot Ekpene, Bakori, Gboko, Ugwalowo, Sokoto, Warri, Kings and Queens College Lagos and 47 others standing here today,” Nwafor told the crowd. “This is a united front.”
One of the Speakers Mr Alex President FGC Ido Ani old states, noted that the present set of students represent the 11th generation of Nigerians who would lose critical recreational space if the deal proceeds.
“The land identified for this project is meant for learning, not for a residential or commercial estate,” Shodunke had previously warned journalists, citing security risks associated with introducing a mixed-use development adjacent to a secondary school .
Pluck Global Construction Company has vigorously defended the arrangement. In statements released following initial alumni protests in early April, Managing Director Musaddiq Ado Bala Talle insisted the agreement followed due regulatory process and was designed to enhance not undermine the school’s legacy .
Talle clarified that his firm would invest over N8 billion in new facilities, including a skills acquisition centre, staff quarters, a modern female hostel, a health centre, a sports complex, and comprehensive renovations of 54 classrooms, laboratories, and hostels . Under the terms, the company would receive 40 per cent of the “underutilised” portion of land as return on investment—but only upon completion of the 36-month project .
“The project will create a safer, more conducive learning environment and help secure the school’s future,” Talle had said .
But alumni remain unmoved. Pointing to a petition that has now gathered over 4,000 signatures addressed to President Bola Tinubu, USOSA leaders demanded an immediate and unconditional cancellation of the agreement .
“These signatures represent the collective voice of thousands of Nigerians who believe that our Unity Schools are not bargaining chips,” Shodunke had stated after the petition crossed its signature threshold . “We have invested our hearts, our resources, and our futures into these institutions. To see even an inch of our land swapped without our consent is an affront to everything we stand for.”
As of press time, the Ministry of Education had not issued an official response to the rallies. However, a senior official speaking on condition of anonymity maintained that “no concrete structure will be built on the students’ play fields”—an assurance USOSA leaders dismissed as “semantic trickery.”
The alumni have vowed to escalate their campaign to the National Assembly and the Presidency.
society
Ambassador Ajadi Extols Mrs. Oyindamola Ajadi’s Virtues on Her Special Day
Ambassador Ajadi Extols Mrs. Oyindamola Ajadi’s Virtues on Her Special Day
In a heartwarming celebration filled with love, prayers, and admiration, one of the strongest members of Team Makinde and the Chief Executive Officer of Bullion Records, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has celebrated his beloved wife, Mrs. Oyindamola Ajadi, on the occasion of her birthday today, Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Speaking during a private prayer session held in the early hours of the morning at his residence, Ambassador Ajadi described his wife as a rare gem whose unwavering love, support, and devotion have remained a pillar of strength in his personal and professional journey.
“Behind a successful man, there must be a good woman,” Ambassador Ajadi said while expressing gratitude to God for the gift of his wife. “Oyindamola embodies kindness, passion, patience, loyalty, and perseverance. Today, as she celebrates another beautiful year of life, I am reminded once again of how blessed I am to have her beside me.”
The businessman and politician further poured out emotional and romantic birthday wishes to his wife, appreciating the joy and peace she has brought into his life.
“Happy birthday to you, my darling,” he said. “I celebrate your special day with my heartfelt, romantic, and sweet wishes that make you feel cherished and deeply loved. My love, every year with you is better than the last. Happy birthday to the one who makes my heart skip a beat. Love you forever.”
Ambassador Ajadi also offered fervent prayers for his wife, asking God to continually guide, protect, and prosper her in all areas of life.
“Oyindamola is not just a wife and a mother; she is a beacon of love, wisdom, and support. I vow to always celebrate her and cherish every precious moment we share together. May Almighty God bless her with long life, sound health, endless joy, divine wisdom, peace of mind, and abundant prosperity. May her days be filled with happiness, favor, grace, and fulfillment beyond expectations,” he prayed.
He added, “I celebrate a beautiful soul today. On your special day, I want to shower you with all the love and affection in my heart. May your light never dim, may sorrow never come near your dwelling, and may God continue to uplift and strengthen you in all you do.”
The birthday celebration attracted goodwill messages and prayers from family members, friends, political associates, colleagues, and admirers, many of whom described Mrs. Ajadi as a humble, supportive, and virtuous woman whose kindness and warmth continue to positively impact lives around her.
As she marks another milestone, Mrs. Oyindamola Ajadi remains a source of inspiration to many, with loved ones joining Ambassador Ajadi in praying for greater accomplishments, divine protection, and many more fruitful years ahead.
society
Viral Hantavirus Reports Spark Fresh Anxiety as Prophet Aitafo’s 2025 Warning Resurfaces
Viral Hantavirus Reports Spark Fresh Anxiety as Prophet Aitafo’s 2025 Warning Resurfaces
Kingsley Aitafo’s widely shared prophecy about a coming “deadly disease” has resurfaced online amid growing concern over reports of a new Hantavirus outbreak in parts of Europe, particularly France.
In a viral video from his “2025 Prophecy” message, the cleric warned of a disease outbreak he described as potentially “more brutal than COVID-19,” urging followers to engage in fervent prayers against a looming global health emergency.
“We should pray against a deadly disease that is more brutal than COVID-19. It is coming on the earth. I cannot specify when, but we should pray against it,” the prophet declared in the footage.
The resurfaced prophecy has triggered intense debate across social media platforms, with many followers drawing parallels between the warning and recent international reports surrounding Hantavirus infections.
Rising Concern Over Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially severe viral infection commonly transmitted through exposure to infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Some strains can lead to serious respiratory complications or hemorrhagic fever.
Although health authorities have not declared a global emergency, reports of increasing infections have heightened public concern, especially given lingering memories of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical experts continue to caution against panic, stressing that surveillance systems and international response mechanisms are now far more prepared than they were during the early stages of COVID-19.
Health Precautions Advised
Health authorities and medical professionals recommend the following precautionary measures:
Avoid contact with rodents, their droppings, urine, or nesting areas.
Properly disinfect potentially contaminated environments.
Maintain strict hygiene practices.
Seek urgent medical care if symptoms such as sudden fever, muscle pain, fatigue, or breathing difficulties develop.
As of press time, Nigerian authorities have not issued any formal travel advisory linked to the reported outbreak in Europe, though monitoring measures at international entry points are believed to have been strengthened.
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