By Eunice Orike
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria NILOWV, has planted 30 trees across three major democratic institutions in Abuja to mark its 30th anniversary and promote greater women’s participation in governance.
The exercise, held on Thursday at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, was organised under the theme, “30 Trees for 30 Years”.
Under the initiative, 10 trees will be planted at NILDS, 10 at the National Assembly and the remaining 10 at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking at the event, the National President of NILOWV, Irene Awunah said the initiative was designed to make the organisation’s 30th anniversary a lasting contribution to environmental sustainability and future generations.
She explained that the three institutions were deliberately selected because of their important roles in Nigeria’s democracy, noting that environmental protection and democratic development required commitment, responsibility and sustained effort.
According to her, NILDS promotes legislative learning and democratic development, the National Assembly makes laws for the country, while INEC plays a critical role in the electoral process.
She said the exercise was also intended to remind Nigerians that building a better country required collective responsibility, including protecting the environment for the benefit of children and young people.
The NILOWV president described tree planting as a simple but meaningful act that requires patience and care, adding that trees provide shade, improve air quality, protect the soil and help communities respond to climate change.
She said women committed to leadership, public service and community development must also take responsibility for protecting the environment for future generations.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, we want our anniversary to be remembered not only for the events we organise, but also for the positive difference we leave behind,” she said.
She urged the participating institutions to ensure that the trees were properly nurtured, warning that planting without adequate care could undermine the purpose of the initiative.
The president said the exercise reflected NILOWV’s commitment to women’s empowerment, democratic development and citizens’ participation in governance.
She appreciated the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; the Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman; members of the institute’s management team; and other guests and partners who supported the anniversary activity.
She added that the trees should serve as a reminder that meaningful development required deliberate action to secure a better future.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, called for greater representation of women in decision-making and policymaking in Nigeria.
He said women should not be limited to participating in elections as voters but should also have opportunities to occupy leadership positions and contribute to decisions affecting the country.
Sulaiman described the choice of NILDS as the venue for the exercise as a recognition of the importance of the legislature in Nigeria’s democracy.
He said the tree-planting exercise was more than a symbolic gesture, describing it as an investment in the future and a reminder of the need to nurture democracy and create opportunities for citizens to participate meaningfully in governance.
“Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, and we must do everything possible to nurture it,” he said.
According to him, caring for the trees should serve as a reminder of the need to sustain democratic values and ensure that women have a stronger voice in governance.
“Nurturing that tree is nurturing democracy, nurturing the tree is nurturing our future,” he said.
The NILDS director-general expressed hope that the initiative would encourage greater participation by women in elections, decision-making and policymaking.
He also conveyed the appreciation of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the initiative, saying the institute’s leadership and management were pleased to support it.
He added that the trees would serve as a lasting reminder of the need to build a more inclusive democratic system in which women could participate meaningfully in governance.
NILOWV is marking three decades of activities focused on women’s empowerment, democratic development and citizens’ participation in Nigeria.
