Royal Honour for UN Women Chief as Abaji Monarch Leads Anti-SGBV Campaign By Raymond Enoch
Royal Honour for UN Women Chief as Abaji Monarch Leads Anti-SGBV Campaign
By Raymond Enoch
The campaign against harmful traditional practices and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gained fresh momentum as the United Nations Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, paid an advocacy visit to the Ona of Abaji, His Royal Majesty Adamu Baba Yunusa.
During the visit, the monarch—who also chairs the FCT Traditional Council—reaffirmed the resolve of traditional institutions to eliminate SGBV and all forms of discrimination against women and girls across communities in the FCT. He emphasized the critical role of grassroots engagement in addressing deeply rooted cultural practices.
The Ona of Abaji commended Eyong for her dedication to advancing the rights and welfare of women and girls, particularly at the community level. He noted that despite her global exposure and professional achievements, she has remained committed to supporting vulnerable groups.
In recognition of her contributions, the royal father conferred on her the traditional title of Yar Amana FCT, followed by a colourful turbaning ceremony that formally inducted her into the traditional institution.
In her acceptance speech, Eyong expressed appreciation for the honour, describing it as a strong endorsement of ongoing efforts to promote gender equality. She pledged to intensify collaboration with traditional leaders to eliminate harmful practices.
“The reward for hard work is to do more,” she said. “This recognition is deeply meaningful. Our work begins at the grassroots, where harmful practices are most prevalent. The growing support from traditional institutions shows that progress is being made, and we will not relent until SGBV and all forms of gender discrimination are eradicated.”
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi, described the honour as well-deserved, noting that it reflects the increasing impact of partnerships between traditional institutions and development agencies in advancing gender equity.
Laniyi further observed that honouring a woman, a Christian, and a non-indigene in Abaji underscores the community’s growing reputation for inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence, and progressive leadership.
In her remarks, the Wife of the Ona of Abaji and President of the Association of Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers, Hauwa Ibrahim Adamu, said the recognition was not unexpected, given the visible impact of collaboration between traditional institutions and UN Women across the FCT’s 17 chiefdoms. She expressed confidence that the honour would further strengthen partnerships and attract broader support for ending harmful practices.
The event attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Cameroon Embassy, UN Women officials, women-led organisations, religious and market groups, adolescent networks, the National Council of Women Societies, and persons living with disabilities.
The ceremony’s highlight was Eyong’s decoration as Yar Amana FCT, marked by a symbolic horse-riding procession welcoming her into the traditional fold, in a celebration that blended cultural heritage with a renewed commitment to gender justice.
