UK Lord Mayor Inspires Southern Kaduna Women to Embrace Political Leadership

By Abubakar Labaran 

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, United Kingdom, Mrs. Abigail Marshall Katung, has called on women from Southern Kaduna to actively participate in politics and claim their space in governance.

Mrs. Katung made the appeal as the keynote speaker at the Southern Kaduna Women in Politics Summit, held yesterday at the New Choice Hotel in Kafanchan. She addressed the theme, “Women Shaping Democracy: From the Margins to the Mainstream.”

The summit was organized by the We Shape Nations Institute and sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, who represents Southern Kaduna Senatorial District and is Mrs. Katung’s husband. It attracted women from various political groups and organisations across the region.

In her address, Mrs. Katung urged women to take decisive roles in political processes to ensure their voices are heard and represented. She emphasised that everyone is born with a unique purpose and that women are uniquely equipped to contribute to leadership and development.

Citing her own journey from Nigeria to becoming the Lord Mayor of Leeds through hard work and resilience, she described Southern Kaduna women as intelligent and capable. She encouraged them to be courageous, navigate the political landscape, and use their experiences to foster rapid development in their communities and the country.

Mrs. Katung also expressed gratitude to supporters of her husband’s “Trust the Process” movement, which she said is committed to delivering quality leadership and meaningful development.

Earlier, the Provost of We Shape Nations Institute, Gideon Agwam Mutum, stated that the summit aimed to address a long-existing leadership gap by empowering Southern Kaduna women to claim a seat at decision-making tables. He commended Senator Sunday Marshall Katung for sponsoring the event, highlighting the Senator’s dedication to inclusive leadership.

Also speaking, Mrs. Gladys Kachiro, wife of the Provost, delivered a presentation titled, “The Power of Political Presence: Redefining Leadership Beyond The Ballot.” She argued that political participation goes beyond voting to include being in rooms where policies are shaped, budgets are influenced, and leaders are held accountable.

Mrs. Kachiro noted that while women in Southern Kaduna have long demonstrated leadership in homes, professions, and communities, their presence in formal politics remains limited. She urged them to step forward en masse.

In her remarks, a former Chairman of Sanga Local Government and former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Comfort Anwe, described Southern Kaduna women as intelligent and hardworking—qualities essential for successful political leadership. She charged them to be strong and resilient as they chart a course in politics at all levels.

The Coordinator of Women in Politics, Mrs. Agatha Augustine, stated in a remark that democracy is incomplete without women, whom she described as nation-builders, community stabilizers, and the backbone of society. She thanked the organizers and the Senator for the initiative and pledged the unwavering support of women to his cause.

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