Nigeria’s culture minister Hannatu Musa Musawa on Tuesday called for greater investment in women's education and female leadership, speaking on the sidelines of a cultural forum in Chengdu, southwest China.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Musawa said advancing women’s rights is essential to building stronger communities.
Musawa had attended the Golden Panda Cultural Forum, where she underscored the importance of girls’ education and the visibility of female role models in leadership.
"Most of the African administrations now are being very active in ensuring that we raise the chances of women, whether in leadership. But you know, because of the culture and because of the different traditions, it has been very difficult for us to push that through. So we continue to embed that through the educational system. We continue to see we push women into education," she said.
"And what is important with us being in positions of leadership is that we can show other women in our communities that it is possible. Because if we are able to do it, they're able to do it as well," she added.
Musawa also voiced interest in learning from China’s progress on women’s rights, citing female leadership as a source of inspiration and potential partnership.
"I've seen in China, women leadership seems very important. So this is another thing that we want to learn and to see how we can participate and partner with China and be inspired by China," she said.
China will host the Global Summit of Women in Beijing this month to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 World Conference on Women.
Nigerian culture minister calls for women empowerment for stronger communities
Nigerian culture minister calls for women empowerment for stronger communities
The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.
Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.
The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.
"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.
The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.
Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.
"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.
Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near
