Nigeria officially presents its candidate Oby Nwankwo to the International Community

On the 14th of June 2016, the Head of Mission, Nigeria Permanent Mission in NY, Mr. Bosah presented Oby Nwankwo to the international community as its candidate for re-election into the CEDAW Committee.  This took place at a reception held at the Permanent Mission for the States Parties to the CEDAW Convention. He described the candidate as a strong one who has a solid advocacy background and who has done great work on women’s rights in Nigeria. He commended the candidate for her commitment and doggedness, most especially for the work she has so far done in the four years of her membership in the Committee. He said that Nigeria is very happy and proud that its candidate possesses the desired qualities for membership of the CEDAW Committee having worked on the promotion and protection of women’s rights for over two decades. He urged the States parties to vote for the candidate on the 21st of June when the elections will hold in the UN in NY.

On her own part, the candidate spoke at length on her achievements in the CEDAW Committee. She said among other things that she is currently serving as the CEDAW Committee’s Focal point on HIV and its Co-focal point on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights; she has served as Country Rapporteur for five countries, a member of 46 Task Forces for constructive dialogues and a member of four working groups that produced the Committee’s General Recommendations on Women in Conflict, Conflict Prevention and Post Conflict Situations, on Access to Justice, on Rural Women and the CEDAW/CRC joint General Recommendation on Harmful Practices. She highlighted her unique qualities of 23 years of judicial experience and over two decades of work as a civil society activist. She acknowledged the unflinching support of the Government of Nigeria for her candidacy and expressed her profound gratitude to the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama, the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs H/E Senator Aisha Alhassan, Ambassador Nonyem Udo from the capital; the Head of Mission, Mr. Bosah and the indefatigable election officers Mr. Richard Adejola and Mr. Samson Itegboje and their support staff at the Permanent Mission, for their untiring efforts to make this campaign bid a reality.

The reception was attended by permanent Representatives, Deputy Permanent Representatives and Election Officers of States Parties to the CEDAW Convention. The Commonwealth was also represented.

Below is a video of pictures taken at the reception.