As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence come to a close and the global community unites to eliminate gender-based violence by 2030, Mrs. Idao Omoghene emerges as a passionate advocate in this crucial battle. With extensive experience as a public administrator, women advocate and the Head of Personnel Management in the Delta State Child Rights Implementation Committee, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the forefront. From grassroots initiatives to empowering young mothers, she articulates her vision for a future where fear has no place in the lives of women, girls, or children.
Could you kindly introduce yourself?
I am Mrs. Idao Omoghene, the Head of Personnel Management at Oshimili South Local Government Council in Delta State. I am from Patani Local Government Area, Delta State.
May I know more about your educational background?
I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State. I am also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Administration and Local Government Administration, amongst others.
Could you explain your role in relation to the Delta State Child Rights Committee?
As the Head of Personnel Management at the local government level, I am responsible for overseeing all staff within the Oshimili South Local Government Council.
Regarding the Delta State Child Rights Committee, there is a federal mandate that led to the formation of a state-level committee, which has now cascaded to the local government level. Our task is to form and implement a local committee to ensure the child rights law is effectively upheld within the local government areas.
As the Head of Personnel Management, I serve as the secretary of our local government’s Child Rights Committee. My role involves taking whatever is discussed at the state level back to the local government to ensure we adhere to and implement the required measures.
On a personal level, are you passionate about child rights? And what sparked that passion?
Definitely, without a doubt. Children are our future as a nation and even as individuals. At the family level, which is the smallest unit of society, without a child, a couple often feels incomplete. Being part of this committee to safeguard the rights of children means safeguarding our future. Properly nurturing children ensures they grow up to influence others positively. This ripple effect can address many of the societal issues we face at the national, state, and local levels.
For instance, in Nigeria, we see children roaming the streets, drug abuse on the rise, unemployment, and armed robbery, these are all outcomes of failures at both the family and governmental levels. When issues at the family level are addressed, it can significantly impact the state and federal levels.
This Child Rights Implementation Committee is a brilliant initiative. Many parents today are still children themselves, they don’t even know what to do. It’s like expecting a child to train another child; the outcome is disastrous. But with this committee, many issues are being put into the right perspective. Parents and children now have a place to ask questions, get guidance, and take the right actions at the right time. It’s a welcome initiative, and when fully implemented at the local government level, it will address many vices stemming from child neglect and abuse.
In your capacity as a HPM, what have you done to improve the rights of children in Delta State?
Most of what I’ve done has been on a personal basis, as both a mother and a career officer. At the local government level, forming our committee is a new initiative, and we’re making steady progress. We’ve already had two meetings to familiarise ourselves with our responsibilities and balance the work effectively.
For example, in Oshimili South Local Government, which includes Asaba, there is a unit under the Community Development Department, a social welfare unit that oversees orphanages, ensuring they operate properly and are registered. While there’s still a long way to go, we’ve taken the first crucial step by establishing the committee and beginning its operations.
You mentioned that Delta State is steady in its efforts to improve child rights. Only recently, the state enacted a law against human trafficking but what more do you think can be done to protect children’s rights?
A lot, especially for the girl child. Take social media, for instance. You see young mothers twerking with their children or dressing them inappropriately. It’s heartbreaking. How can such a mother instil the right values in her child? This is a situation where children are raising children, and the consequences are evident.
We need to train young mothers, conduct workshops, and teach them what it means to be responsible parents. As a mother, you are a role model. Someone is watching and emulating you, so your actions matter at all times.
Workshops should also target the girl child from a young age, even in secondary school, to prepare them for their future roles because if we don’t, the internet will.
Personally, because of the nature of my work, we focus on what I’d call “points of impact” at home, where we spread the values and lessons needed.
The global community has recently marked the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, emphasising a zero-tolerance stance toward perpetrators. In this context, what message do you have for women and girls as they navigate this ongoing struggle against this pervasive menace?
My advise to women is to be self-sufficient, bring something to the table. That’s how a man will appreciate you as a wife, and how your children will respect you as a mother. For me, it’s about not being solely dependent on a man, but on God. Women need to have their dreams and aspirations.
Some women have this mentality of preferring to “cry in a Jeep” than “laugh on a bicycle.” I tell them, this is flawed thinking. You can cry in a Jeep and die in it, but someone smiling on a keke (tricycle) might one day own a helicopter. It’s about focusing on substance, not shadows.
You need to know who you are as a woman. You must have something to offer. Whether through education, business, or entrepreneurial skills, many women have carved out fulfilling lives.
In marriages, if a wife depends on her husband for everything even personal necessities like sanitary pads it can create an imbalance. A man who knows his wife contributes to the household, perhaps paying part of the rent or feeding expenses, will think twice before mistreating her.
This mindset shift must start early, from school. Girls pick up dependency habits from their mothers or friends. They hear things like, “Without a man, you’re not complete as a woman.” That’s nonsense. A woman can feed and clothe herself without a man.
When young girls learn self-worth and self-esteem, they can work towards independence and avoid many of the abuses women experience.
There’s a global projection to eradicate gender-based violence by 2030. Do you think this is achievable? If yes, how?
That’s just six years away. To be honest, I don’t think it’s entirely achievable within that timeframe. Tackling gender-based violence isn’t just a physical task, it’s largely mental and requires a complete change in mindset.
Mental reconditioning takes time. We need experts to design and implement programmes that address the root causes of these issues. This isn’t like demolishing an old house and building a new one; it’s about instilling confidence and self-esteem in women and girls.
The narrative needs to change. Women should stop seeing themselves as the weaker sex. The notion that “the man is the head and the woman is the tail” must be redefined. Women are the neck, and without the neck, the head cannot function. Women are vital to the functioning of society, and they need to realise their importance.
That said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. While six years might not be enough to completely eradicate gender-based violence, we can make significant progress. Even two or three meaningful steps in that time would be better than remaining stagnant. However, realistically speaking, six years is a very short time to solve such a deep-rooted issue.
What are some of your hobbies when you’re not working?
I enjoy reading, watching films, singing, and dancing.
Are there any role models who inspired you?
Oh yes, I had a lot of role models growing up. One woman in particular really inspired me is Dr. Okonjo Iweala. She has proven to so many women that you can achieve anything at any stage in life.
What I admire most about her is her simplicity. You’ll never see her flamboyantly dressed; she doesn’t need extravagant clothing to define who she is. She is often in her traditional ankara attire with a simple headscarf, yet she exudes grace and confidence. She’s someone who commands respect in her field. She knows her worth, and she achieves what she sets her mind to.
Where do you see your career going? What are your hopes and aspirations for the next decade?
By God’s grace, I believe I’m at the apex of my career now. My prayer is to make even more impact both as a woman, a mother, and a career professional.
Do you have plans to pursue further studies, such as a master’s degree or doctorate?
Honestly, I don’t see myself pursuing more academic qualifications at this stage. My BSc laid the foundation for my career, and while additional qualifications are great, I believe it’s important to consider how and where they will be utilised.
When I initially considered pursuing a master’s degree, life’s circumstances, including family responsibilities, held me back. For instance, when I wanted to enrol, my baby came along, and my husband wasn’t entirely on board with the idea at the time.
I also contemplated earning a doctorate, if not in medicine, then perhaps academically, as that was my childhood dream. However, as time passed, my priorities shifted. Now, I’m more focused on business and community-oriented work for my post-retirement plans, such as running an NGO or an orphanage.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I want to create lasting change, wherever I’m found. I see myself moving higher, impacting lives and helping young women live right.
