An activist and former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Washington DC in the U.S., Dr Carol Nwosu, has been given endorsement by some women groups to run for the presidency of Nigeria.

Nwosu received the endorsement at a ceremony held at Ado in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Saturday, where she received the traditional title of “Udemba – The People’s Ambassador’’.

The title was given to her by the Eze Igbo of Ado Kingdom, Igwe Ochendo Chukwudi, who described Nwosu as a consummate politician, grassroots activist and nationalist, whose services would be needed in Nigeria at a time like now.

He called on women in the country to rise to the challenge of leadership in the country by participating in politics and supporting each other to make the difference and give Nigeria a sense of direction.

Chukwudi said that Nwosu had showed consistency in her political career, urging Nigerians to look beyond the APC and PDP parties in choosing the next president to pilot the affairs of the country in the next political dispensation.

In her remarks after receiving the honour, Nwosu pledged that she would use her experience and international connections to mobilise men and women in Nigeria to work for a united and indivisible nation.

She said she was ready and able to serve Nigeria at the highest level of leadership, noting that she was no stranger to international politics and the politics of Nigeria, where she said she had made her mark over the years.

The activist said that she was passionate about building a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria, where women would have a voice and where everyone would benefit from the ethos of equity, justice and fair play.

She said the title bestowed on her would encourage her to fight for the recognition of women and to give them their pride of place in the politics of the country.

“This title has made me not only a member of the palace but a warrior in and bearer of peace to all Nigerians.

“I will ensure that I contribute immensely to unifying different ethnic nationalities and I will always push for peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic groups and religions in Nigeria.

“I will do my best to advance the cause of women in Nigeria. I did exactly that when I was a Commissioner of Women Affairs in the U.S. I will replicate here in my country,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwosu has held several positions in the U.S. bureaucracy, where she also made her mark in international engagements and negotiations.

She was the founder of Nigerians in Diaspora Integrated Agency, which later translated into the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

In 2002, Nwosu successfully organised the first Nigeria and U.S. Economic and Democratic Summit in Washington DC.

In 2014, she negotiated with King Goodwill Zwelithni of Zululand in South Africa on the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, to bring the attacks to an end.

In the year 2000, Nwosu single handedly facilitated the release of over 1,000 Africans, 420 of whom were Nigerians, who were stranded in Ghana after being deported from various countries.

She also through diplomatic engagements, saved the lives of some Nigerians facing death penalty in Indonesia for drug-related offences.

NAN reports that various interest groups, including the Market Women Association of Nigeria attended the event.

(NAN)