RMD Lands Male Feminist Ambassador Role

Veteran Nollywood actor, writer, and producer Richard Evans Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has been appointed as an ambassador of the Male Feminists Network (MFN) to support efforts aimed at preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across Nigeria.

According to Ireporter Online, the appointment was announced during an inauguration ceremony held in Abuja by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD). The initiative positions the 65-year-old entertainment icon among a team of prominent advocates tasked with leading a nationwide campaign focused on ending gender-based violence and promoting respect for women’s rights.

Speaking shortly after his inauguration, RMD emphasized the importance of greater female participation in governance, describing women as dependable leaders who consistently deliver results. Drawing from his experience in the film industry, he disclosed that women made up nearly 80 percent of the crew on one of his productions, adding that he has always encouraged others to entrust leadership responsibilities to women because of their dedication and effectiveness.

The veteran actor also urged Nigerian men to abandon harmful cultural beliefs that diminish women and instead embrace values of respect, dignity, and equality. He stressed that women should be treated with the same care and consideration afforded to wives, daughters, and other loved ones, while condemning all forms of violence and objectification.

RMD further argued that correcting or resolving disagreements should never involve physical abuse, noting that dialogue remains a far more effective and civil approach than violence. He dismissed comparisons between isolated cases of violence against men and the widespread, systemic abuse faced by women, maintaining that gender-based violence against women remains a deeply rooted societal issue that requires collective action.

He called on men to actively support organizations advocating for women’s rights, insisting that lasting societal change begins within families and communities. According to him, the way men treat women in their homes serves as an example that others are likely to emulate.

RMD also commended Centre LSD for extending its advocacy beyond urban centers by engaging transport workers, artisans, students, mechanics, vulcanisers, commercial motorcyclists, and taxi drivers. He expressed confidence that sustained grassroots engagement would significantly reduce incidents of gender-based violence nationwide.

Also speaking at the event, the Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD and Project Director of the Male Feminists Network, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said traditional and religious leaders are increasingly playing key roles in challenging harmful cultural practices that encourage violence against women.

He cited successful interventions in Cross River and Benue states, where community dialogue helped eliminate discriminatory inheritance practices and harmful widowhood rites. Dr. Igbuzor maintained that culture is not static and can evolve through education and awareness, pointing to the significant decline in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which was once widely accepted but is now recognized as a criminal practice.

Presenting an overview of the project, the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at Centre LSD, Dr. Victoria Oseyande Udoh, revealed that the initiative has expanded across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones since its launch in April 2025.

She explained that the project, titled “Core Support for Building a Network of Male Feminists to Prevent Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria,” initially targeted the training of 1,000 male leaders but has already exceeded expectations by directly reaching 11,721 participants within its first year.

According to Dr. Udoh, the programme deployed 52 master trainers who equipped more than 500 community leaders and traditional rulers, while partner organizations trained 3,169 men and boys drawn from transport unions, schools, religious institutions, and trade associations.

She added that the project’s digital certification platform attracted 8,552 participants, with over 3,200 Nigerians successfully qualifying as certified male allies against gender-based violence.

Dr. Udoh noted that the combination of community engagement and digital learning has helped establish one of Nigeria’s largest organized networks of male advocates working alongside government agencies and women’s rights organizations to combat gender-based violence while reinforcing, rather than replacing, female leadership.