By Collins Dupson, 30th October, 2021
A leading women’s group in Ondo State, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has begun advocacy for inclusion and election of women into the federal House of Representatives, saying over the years, no woman in the history of Ondo State has been elected into the Green Chamber.
It could be recalled that, a bill seeking to create special seat for Nigerians women in the two chambers of the National Assembly was sponsored by one female lawmaker, the Deputy Chief of the House of Representatives earlier this year.
Speaking with newsmen, the State President of the organisation, Pastor Mrs Jumoke Aborode said the call became necessary as the state is preparing for another election in 2023, most especially the forthcoming bye election in Akure South and Akure North Federal Constituency.
Pastor Aborode said it is worrisome that despite the caliber of women in Ondo State, no woman is representing the state at the National Assembly, noting that 12 Members of the National Assembly representing the state are men.
She called every political stakeholders in the state to support and encourage women politicians in the state whenever they show interest in occupying any elective positions in the state.
The President disclosed further that, the state has produced experienced and grassroot female politicians who have used their good offices to empower girls child, widows, children and women, saying if such people are giving bigger responsibility at the National Assembly, more lives will be touched positively.
In her words, ” We have a lot of women who are very passionate about the well-being of women while in and out of office. Some of them have foundations where they attend to the needs of women, children through their various forms of empowerment. If such people are given the opportunity to represent us at the House of Representatives, we can be rest assured that their allowances will be judiciously used for the good of their constituent”.
She commended the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for being a gender sensitive governor that values the importance of women in governance, a feat he demonstrated with women occupying sensitive positions in his administration.
Pastor Aborode said the position of Governor Akeredolu on women participation in politics during the Hybrid 2021 Women Conference in Lagos has clearly shown that the governor is ready to support any woman aspiring for leadership position in the state.
Governor Akeredolu has stated that no reasonable society can push women to the back seat and expect to make progress. “If the country must move forward, women must leads us to progress’.
While praising the First Lady, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, she said the contributions of the digital Mama to girls child and women development in the state stands her out among other First Ladies in Nigeria.
“Gone were those days when people hide under the notion that women are the enemies of themselves, we are now more united to rally round and support any woman contesting for elective positions in the state”.
” To my fellow women, let’s support ourselves whenever the opportunity to serve present itself. Our position is no longer reserves to the kitchen; thank God we have a governor who knows the importance of women in governance. With Governor Akeredolu support, we are hopeful of having woman as the next Member of House of Representatives in the state”.
