Nigerian women have been advised to rise from their deep slumber and participate actively in politics and governance to engender an enduring society.
The traditional rulers, political actors, faith based organizations and a host of various groups across kwara state gave the advice on Wednesday (February 19, 2020) during a Town Hall Meeting organised by League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Center, along Offa road, Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
In his comment at the meeting, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in kwara State Mallam Attahiru Garba, called on Nigerian women to brace up and join politics to exercise their Civic rights.
Garba who was represented on the occasion by the Head of Legal Unit and Head of Gender of the Commission, Mr Omoniyi Fayanju and Mrs Oluremi Chiroma respective at the occasion commended the League of Women Voters of Nigeria for being a formidable voice for women emancipation in politics.
Also speaking, the Chairman Kwara State House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Abdulkareem Paku said the state House of Assembly will leave no stone unturned to protect the interests of women in all ramifications.
Paku explained that the recent appointment of female Commissioners and other critical positions being occupied by women in the state attests to the importance the current administration under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq places women.
The Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba Abdulrasaq Afolabi advised Nigerian women to form a political party of their own, saying that they have the population advantage that will place them above men if all of them speak with one voice.
Also speaking, the Programme Officers of the League, Hajia Biliqees Oladimeji said the theme of the meeting was Women and Leadership” pointing out that ultimate aim of the group is to ensure that Nigerian women compete favourably with men folk in leadership positions in the country.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson of the association, Folashade Aransiola said the meeting was set up by League of Women Voters (NILOWV) and Action aid (WVL) with support of Global Canada to enhance the skills of primary and secondary stakeholders necessary for improving the participation of women in the electoral system in Nigeria.
Other groups represented at the meeting included the Federal Roads Safety Corps of Nigeria, Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), variius political parties, representatives of some commissioners in the state among others.
