By Cross Udo, Abuja
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged women to learn how to struggle to get power reiterating that it’s not given a la carte.
Speaking at the forum for the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association in Abuja with the theme, “Re-thinking Women’s Proportional Representation in Governance,” Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted with joy the passage of the bill by the House of Representatives that ensures that 74 seats are reserved for women in the National Assembly.
The First Lady, who said that the Tinubu administration has made significant progress in ensuring that more women occupy high political positions, also noted that barriers still exist especially culturally and socially.
According to her, “These barriers include deeply entrenched societal norms, systemic discriminatory practices, structural issues within our political systems, and financial incapability.
“To achieve this across the board, we must be seen to walk the talk. For instance, our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken significant steps to remove financial barriers by making nomination forms for elective positions free at the grassroots level, ensuring that capable and qualified women can participate in the political process without the burden of prohibitive costs.”
While commending the House of Representatives for its recent passage of the bill seeking 74 seats for women in the National Assembly in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics and governance, she said, “I believe that the leadership in the Senate is gender-friendly.
“Power is not served alar carte, just as my husband, President Bola Tinubu said. You have to learn how to obtain power. You need older women to mentor you.
“Education is the cornerstone of empowerment. By improving access to education for girls and women, we can equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in political processes.
“Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of women’s representation in governance is crucial. Public campaigns, media engagement, and community programs can help shift societal attitudes and dismantle stereotypes that hinder women’s political participation.”
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament who is also the first female to occupy the position, Rt Hon Hadija Memounatou Ibrahimah in her remarks urged the First Lady of Nigeria to serve as the champion of the course of better representation for women in governance in the region.
This she noted is especially so with the commendable contributions to the issues of women and girls.
She said, “Your Excellency, you transmit a kind of light that illuminates the leadership of Nigeria. It touches the lives of even the ordinary man.”
“Women account for half of the population of ECOWAS member States. Only 17 per cent are Parliamentarians and 24 per cent are Ministers in the region. It is high time to reduce the underrepresentation of women in democracy.”
The Senate President, Senator Godwill Akpabio who was represented by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau stated that for the Senate, women’s participation in governance is a priority, adding, “We will redefine the power of women in governance.”
After the Session, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who served three terms in the Senate, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, visited the newly renovated hallowed Red Chamber.
