NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Loading

Tag participation

General News

Tinubu administration strengthening participatory governance for sustainable dev’t  – Aide

By Philip Yatai

Mrs Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, says President Bola Tinubu administration is strengthening participatory governance through community engagement for sustainable development.

Essiet communicated this during town hall meetings organised by her office in Abaji and Kwali Area Councils, Abuja, on Tuesday.

She said that the meetings were organised in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), MacArthur Foundation and AGURA Policy.

Essiet said that the meetings were expected to generate feedback on issues affecting the daily lives of the people, ranging from infrastructure gaps to social services, and where possible, provide immediate interventions.

According to her, the move is to transform residents from spectators to active participants in governance processes.

“The goal of the community engagement is to harvest grassroots sustainable solutions that will reflect collective and shared goals for all Nigerians.

“We are also using the opportunity to educate our people on flooding and how to protect themselves.’’

She added that implementing citizens and stakeholder engagements communicated government activities and served as a feedback mechanism.

“It creates an inclusive platform where Nigerians, regardless of their social status, can express their concerns, share ideas and contribute to decision-making processes.

“This grassroots approach has allowed the Tinubu administration to bring governance closer to the people.

“Through town hall meetings and direct community visits, the current administration has actively engaged with diverse groups, ensuring that their voices are heard.

“The voice of the people are not just heard, but are translated into sustainable policies, laws and other people oriented programmes and projects.

“We are also looking at infrastructural problems, we are also looking at humanitarian services that need the Federal Government’s intervention.’’

The presidential aide also said that the administration was also generating feedback on infrastructural problems and humanitarian services that need federal government’s intervention.

“Our goal is not just to hear but to act; and we are committed to ensuring that the feedback gathered will inform government policy as sustainable development solutions,” she said.

According to her, bridging the gap between the government and the citizens through strategic engagement with citizens would improve governance, and promote national cohesion.

Also speaking, the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, NOA, Alhaji Nuru Kobi, commended Tinubu’s administration for initiating a comprehensive set of policies, programmes and projects aimed at addressing various challenges and fostering development across Nigeria.

Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, the Onah of Abaji, and Chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs, also thanked Tinubu for bringing the government closer to the people.

Yunusa, who was represented by the Madaki of Abaji, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, said that the move would give residents a sense of belonging.

She urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu government.

On his part, the District Head of Kwali, Yunana Yatsu, noted that for any government to succeed, it must bring governance to the grassroots. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Politics

Politics: Tallen tasks INEC on favourable conditions to encourage more women

By Aderogba George

Mrs Pauline Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure favourable conditions that will encourage more women into politics.

Tallen stated this in Abuja, while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the inauguration and unveiling of a book titled: “From Margins to Mainstream”.

The about 200 pages book was written by Princess Nikky Onyeri, a gender advocate, and  politician.

The former minister, who decried the low number of women in the political space, equally called on political parties in the country to also make their condition flexible, saying “this will encourage more women into politics.”

According to Tallen, there are countless numbers of women that can stand shoulder to shoulder with men when it comes to political issues, adding that better conditions must be given for this to happen.

She also called on women to come out en-masse to vote for the right candidates in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo elections.

“I feel so sad because the number of women that are giving tickets is not enough. It is just a little percent and this amounts to nothing. It is not that the women are not willing to come out, but they have not been given the support.

“We are calling on all our political parties; we are calling on INEC to make sure they give better conditions to encourage women for the betterment of the country.

The former minister appreciated President Bola Tinubu for carrying along more women in his government, adding that more was still needed to realise gender equality.

Tallen also commended the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, whom she said is doing a lot to support and encourage women through her pet project.

She said that the first lady was doing so much in the area of empowerment of the youth as well as giving scholarships to children.

Speaking on the book, Tallen said: “The presentation speaks volume because women are doing so much. It is the women that nurture the home, ensuring that both the husband and children are in sound health.

“There are a lot of responsibilities that lie in the women. They make sure the homes are in the right balance, yet it is never noticed. By the time you take a look at this book, you will appreciate women,” Tallen said.

On her part, Onyeri said that she was inspired to write the book based on the struggle she had seen by women groups in the last 30 years, and she had since then continued to support women emancipation.

Onyeri, a breast cancer survivor said that she was part of protesters to the National Assembly in 2023, who called for passage of five gender bills, but unfortunately the bills were not passed, and this also spurred her to write the book.

“I look at the past, the present and the future of where our hope lies as women, and where we want to be. This thinking has brought me to where I am today and I am glad about that.

“I wrote the book from my own perspective, and I hope it will give people a cause to think about women and embrace them. I also hope the book will promote literacy.

“We are going to be donating books around the country from the fund we will raise from the inauguration of this book so that more people can know what gender is all about, we assume that many people do not know about it.”

According to Onyeri, we will also be creating endowment funds for gender studies in the universities, these are the two key projects that will be achieved after this book launch,” she said. .

Mrs Moji Makanjuola, also a gender advocate and a public speaker, commended the author of the book, adding that she had waged war against cancer, and a speaker for person’s with cancer.

According to her, women must hold each other’s hand, and stop impoverishing themselves, but must work towards developing themselves.

Igwe Simon Ikechukwu, the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, said that the call for gender inclusiveness should not be limited to Nigeria only, but should be made global.

The Igwe commended the author of the book for coming up with such write-ups, while calling on the men folks to stop violence against women.

The highlight of the occasion was the conferment of award of excellence on individuals that have distinguished themselves in human endeavours.

They include Mr Bernard Igwe, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, and Ikechuckwu among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was attended by dignitaries from both the private and government sector. (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Gender

Groups identify strategies for improved women’s participation in democracy

By Justina Auta

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and Women for Women International have identified social and cultural norms as barriers to women’s freedom of speech and participation in democracy in Nigeria.

They made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at a roundtable on the publication of a research project titled ”Listen to Women: Identifying Barriers to Women’s Freedom of Speech and Participation in Democracy in Nigeria.”

They said that addressing these challenges would not only enhance women freedom of speech, but also enhance adequate participation in democracy.

Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founding Director, WARDC, noted that the prevalence of sociocultural norms still affected the ability of women to participate in peace processes in their communities and states.

Akiyode-Afolabi said “Women who have information and could support peace processes are being denied the opportunity to participate in spite of the fact that the country has signed the UN security council resolution.

“The peace security architecture in the state is not allowing women and accepting women to be part of it.

“The project is called Listen to Women: Identifying the barriers Against Women’s Freedom of Speech and Participation in Democracy. It’s a project that focuses specifically on Plateau State but however has a national coverage.”

She explained that one of the recommendations of the research was for government to engender its security architecture to ensure that more women participate, especially in Plateau State, where the research was carried out.

“Plateau State has signed the Gender and Equal Opportunity bill into law, which allows for women’s equal participation, so we are calling on the government to ensure that the law becomes activated,” she said.

Also, Zainab Gbobaniyi, Advocacy Coordinator, Women for Women (WfWI) said the event was aimed at disseminating the research findings.

“The research being an evidence based and carried out in five communities in Plateau State cutting across three local governments of Jos East, Riyom and Pankshin, tells the stories directly from the women themselves,” she said.

Also, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Federal Capital Territory, (FCT),  Mandate Secretary, said the direction of the present administration was geared towards promoting the well-being of women, increasing their political participation and empowerment.

Bemjamins-Laniyi, while speaking on domestic violence and early child marriage, said “forming coalitions, working with traditional councils and working with male champions have yielded a lot of results and I think that is a very good approach.” (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Gender

Africans move to reposition women’s participation in leadership, governance

By Justina Auta

Stakeholders have met in Nigeria to restrategise on repositioning and increasing women participation in leadership and governance in the society.

The stakeholders, at the seventh Voice of Women conference and awards (VOW2023) in Abuja, stressed the need for more women visibility to ensure good governance and development in the continent.

Erelu Bisi-Fayemi, VOW2023 Chairperson, noted the challenges affecting African women and girls, however, said huge progress has been made in changing the political landscape in some countries.

“In spite of the many challenges that we continue to face as African women, we have managed to make the case for women’s leadership.

“And in several countries, we have changed the political landscapes in Liberia, Rwanda, Namibia, South Africa and Kenya to mention a few,” she said.

She noted that Nigerian women were more educated and wealthiest in Africa, even though it has not translated into political power, featuring poorly on most global indicators

She said: “The most recent Global Gender Gap Index 2023 ranked Nigeria 130th out of 146 countries.

“Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rate in the world at 12 per cent of global figures.  “The country also has the highest number of child brides at 22 million, as well as highest in West Africa and 11th highest globally.”

She, therefore, stressed the need to change the narrative, be committed to social change, qualitative legal and policy frameworks that could remove oppressive patriarchal norms and values.

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara and Chairman, Nigerian Governor’s Forum, noted the role of women in his administration, which focused on gender mainstreaming.

AbdulRazaq said: “In Kwara, women are in charge, with 56 per cent of women making majorities in the cabinet.

“As Chairman of NGF, in partnership with Governors Wives Forum, women can constitute a policy where, for example, states and constituencies that elect women into legislative houses can benefit financially, so you can assume any amount.

“This way, states and constituencies will go for the money, this is applicable in fiscal responsibility where we are told that if you publish your budget, you get two million dollars.

“This can enrich governance and capacity building.

“If we have such programmes in gender issues, I’m certain that many constituencies will go for the money, that way more women will be brought to the table to make the right decisions and make the change.”

Dr Salma Ibrahim-Anas,the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health, stressed that women should be on the table where development plans are rolled out.

“Nigeria cannot continue to stand on one leg as we do at the moment.

”Women constitute almost 50 per cent of our population and we need to complement each other by creating the right opportunities as every nation’s success is tied to the activities of women,” she said.

Ibrahim-Anas noted that the nation was focused on the wellbeing of women and girls, just as the HPV vaccines have been rolled out recently by the government.

She said: “It is a call to action that girls have access to good health so that they can have access to good education.  “Without education, we are nowhere. I’m only standing here because my parents made the right decision at the right time to send me to school.”

Ms Toun Sonaiya, the Chief Executive Officer, Women Radio 91.7 fm, stressed the role of the media in promoting women’s political participation in Nigeria.

“We ventured beyond our operational base and are penetrating different geopolitical zones and communities through collaborative partnership with media and women led organisations to amplify women’s voice and advocacy for change,” she said.

Dr Margaret Karungaru, the Commissioner, National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), Republic of Kenya, stressed the need for women to support each other to ensure inclusivity in all areas.

“Nigerian women need to support each other, not as competitors or adversaries. but support and ensure no one is left behind as we want to see more women in parliament,” she urged.

Similarly, Mufuliat Fijabi, Executive Director, Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI), urged women to restrategise in ensuring the five gender Bills that were rejected at the National Assembly are reconsidered for passage.

Other highlights of the event was the conferment of awards to some dignitaries and organisations for their support to women course. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola