The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has called on state and non-state actors to join in eliminating parochial barriers limiting women.
Obaseki made the call at the 2022 International Women’s Day celebration in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Tuesday, March 8.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.”
According to Governor Obaseki, women are exceptionally endowed to foster growth and development in any society and leaders must begin to recognize these virtues.
He said: “About a week ago, I issued a statement where I said that the National Assembly missed a golden opportunity to redesign Nigeria’s political landscape when it rejected five bills seeking to include women in politics and governance, what a mistake!
“Today as we celebrate International Women’s Day which is the day that has been set aside globally to highlight the contributions of women in our societies, our celebration in Nigeria would have been an epic one if the distinguished members of the National Assembly had set aside all unfounded misgivings and bias to justify their refusal to constructively debate and approve the bills to alter the provisions of our
constitution to provide affirmative action for women in our political administration and other related matters.
“If they had done the right thing, today we would have all rolled out the drums to celebrate them for such a resolute display of progressive change; unfortunately they failed us. Rather, today, we are all going to be carrying placards across the country to commence protests which will force those who we voted to represent our interest to do the right thing.”
He further said: “If only leaders understand and appreciate the candor, the empathy, the professional competence and leadership ability of women, there will be no conversation about giving women the opportunity and responsibility for governance.”
The governor declared: “In Edo State, we are clear; we have seen how women have contributed to making a major difference in our lives. If we say we want to Make Edo Great Again, then the women must be in the forefront, and we have seen how they have started and what they have done till date. We would not have the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme today if not for a woman.
“So whether it’s in education, health care, infrastructure, social services and in politics, our women have been the vanguard of change.”
On this year’s theme, Obaseki explained that “It is aimed at recognizing the contribution of women and girls who have been
leading change in various aspects of human endeavor so that we can build a more sustainable future for all.
“I speak very confidently because I enjoy very largely the dedication and diligence of the team of women who I have been working with in my cabinet. Ours has been a very healthy mix, strategically positioned to drive governance to deliver on our promise to bring about the Edo of our dreams.
“My only regret to date is that I did not work hard enough during the last general elections that produced members of the Edo State House of Assembly to bring women into the house of assembly.”
“You all know the constraints I had, you all know the situations under which we conducted all these elections, and you can see the crises we have in our House of Assembly… because we do not have a woman there. So we have learnt our lessons and in the next elections, you don’t have to preach to us, I will go out there and campaign to have more women in the House of Assembly, because the instability that we have may have been avoided if we had a few more voices of reason in that house. So women get ready, you know how we do it, you know how we go from ward to ward, we will do that again in a few months’ time,” he assured.
“The action of the National Assembly should serve as a turning point in our history and spur women to mobilize Nigerians for gender equality and to break the bias, do not despair. God is with you in this struggle and many of us will continue to support you,” he added.
The First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, stressed the need for gender equality in governance as this will promote sustainable development in Nigeria.
“The truth hit us when in the month globally noted to be dedicated to the course of women and girls, the national assembly slammed us with their rejection of five bills. This is very sad, really sad!
“I implore women not to vote for any sitting senator. You shouldn’t vote for any sitting senator currently seeking a re-election. If we all agree as women and say; none of the sitting senators will be voted for, I swear things will turn around; because they are only taking us 20 years backward.”
Mrs. Obaseki added: “If the whole 109 senators would say no to five bills for women, and we are the ones who vote for them. It is a shame. Women in Nigeria, please don’t vote for any serving senator, except they turn around and tell us that they are changing that bill, we should say no.
“What have we asked for? It is simple; that the National Assembly should do what other nations have done, such as Rwanda, and join those who are making legislations that promote gender equity and parity.
“We only asked that as a male-dominant national assembly, show to the world that you see gender issues as a rights issue, and that you are all gender sensitive. We were hoping that you would prove us wrong and that we matter more than just another vote for you.
“Alas, we were right. We seem to be relevant when it is convenient for men. This is not just thought-provoking but it is revolutionary”.
Mrs. Maria Omozele Edeko, commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues in the state commended the United Nations for setting aside a day to reposition and create a road map to further assess the contributions of women in different fields of endeavors towards economic development
“Today is a day set aside by the United Nations to acknowledge our existence as women – who we are, to celebrate our economic, political and social achievements in a difficult world; to assess where we are and to design a road map for the future. So this is a very serious gathering, very critical to the future of women and the future of this country”.
Eseosa Okuku who is the State Coordinator of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) stressed the need for the inclusion of more women in nation building.
“Male dominance in government has made it harder for women’s voices to be heard and their concerns to be factored into decision making,” she said.
The event was attended by political appointees, women groups in the state amongst others.
By Godspower Eguasa and Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
