A Former Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anini has called on Nigerians to give women opportunity to occupy prominent political positions for progress and equitable distribution of democracy dividends.
Mrs. Anini who is the National Coordinator of “One Hundred Women Lobby Group” made the call during a strategic meeting and summit for women in political parties on improving electoral integrity and accountability in Nigeria Project.
The event which was organized by the Anambra state chapter of the “One Hundred Women Lobby Group ”, attracted participants from across the state, who were mainly women leaders in their communities or in political parties they belong to.
Mrs. Anini who maintained that women are divinely blessed with unquantifiable wisdom in leadership, said that if Nigeria will learn to allow them occupy most of the major political positions in the country that things would positively change.
Speaking on ” Women Inclusion in Political Leadership: a Pathway to Electing Integrity and Accountability, the former minister encouraged women to get involved in politics it in order to take their rightful place in decision making sphere in the country, and asked women that are already occupying political positions to change people’s perception about women leadership through excellent performances.
Addressing the gathering, the International Coordinator, Nigeria, United Nations Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre, Bishop Ozioma Ozoemena, and the Executive Director, Catch Them Young Community Initiative, Mr Nonso Orakwe who is also the Southeast Convener, Vote Not Fight, advocated for a peaceful general elections next year, pointing out that gone are the days when elections are war, and reminded women especially mothers of the need to preach peace before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
On their parts, the Awka South Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mrs Chikodili Nnonyelu, and the Labour Party Candidate for Awka North and South Federal constituency, Professor Oby Orogbu said that women are great organizers and have over the years proved their mettle in leadership positions in churches, community levels and politics, saying that the sooner people learn to vote for candidates based on capacity and charisma, and not on gender and political affiliations, the better the society would become.
The state Coordinator of the One Hundred Women Lobby Group”, Mrs Ifeyinwa Unachukwu and a member of the association, Barrister Oge Ekweozor while saying that the rights of women to vote and be voted for must be protected, called for more enlightenment of Nigerians on the need to come out and vote for candidates of their choice during the elections as that remains the only way to enthrone people oriented leaders at all levels of governments, and asked security agencies and authorities to ensure adequate security during the 2023 general elections.
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