A political statement was made over the weekend, when female politicians converged in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to brainstorm on the way forward.
The importance of female participation in politics, was the crux of papers delivered at a summit organised at the State secretariat of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Emphasising that barriers are removed and women given opportunities and consideration, the State woman leader, Evangelist Caroline Nagbo, delivering her welcome address, said; ‘ We are gathered here today, (July 28) to seek appropriate means and ways to harness the collective and great endowment and resourcefulness of women to national development.
“The place of the woman in advancing the frontiers of development of our country can not be overemphasized. Over the years, women have risen to positions of trust where important policies and decisions are made right from historical positive agitations of Aba women of 1929”.
Reiterating that the topic of the summit, “women and democracy; harnessing the strength for national development”, is very apt as leaders and female APC stakeholders have decided to make history.
She commended the efforts of the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, for providing opportunities for women through appointment into sensitive positions of authority.
In her keynote speech, the wife of the Minister of Transportation, Dame Judith Amaechi, Rivers APC female politicians that she was optimistic that the summit would provide a platform for women to evoke thought provoking initiatives.
She recalled how as wife of the former Governor of Rivers State, a platform for the articulation of women’s political and economic aspirations were achieved, in line with international treaties and conventions, this actualizing 35% affirmative action.
“Not only did we achieve gender democracy, we also contributed to the democratization process, we were fortunate at that time that the government under the watchful eyes of his Excellency the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi mainstreamed gender issue and balanced political appointment in public service. That process resulted in women political and economic empowerment as evident in 48 elected counsellors, one council chairman, four deputy vice chairmen , three national Assembly members , a good number of women in the State executive council holding key ministries and heads of top government parastatals, agencies and membership of several boards.
“Distinguished guests, great women of Rivers State, I am honoured to be here today to begin a radical advocacy and sensitization of women for active participation in politics. This is because If there is no woman, there will be a nation. We must begin to mobilize ourselves for actualizing our collective aspirations. Let me use this medium to commend the initiative of our mother, wife of the President Hajia Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, who has continued to use the instrument of the Future Assured to galvanise support for women and less privilege among us.
“This summit should at the end of its proceeding begin to chart a course for the following ;
1. How do women combat challenges facing women participation in politics.
2. What do we do to build a common front that will appeal to our male partner with a view to supporting our collective aspirations?
3. How can we avoid internal wrangling among us and mobilize actively for the next election.
4. How can we increase the number of elective and appointive slots for women in the next government after the 2019 election?
5. Are women taking advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic revolution in different sectors to provide economically viable women folk.
6. How can we galvanise these advantages to national development.”
She charged women to mobilize and sensitize the electorate on the importance of obtaining their permanent voters cards
Further reiterating that women should also seek divine intervention in their quest to promote gender equality.
On her part, the guest speaker and APC National women leader, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa, in a paper titled ; APC constitution as it relates to women: strategies to maximize political opportunities, admonished women to fully participate in politics and not limit themselves.
Insisting that women should work harder than their male counterparts to enable them break into the political arena.
She noted that the time has come for women to support themselves.
While Dame Maureen Tamuno, delivering a paper titled challenges of women in politics – the way forward , urged women to surmount social , cultural and societal barriers by having faith in their abilities.
A paper titled : President Muhammadu Buhari’s programmes for women in Nigeria , was delivered by Hon Joy Nunieh.
Goodwill messages came from the President of State APC women forum, Mrs. Hail Mary Aipoh, member representing Port Harcourt constituency 2, Hon. Victoria Nyeche, former commissioner for women affairs, Mrs. Joeba West and Hajia Rabi Mohammed.
Others present at the summit were the deputy national secretary, Chief Victor Giadom, south south zonal secretary, Dave Okumgba, the zonal women leader, south south, Mrs Raxhael Akpabio, the state APC chairman, Hon. Ojukaye flag- Amachree, Hon. Nancy Stephen Ijaopo, Dame Aleruchi Cookey Gam, Henry Ogiri, Sampson Ngeregara, Dumo Lulu Briggs, and several others.
