Monday 17 July 2023

OUTCOME OF A MEDIA CONFERENCE

Ministerial List: President Tinubu to appoint 35% female ministers.
As Nigerians keenly await the ministerial list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, women have appealed to the President to deliver on his campaign action plan of having at least 35% of women on his ministerial list. At a media conference organised by Women Radio 91.7 on Saturday 15 July 2023, Nigerians expressed concerns over the President’s commitment to affirmative action in view of the recent appointments he made where only 25% women are special assistants and a meagre 15% of women were personal aides.
Mufuliat Fijabi CEO of NWTF and director of Sustainable Gender Action (SGA) emphasised that other African countries have made considerable progress in women’s representation and called on the new administration to uphold the 35% affirmative action.
Amina Agbaje, national president FIDA echoed the need for gender equity and transparency in the President’s list urging women groups to send a delegation to the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to lobby for the consideration of the 35% quota system for women on the ministerial list.
Ladi Bala, National President of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) emphasised that media engagements were critical to keeping the advocacy for 35% affirmative action for women ongoing to garner the attention it deserves.
Hon. Adewummi Onanuga, deputy chief whip House of Representatives expressed her confidence in President Tinubu to deliver on his promises on the ministerial list while Barrister Jamila Babuba, APC Professional Women North East Coordinator, expressed assurance that the President would appoint at least 35% women in his cabinet.
Chikas Kumle, a PDP member and social justice advocate highlighted the critical role of women in an inclusive government urging President Tinubu to include at least 35% of APC women on his ministerial list.
Zainab Abdulrasheed, Programmes Officer WRAPA; Nigeria highlighted the importance of inclusive advocacy on behalf of marginalised and excluded voices in implementing the 35% affirmative action to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Saka Azimazi, former deputy director NHRC called for grassroots advocacy and male support to achieve affirmative action for women at all levels of government. Enebi Opaluwa, Senior Research and Policy Analyst BudgIT lamented the absence of women in policy-making processes in Nigeria.
The APC campaign action plan for a better Nigeria gave assurances to increase women’s participation to at least 35 per cent in all government positions. No government since the Fourth Republic has achieved the appointment of 35 per cent women as ministers. Women Radio is hopeful that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will achieve this feat by appointing 35% females in his ministerial cabinet for the benefit, progress and development of Nigeria because having 35 per cent women as ministers is good governance and shows fairness.

Rose Yusuf Kaisar
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com