By Jane Okafor, Abuja
ABUJA: The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has called on Nigerian women in governance to keep pushing for legislative reforms that will break women – limiting systemic barriers in order to achieve gender parity in the country.
Noimot Salako-Oyedele, an engineer, said the greatest responsibility for women in Governance today is to empower the next generation of female leaders, stressing that it has become imperative that the path to leadership should be made smoother for them.
She gave the advice speaking at the APC Women Summit and Dialogue on the theme, ‘Empowering the next Generation of Female Leaders: Building Political Networks for Collective Success’ held at the banquet hall, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Salako-Oyedele noted that the struggle for gender-responsive policies must remain central to all advocacy as women Leaders, noting that for there to be representation for impact, there must be power and a good platform to effect real change.
“Our Presence in politics today is not by accident, it is has a result of the tireless efforts of strong women who came before and who despite incredible challenges such as societal resistance, exclusion and often hostility pressed on for us to have the opportunity we have today,” She said.
While educating those present on the role of the He-for-She men folks who champion and understand that a balanced society profits everyone, she cited Governor Dapo Abiodun as an example of one who recognised the need for gender diversity and made a conscious decision at ensuring his running mate was a woman hence her emergence as his Deputy.
The Deputy Governor said men like him appreciate that women advancement was not a Zero-sum game but rather for the entire society at large, their partnership in her words was a reminder that lifting women into leadership roles was a collaborative effort that could only ensure women get the opportunities they deserved.
She appreciated the leadership of the Women of the APC lead by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the National Woman Leader, Dr. Mary Idele Alile, for doing a good work in bringing women’s voices to the forefront of the Party’s Agenda.
She said that it was an invaluable time to reflect, engage and strategize on ways to chart the appropriate course for women in leadership and politics in Nigeria.
In her remarks, Wife of the President and First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu admonished those present on the principles and qualities of good leadership, especially by women which include, integrity, hard work, and compassion asking them to rally around other women seeking elective positions, encourage them, and actively support them.
She advised that they avoid creating imaginary limitations and focus on their inate potentials by persevering, supporting one another, and working diligently this she said will help shape the future of women in politics if done right, one woman at a time.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu urged the National Woman Leader of the Party to join hands with other APC State Women Leaders to make a presentation to the National Assembly to further push for legislation to increase the quota of women that must have seats at the assembly
