IWD 2022: Yahaya Bello celebrates Nigerian Women, says inclusion non-negotiable, their courage critical to nation's progress »

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has joined leaders across the globe to celebrate the 2022 International Women’s Day, noting that the inclusion of women in governance should be prioritised at local and international levels.

In a commemoration message issued by Mohammed Onogwu, his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Bello admonished women to keep breaking stereotypes and biases, which is in line with the theme of this year’s celebration.

‘The African woman, especially in Nigeria, is a profile in courage. In spite of widespread and often systemic disinclusion which they face everywhere on the continent, they have excelled nevertheless’, he said.

The Kogi State helmsman further insisted that ‘women continue to excel in every role possible and are undeniably the pillars of our society and custodians of our way of life’.

He urged leaders to do more for women inclusion than currently obtains. ”We cannot ask the women to fight harder for their rights because all the advantages lie with the men who control almost all of society’s resources. Policy has to come to their aid.’

He said governments must deliberately incorporate women into the highest echelons of leadership and governance, narrating how he has lived up to his words by reserving appreciable percentages of appointive and elective offices to women in Kogi State.

‘What we have done in Kogi to champion affirmative action and gender inclusivity is there for all to see. “Our administration has driven the 35% SDGs affirmative action threshold through the roof. The number of women in my government and their roles is unprecedented, starting from the Secretary to the Government, the Head of Service of the State, Vice Chancellor of the university and at least 2 other heads of tertiary institutions in the state, elected female vice chairpersons for all the 21 local government areas, speakers of all the 21 local government councils, many heads of agencies, departments and parastatals and so on.’

He noted that beyond appointments, his government was also committed to putting women first in empowerment and intervention in the areas in which they dominate, especially agriculture and micro to small enterprises.

The Governor who noted that he is the current ‘He-for-She’ Ambassador of Nigerian women and the Most Gender Sensitive Governor in Nigeria promised to use his present and future roles to do even more for the women.