Women Are Nation-builders- Mrs Onoja
Wife of Kogi Deputy Governor, Mrs Ejura Mercy Onoja, has stressed the need for Nigerian women to be identified in the mainstream of advancing the cause of democracy and nation-building.
Mrs. Onoja who made the remark yesterday in her message to commemorate the International Women’s Day in Abuja, said the role of women in nation-building cannot be over-emphasised.
According to her, it is apparent that no appreciable development could be made either at the local, national or international levels without recognising women as key players, adding that the nation must continue to empower, invest more in women and girl-child for a better society.
The Wife of the Deputy Governor who opined that women have contributed positively to the progress of humanity and championed roles that have shaped the development of Nigerian politics and the country in general, noted that a lot still needs to be done to re-energise and strengthen women.
She however, appealed to political office holders to do everything humanly possible to equally secure the lives of women and children from societal attacks, aside being gender sensitive and reflecting them in the scheme of things.
“Though women have become actively involved in the world’s politics unlike before, nevertheless, they are still faced with challenges that limits their chances and sometimes have some psychological effect that kills their morale,” she added.
While making reference to some of the women in politics, who have done very well and are still performing excellently well, that have even gained prominence internationally, like the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf that made history as Africa’s first female president amongst others, she enjoined women to believe in themselves and hold on tenaciously to their dreams.
Mrs Onoja commended the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello for women inclusiveness in governance, which she described as a “departure from the old that has succeeded in giving Kogi women a sense of belonging in politics. The Secretary to Kogi State Government since the coming on board of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello has been a woman, in person of Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoada amongst others which is commendable.”
“I am not surprised millions of men and women around the world now support the call for gender equality because of the vital role women play, but there is much to be done especially in developing countries like Nigeria and we must all join hands to champion our course,” she concluded.
The commemoration of International Women’s Day which is celebrated on the 8th of March each year around the world, is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights, ranges from being a public holiday in some countries, to being largely ignored elsewhere, and a day of protest that celebrates womanhood.
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