Kogi Guber: Nigeria Apex Women Body Declares Support for Natasha
The apex women body in Nigeria, National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), on Monday, declared support for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate for November 16 Kogi election, Barr. Natasha Akpoti.
Addressing the press, the national president of the council, Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda said it is about time Nigeria have a female elected governor and contribute their quota to the building of the country.
She said NCWS believes that Nigeria women shouldn't wait for the next election circle in 2023 before they take a public stand to support a female candidates across the country, the reason she said the apex women body declared support and ready to work to ensure the victory of Natasha Akpoti at the poll.
"NCWS, as an advocate for gender equality and women empowerment, we are not happy with the fact that Nigeria is one of the lowest ranking in gender index in politics and governance in Africa and the rest of the world.
"According to human development index in gender inequality in 2015, Nigeria was ranked 152 out of 158 countries and in 2017, Nigeria was ranked 118 out of 195", she said
She noted that the break down shows that Nigeria still don't have a female elected governors in the country amongst other disbalances.
According to her, despite the fact that 88 women vied for governorship position in the last election circle in March 2019, none of them won, adding that 2970 female contestatents vied for different posts and only 62 won their elections over all.
Dr. Shoda decried that while the number of female politicians continue to increase, female representatives in legislative positions especially in the National Assembly has dropped.
She pointed out that NCWS is not just calling for support and vote for women candidates for the sake of it, explaining that competent and visionary women like Natasha Akpoti have stepped forward and should be given a chance to demonstrate what they can do.
"Women vision for nation building should be acknowledged and given all the energy, publicity and support to become reality through clean, free and fair election.
"In recent weeks we engaged with Natasha Akpoti and we are marvelled at her courage to stand firm in her desire to first be an elected representative of her people and now seeks to be in government house in Kogi state.
"we have had an opportunity to listen to her, we saw the sincerity of purpose in her vision for Kogi State. Education, the economy, civil service are top priorities and a focus on delivering Ajaokuta steel complex", she said.
Decrying how female candidates found themselves in an issues that are not related to their campaigns, she implored the media to always support female candidates and interrogate their blueprint on development as a way to build their supports.
Shoda, however, called on the people of Kogi state to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
Appreciating the women, Natasha Akpoti said, Women are greatly underestimated in Nigeria and relegated to only participation in an electoral process despite playing a great role in shaping Nigeria democracy.
While promising to introduce free and compulsory education in all public schools, she said public schools will be upgraded to international standards, introduce free health care service for women, children and aged people, adding that good roads, and SMEs will be given attention to reposition the state.
Akpoti pointed out that building a new Kogi State and a new Nigeria lies on the shoulder of women as the pillars of families and society, explaining that it's about time Nigeria have women in position of authority who will make policies and decisions that will affect their lives, children, husbands and their unborn generations.
Also speaking, the National president for the blind, Amina Usman noted that she's moved by the courage of Barr Natasha Akpoti to contribute her quota to societal building, promising to mobilise the people living with disabilities in Kogi State to canvass and vote for her.
Addressing the press, the national president of the council, Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda said it is about time Nigeria have a female elected governor and contribute their quota to the building of the country.
She said NCWS believes that Nigeria women shouldn't wait for the next election circle in 2023 before they take a public stand to support a female candidates across the country, the reason she said the apex women body declared support and ready to work to ensure the victory of Natasha Akpoti at the poll.
"NCWS, as an advocate for gender equality and women empowerment, we are not happy with the fact that Nigeria is one of the lowest ranking in gender index in politics and governance in Africa and the rest of the world.
"According to human development index in gender inequality in 2015, Nigeria was ranked 152 out of 158 countries and in 2017, Nigeria was ranked 118 out of 195", she said
She noted that the break down shows that Nigeria still don't have a female elected governors in the country amongst other disbalances.
According to her, despite the fact that 88 women vied for governorship position in the last election circle in March 2019, none of them won, adding that 2970 female contestatents vied for different posts and only 62 won their elections over all.
Dr. Shoda decried that while the number of female politicians continue to increase, female representatives in legislative positions especially in the National Assembly has dropped.
She pointed out that NCWS is not just calling for support and vote for women candidates for the sake of it, explaining that competent and visionary women like Natasha Akpoti have stepped forward and should be given a chance to demonstrate what they can do.
"Women vision for nation building should be acknowledged and given all the energy, publicity and support to become reality through clean, free and fair election.
"In recent weeks we engaged with Natasha Akpoti and we are marvelled at her courage to stand firm in her desire to first be an elected representative of her people and now seeks to be in government house in Kogi state.
"we have had an opportunity to listen to her, we saw the sincerity of purpose in her vision for Kogi State. Education, the economy, civil service are top priorities and a focus on delivering Ajaokuta steel complex", she said.
Decrying how female candidates found themselves in an issues that are not related to their campaigns, she implored the media to always support female candidates and interrogate their blueprint on development as a way to build their supports.
Shoda, however, called on the people of Kogi state to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
Appreciating the women, Natasha Akpoti said, Women are greatly underestimated in Nigeria and relegated to only participation in an electoral process despite playing a great role in shaping Nigeria democracy.
While promising to introduce free and compulsory education in all public schools, she said public schools will be upgraded to international standards, introduce free health care service for women, children and aged people, adding that good roads, and SMEs will be given attention to reposition the state.
Akpoti pointed out that building a new Kogi State and a new Nigeria lies on the shoulder of women as the pillars of families and society, explaining that it's about time Nigeria have women in position of authority who will make policies and decisions that will affect their lives, children, husbands and their unborn generations.
Also speaking, the National president for the blind, Amina Usman noted that she's moved by the courage of Barr Natasha Akpoti to contribute her quota to societal building, promising to mobilise the people living with disabilities in Kogi State to canvass and vote for her.
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