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Nigerian women beg Tinubu for more political slots

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2024

… Promise they won’t disappoint

Miffed by the disparity in political appointments under the current administration, Nigerian women have pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to allocate more slots to Nigerian women.

Organisers of 2024 MMS Women of Fortune Hall of Fame Induction and International Women’s leadership summit, made the appeal at the event in Abuja on Wednesday.

Chairman of the occasion and Chairperson Blue Economy Nigeria Ltd, Lami Tumaka, who made the appeal, equally frowned at the marginalisation and disparity against women in political appointments.

The former NIMASA Director, said that the trust of the induction is for the inclusivity of women in appointive position.

Tagged; “Influencing Policies and Upscaling Capacity in Digital Economy, she explained that the women’s leadership summit is to mobilise Nigerian women.

Asked how the current administration has carried women along, she argued that they have tried but should do more, adding: “I don’t want to talk about this administration so that it won’t look as if I am criticising. I think we are achieving something. We are struggling, fighting to prove that we can do it. We want to sit on that big table like our men counterparts because we have something to offer.

“This administration is not doing badly, but the government can do better. They have done well especially in the involvement of youths. There are so many young people in this women including women. But there are many other women that have something to offer who should be involved. Nigerian women are demanding for more political slots,” she pleaded.

On the reasons behind the event, Mrs Tumaka, said: “The biggest takeaway will be inclusivity and giving equal opportunity not just to the women but also to the physically challenged.
“It is all about inclusivity, it’s gender parity and it’s meant to give competent women more opportunities. Giving them opportunities is not about doing so because they are women but because they are competent, capable and able enough to stand on their own.

“It is also about mentorship for the younger ones, coaching them and government enacting and following up on policies that are gender friendly to encourage women participation in all spheres be it politics.

“We keep talking about reserving certain percentage of political appointments to the women, but it must be based on competent and capacity to bring something to the table.

We want to encourage the participation of women in all spheres of Nigeria economy,” she said.
Similarly, a retired Deputy Director in NIMASA, Mary Hammad, urged Nigerians not to use the behaviour of other women that performed below expectations in their previous appointments to judge the women.

“We should not just pick on the women. We should not use the women undergoing investigation in the Humanitarian Affairs ministry and other places as a yardstick to judge women.

“Men have equally been having issues but it has not attracted attention like the one involving women. It is wrong to deny the women their right and what belongs to them because of the coincidence,” she appealed.

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Musawa Seeks Broader Significance for June 12

Published

14 hours ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., says June 12 must be remembered as a sacrifice that gave Nigerians democracy, beyond its status as a public holiday.

In a statement signed on Saturday by the Senior Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister,Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze Ph.D in Abuja.

Musawa stated this at the national premiere of “MKO”, a film on Chief Moshood Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

She said 33 years after June 12, 1993, many young Nigerians know it only as a holiday, but the film turns it back into memory.

“For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for. This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” the Minister said.

Musawa hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Host, for his participation in the June 12 struggle and paying the price in exile, adding that Nigeria’s creative industry will keep telling the story of its democracy with courage.

“Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

Earlier, the director of the investigative documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said the film was in honour and memory of heroes who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

“There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy.

“There was a great man called Bashorun MKO Abiola and there is now another great man called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Democrats. Nationalists. Nation builders. Leaders of men and women. We must never forget our story. We must always honour and remember our heroes,” Oyamendan said.

Top government officials including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief of Staff to the President Rt. Femi Gbajabiamila, state Governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries attended the premiere.

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