NEWS
Women Representation: INEC Tasks NASS on Affirmative Action
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the National Assembly to introduce affirmative action to address low level of gender representation in elective positions nationwide.
This, the commission said, should be part of the ongoing national assembly electoral reforms.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated this at an event “Celebrating Women in Election Management,’’ organised by the commission to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD), in Abuja on Friday.
The main theme of the 2024 celebration is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” while the campaign theme is: “Inspire Inclusion”.
Yakubu said that INEC was aware of the concerns raised by Nigerians about the low level of gender representation in elective positions nationwide.
“The commission shares this concern and we have consistently been urging political parties to redress the obvious under-representation of women, youths and persons with disability by nominating more of them as candidates for elections.
“The national assembly should introduce affirmative action as part of the electoral reforms that will ensure greater representation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in elective offices nationwide.
“In the weeks ahead, the commission will engage with the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters on this and other areas of reforms,’’ he said.
Yakubu said that INEC is delighted to celebrate the IWD as a practical affirmation of its commitment to deepening gender equality, representation, relevance, empowerment and a sense of belonging.
He said that inclusion had been a focal area of INEC commitment covering gender, youths and persons with disabilities.
He said that INEC had since developed, validated and dutifully implementing its gender policy in a practical way.
“It is not by coincidence that the two successive secretaries to the commission are women.
“Furthermore, the present commission deliberately created a whole Department of Gender and Inclusivity in 2021, dedicated to the promotion of inclusive representation in the workplace and the electoral process.
“Today, out of 24 Departments and Directorates at the commission’s Headquarters, 11 (representing 46 per cent) are headed by women.
“We also have women serving as administrative secretaries in our state offices and heads of various departments at state levels.
“There is also no state in Nigeria without women serving as Electoral Officers (EOs) in charge of our local government offices,’’ Yakubu said.
Prof. Kunle Ajayi , the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee, said that INEC under Yakubu remained committed to electoral inclusion of women.
Ajayi said the commission was aware of abysmal under representation of women in active politics and appointed positions, both at national and grassroots levels.
This, according to him, has been an issue of great concern to the commission in spite series of targeted interventions to ensure equal gender participation and representation in the electoral process.
He enumerated various policies, actions and programmes by INEC to promote gender inclusion in the election management process.
“Now, INEC is looking at the more scientific and data based approach in addressing gender gaps and improving women participations in the electoral space.
“To this end, the commission is very open to actionable recommendations to our versatile members of staff.
“We also welcome more productive collaborations and engagements with other development partners in our quest to further advance gender equality and women empowerment in our society,’’ he said.
On her part, Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony, said the event was a pointer to the collective recognition of the contributions and commitment of women toward improving electoral process, especially as leaders in the public service.
Oriaran-Anthony said the photo-book served as a visual tribute to women’s leadership and catalyst for change, sparkling conversations, fostering empowerment and progress toward a more equitable and just society.
“Within the pages of this remarkable publication, we are presented with a visual chronicle of the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of women who have played pivotal roles in shaping the electoral landscape of our nation.
“Their stories are not just tales of triumph but testaments of resilience, courage, dedication and a steadfast commitment to public service.
“Each photograph captured within these pages serves as a selfless and poignant reminder of the transformative power that is wielded by women in leadership positions.
“Their presence symbolises that beacon of hope, the flicker of light illuminating the path toward gender equality, inclusivity, and meaningful and impactful participation in governance,’’ she said.
The highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of a Plague and Photo Book of women, who had contributed to expansion of women participation in elective positions, advancement of democracy and development in Nigeria.
Reports says that the plague and Photo Book was produced by The Electoral Hub in collaboration with INEC Gender and Inclusivity Department.
There was knowledge and experience sharing session by past and present management staff of INEC, including national commissioners, Mrs May Abamuche-Mbu and Prof. Rodah Gumus, as well as former national commissioner, Hajia Amina Zakari .
Others included Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Toyin Babalola; retired directors, Regina Omo-Agege, and Blessing Obidekwu.
Yakubu, thereafter, unveiled the INEC Crèche, built and equipped for nursing mothers working in the commission. (NAN)
With Nigeria’s out-of-school children figure still high at 18.3 million, an international charity has initiated fresh moves to tackle the syndrome.
The Ibironke Adeagbo Foundation (IAF), based in England, said it was determined to contribute significantly to tackling the crisis.
IAF had been campaigning for intensified efforts to tackle out-of-school syndrome in Nigeria, where UNICEF and UNESCO have reeled out huge figures of out-of-school children from year-to- year.
In a statement on Friday, the Founder of the foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, said the fresh initiative was to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
Adeagbo said the foundation was working on what she described as a “roadmap” to be unveiled by the foundation this month to tackle the problem and salvage early-child education in Nigeria.
According to her, the foundation has come out in full force to support the Federal Government to overcome the syndrome.
“With over 18 million children out-of-school, Nigeria’s education landscape faces an unprecedented crisis.
“The nation’s economic and social future depends on our collective commitment to quality education,’’ the British-born Nigerian, who resides in London, said.
She said Nigeria’s education system was grappling with challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and under-funding.
“The foundation is committed to driving actionable solutions at this point in time because we must secure a brighter future for our out-of-school children and Nigerian education in general.
“Education is the cornerstone of development and progress,” Adeagbo added.
Adeagbo disclosed that an international summit on education had been slated Nov. 26 to ignite discussions on how to over the challenge.
“We cannot afford to overlook the urgent needs of the education sector,” she said.
She said that the summit tagged: “Street to School: A Tech-Based Solution to Address Nigeria’s Education Crisis’’ would ignite critical discussions that would lead to substantial and measurable changes in Nigeria’s education landscape.
Adeagbo called on the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to education in line with UNESCO’s recommendation of 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the total budget.
She also called for strengthening of partnerships with civil society groups to fund educational initiatives aimed at tackling various problems in the education sector, especially the out-of-school challenge.
Adeagbo said that Nigeria should implement initiatives targeted specifically at marginalised groups, including girls, children with disabilities and those from low-income families.
The IAF founder stressed the need for the government to utilise technology to boost learning opportunities, especially in remote communities and unserved areas.
Adeagbo added that Nigeria should give priority attention to training of teachers to equip them with skills to deliver quality education.
“We believe that Nigeria can establish a sustainable and inclusive educational framework that will leave no child behind,’’ she stated.
Report says that insecurity caused by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping plaguing Nigeria for years, contributed much to out-of-school syndrome in the country.
However, the Federal Government has been fighting to stamp out the negative activities to allow children to have unrestricted access to the classrooms. (NAN)
The Kaduna State Government plans to spend N93 billion over four years for the rehabilitation of the water sector in four tranches to address the neglect the sector has suffered over the past 10 years.
Ibrahim Hamza, the Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday in Kaduna.
Hamza said that Gov.
Uba Sani has directed the payment of all outstanding salaries and wages to the staff of the Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC), amounting to N800 million.He further disclosed that the staff of the corporation would be put back on the state’s payroll until 2027 when it must have fully stabilised to run as a commercial entity.
The commissioner recalled that the Governor had declared a state of emergency in the water sector three months ago.
Hamza said , ” This led to the appointment of Kabir Rufai as the substantive Managing Director of KADSWAC.
”The corporation will collaborate with the local governments to maintain generator operations.
”This will strengthen existing water laws to support corporate employment policy.”
He said that the state was investing heavily in the rehabilitation and retrofitting of all water treatment plants and distribution mains, with an emphasis on sanitation and hygiene
Hamza said, “The N93 billion will be invested in four installments, starting with N17 billion this year.
“N35 billion will be invested next year, N30 billion will be invested in 2026 and N11 billion will be invested in 2027.” (NAN)
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fix the internal crisis in the party as the PDP is capable of fixing the country.Makinde, who spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and Unveiling of Roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), said that as the nation approaches 2027 for another general election, it was clear that the PDP has the capacity to provide direction for Nigerians.
The Oyo State Governor, who was the special guest at the occasion, asked rhetorically, “What would you want to be remembered for? This is a question every politician who has had to serve at any capacity in our great nation should ask themselves. Because players would come and go.”The situation is so dynamic, but you have to be remembered for something.”From 2019, I’ve been benefitting from PDP. So, I want to say thank you to our great party, and all the stakeholders gathered here today, for giving me the opportunity to get not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella.”The only thing I can promise you is that since I have fetched water from that well I have been drinking since 2019, I will not pollute the well when it is time for me to exit that position.”The journey to this day has not been all smooth, but I’m thankful that we are able to overcome all the obstacles along the way.”On the PDI, Makinde said that with inauguration of the institute Board of Governors, the PDP is moving a step closer to defining the ideology that the party stands for, and cementing what the party as a whole will want to be remembered for.He said, “Let me especially thank all the people that are members of the party that has put aside grievances, and played a role in the re-establishment and revitalisation of the PDI” recalling that the institute was formed during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.”So, one will take a pause and say okay, what happened during the 16 years of PDI in power nationally? “You can see that with the PDI, there is a pivotal rule, and during those years, we can rightly refer to as the golden years, because since we are working through the plan, we got debt forgiveness, we were interacting with everybody around the world, we were not in pariah relations,” he said.He called on members to rally round the party and set aside their differences, saying there was need for true reconciliation and unity to wrestle power from the APC in Ondo State, whose governorship election has been slated for November 16, 2024.In his contribution, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, noted that parties are built on ideas, philosophies and policies, stressing the need to move away from building ideas on self and ambition.Sakari said: “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts from. This is the foundation that is important. “Let us desist from talking about who is running for councillor, or who is running for governor, or who is running for president in 2027. Let us talk about what PDP is. What does PDP represent? What are the issues and policies that we must take into account?”This is what is important for us. This is what Nigerians outside want to know. This is what is important.”Earlier the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb Umar Damagum ,who was represented by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, said there needed to reposition and unite the party to play its opposition role.
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