Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq
In a rear show of solidarity, dozens of women representing different women groups gave their thumbs up for Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State for appointing more women as his Commissioners
In a crowded press conference at the NUJ Press Centre, Abuja, the women acknowledged that by that singular act, Gov. AbdulRasaq had done something no political leader had ever done before in Nigeria
The leader of the women, Mrs Toyin Okewole Sonaya in her address, noted that the governor had courageously demonstrated gender inclusion in his appointments in Kwara state after years of struggle against patriarchy and non- inclusion of women in governance at all levels in Nigeria
Sonaya who could not hide her joy, commended the governor for giving women about 56% of his commissionership positions in the state
“We consider this as a great achievement not only for the people of Kwara State but for Nigerians as a whole and the world at large
“It is a demonstration of the will to fast track the deepening of democracy in Nigeria and to close the gender gap in order to achieve the much required and desired development”, she remarked
The women leader said the political will of the governor was an acknowledgement of the need for the experiences and expertise of women and men working together in the development of the state and the country
“While Nigerians, particularly women commend this effort, we call on other state governors and leaders to demonstrate their commitment to fast tracking the development of their states by mainstreaming gender in their administration
“We congratulate the women and urge them to strive for excellence in all endeavours particularly in the delivery of their assignments”
According to her, “we are proud that from the state level Nigerian women can smile; that all the international conventions signed by the federal Government on gender such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women(CEDAW)”
Kwara State has appointed 19 Commissioners out of which 10 are women
By Timothy Elerewe
