'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a powerful address at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), highlighted the pressing issue of gender exclusion in Nigerian politics.
According to a statement signed by NIDCOM's spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun today disclosed that speaking on the role of women in nation-building, Dabiri-Erewa rued Nigeria's dismal ranking as the lowest in Africa regarding women in elective positions.
With over 1,300 elective roles at state and federal levels, less than five percent are occupied by women—a statistic that has diminished rather than improved over the years. Dabiri-Erewa's speech underscored the urgent need for intentional support from political parties and parliament to rectify this imbalance.
"Political parties must be sincere and intentional about getting women into elective positions. Nigeria has more than enough gifted and competent women for any elective office," she asserted. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the importance of legislative backing for women-friendly policies and encouraged women professionals to engage actively in the political arena. "If you are not on the table, you will be on the menu," she warned, highlighting the critical need for women's presence in decision-making roles.
The NIDCOM chief commended the hard work, tenacity, and zeal of Nigerian women who have achieved top positions despite the odds. She called for mentorship to be taken seriously, urging successful women to pave the way for younger generations. This mentorship, she noted, is crucial for nurturing aspiring young women to take on various societal roles.
Dabiri-Erewa's call to action comes at a pivotal moment as Nigeria marks 25 years of democratic governance. Her speech resonates with the broader concern about gender disparity in politics, a topic that has gained significant traction yet shows little progress in terms of actual representation.
The event, hosted by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and attended by notable figures including the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, underscored the collective agreement on the need for more women in political positions. Despite the accolades for successful women, Dabiri-Erewa's message was clear: Nigeria must do more to harness the potential of its female population in politics.
By addressing the systemic barriers that hinder women's participation, such as cultural biases and lack of support from political institutions, Nigeria can begin to close the gender gap in political representation. As Dabiri-Erewa pointed out, Nigerian women are among the best in the world, and their contributions are vital for national development. It is imperative that political parties and the parliament take decisive steps to ensure that women are not just participants but leaders in the political process.
The event which was hosted by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was attended by the wife of Lagos state Governor, Dr. Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, former governors, former deputy governors, past and serving assembly members, party leaders, party executives and members of the diplomatic corps