Yenagoa—Hon. Ebiwou Koku-Obiyai, Chief Whip of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly has urged women to seek elective offices despite the National Assembly’s refusal to pass the Gender Equality Bill, Leadership newspaper reports.
She urged Nigerian women to set aside the refusal of the National Assembly to pass the gender equality Bill and seek elective offices come 2023.
According to Koku-Obiyai, though the Nigerian women will sustain the pressure on the members of the National Assembly to review their refusal to pass the Gender Equality Bill, the women interested in elective political offices should embark on proper consultations and participate in the primaries of various political parties to emerge flag bearers of their political parties come 2023.
Koku-Obiyai made this known at the weekend during the Lunch/Award ceremony organized by a coalition of three gender advocacy groups, DO Foundation, CARE Initiative and the Wind Foundation to appreciate women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers.
The Chief Whip who was the chairperson of the occasion urged women that the time is right and their voice louder than before,” this is the time for women to be bold and consult with political stakeholders for elective positions.”
The organizers, Founder of Do Foundation, Barr. Dise Ogbise, Chief Executive Officer of the Wind Family, Engr. Ann Obuebite and her CARE Initiative counterpart, Mrs. Timipere Jombo said celebrating those women who have carved a name for themselves in their various professions will be a yearly event.
They applauded the Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri and his Wife, Dr. Gloria Diri for being so supportive of issues of gender equality as well as thanked other partners for ensuring the programme is a success.
Some of the awardees include Member Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mrs. Remy Kuku, a legal practitioner, Barr. Eunice Akene, General Manager NTA Yenagoa, Mrs. Daoju Whyte, popular broadcaster, Thelma Ibegu, amongst others.
Presentation of Awards of Distinction to 27 women and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Samuel Numonengi for taking the lead on “He for She” advocacy campaign as well as the dance for progress formed climax of the event.
