- Counsels women to be politically proactive
By Bayo Aka.
The Deputy Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mrs Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba has once again praised former Governor Yahaya Bello for supporting women to be elected and appointed into political offices during his tenure.
“Even if former Governor Yahaya Bello is the worst human being to others , he is my best . This is because he stood up solidly for the three women who contested legislative seats during the last election”
These were parts of Rt Hon Mrs Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba’s words when she was responding to the speech made by members of Standup for Women Society (SWS) who paid her a courtesy visit in her office at Kogi State House of Assembly, Lokoja.
According to her, the former governor gave her and the other two females total support and ensured that against all odds two of them won while the third female in Yagba West lost to ADC.
While still praising Bello for giving women the enabling environment to thrive in politics, especially her, she also praised Governor Usman Ododo for keying into being female gender friendly in appointments, saying that there are about five female commissioners in this administration.
She urged members of the association to always sensitize women on the need to be pro active so that they can occupy more political positions and promised to be available for them.
The Deputy Speaker also advised that members should be their sister’s keepers and ensure they live up to the aim of forming the society which is defending the course of women at all times.
Hon Egwaba also charged them to always be the best wherever they are and not be intimidated by the menfolk.
She added that though there are cultural , family and religions factors inhibiting women from playing politics she advised the society to encourage more women to play active politics, saying with such vision, they will attain their aim of liberating women.
The Deputy Speaker obliged the society of becoming their Matron and Mother in the state ,saying that “I will be part of you. I am already your Matron as a woman ,just as I am matrons to many” .
Earlier, Kogi State Chairperson of Standup for Women Society, Liberator Mrs Muslimat Itopa explained that members of the society which is an international one are all over African countries and United Kingdom with Liberator Barr Debra Ijadele as the National President in Nigeria.
Itopa explained further that the aim of the society ,which members include women from all walks of life, include bringing women together under one umbrella to speak with one voice .
She added that the group demands for the right of women from the general public and government at all levels, just as she congratulated Rt Hon Egwaba on being the first female to be elected Deputy Speaker in Kogi State.
While thanking Gov Usman Ododo for giving women such an opportunity, Itopa appealed to the Deputy Speaker to support them whenever the need arose.
She pledged the society’s resolve to partner with the office of the Deputy Speaker to draw support for women.
Also speaking, the National PRO of the Society, Liberator Hon Billie Avoyi Nwogu who delivered the National President’s message requested the Deputy Speaker to be their Matron and Mother who will intervene for them when necessary and make them vibrant in the state.
Contributing, Liberator Habibat Abdullah described the Deputy Speaker as an experienced politician who has always been there for women and assured that the society would enjoy associating with her.
Also in her contribution, Mrs Jiya appealed to the Deputy Speaker to stand up for women politicians at the grassroots or in the state who have worked for the party to be rewarded rather than allow outsiders to come and take the later glory.
