…As Gov. signs 35% women appointment in government into law.
By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has commended the Kwara State governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for appointing a good number of women in his cabinet.
As if proving to type, the governor on the same day signed an executive law mandating the state to have at least 35% women appointees in the state executive council and other classes of political appointments.
The president’s wife, represented by the Special Assistant to her husband on Administration and Women Affairs, Dr. Rukayyatu Gurin was speaking at a conference themed; “Cracking The Glass Ceiling: The Story of Kwara Women” convened at the instance of Kwara’s First Lady; Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq.
The gender Law which is called ‘State Political Offices (Gender Composition) Bill 2021’ initiated by the governor is said to be the first in the country at the instance of a governor, taken through the mills and finally approved by him.
Mrs Buhari in her message had called for more gender inclusiveness in the schemes of affairs in governance to enable women contribute in their full capacity, a reasonable societal development.
She commended Kwara State governor for blazing the trail in appointing many women into his cabinet noting that already, Kwara is being celebrated globally, based on its women friendly policy.
In her address, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen expressed satisfaction with the supports for women and girl-child in the areas of business, education and health care.
She expressed the government’s willingness to always stand to see to it that women successes are mentioned and attained.
Earlier in her welcome address, wife of the Kwara state governor, Mrs AbdulRazq urged women to leverage on the gender inclusiveness of the state government to do giant and great things that would stamp their legacies on the roll of honour.
She gave an assurance that she was ever determined to use her good offices to support women and girl- child in their fields of various endeavors.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi who is also the Chairperson
of the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum praised Governor AbdulRazaq’s gender sensitiveness in governance a trait she said attracted confidence in him and his government by the women folk.
Hajia Muina Bola Shagaya, a business mogul and indigene of Kwara State while enjoined lent a leaf to women in Kwara State on how to be successful in business life as against leaving huge successes to men alone.
She pleaded with women who would be lucky to be saddled with responsibilities in public appointments to strive to be exemplary in such various callings.