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Female legislators urge Tinubu on 35% affirmative action

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Ninth Assembly Women in Parliament have urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to ensure that the court ruling granting women 35 per cent affirmative action was implemented.

Rep. Oluga Taiwo, Chairperson, House Committee on Women in Parliament, made the call during a news conference held in Abuja on Monday.

The event was organised by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund in collaboration with the National Assembly.

“As we move closer to the transition to a new administration and commencement of the 10th National Assembly, Nigerians and, indeed, the world, is expectant of the positive impact the administration of Tinubu will bring to Nigeria.

“More than ever before, the women-fold is expecting a deliberate display of executive will of the administration in mainstreaming women in public governance.

“Women-fold globally, and indeed the international community, are observing with keen interest whether the administration of Tinubu will pass its first litmus test of adherence and observance of the Rule of Law in appointment of cabinet members.

“And whether it will obey the judgment of the Federal High Court on women participation in governance by ensuring increased appointments are given to women.”

She further said that the number of women participation in governance in the country was extremely low.

Taiwo said: “This has led to the incorporated Trustees of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid initiative and eight other women bodies to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation to the Federal High Court.

“In suit FHC/AB/CS/2020, the Federal High Court, on April 6, 2022 compelled the Federal Government of Nigeria to live up to its responsibilities on women participation in politics and governance.

“The suit was successful and it was held that the issue of 35 per cent women participation in appointment into Federal Government offices has become a responsibility of the Federal Government backed by law and policy.

“The President and the Federal Government are bound to adhere to the 35 per affirmative action.”

Also speaking, Rep. Miriam Onuoha (APC-Imo), who is the only female in the House of Representatives vying for Speakership, said that women in parliament are capable to lead.

“I’m capable, committed and qualified. I am a ranking legislator of the ruling party and can be the speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.”

She said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-elect would stop at nothing to ensure that the revised National Gender Policy is implemented.

“My bid to be speaker will test the President-elect’s attitude to women. The time to elect a female speaker is now.

“We appeal to the APC in their bid to zone the principal offices to consider mainstreaming such that positions coming to the North and South will be balanced with gender. That way, there will be inclusivity to accommodate our diversity.”

Similarly, Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga (APC-Ogun), decried the marginalisation of women in parliament saying that there is no returning female member in the Senate.

“So, you can see all the agitations in both chambers.

“We have in the House of Representatives, seven returning members and three out of them are contesting for principal officers – one for Speakership and two of us for Deputy Speaker.

“We have women who have capacity to be deputy speaker and I am contesting as deputy speaker.”

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Mrs Mufuliat Fijabi, said that attention needed to be paid to ensuring that women participated in governance.

She decried the little number of women in parliament.

“The percentage of women has dropped. It has been dropping since 2011.

“As we speak, we shall have less than two per cent of women at both chambers of the national assembly by the time the 10th assembly commences.

“In line with the Nigeria National Gender Policy which was adopted in 2006, the minimum of what women want is 35 per cent affirmative action.

“We don’t want women to be left behind,” she said.

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Gov. Namadi inspects road projects, insists on timely completion

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By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

The Jigawa state governor Malam Umar Namadi  has inspected 26 ongoing road projects across the state and insisted for timely  completion of the work.for the benefit of the public.

The ongoing projects inspected by the governor were mostly rehabilitation and reconstruction of the  roads and bridges damaged by the flooding in the last two years.

Speaking to various contractors, Governor Namadi expressed satisfaction on the quality of the job at the site and urged a speed  work rate for a timely completion.

The Governor told the contractors that Jigawa state is ready to continue patronising any company that demonstrates seriousness and sincerity in handling its work.

“We will not joke about paying your money as soon as you complete the work, however, we will not tolerate or accept any breach of contractual agreement particularly on quality and timely completion in accordance with the specification.”

Governor Namadi assured the Jigawa state people that his government will ensure the completion of all the ongoing road projects, and award new ones to facilitate the movement of goods and services for social and economic development.

While shading more light, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport Engineer Gambo S Malam said, the ongoing road projects have a total distance of 360 kilometers, while in some roads the works included rebuilding the collapsed bridges and provisions of new ones .

He added that so many measures were taken in the reconstruction of the roads and bridges damaged by the flood to prevent such problem In case of any flood in the future..

On their side, the contractors handling various road projects across the 27 local government areas of the state, assured the state governor that they will deliver a quality job and in a good time.

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Makinde appoints Atanda, Ige as Advisory Council member, chairman LG Pension Board

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Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has appointed Chief Adewale Atanda into the Oyo State Advisory Council.

This is just as a former chairman of Ibadan South-East Local Government and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, has been appointed as the chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board.

A letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, indicated that the governor has also appointed eight other people into various positions.

The other newly-appointed persons are as follows: Akeem Oladeji- Full-time member, SUBEB; Dr Monsura Mustapha- Full-time member, SUBEB; Mrs Agbejimi Oladoja Rebecca- Part-time member, SUBEB; Oyewo Oluwaseun Oyedele- Part-time member, SUBEB; Dimeji Ladapo- Part-time member, Civil Service Commission; Mrs Funmi Arulogun- Senior Special Assistant, Diaspora; Mrs Adebayo Omolara- Special Assistant, Culture I; Mr Bolanle Seyi- Special Assistant, Culture II.

Congratulating the new appointees, Makinde charged them to discharge their duties with dedication and loyalty to the state.

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Delta Governor tasks NIPSS on solutions to Nigeria’s challenges

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By Dave Okpogadie

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state has charged the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos, to provide a veritable roadmap for policies that would mitigate the challenges currently confronting Nigeria.

Governor Oborevwori gave the charge yesterday when he received participants of the Senior Executive Course 46 of the NIPSS led by Air Vice Marshal David Solomon, on courtesy call at Government House, Asaba.

He said, “The importance of your institute is anchored on fostering critical thinking that will encourage training and developing professionals in policy analysis, strategic planning and leadership.

“Being a high level center for informed research, reflection and dialogue, the country looks up to you to provide a road map for true policy initiatives and execution.

“The lnstitute remains our country’s foremost thinking cap in developing a group of high class technocrats. It has also contributed to deepening democracy both in Nigeria and other African countries by providing a platform for learning and sharing of ideas.

“You are, therefore, saddled with the responsibility of managing policies and strategies that will shape Nigeria and indeed, Africa.

“Delta is a state that believes in continuity and I have promised Deltans that I am going to do more for them.

“Your coming to Delta shows that the state is peaceful; not minding what happened on March 14, the Okuama incident.

“We have handled it and the Military had had a lot of restraints. As we speak today, the Military have pulled out of Okuama and we have established an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in that place.

“But that does not mean that those involved will be set free. It is just that the innocent people will not continue to have problems with the Military.

“I want to assure you that coming to Delta State is a good choice and all the information you need will be provided.”

Earlier, the team leader, Air Vice Marshal David Solomon, who spoke on behalf of the Director- General of the Institute, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said the lnstitute was conceived as a high level institution with the primary objective of serving as the nation’s foremost policy think tank and developing a crop of top class leaders of high intellectual capacity.

He commended Governor Oborevwori for consolidating the tempo of sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the state by continuing from where his predecessor stopped, just as he expressed appreciation to the state government for the warm reception accorded them since their arrival in the state.

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