Move beyond mobilisation, seek decision-making roles in governance – Rosiji to Nigerian women
The Executive Chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Barr. Oluyemisi Adenike Rosiji, has urged Nigerian women to move beyond political mobilisation and voting and seek active roles in decision-making and governance.
Rosiji made the call on Wednesday at a women-focused political participation and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) sensitisation programme held at the Ojokoro LCDA Hall as part of activities marking the first anniversary of her administration.
The programme brought together political leaders, women leaders, government officials, professionals, councillors and other stakeholders from Ojokoro and across Lagos State.
Rosiji said women had continued to play important roles in political campaigns and elections but remained underrepresented in many positions where policies and decisions affecting their communities were made.
She urged women to deliberately change the situation by preparing themselves for leadership and seeking elective and appointive positions at different levels of government.
According to her, political participation should not end with voting, organising rallies or mobilising support for political candidates.
She said women must also participate actively in policy formulation, political leadership and decision-making processes.
Drawing from her experience as the chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Rosiji said her administration had demonstrated that women could provide effective leadership when given the opportunity.
She maintained that competence, courage, capacity and commitment, rather than gender, should determine a person’s ability to lead.
The chairman therefore encouraged women to invest in education, acquire relevant skills, understand the political process and prepare themselves for leadership responsibilities.
Rosiji calls for stronger action against SGBV.
Rosiji also called for collective action against sexual and gender-based violence, urging victims, families and members of the public to reject the culture of silence surrounding abuse.
She said cases of sexual and domestic violence should not be dismissed as private family matters, stressing the need for victims and witnesses to seek appropriate intervention.
The chairman urged women to support survivors, challenge harmful practices and help create safer communities where women and girls could pursue their ambitions without intimidation, harassment, exploitation or violence.
“Women must recognise the strength we have when we stand together,” she said.
Rosiji also highlighted some interventions of her administration in infrastructure, drainage, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, vocational training and ICT development.
She disclosed that the anniversary activities would include the commissioning of six additional roads, the graduation of trainees from the Ojokoro LCDA Vocational and ICT Centres and an empowerment programme for beneficiaries.
‘Politics cannot work without women’
The Honourable Commissioner II, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Hon. Abiodun Bamigboye, said women remained indispensable to the political process.
“Politics cannot work without women,” Bamigboye said, while commending Rosiji for organising the programme.
He noted that women remained central to voting, political mobilisation, inclusion and community development, but urged them to extend their influence into leadership and policy-making.
Bamigboye also commended Rosiji for giving women strategic responsibilities in her administration, describing it as an indication of her commitment to inclusive governance.
He encouraged women to participate more actively in politics and urged victims and members of the public to report cases of SGBV promptly through the emergency reporting channel, 08000333333.
The Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Hon. Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, also urged women to become more deliberate about seeking political power and leadership positions.
Bada encouraged women to participate actively in elections and support competent women seeking leadership positions, citing Rosiji’s administration as an example of what women could achieve when given the opportunity to govern.
She further called for greater solidarity among women and urged them to support one another rather than undermine fellow women.
The Vice Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. Tunde Oyekunle, commended Rosiji for creating the platform and appreciated participants for their contributions to the programme.
The event was attended by political leaders, women leaders, councillors, members of the council management and executive committee, professionals and other stakeholders.