WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED BY PERCENTAGES
– Dumo Lulu-Briggs
It was an epoch making event; an APC Women Summit tagged “Women in democracy: Harnessing the strength for National development. The great event was held at the newly commissioned APC Rivers State party secretariat along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on Saturday the 28th of July, 2018.
The mind rejuvenating summit which was centered on the popular and recurring subject of women in politics, challenges and benefits, had in attendance the very respected women of the All Progressives Congress drawn from across the country, accompanied by selected great men of the party in the state. Leading the women was the National Women leader of the party; Hajia Salamatu Baiwa who admonished women to work even harder than men if they must occupy their desired place of importance in the polity and in every other aspect of life.
The summit was declared open by the great mother of Rivers State, Dame Judith Amaechi, wife of the Federal Minister for Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. In her very articulate and concise keynote address, she briefly highlighted some of her achievements in the area of Gender Democracy as the First Lady of Rivers State at the time, and commended her dear husband who also made deliberate efforts in balancing political appointments in public service. The wife of the Minister stated emphatically that there’s no nation without women and advised Nigerian women to unitedly mobilize themselves for the actualization of their collective aspirations. She thanked the wife of the president, Hajia Aisha Buhari who has done so much for women and for the less privileged in Nigeria.
In a paper delivered by Hon. Mrs. Maureen Tamuno, seven factors were itemized as the challenges hampering women participation in politics and governance in Nigeria. They include:
1. Discriminatory sociocultural practices.
2. Under representation of women in politics.
3. Insufficient financial resources.
4. Unhealthy political environment.
5. False perception of women in politics.
6. Origin of women aspirants.
7. Lack of education.
The event also witnessed goodwill messages from other high profile party women and men including the ever vibrant chairman of the party, Hon. Ojukaye Flag Amachree who advised the women to rise up to the challenges of National development., Hon. Victoria Nyeche, Hon. Joeba West and other respected and distinguished personalities who also inspired the women with words of wisdom.
In an interview granted at the venue of the event, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs corroborated the women’s position of being vital to political development and governance, with a bolder statement in which he declared that percentage affirmations are limiting to women. He opined that women should rather be considered for active participation and engagements on the basis of individual capacities and qualifications.
Other dignitaries at the event include:
Madam Joi Nuneih, Chairman, Center for women development.
Hon Victor Giadom, deputy National secretary of APC and his beautiful wife, Mrs Esther Giadom.
Chief Emeka Beke, State Secretary, APC Rivers State.
Evang. Caroline Nagbo, State Women leader, APC Rivers State.
Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, President General, Free Rivers Development Initiative.
Hon Aso Wenah, Former Liaison Officer, Rivers State Liaison Office, Abuja
Mrs. Ndidi Odili, and many others.
It wasn’t all about talks; the music makers were on ground and did a wondrous delivery of thunderous melodies that enveloped the atmosphere with jubilant ecstasy. Not even the wife of the minister was spared in that magnetic singspiration and dance attraction. It was indeed a summit with the touch of family reunion and a hearty celebration.
Uche Woke
SA Media DLB
