Group Calls for Election of More Women into the National Assembly for Rapid National Development

Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted February 06, 2024

Worried by continuous and progressive decline of number of women elected into the nation’s legislative arm of government, the woman leader, National Association of Nigeria Traders (NANTs), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, Chief (Mrs) Rachael Adewumi and the Registrar, West African Association of Strategic Institute of Educational Administrators, Dr Simon Ibrahim has called for election of more women into the Senate and House of Representatives, in order to enhance national development.

The duo made their feelings known to journalists in separate interviews during the conferment of fellowship award by the institute to the FCT NANTs Woman Leader on Friday which coincided with her birthday celebration in the nation’s capital.

While appreciating and thanking God for the award and for adding another year to her age under good health, Adewumi prayed to God to continue to give her all it takes to do more of whatever she has been doing, that earned her the award.

Speaking on the importance of women in the both legislative chambers, the woman leader, said that she cannot challenge men folk, adding that she recognizes them as husbands and the head of the families, but was quick to demand that due to their prudence in management of resources, women should not be discouraged to participate in the National Assembly elections.

Adewumi however believed that gender balance in the parliament, would result to equitable deliberations and effective legislation.

She advised the few women in the two chambers to represent Nigerians well, and show to the world that Nigerian women legislators can deliver excellently.

She frowned at the current trend that usually frustrate and discourage women’s participation in the country’s politics and governance.

“This country belongs to all of us, so no one gender should claim monopoly over it,” she stated.

While expressing concern at the declining number of women in the two chambers of National Assembly, the Institute’s Registrar, spoke at length on the need for the women to be encouraged into politics, so as to have among other things, equal gender in the parliament.

Speaking on the reason that necessitated the conferement of the award to Mrs Adewumi, Ibrahim Simon explained thus: “She has trained and empowered widows and other less privileged, using her Non Governmental Organisation, the TAKEM Empowerment Initiatives; she has created employments, contributed to increase in the nation’s GDP and tax, through her TAKEM Trading Company Limited and; she has been effectively, leading the women traders in the FCT.

“All these, amongst others were the reason behind the award,” he explained.