Kogi Central Politics: Women to the rescue
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- Written by sah Itopa Idris
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Ten years after the onset of the fourth republic in the Nigeria politics, we should by now be reaping the bountiful harvest of the dividends of democracy. But instead, electorates weep from unprecedented bad governance and misrepresentation at all levels of governance, most especially from our male folks.
At different times in history, whenever things became difficult for their community, various societies have been known therefore to put their women in the forefront of the struggle to fight injustice and build a better society. British had her Queen Boadicea in the first century AD, who led the revolt against the occupying Romans; while France had her Joan of Arc at the beginning of the 15th century, who led the French against the British. In Nigeria, Queen Moremi Ajasoro showed her men folk how to defeat the Marauding Ugbo that was decimating the ranks of the Odua nation at Ife. And of recent time in Nigeria we have Professor Dora Akunyilli’s crusade against fake drugs. Less I forget, we have the likes of female speakers in some state House of Assemblies in Benue and Ogun, who had performed credibly.
In more recent time also, equally extraordinary women helped their people to greatness as in the case of Rosa Parks, the American equal rights activists, who refused to sit at the back of the bus, an action that was a catalyst for the Martin Luther King-led March towards equality in the USA, which pave the way for the miracle called President Barrack Obama.
In Ebiraland, some women politicians of note could also be remembered. The likes of Late Honourable Nana Ojeba, a member of Kogi State House of Assembly representing Adavi Constituency, who died in the course of her meritorious services to her people and the state, may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amin. The likes of Madam Judith Atta, who was a one time minister in the federal republic of Nigeria, under the military regime, who single-handedly influenced the citing of the only federal tertiary institution, Federal College of Education at Okene. Ebiraland remain focus in our memory. Ebiraland also produced some powerful women politicians in the first and second republics whose political antecedents will continue to be immortalized. They include Inya-Ozi-Ohinoyi; Onyi-Sidi Obehira; Madam Fatimoh Onoh; Madam Salamatu Abere; and host of others.
It is a fact that Ebiraland is passing through difficult political times and we need people of substance to bail us out from this shaky water, irrespective of gender.
The question that now begs an answer is this: If Ebiraland is today in difficulty in the hands of our male politicians; is it not time for us to try our women folk of substance who are already in the field to be placed in the front and centre of governance and decision-making? Women are mothers of the nation and if given the opportunity, they are not likely to disappoint. Clearly, when a nation or society is in trouble, all capable hands must be on deck. Why should we, in a time of community or society crisis, handicap ourselves by failing to use the exceptional human resources available our females? Fortunately, Ebiraland is vividly known as replete with outstanding women of proven competence in all areas of professional life.
Ebiraland, obviously has many women capable of representing their various constituencies at the federal and state levels as law makers. Women with pedigree and sense of commitment that will protect their constituencies and sense of purpose that will ensure that the dividends of democracy finally come home to roost should be encouraged to participate actively in our polity. To name a few, we have some dutiful women associate professors in the academia who could also use their academic and social wisdom to restore our people in the political limelight of the nation; they are Dr. Mrs Angela Okatahi., and Dr. Marietu Tinuche. They have been committed to the educational development of their immediate community by making sure that admission quotas meant for our children are fully utilized in their respective institutions.
Another promising second-general woman politician of substance is Barrister Hadiza Onotu, a law graduate of Bayero University, Kano. Honourable Onotu practices her profession at Kaduna; a philanthropist and woman right activists, she is making waves in her Adavi base as an emergent grass-root mother of the people. This lady even before she ventured into politics she has put many developmental programmes in place that has touched peoples lives positively.
The world as a whole is moving towards a more egalitarian society where women are being empowered through special programmes and concessions. But these women I speak of, the likes of Barrister Hadiza Onotu, Dr. Mrs Angela Okatahi, and Dr. Marietu Tinuche are women who can hold their own heads creditably in a man’s world; women who do not need a special concession to match the best of the male gender.
The Ebiras can not take away the fact that we cannot afford to fail again politically. It is time for our best women to step forward and be given the opportunity to help restore hope, discipline, harmony and progress to our community. The first step is to elect our able women into the national and state assemblies, even governorship positions.
Idris is a public affairs analyst
Articles
Kogi Central Politics: Women to the rescue
Category: Comments Written by sah Itopa Idris Hits: 937
Ten years after the onset of the fourth republic in the Nigeria politics, we should by now be reaping the bountiful harvest of the dividends of democracy. But instead, electorates weep from unprecedented bad governance and misrepresentation at all levels of governance, most especially from our male folks.
At different times in history, whenever things became difficult for their community, various societies have been known therefore to put their women in the forefront of the struggle to fight injustice and build a better society. British had her Queen Boadicea in the first century AD, who led the revolt against the occupying Romans; while France had her Joan of Arc at the beginning of the 15th century, who led the French against the British. In Nigeria, Queen Moremi Ajasoro showed her men folk how to defeat the Marauding Ugbo that was decimating the ranks of the Odua nation at Ife. And of recent time in Nigeria we have Professor Dora Akunyilli’s crusade against fake drugs. Less I forget, we have the likes of female speakers in some state House of Assemblies in Benue and Ogun, who had performed credibly.
In more recent time also, equally extraordinary women helped their people to greatness as in the case of Rosa Parks, the American equal rights activists, who refused to sit at the back of the bus, an action that was a catalyst for the Martin Luther King-led March towards equality in the USA, which pave the way for the miracle called President Barrack Obama.
In Ebiraland, some women politicians of note could also be remembered. The likes of Late Honourable Nana Ojeba, a member of Kogi State House of Assembly representing Adavi Constituency, who died in the course of her meritorious services to her people and the state, may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amin. The likes of Madam Judith Atta, who was a one time minister in the federal republic of Nigeria, under the military regime, who single-handedly influenced the citing of the only federal tertiary institution, Federal College of Education at Okene. Ebiraland remain focus in our memory. Ebiraland also produced some powerful women politicians in the first and second republics whose political antecedents will continue to be immortalized. They include Inya-Ozi-Ohinoyi; Onyi-Sidi Obehira; Madam Fatimoh Onoh; Madam Salamatu Abere; and host of others.
It is a fact that Ebiraland is passing through difficult political times and we need people of substance to bail us out from this shaky water, irrespective of gender.
The question that now begs an answer is this: If Ebiraland is today in difficulty in the hands of our male politicians; is it not time for us to try our women folk of substance who are already in the field to be placed in the front and centre of governance and decision-making? Women are mothers of the nation and if given the opportunity, they are not likely to disappoint. Clearly, when a nation or society is in trouble, all capable hands must be on deck. Why should we, in a time of community or society crisis, handicap ourselves by failing to use the exceptional human resources available our females? Fortunately, Ebiraland is vividly known as replete with outstanding women of proven competence in all areas of professional life.
Ebiraland, obviously has many women capable of representing their various constituencies at the federal and state levels as law makers. Women with pedigree and sense of commitment that will protect their constituencies and sense of purpose that will ensure that the dividends of democracy finally come home to roost should be encouraged to participate actively in our polity. To name a few, we have some dutiful women associate professors in the academia who could also use their academic and social wisdom to restore our people in the political limelight of the nation; they are Dr. Mrs Angela Okatahi., and Dr. Marietu Tinuche. They have been committed to the educational development of their immediate community by making sure that admission quotas meant for our children are fully utilized in their respective institutions.
Another promising second-general woman politician of substance is Barrister Hadiza Onotu, a law graduate of Bayero University, Kano. Honourable Onotu practices her profession at Kaduna; a philanthropist and woman right activists, she is making waves in her Adavi base as an emergent grass-root mother of the people. This lady even before she ventured into politics she has put many developmental programmes in place that has touched peoples lives positively.
The world as a whole is moving towards a more egalitarian society where women are being empowered through special programmes and concessions. But these women I speak of, the likes of Barrister Hadiza Onotu, Dr. Mrs Angela Okatahi, and Dr. Marietu Tinuche are women who can hold their own heads creditably in a man’s world; women who do not need a special concession to match the best of the male gender.
The Ebiras can not take away the fact that we cannot afford to fail again politically. It is time for our best women to step forward and be given the opportunity to help restore hope, discipline, harmony and progress to our community. The first step is to elect our able women into the national and state assemblies, even governorship positions.
Idris is a public affairs analyst