By Chesa Chesa
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu says women have to learn how to obtain political power to further the interests of womenfolk.
She spoke at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Female Parliamentarians Association, which held its Spotlight Initiative with the theme; Re-thinking Women’s Proportional Representation in Governance – in Abuja.
Mrs. Tinubu noted that her husband’s administration has made significant progress in this regard but barriers still exist especially culturally and socially.
“These barriers include deeply entrenched societal norms, systemic discriminatory practices, structural issues within our political systems, and financial incapability.
“To achieve this across board, we must be seen to walk the talk. For instance, our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken significant steps to remove financial barriers by making nomination forms for elective positions free at grassroots level, ensuring that capable and qualified women can participate in the political process without the burden of prohibitive costs”, she stated.
She also commended the House of Representatives for its recent passage of the Bill seeking 74 seats for women in the National Assembly in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics and governance.
“I believe that the leadership in the Senate is gender-friendly”.
“Power is not served á la carte, just as my husband, President Bola Tinubu said. You have to learn how to obtain power. You need older women to mentor you.
“Education is the cornerstone of empowerment. By improving access to education for girls and women, we can equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in political processes.
“Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of women’s representation in governance is crucial. Public campaigns, media engagement, and community programs can help shift societal attitudes and dismantle stereotypes that hinder women’s political participation”, she added.
