* VP Shettima, Akpabio, Abbas commend move
By Chesa Chesa
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday evening hosted members of the National Assembly to a special dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, using the occasion to call for renewed commitment to greater political inclusion for women through the Women’s Reserved Seats Bill before the lawmakers.
The event was also attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas leading the legislators.
Mrs. Tinubu expressed deep concern over recent threats to the education of girls and the continued neglect of boys in the Almajiri system, warning that deprivation leaves children vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups. She emphasized the urgent need for reforms that ensure dignity, safety, and equitable opportunities for all Nigerian children.
A key focus of her address was the ongoing debate over the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly, for which she noted the growing support from both local and international groups and urged lawmakers to seize the moment.
“Is this bill possible to scale through? Yes—if not today, someday, and absolutely so. But if we do this now, the 10th Assembly will go down in history as the set that stood for women when it counted most”, she said.
The First Lady highlighted global examples where affirmative action has strengthened governance and political stability, arguing that Nigeria stands to benefit from similar measures. She expressed confidence in the lawmakers’ “collective wisdom and patriotism” to arrive at a constitutionally sound approach to expanding women’s political participation.
Mrs. Tinubu described the gathering as a “reunion,” reflecting on her years in the Senate and praising the strides of the 10th National Assembly, even as she pointed out that she invited them for open dialogue and reflection as the nation navigates its democratic future.
“Everyone, either male or female, should be given the opportunity to contribute to our shared humanity,” she said, urging continued collaboration between her office and the legislature.
In his remarks, Vice-President Shettima sought a deeper collaboration between the executive and legislature, saying they must work towards aligning their purpose and unshakable resolve to build a Nigeria that works for all the citizens.
“Democracy does not flourish in the chaos of discord. It thrives where there is understanding. It survives where there is familiarity with what each arm is designed to achieve. It blossoms where each recognises the intersection between power and responsibility—between authority and accountability,” he said.
The Vice-President noted that because the wife of the President deeply understands this, “she has demonstrated not only that she is a proud alumna of the National Assembly, but that she remains committed to protecting your interests, nurturing your dignity, and uplifting your institutional relevance.
“This occasion, in every sense, reaffirms that commitment. You are not taken for granted. You have never been taken for granted. And you will never be taken for granted,” he observed.
He also pointed out that President Tinubu; the First Lady; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and himself are all flying the alumni flag as former members of the National Assembly at the executive arm of government “without apology and without hesitation.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urged his colleagues in the legislature to support the advocacy of the First Lady to see that the Women’s Reserved Seats Bill is passed, even if with amendments to also protect the plurality of the legislative houses.
On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, thanked the First Lady for her consistent contributions to national development through various empowerment programmes for women.
Abbas also advocated for more representation for women, especially the ones that involve drawing up policies that would help tackle insecurity, saying if the current bill on women participation is passed, Nigeria will take a major step towards inclusion and justice for all.
Also, Chairman of the All Progressives Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, solicited more support for women participation in governance, describing them as managers of the homes who would do well in key positions of government.
