Okewale Sonaiya urges nomination of women for ministerial appointments

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Chief executive officer (CEO) of WFM 91.7, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, has asked governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to nominate women for ministerial appointments in the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Okewale Sonaiya, who runs the first radio station for women in Nigeria, said both genders should be allowed to take on the responsibility of rebuilding the country.

In an article on Saturday, she said the responsibility for ministerial appointments does  not only rest on the President-elect, but also with the governors of respective APC  states, who are putting forward names for nomination.

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She said while men are great nation builders, they need the support of women, adding that the country would progress with the female gender participating in the process.

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“I appeal to all APC state governors to nominate at least one woman among the three names they send to the incoming administration for ministerial appointments.

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“One female nomination per three nominees by governors, APC chairmen and leadership in non-APC states would translate to approximately 35% in accordance with the affirmative action and bridge the vacuum created in 2023 elective positions,” Sonaiya said.

According to her, competent and capable women politicians and female technocrats hail from all Nigerian states and every man and woman should play a part in rebuilding the socio-economic fabric of Nigeria.
“While our men are great nation builders, they require the support and input of women. Only when men and women lead together can Nigeria progress.
“Nigerian women’s groups are maintaining a strong alliance in advocating for an increase in female representation in governance at all levels.
“Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre is coordinating women representatives of each state to present the Nigerian Women Charter of Demand to the government of each state.

READ ALSO: May 29: El-Rufai speaks on becoming Tinubu’s Chief of Staff

“Additionally, League of Women Voters of Nigeria, 100 Women Lobby Groups and Women in Politics Forum members in each of the 36 states will visit governors to lobby for state nomination of women for ministerial and commissioner appointments.
“Nigerian Women Trust Fund is holding a strategic briefing with 9th Assembly female legislators on the 35% affirmative action judgment to demand more appointments of women with the incoming administration,” she stated.
Despite increased lobbying and advocacy for gender balance and female inclusion in politics in the last three years, she observed that the just-concluded 2023 elections saw the lowest and most demoralising percentage of elected women senators and House of Representatives, with only three and fourteen, respectively.
She said, “The 9th National Assembly rejected the passage of the five gender bills, failing Nigerian women. Nigerian women are hopeful that the 10th National Assembly will pass the bills for Nigeria’s development.
“Political parties must revisit their manifestos and match their words with actions in terms of female recognition within the party, as marginalisation against women in elective positions arises internally.”

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