March 08, (THEWILL) – As the World marks this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration, the speaker of the Benue state House of Assembly, Mr. Titus Uba has reiterated the commitment of the 9th Benue Assembly to the plight of women in the state.
Mr. Uba described the event as a day for leaders at all levels to rededicate to the cause of women, assuring that the 9th Benue Assembly under his watch will continue to make laws that would address the challenges of women.
With the theme, “Gender Equality today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” Mr. Uba who is one of the frontline governorship aspirants in the state, further pointed out that the representation of women in government leaves much to be desired.
He noted that the 9th Benue Assembly has a history of placing female members in strategic committees, pointing out that such an uncommon gesture is just one step towards demonstrating that the 9th Assembly under his watch does not subscribe to gender parity and acknowledge the strength in not just the women who are members but the womenfolk.
The speaker, therefore, called for more women’s participation in politics to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and nation, and lauds the gender sensitivity of governor Ortom’s administration as demonstrated in the appointment of many women in strategic positions in his government.
According to him, the administration is also considering women in elective positions both at local and state levels as seen in the decision of the PDP to concede three council chairmanship slots to women in each of the senatorial districts in the May 2022 local government polls in the state.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Wuese Orshi in Makurdi on Tuesday, coats the number one lawmaker in the state as wishing Benue and all Nigerian women a happy International women’s Day celebration.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Benue State, Mrs. Atooto Igirgi, said some women are unaware of the day, not to talk of understanding its importance.
The commissioner noted that women had suffered enough neglect and discrimination arising from cultural and traditional norms especially in Nigeria and Africa in general.
“The recent rejection of women empowerment bill by the national assembly is just one of the classical example of discrimination against women folk in Nigeria.”
According to Mrs. Igirgi, despite the development, Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration has demonstrated an uncommon love for Benue women since 2015 when he assumed duty as governor of Benue state by ensuring women’s participation in the scheme of things in the state.
She pointed out that through the wife of the governor, Dr. Mrs. Eunice, the PDP led government is fielding 9 women as to elected as council chairmen, 9 Deputy chairmen, and 3 councillorship in each of the 23 local government areas in this year’s council polls slated for May, 2022.
The commissioner, therefore, challenged Benue women to be in the vanguard of voting for women candidates as well as obtain the PVC to enable them to be relevant politically.
About the Author
