To revive Nigeria’s economy, involve women in gov’t—-Adewumi begs

By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja

In order to revive and boost Nigeria’s economy that has for a long time been doing down, the woman leader, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief (Mrs) Rachael Adewumi has appealed to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to fully involve women in his government.

Adewumi who doubles as the president of a front line Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Takem Epoerment Initiatives (TEIs), that specializes in training and empowerment of the widows, the needy and the less privileged in the society addressed journalists yesterday in her office.

Enjoining the men not to see the involvement of the women in government, governance and administration as rivalry competition between them and the women, Adewumi however said that she has observed that the women were endowed with prudence and effective management of resources by God.

Maintaining that under the law of man and God that wives are under their husbands (Ephesians: 5: 22 – 33; Collosions 3: 18) and adding that participation in the leadership of the country for the interest of all, shouldn’t be seen as unhealthy competition with the men, the woman leader therefore noted that for success and achievement of a common goal of restoration of the economy to its booming and glorious past, based on effective management of resources, governance and administration, the involvement of the women in the present government, according to her would go a long way.

She informed that most women under her leadership in NANTs, who have since been doing wonderfully well in the field of buying and selling, started with meagre amounts from their respective husbands, from displaying of their goods on tables as petty traders, in the streets to big time business women. She also added that majority of the widows her NGO trained and empowered were doing marvelously well. If such could happen, she went on, the women, if given an opportunity would perform wonderfully well, maintaining that they are good in management of resources.

She also informed that due to the capability seen in the women, the UN Economic and Social Council in its resolution enjoined governments, political parties, trade unions, professional bodies, among others to adopt a 30% minimum proportion of women in leadership position.

The women she enumerated who have contributed effectively to leadership and those who are still doing same within and outside the country, according to her were Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, a parliamentarian, Nigeria; Prof Dora Akunyili, NAFDAC DG and later minister of information, Nigeria; Queen Amina of Zaria, Nigeria; Ladi Kwali, FCT, Nigeria and; Margaret Ekpo, Nigeria too.

Others, according to her were the present DG of World Trade Centre, Prof Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala, Nigeria; Queen Elizabeth, England; Oby Ezekwesili, Nigeria; the UN Deputy Secretary, Dr Amina Mohammed, Nigeria; Mrs Indira Gandhi, India; Ellien Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia; Sirhie – Work Zedire, Ethiopia; Angele Makumbo, League of Congolese Democrats; Aja Fatouma, the Gambia; Margaret Thatcher, UK; Benazzir Bhutto, Pakistan; Christine Kangaloo, Trinidad/Tabago and; Dina Bauarte, Peru; among others.