Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmuod Yakubu on Friday called on the National Assembly to introduce affirmative action as part of the electoral reforms that will ensure greater representation of women, youths, and persons with disability in elective offices nationwide. But the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, reiterated the
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmuod Yakubu on Friday called on the National Assembly to introduce affirmative action as part of the electoral reforms that will ensure greater representation of women, youths, and persons with disability in elective offices nationwide.
But the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, reiterated the need to invest in women as a pathway to building progress in Nigeria stressing that this year’s theme is a call to action.
Both of them spoke on the occasion of this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day. The former within the four walls of the INEC building and the latter in a statement.
Prof. Yakubu who made the call at the INEC conference room giving assurances that in the weeks ahead, the Commission will engage with the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters on this and other areas of reform.
He said he was delighted to join the rest of the world to celebrate the auspicious occasion not in a symbolic way but as a practical affirmation of the Commission’s commitment to deepening gender equality, representation, relevance, empowerment and a sense of belonging.
The INEC boss who noted that the main theme of this year’s celebration is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” while the campaign theme is “Inspire Inclusion” said : “Inclusion, in particular, has been a focal area of our commitment covering gender, youths and persons with disability adding that the Commission has since developed and validated its gender policy with the full support of all stakeholders. We have also been dutifully implementing the gender policy in a practical way”.
Prof Yakubu said: “It is not by coincidence that the two successive Secretaries to the Commission are women. Furthermore, the present Commission deliberately created a whole Department of Gender and Inclusivity in 2021 dedicated to the promotion of inclusive representation in the workplace and the electoral process”.
He said out of 24 Departments and Directorates at the Commission’s Headquarters, 11 (representing 46%) are headed by women.
“We also have women serving as Administrative Secretaries in our State offices and Heads of various Departments at State level. There is also no State in Nigeria without women serving as Electoral Officers (EOs) in charge of our Local Government Offices.
“In addition to Departmental and other responsibilities, the Commission has also built and equipped a Crèche for the convenience of staff of all categories who are nursing mothers. By coincidence, the Crèche will be commissioned shortly as part of the activities for this year’s International Women’s Day”, he stressed.
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in a statement to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD). reiterated the need to invest in women as a pathway to building progress in Nigeria stressing that this year’s theme is a call to action.
She noted that investing in women in all spheres is crucial to nation-building. “Equipping you with education, resources and opportunities to unleash your full potential, supporting your businesses, helping to dismantle economic barriers, and ensuring your voices are heard is a very crucial step,” she said.
Senator Tinubu also called on women to stand for one another. Her words: “Therefore, my question to all women is: what are you doing to help the other woman? How are you investing in her?
“Let us all come together, bond and love one another. This is the pathway to accelerated progress. I charge all women; just pull a sister up, one at a time. You will be amazed at what we can achieve collectively.”
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