04042019 - Nigeria 7 other nstions home to world's hungriest - UN

26—Vanguard, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019
Vanguard IWD: Women harp on
collaboration, mentoring and inclusion in
politics
Lucy Folashade Kudirat Okikiola
By Ebunoluwa Sessou &
Elizabeth Uwandu
Participants at this year’s Vanguard
International Women’s Day
Roundtable have tasked women in Nigeria
to be more involved in active politics
as well as channel their energies towards
economic empowerment rather
than singing praises of politicians.
Speaking on the theme: Redirecting Nigeria’s
Future; the role of women, held in
commemoration of 2019 International
Women’s Day with women drawn from
various sectors including politics,
business, manufacturing, maritime among
others, it was agreed that there is need to
harp more on active participation in policymaking
by Nigerian women in a way to
ensure growth and development of Nigeria
as well as stabilising the economy
of the country for a better Nigeria.
The participants also agreed that the
nation had not yet reached its potentials
due to its patriarchal nature. They highlighted
a 10-point agenda including
mentoring the younger girls, sponsoring
women programmes, maximum collaboration
of women, improved education
system, political participation, 75 per
cent appointment of women into positions
of power, removal of complexity, alleviating
poverty in the country, taking
politics to the grassroots as well as leadership
relationship for women, housing,
and social development.
Although they had divergent views on
how to redirect the future of the country
for a better Nigeria, yet, they all believe
that nothing can be done without collaboration,
mentoring as well as cooperation
by women at all levels.
Women should be role models—Lucy
Omosefe-Ajayi, Executive Director, Lagos
International Trade Fair Complex
Women should be role models to their
generation. You train a woman and you
train a nation, therefore, it is what you
imbibe in the woman that she gives out
to either her male or female child. Some
people became politicians because of
Lucy Ajayi because they believe I am a
politician with a difference. They see
other politicians but they feel they have
not achieved results. They believe I am
a unique politician and they are ready
to support the right person.
On the Lagos International Trade Fair,
*Angela
I have been able to tackle the issues by
50 per cent therefore, there is no issue
whatsoever. I understand the ease of
doing business and I believe that the
president is also committed to ensuring
that things are done properly in LITFC.
One thing I will say about my party,
APC, is that it gives women all the space
in electoral positions as it is free to take a
form and that is a lot of encouragement.
But I think what I found out at the
grassroots level is that some of the women
have phobia which we are trying to take
out of them; phobia in the sense that they
say it is a male-dominated thing, we do
not have financial muscle and others. I
say well, but we have the warmth which
we do not know exists. Most times, I have
been in all-male politics and I am asked
if I am not afraid to be there, I answer no
because when the ego thing comes up
then the warmth comes in. You bring the
brotherly warmth, the sisterly warmth and
you see that at the end of the day, you
are the one controlling them. I told them
because they did not go to school does
not mean they can’t aspire for greatness
and that you did not go to school does
not mean you are not intelligent.
What needs to change to drive women
forward—Folashade Ambrose
Medebem, Director Lafarge, Africa Plc
Let’s take some action. It should not be
a talk show. We should list three things to
do including collaboration, prioritise,
what are the key areas we should leverage
on, where we can achieve skills and
impact. Thirdly, there is a sense of urgency,
let us make sure we work together and
make it happen. What needs to change to
drive women forward? We know in Nigeria,
there is a dearth of data. Data legislature;
collaboration among women. The question
we should ask ourselves is if we are
doing enough to pressure people to make
legislation that allows affirmative action
for women. We must be given opportunities
to be able to redirect the future of this
country. We do not need to beg.
There is urgent need to focus on the
youths—Kudirat Fashola, CEO, Kuddy
Cosmetics
The focus of redirecting the future of
Nigeria is for everybody to focus on the
youths. Bringing them up in the way of
the Lord as well as ensuring that they
are built up with integrity because it is
important. Whatever position we find ourselves,
we should know that integrity is
important and we should live an exemplary
lifestyle. Youths, especially
Nigerian youths, must be encouraged in
whatever way we believe we can encourage
them. We should also pay attention
to their plight, aspirations and make them
feel important in the society. The youth
we build today becomes important
personality tomorrow. I have workers
whom I have nurtured to believing in
themselves and that is why we should
come in as an institution. Most of us are
gifted, we are a body with eye,nose, ears
hands, legs with different functions, so
we must be interested in how the children
become better and how to help them.
Okikiola Taiwo Jalupon, aspirant, African
Action Congress, AAC, who contested
for Lagos State House of
Assembly in the 2019 general elections.
Redirecting the future of this country is
to orientate the youths. We must stop
living a fantasy and be realistic. We talk
about so many things and we are not
being realistic. I believe by the time we
start changing the face of education,
health, among others, we will move to
the next level.
My experience was a great one. I had
so many challenges but I was born an
overcomer. I have so many things I want
to change and that is why I founded a
foundation where I help children to build
*Ifeyinwa
the country.
We should take it to the world—Erefa
Coker, Founder, HR, Expo Africa
I believe it is more than talking. We
should come together, form a pressure
group and we should not limit the talk to
the corridor of Radisson Blu, we should
take it to the world. We should actively
look out for something we can give birth
to so as to build a better Nigeria.
Women need to lobby, be aggressive—
Ifeyinwa Okafor, Politician.
Women have to lobby more and be aggressive.
Women have to show interest
in the affairs of the country and we have
to rally around and collaborate around
issues that affect our children including
education and housing. Women should
be saddled with the responsibility of encouraging
one another and the men
should also see issues beyond the gender
perspective. It is important that
women begin to look into the political
leadership of the country. At least, 75 per
cent of the appointive positions should
be given to women in order to balance
the elective position gaps. If we are talking
about balance for better, in the political
leadership women should consider
it as a matter of urgency. We should
finish the election now and what would
be on the front burner is appointment of
political leaders, so, we should give 75
per cent positions to women to balance
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