24092020 - BLACK WEDNESDAY: 30 killed in Kogi petrol tanker explosion

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
Why women must be
protect
ected ed by y politicians
— Trade fair boss
WOMEN are key players
in any election
around the world and
Nigeria in particular. They stay
in the rain, under the sun to vote
for the candidate, of the choice;
even go the extra mile of
protecting their votes. Despite
their impact, they are easily
forgotten after elections.
In this interview with
Ebunoluwa Sessou, Chief
Executive Officer, Lagos
International Trade Fair, Lucy
Ajayi who is also a member of
the All Progressives Congress
National Committee Campaign
to Edo election for Pastor Ize-
Iyamu speaks on the need for
women to be well protected by
politicians during and after
elections.
What is your take on the
role of women in the Edo
election?
Women are mobilizers from
ward to ward and local
government to local
government. Their impact is
immense especially as all
gladiators are always on ground
to solicit their support in
ensuring that they win the
elections.
Despite the role women
play during elections, there
are insinuations that their
expectations are always cut
short. Politicians easily
forget their contributions
after elections. Do you see
this happening this time
around and even in
subsequent elections in
Nigeria?
It is true that women seem to
be forgotten when elections are
over but I do not think anyone
who wins election should forget
the role of women. Even the just
concluded Edo election, women
should be included in the
masterplan of governance. There
should be a change in narrative.
Bringing the views and
yearnings of the women should
not be an issue as politicians
should be true to their words.
Women are key players when it
comes to elections. Women are
mobilizers, we mobilize the men,
youths and children, we tell them
where to go and that is the gift
God has given us to be able to
persuade, encourage and make
people do what we want them to
do.
Empowerment is a big
issue especially at this time
when COVID-19 has taken
its toll on everyone.
Women are Wallowing in
abject poverty and one
wonders why they would
be used as machinery and
dumped by the way side?
I am playing a role as a woman
and also a politician elected by
my party. I was appointed
based on my contribution and
involvement and that is what
every woman should thrive to
do. I do not expect everyone to
be an active politician but within
their community, their
involvement should be impactful
for people to notice them. No
woman should be subjected to
collecting envelopes in the name
of election or politics. They
should aspire to be different and
get their rightful positions.
Contrary to your opinion, I do
not think women are wallowing
in abject poverty. The traders are
making money and they are
doing their business. I am a
public servant and I have not
been owed salary and I am a
woman. Maybe the private
sector is feeling the heat a little
bit but I am sure that PMB has
not owed anyone their salaries.
We get our salaries on the 27th
of the month.
I am helping my home through
the salary paid by the Federal
As women,
we know
that we will
be held
responsible
for whatever
comes up in
Edo state
Government. There is no cabinet
without a woman, and that is why
I am encouraging women to step
up their game. A trader who is
not a round peg in a round hole
will cause problems.
I set up a foundation to sensitise
women on the need to empower
themselves intellectually. You
are a primary school drop-out
yet you want to get a
commissioner’s job. It will not
work out. We are encouraging
women to ensure their children
are graduates so as to be relevant
in governance perhaps get slots
for their children.
For instance, a slot can be given
to a market woman who has
children that are graduates. It is
not possible for everyone to be
appointed but I believe women
can be empowered to become a
role model, thereby helping other
women whose hopes are dashed.
There are thousands of women
who have been compensated
based on their achievement
politically. If a woman has the
credential, I am sure she will be
given a role to play in the political
sphere and governance.
Unfortunately, most women
seem to be satisfied with the
envelope they give them during
the campaign.
Secondly, Nigerians must
ensure good governance and with
good governance, there is no
need to lobby for anything. If
everything is going on well, you
Ajayi
do not need anybody’s
connection to get a job. In other
countries, if you are qualified and
you applied, you will get a job.
You do not need to be a politician
to be up there. We have female
bankers, engineers and they are
not politicians.
As women, we know that we will
be held responsible for whatever
comes up in Edo state and that is
the same way people are holding
me responsible for voting for
PMB. So, I have every reason to
explain the situation on the
ground.
Election is over but the
reality is that women might
not be represented
adequately in governance.
How can this narrative be
changed in Nigerian politics
and Edo state in general?
I have always told everyone,
not only women, to hold
themselves in high esteem. There
Photo News
is a need to empower women in
different ways. The market
women have their own request
as well as the technocrats who
also want to be appointed in
positions. We also have the men
and until you get there, you do
not start making promises.
Thank God that the election
was without violence.
For every Governor of a state,
the first lady is a major factor.
We want a first lady that will be
with us. We are not ready to
have a first lady that is not
accessible for another four
years. The Edo women need a
first lady that is always on
ground on a daily basis; a first
lady that would be in Edo State
Government House on a daily
basis. Edo first lady cannot be
operating in Lagos.
Okonjo-Iweala:Nigeria lobbies Republic
of Iran’s vote in WTO elections
By Victoria Ojeme
THE Nigerian
government is seeking
the vote of Iran for its
candidate, Ngozi Okonjo-
Iweala in the race to the World
Trade Organisation’s (WTO)
Director-General office.
The WTO is looking for a new
director-general to replace
Brazilian Roberto Azevedo,
who stepped down a year
earlier than expected at the
end of August.
Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala is
among the five cleared for the
elections. The others are
Kenyan minister Amina
Mohamed, South Korean
Continues on page 23
Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (middle) paid homage to traditional
ruler of Igbe Community, High Chief Ajelu Akinselure Ajibuwa (left), his wife Olori Ajibuwa (right) at his
palace in Owo local government area of Ondo State, during her campaign visit to the area on Thursday,
17th September, 2020.