By Abbamobi – Eku Onyekachi
Abuja
The Founder/CEO, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Omas Foundation for Hope, with head office in, Chevron, Lekki, Lagos, Dr (Mrs) Joy Ezeike has hailed President Bola Tinubu in his hard decision to bring Nigeria’s economy back to its lost glory, as well as recognizing the women and the youths in his government, but she also appealed to the president to do more in recognition of the women, which if done, according to her would go a long way.
Ezeike, the CEO of an international media organization, the Omas World of Glamour, said this at her birthday and Independence Celebration message over the weekend in one of her offices in Gwarinpa, Abuja.
While passionately commending Mr President for recognizing the vital roles women and youths play in Nigeria’s development, she however urged him to do more to ensure their voices are heard and valued.
“The President’s efforts to include women and youths in his government are commendable, but we need more. Women have proven themselves as effective leaders globally, from Angela Merkel’s economic stewardship in Germany to Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s peace-building efforts in Liberia.”
Speaking on the Importance of women in government, Dr Joy Ezeike therefore said research has shown that women’s participation in politics leads to more inclusive decision-making and better governance outcomes. In Nigeria, she went on, women like Edith Chukwu are working tirelessly to create a violence-free world.
In international leadership, she noted that women have excelled as heads of state, demonstrating exceptional leadership skills.Local Governance*: Women have driven community development initiatives, improving education and healthcare even as she added that in the area of economic empowerment women have fostered entrepreneurship, boosting local economies.
She stressed: “It is time to harness the potential of Nigerian women and youths. We demand more representation, more opportunities, and more support.”
Among the some notable Nigerians who she said contributed immensely in Nigeria, politically, economically were: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Women’s rights activist; Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, politician and women’s rights advocate;
Dr Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of NAFDAC, as well as former Minister of Information and; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Finance.
Boasting that women, if encouraged in the politics and leadership of the country, as is being done in the developed countries will be the beginning of giving the country its desired economic recovery, even as she said that a woman is contesting to be the next president of America. Although the media guru said that she isn’t challenging the men who are their husbands and head of every family, but she was quick to add that a study would show that if assessed, the women in public office would outperform their men counterparts.
While thanking God for adding a year in her age, she said that she would continue to support any government that encourages women participation in the government of the country.
To encourage women in leadership of the country, she therefore called for eliminating all forms of discrimination against women; women’s participation in the leadership and politics in Nigeria should be enhanced, by giving equal opportunity to all; there should be enabling environment that allows women to engage in decision making process in a sustainable and effective way free from political harassments and violence; empowering the women through enhanced strategic human resource development; building a coalition of NGOs and grassroots women associations that coordinates the support and advocacy for women.
