The United States Consulate has expressed its readiness to support and partner with women organisations in Nigeria to increase the awareness on women participation and involvement in politics and leadership.
The US consul general Claire Pierangelo, said this at a one-day interactive session organised by The American Corner, Ibadan, under the US Consulate in collaboration with the Women In Leadership Advocacy Forum (WILAF), as part of activities marking the International Women’s Day celebration for 2020.
She said it was regrettable that women were still finding it difficult to occupy leadership positions in many countries of the world, particularly in Nigeria.
The consul general, who spoke through the political officer of the consulate, Lillian Itharat, said efforts should be made to further increase the awareness among the women on the need to be more involved in leadership of the country.
According to her, the US consulate was ready to collaborate with the womenfolk in the country to educate and orientate them to increase their partcipation in political and leadership activities in Nigeria.
However, the womenfolk in Nigeria has charged the political class to stop using women as only campaign mobilisers but give them more responsibilities that could make them contribute to the development of the country.
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These were the views of speakers at the events which include a former member of the Ekiti state house of assembly, who is also the southwest coordinator of Nigerian League of Women Voters (NILOWN), Hon Titilayo Owolabi-Akerele, co-convener of WILAF and the Oyo state chairperson of NILOWN, Morenike Ahmed-Adeniran, Folashade Aransiola, Oyenike Adeleke, among others.
Ahmed-Adeniran in her opening remark stated that women have the ability to achieve great strides if given opportunity to participate in government.
According to her the economy of the country will be better if women are given the chance to contribute their quota, saying “We believe that it is time for us as women to contribute our quota to the development of our nation and economy, especially in governance.
“Our economy will be better if we are given the chance to contribute our quota and use our brains and abilities aright. Most women are used to mobilize during campaigns and elections but when it is time for appointments, they are not recognised again. This should be critically looked into.
Owolabi-Akerele however tasked women in the country to be decisive if they want to occupy leadership position, adding that courage and determination were what they needed to succeed.
The former lawmaker also advised secondary school students that were present at the event to imbibe leadership culture, saying parents should also encourage their daughters in their aspirations.
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