Ohakim and Change for women initiative

By VICTOR DURUAMAKU
Posted: Monday, August 9, 2010

The struggle for the total emancipation of women, in Nigeria, which began so many decades ago seem to be catching the interest of all and sundry, as such, hitting up day by day.   This struggle, which the stakeholders are toying has witnessed the formation of so many organizations, including pressure groups aimed at actualizing the women’s dream of total emancipation.
Following this development, most state governments in Nigeria headed by respecters of human rights and right of women to occupy sensitive positions in the country, have made it as a matter of policy to appoint women into government key positions.
  Some of these leaders go to the extent of making women to occupy offices like that of the attorney-general and commissioner for justice, accountant general, commissioners and so on.
This situation however came into being since after the Benjin conference held by women some years ago.
During that conference a charter was made for which presidents and heads of government are expected to implement for the benefit and development of women, economically, politically and socially.
However, this charter, which has not favoured some peoples’ culture and customs has not made much impact until now that the awareness on women emancipation has grown.
Now people have began to see the potentials of women in management of resources and administration.
In Imo state, the present administration of Chief (Dr) Ikedi Ohakim setting the pace saw the usefulness of women in key positions.
The governor, on his own has achieved over 35 percent of women participation in governance.
This was however confirmed by the first lady of the federation and wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan.
  The first lady in her address during the flag off recently in Owerri, of “women for change initiative”, noted that governor Ikedi Ohakim in his team, has a woman deputy governor, in the person of Lady (Dr) Ada Okwuonu, a woman head of service, in the person of Dr. Agatha Ndugbu, and three women commissioners and some heads of departments and parastals.
  The wife of the president, also was very happy to note that governor Ikedi Ohakim in the appointment of sole administrators, members of the 27 local governments in the state and development areas coordinators and their members gave women up to 45 percent chance to make their own contribution in the governance of the state, known as “women friendly governor”, according to the first Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, Ohakim has proved himself to be major campaignor for the total emancipation of women.
  Buying the whole idea of governor Ohakim, saw the women for change initiative as very important organization as it is non-political.
  According to him, the organization is mobilizing women for the good of Nigeria and total emancipation of women.
  Governor Ohakim believed that with the level of progress so far recorded in this direction by the organization, the chance of a woman becoming the president of Nigeria is very much in sight.
  He said during the flag off of the state chapter of the women for change initiative, “I am looking forward to the day a woman will become the president of Nigeria or the chief Justice of the federation.
  Being pleased by the good development in Imo state, the wife of the president commended the contributions and efforts of governor Ohakim to actualize the women emancipation.
  She said women must be given the chance to display their potentials, pointing out that women account for the half of the population of the country, and yet not given the opportunity to prove their mettle.
  Mrs. Jonathan further believed that if the country must move forward, women must be given the opportunity to play their own role.
  According to her, women have proven to be good innovators and very active politicians therefore should be allowed to vote and be voted for, pointing out that, the women are not in any way fighting with or challenging them over positions but rather pleading that men should carry them along.
  The first lady said that this is the time, the idea of pulling the women down or relegating them to the background should be done away with.
  Also the first lady urged the womanfolk to support their fellow women in whatever public office, and stand up against violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping and so on by talking to their children against such crimes.
  Women, she said should not forget their primary role as mothers and wives.
  Giving support to the opinion of the president’s wife, and propelling her husband to support the course of women, the wife of Imo state governor and the facilitator of the women for change initiative in Imo state, Barrister Lady Chioma Ohakim said that this movement for the empowerment of women is most welcome at this time pointing out that the issue of women empowerment and recognition in Nigeria, has been a problem as old as humanity itself.
According to her women generally have been left behind in the over all human advancement as a result of the socio-cultural and institutional hindrances that have persistently prevented them to maximize their potentials.
She said further that the erroneous perception that women are the weaker sex, the cultural bias that men are superior to women and the notion that women cannot fit into certain roles and professions are few of these negative cultural tendencies.
  Mrs. Ohakim, said, “when we acknowledge that women have been left behind, it has not been totally their won making” adding ‘the reversal of the women’s predicament shall inevitably be the responsibility of the Nigerian women”.
  Mrs Ohakim used the occasion to pay tribute to the gallant women of yester years, particularly the women of Eastern Nigeria who prosecuted the Aba women riot of 1929 which according to her, resulted in the alteration of the colonial financial policy in pre independent Nigeria.
  She further saluted the Amazons such as Fumilayo Ransome-kuti, queen Amina, queen Moremi of Ife, Madam Tinubu and Mrs Magaret Ekpo, more recently too, women like Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Professor Grace Alele-Williams and professor Dora Nkem Akunyili saying that they have distinguished themselves.
  The Imo first lady, commended the wife of the president for establishing the movement which she noted is aimed at ensuring that issues concerning women are given priority attention, saying that the government and people of Imo state are solidly behind the movement and will leave no stone unturned in their determination to achieve the 35 percent affirmation action in both elective and appointive positions in the state.
  She promised to use her position as the wife of the governor, to appeal to her husband to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action in the appointments.