Following what observers have described as lopsided and short of meeting the 35 percent Affirmative Action in appointment into offices in the country by the Federal Government, ActionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to retract the list and do the needful.
Expressing the group’s disappointment in the number of women in the recent ministerial list submitted to the National Assembly by Mr. President, Ene Obi, the country director of the anti-poverty organisation, has said it was an impediment to nation’s building.
“ActionAid Nigeria is dismayed that despite the promise by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) through Mr. President that the party is committed to inclusive governance, especially ensuring that women and young people will not be excluded in decision making spaces, but only seven women made the list out of 43 nominees, this is 16.6 percent accorded to women, and it is grossly unrepresentative and inadequate. It is unbelievable that rather than progressing, Nigeria is retrogressing in delivering its commitment on inclusive governance.”
Obi equally pointed out that women constitute 50 percent of Nigeria’s population and that the country has women who are qualified to put in their expertise for national development, yet they are always put at the back when it comes to appointment.
ActionAid therefore, called on the President to retract the list and make it inclusive by nominating more women, youths and person living with disabilities as it is not too late to do the right thing and keep to the promise made to Nigerian citizens.
The group also urged the President to include women, youths and persons living with disability in other positions such as directors of boards, institutions and heads of departments and agencies.
“We are reminding the President that the National Gender Policy is in force and it should be complied with and not just in letter but in practice,” Obi said.
VICTORIA NNAKAIKE, LOKOJA
