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The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar, has advocated for the empowerment and training of women for national development.
Speaking Tuesday in Abuja, at a high-level Northwest Regional Conference on Women Peace and Security, organised by Global Rights, the Sultan, who was represented by Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, Sarkin Yaki Gagi, said that women constitute about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population and hence deserve every necessary support to achieve their potentials.
He said: “I’m excited that Sokoto and other northern states were chosen for the training of women to improve their well-being and decision-making. The decision to empower women is very timely because women constitute 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population. So, how do you think of development by side-lining about 50 per cent of people?
“So, it’s high time we decided about the inclusion of women in decision making. No matter how educated you may think you are, women have what you don’t have. For instance, in health, no matter how professional you may be as a gynaecologist, women will not be free to talk to you like they will talk to a female gynaecologist. You will have restrictions as a man.
“Also, looking at the National Assembly, it’s high time we produced members, female politicians to sit and make laws affecting women. If you go to many northern states, you will see men representing women in women affairs. You will see a man as chairman of house committee on women affairs. We don’t want this. We want women to be representing women on women affairs.”
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria is a matter of concern, especially as it affects women and children in the Northwest region.
“Just yesterday, we celebrated 10 years of the kidnap of Chibok school girls. It was a painful memorial because when on 14th April, 2014, we heard about the protest of women to the National Assembly, many of whom paid their way to come to Abuja, we didn’t think that yesterday we’ll be talking about 10 years after the girls were kidnapped.
“In the past ten years, we didn’t know the conflict in the North East will spread to other parts of the country. The North West is now an epicentre of conflict, with women, children and caregivers mostly affected by the conflict and insecurity. We all have one thing in common: we all love our country and we are worried about insecurity. We have a bright future, we want a better country. While we pray for God to bless Nigeria, we have to work for Nigeria,” she said.
Blueprint reports that the two-day conference has: “Promoting Best Practices for Inclusive Security and Peace Building Processes in Northwest Nigeria” as theme.
