The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured that the 10th National Assembly was committed to passing laws and driving policies that will create an enabling environment for inclusive leadership and sustainable development in the country.
Kalu gave the assurance while speaking at the 2024 Nkata Ndi Inyom Annual Conference, with the theme: ‘Driving Transformation through Value Reorientation, Inclusive Leadership and Sustainability’, Tuesday in Abuja.
“As the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, I am proud to report that the 10th National Assembly is committed to passing laws and driving policies that will create an enabling environment for inclusive leadership and
sustainable development.
“For instance, we are actively working on legislation
that promotes gender equality and increases women’s participation in governance, this is in conjunction with our ongoing dialogues with stakeholders using the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a vehicle.
“I pledge my continued support inchampioning these causes and ensuring that the ideas generated in conferences like this one translate into actionable policies,” the speaker stated.
According to Kalu, “The role of women, especially the dynamic and resourceful women of Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo, cannot be overstated in achieving the objectives of unity, development, and inclusivity.
“The theme of this year’s conference speaks directly to the pressing need for a cultural and leadership renaissance in
Nigeria. To achieve true transformation, we must reorient our values, emphasizing integrity, communal responsibility, and respect for diversity.
“Leadership must become a shared responsibility, and we must promote inclusivity in governance and decision-making to ensure every voice is heard and every community is represented.
“…Let me reiterate that the strength of Nigeria lies in its people, particularly the women who have always played a critical role in shaping our socio-economic and cultural landscapes.”
Other speakers including Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi; Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe; former Senate President, Pius Anyim; former Governor of Imoostate, Rochas Okorocha; former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka; Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, Edwin Clark, picked holes in the state of the nation.
Sanusi decried the looting going on in the system and how those in leadership positions amass wealth that would outlive them, instead of using such funds to address the challenges affecting the girl child and development of the country.
The monarch said: “So for me, I always say a country that does not recognise the pivotal role and the importance and the centrality of its women will never develop.
“God gave them that opportunity. And as we always say, for those of us who are privileged, there is nothing that tells you that God loves you better than the other person. He did not give that privilege. It is a test.
“God makes you a governor or an Emir or a president or a senator, and he does not make hundreds of 1,000s or millions, including people in your family who have not gone anywhere.
“He is testing you to see, what would you do with that position to help those that he did not give and it is a great opportunity to write your name in gold.”
On his part, Senator Abaribe said Nigerians, especially Ndigbo, should unite and eschew all forms of bitterness and laziness, arguing that young men prefer to indulge in criminality to make money instead of going through the right channel which is education or to serve their business master for a certain period in order for them to be empowered financially.
“Today, we find out that it is only women that want to go to school. Our young men and our youths want to get rich quick. And that has laid a very bad foundation in Igbo land. We Ndigbo are known as very hospitable and generous. And that is why our ethos has always been hard work.
“The underpinning has always been that every Igbo person should watch out for one another. And so, this hospitality is what made us. That is why if you go to the house of an Igbo man, he will first bring out chalk and put on your hand and then bring Kola nut.”
Also, Senator Pius Anyim, said the government should ensure that citizens and the six geo-political zones are given their fair share of the national cake.
“The problem of Nigeria today is the fact that except we return to what is fair to all, to what is just to all, there is no amount of value that will stand, and there is no amount of peace you will achieve.”
In addition, Senator Okorocha, appealed to the government to reconsider people from the South-east and give them a pride of place, noting that it was unfortunate that despite the economic contribution of the Igbo, they are relegated to the background and even killed whenever crisis erupts.
“I want to ask Nigerian government and people of Nigeria to reconsider the Igbo. Don’t throw them away. Let me also tell you that Igbo are not bad people. If there are any peace loving Nigerians, they are Igbo. If there are people who leave their homes and travel 1,000 kilometers away, building bridges of friendship and brotherhood, they are the Igbo.”
Earlier Founder and President General, Worldwide, Nkata Ndi Inyom Josephine Anenih, said: “We are looking for peace, we are looking for security. We are looking for development. We are looking for progress. We are looking to get Nigeria back to where it is today.
“We are also asking, introspecting and asking ourselves, as Nigeria is like this, could it be our fault? Could it be the fault of women? If we say that our leaders in the public space are irresponsible, how did they become that? Who taught them? Those are the questions we want to look at.”
NASS committed to inclusive leadership, sustainable devt – Deputy Speaker
