UMAR BAYO ABDULWAHAB examines the roles of Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan in her perceived struggle for women emancipation and empowerment in Nigeria. He captures the atmosphere of the wife of President Jonathan’s visit to Ilorin
Women under Jonathan’s administration
One thing that Nigerians cannot take away from the administration of President Goodluck is the fact that his administration has given women a voice and a platform to really show-case their potentials to the world. More than many successive administrations in the country, the administration has empowered women politically and economically, correcting the impression that their place is no longer in the kitchen.
Though, like Oliver Twist, women have continued to demand for more places in government – in line with Beijing recommendation which demanded 35 per affirmative action – Nigerian women seem to have gotten a fair share under the Jonathan’s government. The likes of minister for Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, minister for Petroleum, Mrs. Deziani Allyson Maduekwe, former minister for Aviation, Stella Oduah; former minister of Education, Professor Rukayyatu Rufai; minister of land Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi among others have given hope to women that they can contribute to national development and not confine themselves to the kitchen.
The Advocate
One “powerful woman that many Nigerians believe has been instrumental to making things happen for the women, is the wife of the Nigerian President, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan. Beyond the shores of Nigeria, Mrs. Jonathan is also chairperson of African’ First Lady’s Peace Mission. Back home in Nigeria, the first lady has floated a pet project, known as the Women for Change Development Initiative (W4CDI). The project, according to her, is not the exclusive preserve of any section of the society, religion or ethnic groups but rather a movement for all Nigerian women to attain socio-political and economic status that will uplift their lives.
The Ilorin declaration
Recently, the nation’s First lady was in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital to inaugurate the state’s branch of her pet project, Women For Change Development Initiative (W4CDI). Beyond the inauguration of the project, Mrs. Jonathan’s visit to the state was very significant, coming a day after the state’s governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, declared his bid to contest for the governorship seat of the state for a second term on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Therefore, for members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was their own day too and turn, to flaunt their assets as they trooped out, beautifully dressed in their fine uniform of the W4CDI. The Ilorin township stadium, venue of the programme witnessed large turn-out of women amidst tight security. Over 3000 security personnel were said to be deployed for the first lady’s visit. From the Ilorin International airport to the Palace of the emir of Ilorin and the stadium, there was a high presence of security personnel who manned strategic positions.
Reception
After hours of long waiting, Mrs. Jonathan arrived Ilorin International airport at 12:57 noon, in a Nigerian Air Force presidential air craft, marked 5N-FGS to a rousing welcome. She was received by the minister of National Planning, Dr Abubakar Suleiman, senator representing kwara central senatorial district, senator Makanjuola Ajadi, chairman, federal character commission, Professor Shuaib Abdulraheem and billionaire businesswoman Hajiya Muyinat Sagaya.
Others who received her at the airport included, state chairman of the PDP, chief Akogun Iyiola, PDP presidential aspirants: Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Alhaji Akeem Lawal, Senator Makanjuola Ajadi and former minister for sports, Alhaji Bio Ibrahim.
The state deputy governor, Elder peter Kisira and wife of the state governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed led the state government delegation to receive the first lady. The president’s wife was accompanied on her visit to the state by the wives of Cross River State Governor, that of Kogi and Benue states.
Her first port of call was the palace of the emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim-Sulu Gambari where she told the royal father of her mission in the state and asked for his blessings. While at the palace, women had gathered at the venue of the inauguration of the W4CDI waiting eagerly to receive her.
His arrival at the venue, Ilorin township stadium set the atmosphere agog for the much-publicized event, with women singing and dancing, a popular musician, Yinka Ayefele was on ground to entertain the gathering.
Business of the Day
Addressing women at the occasion, Mrs. Jonathan, who expressed delight with the large turn-out of women, said she was convinced that the project would impact positively on the lives of women.
“Our presence in Ilorin today has further portrayed our explanation that the W4CDI is a movement for all women of Nigeria. I am happy to see your level of commitment and I know that I can count on you in our match towards greater progress for the Nigerian women,” she said.
Women and Leadership
Disabusing the minds of many people that women do not have the qualities required for leadership, the first lady expressed delight that women who have been entrusted with leadership positions in the country have proved critics wrong.
“The general assumption by many people is that women are different. They believe that women do not have the qualities required for leadership but we are glad that this belief is already being broken by many of our women.
“We now have women who are making waves in their various positions and professions of authority. His Excellency President Goodluck Jonathan has given women of Nigeria a voice by implementing the 35 per cent affirmative action in line with his electoral promises.”
Highlighting the impact of the Jonathan’s administration on the lives of the Nigerian women, the first lady said: ” for the First time in Nigeria, women are recognized, respected, heard and given opportunities to be equal partners in the developmental efforts of our dear nation”
2015 General Elections
As the 2015 general elections get closer, Mrs. Jonathan reminded women that they equally have a role to play in deciding who leads the country. She urged women not to sell their voters card but seek elective offices in 2015 general elections and as well vote for women and the PDP.
“Don’t sell your voter card, your voters card is your conscience, is your power; if they bring money collect their money but don’t sell your voter’s card,” she said.
She said the president had given a voice to Nigerian women by implementing the 35 per cent affirmative action in fulfillment of his electoral promises and deserves to be voted for again.
“Women couldn’t have had it better, Jonathan is the answer, PDP is the right party”, she said.
“It is now left for us, women, to reciprocate this gesture by supporting and standing by him as he transforms Nigeria,” she added.
Insurgency
Moving away from politics, the president’s wife used the opportunity of her visit to reflect on the nation’s security challenges occasioned by the activities of insurgents and called on the mothers of the nation to pray that God touches the hearts of the insurgents.
Describing women as “agents of positive change”, the president’s wife said, “I urge you to pick up the olive branch and subscribe to be agents of peace in Nigeria, and we want you to pray for end to insurgency in our nation; for God to touch the hearts of the insurgents. Remember that those who are dying are our children and husbands.”
Wife of Kwara state governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed in her remarks said the inauguration of the initiative in the state was long overdue and thanked the first lady for bringing it forth.
The wives of the governors of Kogi, Cross River and Benue, who were also present at the occasion, urged women to embrace the initiative to make life better for them.
High points of the ceremony was the distribution of lorry loads of food items and empowerment including grinding machines, dryers, sewing machines and food items to thousands of women from across the 16 local government areas of the state, at the state stadium complex in Ilorin.
The materials, according to the president’s wife were facilitated by the managing director of an oil company, Hajiya Miyinat Shagaya and coordinator of Transformation Agenda (TAN).
As the train of the W4CDI continues to move across Nigeria, from Kwara to Bayelsa and other parts of the country, it is hoped that women would adopt the platform to address issues affecting their wellbeing and not as a means for jamboree.
