By Segun James
Ahead of the 2023 general election, Women have told politicians that they will only support those who support them.
The women, including top entrepreneurs, professionals, media executives and Nollywood actresses gathered at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday to honour Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State with the distinguished ‘Hero of Women Inclusion Award’ at the grand finale of the Nigerian Women Arise for Nigeria (NIWAFON) awareness campaign.
They said their support was hinged on the fact that the Kogi governor had surpassed the United Nations’ 35 per cent affirmative action for women inclusion in governance and had appointed women into strategic positions in his government more than any other governor in the country.
The President, National Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Vera Ndanusa, who led the women entrepreneurs to the awareness programme, particularly noted that Nigerian women were behind the governor for his unflinching belief in their ability to resolve knotty issues and right the wrongs in Nigeria.
“Thank God for Governor Yahaya Bello that has given positions of power to women and has surpassed the 35 per cent affirmative action. Women must rise up to support him, that is why we have made him our hero. The success story being recorded in Kogi State strengthens the saying that behind a successful man is a woman.
“Other governors should emulate him and aspire to receive this distinguished award,” Ndanusa added.
The 1st Vice-President of NIWAFON, Ifeyinwa Omowole, said women of substance in Nigeria were ready to sue the Kogi governor if he refused to declare his intention to run for presidency.
According to her, Kogi is working because women are manning strategic positions in the state.
She said: “Show me another state where a woman is the ADC of the governor. This is not enough, the Secretary to the State Government is a woman, the Head of Service is a woman; all the vice chairmen of the local governments are women, among many other female appointees.
“We women who should know in Nigeria will mobilise support for that one leader that has taken us above the levels of yester years. We will support Governor Yahaya Bello all the way because he knows how to make a nation great.”
The President, National Association of Women Journalists, Ladi Bawa, urged Nigerian women to arise and speak with one voice.
“I am happy that we are recognising one man that has done a lot for women. We as women must rise up and be actively involved in politics, aspire to be governors. Others must know that if we must support them, they must be fair in terms of gender equity.
“Today, Yahaya Bello is who we see and we will support him,” she added.
Ace actress, Binta Ayo Mogaji, also led other screen divas to demand for the rights of women in Nigeria and to eulogise the Kogi governor for his feat in women inclusion and good governance.
