NGO Calls for More Women in Governance

February 20, 2008 - (Leadership) ActionAid International (Nigeria) has called for more women in governance to add more impetus to the fight for gender equality.

Country director of the NGO, Dr Otive Igbuzor, made the call in Abuja recently, at a cocktail party in honour of Mrs Msurshima Kighir, the new managing director of Capital FM.

He said her appointment was in line with the national gender policy that was approved in December 2006, and which dwelt on how men and women should partner in programmes.

"Her position can bring a lot of change in the position of women, because from her past records, she has proved to be a role model.

"We need more women like her to occupy positions that will help to influence the lives of others, especially females in the same line of profession as her," he said.

He called for proper translation of the policy to the reality, adding that it would help to bring the issues of women to the centre stage.

In her remarks, Mrs Maria Odey of FRCN, said that by leaving her organisation, Kighir had left a vacuum very difficult to fill.

"She (Kighir) is full of commitment and when she occupies a position, you have no fear, because she would carry everybody along", Odey said.

She called on the federal government to involve more women in the running of other organisations, saying "When women occupy positions, changes come, for they are great managers".

Responding, Kighir promised to carry everybody along, especially to expose women to more values of their gender.

"I have a programme already in mind that will be for the uplift of women and I know that God who sustained me and carried me through, will also help me to achieve the objective", Kighir said.

She urged Nigerian men to support their wives in their efforts to achieve their goals.

"Whatever I am today was as a result of the support I enjoyed from my husband. He helped to bring out the best in me and I appreciate it a lot", she said.

From:http://allafrica.com/stories/200802200374.html