Ogun State Governor-elect, Dapo Abiodun has been urged to make a deliberate attempt in appointing women to various positions with the aim taking Ogun state to the next and a higher level.
The charge was made by Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, MD/CEO of Women Radio, Nigeria’s first and only radio station for women, in her reaction to the recently constituted Economic Transition Committee of the incoming administration in Ogun State.
Okewale-Sonaiya who commended the governor for starting well by selecting a competent, cerebral and capable woman with character as his Deputy however believed that the governor-elect could have accommodated more women in the economic transition committee.
She explained that “the 22 persons Economic Transition Committee recently constituted does not reflect INCLUSION or fair REPRESENTATION of the over 50% of women population in Ogun state. The number of persons that constitute a transition committee remains at the prerogative of the Governor-Elect and the 22- persons Economic Transition committe could have accommodated more women.”
Women Radio’s CEO noted that, “We acknowledge that political realities of governance in Nigeria calls for the management of different interest groups and identities. We also understand that the Governor-elect can only choose from available volunteers with capacity to contribute to achieving his objectives.
“Gender mainstreaming remains pivotal if we are serious about inclusion and good governance. Nothing but intentional and deliberate action is acceptable for women empowerment and political inclusion. What the Women of Ogun State and Nigeria are clamouring for is a voice on the table and not a whisper.”
The Governor-Elect was charged to adopt the 35% affirmative action policy as he gears up for his inauguration on 29th of May.
The first and only radio station for women also declared interest to work with the incoming administration to attain inclusion and fair representation of women.
“Women radio as a stakeholder in the Nigerian project and with keen interest and location in Ogun state is ready to work with the Dapo Abiodun led team to mainstream women as drivers of sustainable development in Ogun state”, she added.