We need more women leaders

Many women politicians have shown commitment to the growth of this nation in their capacities as custodians of our ethics and culture which are both the basis upon which the society is established. A critical analysis of our homes reveals that a single man is hardly an organised entity. Whatever achievement a man attains can […]

Many women politicians have shown commitment to the growth of this nation in their capacities as custodians of our ethics and culture which are both the basis upon which the society is established. A critical analysis of our homes reveals that a single man is hardly an organised entity. Whatever achievement a man attains can never be appreciable when there is no woman to spur him on.
Relatively, in the case of the nation, the political, economic and development backwardness being witnessed today is basically a result of the refusal of the politicians to allow the women play significant roles in the centre stage; women have not been adequately utilised in the political setting, they are often presumed ‘immature’ to handle top positions in the country. But on the contrary, events of recent years have positively exposed our career women and politicians and placed them far above some of their male counterparts in terms of policy making, service delivery and also in giving human-face to issues that have direct bearing on Nigerians’ welfare. A look into private and public sectors will reveal a significant number of qualified and reliable women the nation can depend on for a better future.  
Women have the right and qualification to contribute to the socio-economic and political development of the nation. In advanced and third world countries, women have proved the ability like their menfolk to handle leadership positions.  Margaret Thatcher made significant impact in Britain during her eight years in office as Prime Minister; Corazin Acquino of Philipines made tremendous contributions just as Indhira Ghandi of India; an unlikely country like Germany has Angela Merkel at the saddle of leadership.
Coming home to Nigeria, some of our career women and female lawmakers serving in both National and state Houses of Assembly have not disappointed the women folk much. Notable women like Obi Ezekwesili, Nenadi Esther Usman, Abike Dabiri, Senators Nkechi Nwogu, Helen Esuene, Chris Anyanwu, Oluremi Tinubu, and a host of others are the pride of Nigerian women folk today. These women have proved that if more women are given responsibilities, they will perform well.
From our political history as a nation, women have been playing fundamental roles. From the time of Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Hajiya Gambo Sawaba and other prominent Nigerian women, political activities in this country have not been completely successful without the active participation of women.
It is against this background, therefore, that the current wave of attacks on women who have shown interest to participate in and contest for elective positions should not be treated lightly. We should also note that the current development around the world is an indication that women can no longer play the traditional second fiddle in the political advancement of their nations; Hillary Clinton has taken up this challenge in her own country, a further sign that soon more countries will embrace more women leaders.
The time has come in this country when women like Aisha Jummai Alhassan, the Taraba state governorship aspirant on the APC platform, who has summoned the courage to contest this high position, should be supported and encouraged by all well meaning Nigerians to realise this dream. Nigerians should pray for her success at the polls as the process is being repeated.
As a way forward, we must all join hands in ensuring that all restrictions and obstacles hindering Nigerian women are dismantled to encourage free and unhindered political participation and progress. At this juncture, one would like to call on the champion of Change, President-elect Retired General Muhammadu Buhari, to include more women in his incoming cabinet for maximum impact. I believe that women within the APC are capable and willing to serve their fatherland. God bless Nigeria!
Bernard is a student of Bida Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State.