The Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Ayodele Fayose, has said that the current state of the Nigerian nation is like a volcano that could erupt any time, due to the absence of good leadership with genuine desire to lead the country to glorious shores of development.

The governor who stated this as the chairman of the two-day workshop on women’s political capacity enhancement, held in the state capital for women in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti by Women Arise for Change Initiative, enthused that his presence at the workshop was to recognise the pedigree, and honour the personality of the president of Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, as it was so common for him as the State Governor to attend programmes or events in hotels.

His words: “But the spirit behind the workshop, its aims and objectives and the expected result to the people at the grassroots, most especially women, prompted me to honour the invitation.” He said that he has appraised and evaluated the activities and performances of many that paraded themselves as social crusaders, “but found many of them as thieves and political jobbers that are desperate to seek recognition and infamous glory at expense of the poor masses.”

The governor particularly expressed satisfaction with the sacrifice made in the past by Joe Odunmakin in fighting a just course, “in spite of intimidation, humiliation and harassment of Nigerian political taskmasters,” that her voice is a lone voice in the wilderness of oppressors.

While advising women to be politically empowered, Fayose encouraged them to be alert in spirit and always ready to showcase their intellectual prowess and be actively involved in the process that will bring the desired change in society.

Joe-Odunmakin asserted that the workshop by the Women Arise is part of her mandate for enhancement of women’s political participation in South-west Nigeria. “The objective of this workshop is to enhance women’s political participation and their inclusion in decision-making process, by promoting female political aspirants and appointees; also to encourage a more massive political mobilisation of women, as well as build the capacity of women in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.”

She added that in most societies, women constitute 50 per cent of population, forming a critical mass in societal mobilisation and direction. “Women’s key roles include being: the mother, producer, home manager, community organiser, child-builder, the nucleus of family as a primary socialisation agent; anchors of culture and, ultimately, the creation that makes the world have meaning to man. But come to politics, women merely constitute the cheering crowd or supporters’ club. Especially in Africa, women are denied access to government decision-making and political processes.”

The Speaker, Ekiti House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Kola Oluwawole, expressed his appreciation of the organiser of the workshop, Women Arise for Change Initiative, for putting together these resources to organise the programme and also considered Ekiti State as a host state. He particularly expressed his satisfaction with the roles that Nigerian women have played in placing Nigeria on a right path of political ethos. However, he regretted the continued relegation of women to back position in politics, “despite the huge sacrifice made by Nigerian women.” He called for more political capacity enhancement of our women so as to encourage them to take front sit and also serve as lubricant in the wheel of Nigerian politics.

Another speaker admonished that needful stakeholders should do the following:

1. Encourage women mobilisation and participation in all our political platforms

2. Political leaders should deliberately open up space and create a level playing ground for both men and women

3. Women themselves must mobilise across board for active political participation

4. Women must also rally round female aspirants and ensure adequate support for them during campaign and elections.

•Photo shows Governor Fayose.

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