By Taofeek LAWAL
The chairman/CEO Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has canvassed for participation of more women at the decision-making level in Nigeria.
The NiDCOM boss said there are qualified and competent women who can be at the helm of affairs in every sphere in Nigeria if given the chance.
Dabiri-Erewa stated this while she played host to a non governmental organization, NGO, Aspire Women Forum (AWF), in her office led by the President/Founder, Barrister Zainab Marwa Abubakar.
The NiDCOM chairman said the NGO hosting her 2020 conference at this time in the life of the country could not have have come at a better time as it is going to provide a great opportunity for women to interact irrespective of their age and status in the society.
She said women are faced with enormous challenges especially in politics because the political terrain is very tough for them. She however expressed optimism that women in the nearest future will find their footing in Nigeria politics.
“We want more women at the decision-making level whether it is politics, business, journalism or any profession and we know that we have qualified, competent women that can be at the helm of affairs in every sphere in Nigeria. But what women are asking for is equity. We don’t want to be looked down on because we are women. Do not limit us because of our gender and I think every progressive mind and not just women should support Aspire Women Forum.”
“That is why as women we need to get together, share our stories together, mentor one another which is what is going to happen at the Aspire Women Conference. I want to call on every woman, young, old, rich, poor to participate at this conference because everybody that participates will leave a happier person.”
“We are faced with enormous challenges particularly in politics. It is very tough surviving the political terrain in Nigeria, violence is very scary. I am hoping that come 2023, we are going to do better and for Aspire Women Forum, the job starts now, the campaign starts now to encourage and mobilize women and not just about singing and dancing but mentoring and engaging one another.”
The President/Founder, Aspire Women Forum (AWF), Barrister Zainab Marwa Abubakar, said the conference which will hold on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at the International Conference Center (ICC) Abuja will host more than 200 women ranging from secondary school students to the veterans to commemorate 2020 International Women’s Day.
She said the Aspire Women Conference with the ‘Theme: A Woman, My Purpose” will demonstrate practical approaches to finding and maintaining a purpose in life and foster inter-generational dialogue as encouraged by the Beijing Platform For Action and allow women of all ages to share their experiences in their fields of endeavour.
The AWF President said the conference is coming at a crucial moment when research has shown that there is an escalating suicide rate, murder, despondency, hopelessness and drug abuse among women. She stated that one in four drug users is a woman which call for concern for the womanhood.
Expected at the conference are the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister for Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen and other important dignitaries.
