I wrote this article after reading Baba's comments in the Tribune newspaper (online) regarding women in elective positions in the governance of Nigeria.   Unfortunately, my attempt to send it by email to the editor of the paper over the last number of days has not worked so here it is.  Feel free to read and pass it on to the editor of the Tribune (you have my copyright permission) if you have any links with him/her.   Enjoy!  

'We are giving women opportunity to participate in the governance of the nation. In my cabinet, you know that I have a lot of women. I can also see that Governor Saraki has women in his cabinet. We are encouraging women participation in Governance in line with the Beijing resolution.   Beijing agreement says we must give women 30 per cent and we are ensuring compliance. Do you know one thing about women?  If we give them too much free hand, they will not hesitate to overthrow us, then we will just have a woman as the nation's president (laughter)'.  

Now is the President serious about complying with the Beijing Agreement, which stipulates 30% representation of women in all cabinets?  Does the resignation of Mrs Okonjo-Iweala reflect compliance with the Beijing Agreement?  More so, did the President become worried about women overthrowing men while Mrs Okonjo-Iweala,s was still a cabinet member?   Did he feel threatened that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala was becoming to popular for his regime to handle?  These and many more questions need answers.   President Obasanjo was very active during the inauguration of the first democratically elected female President in an African country in the person of Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia.   What was his enthusiasm and participation about if he did not believe that we could replicate this feat back home?  Is this not what democracy is all about?  Is baba saying what is good for the goose is not good for the gander or what?  What has he done to encourage the participation of women in politics?  

The President and other Governors who have women in their cabinets deserve commendation.  Civil society would agree that these women have performed creditably.   It is interesting however, to know that the Nigerian Government is interested in implementing the Beijing Agreement.  This is a welcome development.  Just what strategies are in place to achieve this or how the Nigerian Government is complying with the implementation of the Beijing Agreement remains to be seen.      

The Beijing Agreement in addition to the appointment of women into strategic positions of authority is also about a deliberate attempt to encourage the participation and inclusion of women fully in the civic and political life of a nation possibly using a quota system. This is not currently the situation in any of the political parties in Nigeria. We can follow the Scandinavian or Angolan examples in this case where the representation of women in these parliaments almost equals or even surpasses that of men.  While I do not subscribe to the use of quota systems largely because a more qualified candidate can lose out while the wrong person is chosen, I would support it in Nigeria because there is no clear cut educational or character requirement in order to become a public representative.  More so, in Nigeria where women are still saddled with their God given assignment of home making, child bearing, rearing and caring, we are still light years away from achieving equality of opportunity in various areas of human endeavour.  I wonder if it is not time to contest a position in Nigerian politics as an Independent Candidate with no party affiliations be you a man or woman.  The craze to join political parties (usually the ruling party) leaves room for obvious manipulations and unhealthy struggles for supremacy between party members.  

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala resigned for reasons best known to her and Baba.  Do people resign from their jobs if they are enjoying same?   Your guess is as good as mine.  While we may not be privy to the events that led to the resignation of Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, I wish to suggest that women in partnership with men can and must play a vital role in attaining political leadership and economic stability across the continent of Africa.  As I already mentioned women are largely responsible for their families, primary carers for their children, the elderly and managers of material and economic resources. They cannot achieve civic or political relevance without the support and reorientation of our male folks.  Indeed the female energy is incredible fighting for survival and resilient even in the face of all odds.   Give them an opportunity to partner with our men and Nigeria will be better for it.

Robot  # 1 | 12.08.2006 18:53

I wrote this article after reading Baba's comments in the Tribune newspaper (online) rega...Read the full article.

emj  # 2 | 12.08.2006 19:38

The President and other Governors who have women in their cabinets deserve commendation. Civil society would agree that these women have performed creditably. It is interesting however, to know that the Nigerian Government is interested in implementing the Beijing Agreement. This is a welcome development. Just what strategies are in place to achieve this or how the Nigerian Government is complying with the implementation of the Beijing Agreement remains to be seen. Bennie------easy goings there-----i don't think that the Nigerian govt was or is ever interested in implementing the Beijing convention agreement----whatever OBJOKE said in Kwara was just some cheek in the tongue comment. There ain't any doubt that the women in both federal and state cabinets have performed creditably. As to women taking their proper place in the body polity----------not easy with the way things are----but gradual in road is being made by a few. Of course there is need to work together with the men to bring about a change in the way things are done and in extension deliver on promises made for building a viable economy, improving the living condition of every nigerian, equity and justice. We sure hope for a better tomorrow. It ain't over till it is over. By the way se na you tie that gele urself:biggrin: dis ur smile self, na politician smile or na the normal one:wink: anyways, hope say u don begin do some networking back home oo

Auspicious  # 3 | 12.08.2006 19:53

Ms. Attoh: I don't think we should take the President's comment too serious. Here is my take: Mr. President cracked a 'dry' joke and his (polite) audience laughed - not because of the great humor in his 'joke', but out of 'respect' for the President. It is a normal thing in places like Nigeria for the 'mekunus' or 'juniors' to laugh nervously when an 'Oga' cracks a little joke - the type of joke a 'nobody' like me will crack and people will look and say "Wetin dis one dey yarn?" Somebody tell me I am wrong! LOL! As regards women representation, truth is, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration ranks high amongst successive Nigerian governments that have been favorably disposed to empowering women through political appointments etc. So, perhaps we can't but give this government that credit. But then again, which governments are we comparing his to? Is it the Abacha, Babangida, or Buhari regime/junta? Your guess is as good as mine; it just might be a case of a 'local champion'. Still, many of our erudite commentators here at NVS believe that somehow, Baba's good disposition to women has to do with something like a 'Congo' that is 'Glowing'- whatever that means(!), we are yet to verify the truth of that line of thinking. Perhaps we should, as a matter of priority, find out what it means when some folks say a 'Congo' is 'Glowing'. Bottom line is, we shouldn't take Baba serious on the comments you said the Nigerian Tribune credited to him. The old man was probably being his usual jester self. Auspicious.

VOR  # 4 | 12.08.2006 20:42

Bennie President Obasanjo’s comment doesn’t surprise me, I remember his theatrics during a dinner organised here by the high commission a couple of years back when he asked the guest if he should hug or kiss his five chaperons who had been “very good” to him during his visit and had “taken care of all his needs”. The five ladies stood there like cattle being haggled over whilst the dinner guests shouted “hug them, kiss them” the president then decided to do both and sheepishly followed the five as they left the podium to thunderous applause, heckles and laughter from dinner guests. As a woman I felt really bad not at the other guests but at the fact that our president will behave in such a manner towards these ladies. Anyway, I blame the women as well, there was no need for them to stand there whilst the president and dinner guest decide what happens to them. Yes the federal government has tried to implement the Beijing resolution by appointing women to positions in government however there is a lot more that needs to be done. Women need to empower themselves so they are not abused (I know of a governor that part of the JD for women in his cabinet is to be available to service him when required) maltreated and given equal opportunities. We need to start speaking up for ourselves and watch out for each other. I don’t know if you read Reuben Abati’s piece published here a couple of weeks ago titled “where are the female aspirants” it gives you an idea of what problems women face getting into elected office in Nigeria. I was surprised that not a lot of women contributed to the discussion, women have to become more involved in politics – we need to empower ourselves from within because these men wont willingly shift. The president said it – if we allow them (women) they will become president – oh what a terrible thing that will be!!! Also the issue of independent candidature was one of the amendments included in the defeated constitutional amendment bill, you cannot run as an independent candidate in Nigeria, you have to stand on a party platform, here the problem lies for a lot of women – see Abati’s article it gives a bit more insight into this problem. There is a lot that can be done however women have to be more involved in politics, and those already involved need to be more focused on the interests and empowerment of women not the self. Our men are not going to hand over power to the women just like that Beijing resolution or not, look what they are doing to each other already to retain/regain/attain power!!

Abraxas  # 5 | 13.08.2006 03:43

Hi, Señorita Benedicta Attoh! From what I can extract out of your article, it is more than obvious that you do not yet have the faintest idea about the mindset and worldview of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo. What follows is a little helping hand to that effect: This is actually all what the president meant: “ ….Blah, blah, blah! … Do you know one thing about Mrs. (Dr.) Ngozi OKONJO-IWEALA? If I give her too much free hand, she will not hesitate to overthrow me, then Nigeria will just have a woman as the nation's president …” (Applause!!)'. The above scene is a very nice snapshot from the life and times of a Nigerian president, or state governor, or local government chairman, who typically luxuriates in an environment of over-bearing sycophancy, ego massaging, praise-singing, and arsehole hair licking that General OBJ relishes: Whatever oga does is funny! Kia-kia-kia! Ha-ha-ha! Hu-hu-hu! Seriously, Mrs. (Dr.) Ngozi OKONJO-IWEALA resigned for reasons best known to her and Baba 3rd Term. Do people resign from their jobs they enjoy doing? No!. Maybe, with all these rumours making the rounds in the Village about earth-shaking executive congo-shining and foreign affairs…I beg, jo-o, no be from my mouth wey you go take hear say Baba Iyabo 'im tumbeleku no dey tire! Muchas gracias, mi pequeña hermana, Señorita Benedicta Attoh (Ms.)

Mutti  # 6 | 13.08.2006 07:18

Ms Attoh, What is the grouse? That Obj makes light of what should be a serious issue? That not enough 'encouragement' has been given to women to hold public office and that they are adequately represented? or that women are waiting to be 'allowed' to hold public office? I honnestly do not see women as the hapless beings that we insist on painting them as. If women claim equal talent and intelligence as their male counterpart, then it would be a contradiction in terms for them to expect to be encouraged or provided with additional opportunity or impetus to get what they compalin that they do not have. if they truly want all that they have been denied, then they should be strategising (or even scheming - it takes brains to scheme too) about getting it, not waiting for concessions. have you ver heard of anyone who has power giving it up willing? Women in the Scandinevian countries may have used what they had to get what they want. Now I have not read this in any book but what if they stopped having children deiberately to free themselves of the responsibility of child care and all the ramifications of not being able to make a headway in the public arena because they need to look after the homestead? I am only supposing, but if it was a strategy, it may not even have been conscious. Condy Rice, I once read in the many articles about her her, learnt the whiteman's game and bested them at it. That was her own strategy. Yes the environment 'allowed' her to but women and blacks before her wrested those concessions(advantages) from those who had the power. They did not wait to be allowed nor were they encouraged. My constant argument is that the women who appear to have been denied, probably do not want the things denied to them in the first place. If they did they would know to get it. The terrain may be harsh but pioneers never have it easy. When the women want public office bad enough, they will go out there and get it for themselves. Nicolo Machiavelli's The Prince is recommended reading for those wanting to hold high public office, including women.

salstep  # 7 | 13.08.2006 08:22

Yawn. Me i no wan talk for woman matter. Seriously, i think OBJ was up to is usual mischief. Not likely any level of govt in nigeria will have a 30% representation. But we all live in hope.

Naija for life  # 8 | 13.08.2006 09:08

=Mutti> I honnestly do not see women as the hapless beings that we insist on painting them as. If women claim equal talent and intelligence as their male counterpart, then it would be a contradiction in terms for them to expect to be encouraged or provided with additional opportunity or impetus to get what they compalin that they do not have. My constant argument is that the women who appear to have been denied, probably do not want the things denied to them in the first place. If they did they would know to get it. The terrain may be harsh but pioneers never have it easy. Bullseye, Mutti! With those words you drove a stake into the hypocrisy and fraud that is contemporary feminism. I have asserted repeatedly in this square that feminists and contemporary women's rights activists, contrary to their declared mission of advancing the lot of women, are actually engaged in an ostensible campaign to procure priviledged status for women at the expense of men. These feminists conveniently ignore descriminatory laws and social inequities that operate to their advantage. Here in America, where women have practically been elevated to the status of demigods, we are still constantly assailed with public service announcements and the strident, logically deficient carping of feminists and misdirected men soliciting our recognition of the humanity of women. This in the same America where women are exempt from combat. Every sunday a radio talk show host reads the names of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq for that week, and they are always all men. The feminists, naturally, have conveniently ignored this policy of blatant descrimination that pits men into the cauldron of death and spares women. Men were long ago relegated to the role of spectators in child custody cases, with automatic award of custody all but assured to the mother. These women who endlessly prattle on about equality are the same women who consider it their birthright to be wined and dined. I took a co-worker out for drinks the other day. I have it on good authority that she earnes more money than I do. Yet she advanced no objections when I picked up the tab. Mutti, you spoke very well. It only saddens me to see Nigerians gyrating in this nihilistic dance macabre, emboldened by the seductive notes of the feminist pied pipers of the west, and blinded by their misguided passion from seeing the angel of death gleefully waving them on to perdition.

Auspicious  # 9 | 13.08.2006 10:11

Originally Posted by Naija for Life: I honnestly do not see women as the hapless beings that we insist on painting them as. If women claim equal talent and intelligence as their male counterpart, then it would be a contradiction in terms for them to expect to be encouraged or provided with additional opportunity or impetus to get what they compalin that they do not have. if they truly want all that they have been denied, then they should be strategising (or even scheming - it takes brains to scheme too) about getting it, not waiting for concessions. Hear, hear: Naija for Life said it ALL!

Naija for life  # 10 | 13.08.2006 10:27

Holy leaping house cats! Auspicious, what are you trying to do? Call a charge of the plagiarism brigade upon my head? That excerpt you reproduced above was originally posted by mutti, not yours truly. I have thrown many stones at the glass house of feminism, but this brick was not mine O. Abeg make you remove my name from that one before the PPP (Plagiasrists pulverizing platoon) land for my doormouth O.

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