For a while now, I have had a gnawing thought in my appraisal of all things Nigeria especially with regards to the state of the nation. This was initiated by a couple of articles in the village that highlighted certain “women issues” – Inter-racial Marriages; African Men in the Diaspora... The content of such write-ups aside, I was fascinated by the sheer volume of responses by women respondents! The attention paid to such articles betrayed a certain propensity to certain topics as opposed to the usual dose of politics that tend to dominate most men-driven topics. 

This non-scientific observation was equally spurred on by anecdotal observations at “Nigerian” parties where distinctions readily emerge physically and in subject matters – men folk either devolve to football or politics, whilst the women folk tend to focus on more domestic related matters – this is regardless of age or professional status. This discomfiting trend was again thrust to my attention by a recent write-up about the Igbos - “The Igbos; Why are they the way they are?” – by Elimma C. Ezeani - a piece on Igbo identity and world view. I found the eventual objectification of the Igbo woman as particularly disturbing, and was coming to the conclusion that perhaps the Nigerian women folk have unwittingly bequeathed, and abrogated their responsibility on the Nigerian political landscape – a position that negates a possible alternative Nigerian reality.

However, in more recent times, such as the death of Corazon Acquino of the Philippines brought home the history of their democracy, and the role women played in reversing the fortunes of that country. This highlights a possible template of the potential contribution of our women folk in Nigeria in shaping the political landscape, and power dynamics of the country. Closer still, was the leading role of our women folk in the village on the topical NPVSA Solar Project – my attention was drawn to a call by a villager who jokingly advocated for “LizMoses” as President! Not of the village but of Nigeria!

The role of women in men’s personal everyday existence - the home, relationships, extra- marital affairs... are eerily absent on the main political landscape in any leadership capacity of note! The adage that behind every successful man is a great woman rings true but equally would be the rejoinder that behind every unsuccessful man is the failed pursuit of a woman or women! The over-bearing presence of women in the living existence of men is revealing – from adolescence, the need to please mothers; the intoxicating agony of first love; the angst of unrequited love; the sex-crazed testosterone-charged puberty phase; the allure of the older woman – Ms Robinson syndrome otherwise known as the Cougar phenomenon! The pursuit of a life partner; the feigned subservience of men for marital bliss; the need for escape from the attentions of a life-partner through extra-marital affairs; the need to recapture one’s youthful prowess by pursuing young tails – the Aristo phenomenon – universally known as “Sugar daddy syndrome”! Every stage, every phase of men’s folk development or evolution -for good or bad - has the unrelenting heady influence of women. A notion aptly captured in the iconic “woman-on-my-mind” painting depicting thoughts of the famous Psycho-analyst, Sigmund Freud!

With such overwhelming influence in the life of men, it becomes particularly poignant that the history or considerations of Nigerian Leadership, women folk, are distinctly absent! It appears never to have even features as an option! Begs the question, why is this? If women have such a domineering presence in men’s existence, why is there the unspoken taboo of a Woman President for Nigeria? Are women considered inherently incapable of leading the country?

The history of Nigeria across varying the ethnic groupings are replete with legends and present-day instances of able and competent leadership – Moremi (Yoruba folklore), Aba Women, and recently Ekiti Women (political activism), Ngozi Iweala (former Finance Minister and World Bank) - pardon the paucity and hazy recollection – not being a Nigerian history buff nor an expert on women in political position in Nigeria - but hope the point is being made – no doubt the Nigerian women folk will fill in the erroneous gaps!

My contention is slightly deductive. Men’s pursuit of power either political or monetary is ultimately motivated by the need to measure up to standards set by the women folk. The history of Nigerian political leadership has not boasted of any significant role being played by women. The current state of the nation is directly attributable to men’s leadership failings – either in the lack of cogent policies; wanton pursuit of political power; or appropriation of wealth. Consequently if ultimately all such acts are being committed to impress our women folk – an indirect causality – would it not make sense to have our women folk run things? Women certainly do not go out of their way to impress men as men tend to do – where women pursue men, it is to fulfil the survival driven instinct of protection, security, and comfort. What happens where all of these desires are catered for? Men will no longer have to keel over each other to prove their sense of machismo in order to impress or be impressive - women, given their innate nurturing maternal instincts would better able to cater for the greater good rather than the selfish winner-takes-all self-serving interests’ men are usually prone to! 

A win-win ideal for all – corruption could be eradicated; realistic policies that cater for the populace would be enacted; men are relieved of the constant pressures of proving their masculinity; politics as usual based on egos will be eliminated; ethnic and religious conflicts will be a thing of the past! 

May have exaggerated on the possibilities a bit but it is nonetheless a worthy alternative that is yet to broached or explored! Of all the many excuses on offer for the state of the nation, there is yet to be a significant indictment for corruption of any directly elected or indirectly instituted woman leader. In the spirit of seeking viable options or alternatives – I submit the cause for a Woman President for Nigeria in 2011!

If possible, I would like to appeal to all villagers, to dedicate this posting and thread only to our women folk – a useful opportunity to hear from their perspective on the state of the nation, their ideas; visions; thought; alternative that they could offer to get us all out of our collective jam! A not too atypical and familiar scenario that men often find themselves in! Time for the men folk to keep quiet for once on politics and let our women folk take centre stage for a change!

In hip-hop parlance – Ladies! Throw your hands up!!!

No doubt, written as a man - assumptions and notions of stereotype are strewn all over – I am assured that such errors may be excused or put right!

The ball is in your court!!!

Robot  # 1 | 16.08.2009 11:08

For a while now, I have had a gnawing thought in my appraisal of all things Nigeria especially with regards to the state of the nation. This was initiated by a couple of articles in the village that highlighted certain “women issues” – Inter-racial Marriages; African Men in the Diaspora... The content of such write-ups aside, I was fascinated by the sheer volume of responses by women respondents!The attention paid to such articles betrayed a certain propensity to certain topics as opposed to the usual dose of politics that tend to dominate most men-driven topics. This non-scientific observation was equally spurred on by anecdotal observations at “Nigerian” parties where distinctions readily emerge physically and in subject matters – men folk either devolve to football or politics, whilst the women folk tend to focus on more domestic related matters – this is regardless of age or professional status.This discomfiting t...Read the full article.

Eace  # 2 | 16.08.2009 14:10

Not sure men necessarily need to move over. Perhaps men can just acknowledge that women are rational, intelligent human beings worthy of dignity and respect? It will help when men (some) address their complexities by seeking fulfillment through productive enterprise and stop punishing every other female for the respect they were 'forced' to render to their mothers. It will help when men stop seeing any encounter with a female as an opportunity to flex their muscles. It'll also help for women to grow up in an environment that teaches and allows them to have respect and regard for themselves. When women can find comfort in being feminine without having to be whingeing, dependent beings or just act plain stupid so that their society can give them any attention. That'll be a good start. Note: Why does this article consider that women have an 'over-bearing' influence on men's lives? Someone has to give birth to a man, love him, clothe him and pat him on the back when he puts the tap on...and remain in the background forever. How is that overbearing?

M. Akosa  # 3 | 16.08.2009 14:33

Why don't we empower Nigerian women for a starter by handing over all inheritances, family wealth and rights to children to daughters, sisters and mothers, following the Ghana (Ashanti) example. At least it has been tested, tried and proven over the centuries that anti-social behaviours such as violence and social disorder is a taboo in Ghana society and public space. It works perfectly fine, no bulalas, no kobokos and no knocks on the head.

Boko-Haram  # 4 | 16.08.2009 16:04

Over to Madam Rebrand and Sarah Jubril, 2011..!

mulan  # 5 | 16.08.2009 16:20

Quiet Swami, Having read a few of your submissions on other topics here, I have to say that this article does not do you justice. Poorly written, poorly researched and like you said in the last paragraphs, strewn with stereotypes, wrong assumptions and notions. Is it because you think you have to 'write down' to women? Pity that you fall into the same pit you have observed and seek to point out to your readers. FYI, gender discourse in Nigeria is not a new topic and has been both broached, explored and discussed to the highest levels in the country. You think no Nigerian woman has ever run for presidency? Think again...maybe the name Sara Jubril will help ring a bell? Want some more names? Women as Catalyst for Change 23. The Administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, is very conscious of the strategic role of women as change agents. Indeed, he has appointed far more women into top positions than any Administration in Nigeria’s history. Accordingly, woman is not just an equal partner, but perhaps the more passionate among the drivers of the Reform agenda of the Administration. Let me also add that the current crop of women in the Administration are building on what those before them did, albeit as lone stars in their time and not in the formidable assemblage as we have today in this Administration. Please, take a look at the following examples of the cream of women that are shaping Policy Reforms in this Administration: <*>Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a product of a formidable academic pedigree, is driving the Economic Reforms and supporting the President in his Debt Relief initiatives. She is at the helm of the Steering Committee on Reforms. <*>Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a post graduate product of the American Ivy League School, Harvard, is driving Due Process in Public Procurement. <*>Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman, Minister of State for Finance chairs the panel that is quietly reforming the Nigerian Customs Service. <*>Mrs. Dupe Sasore, a Special Adviser to the President, is driving Export Promotion of Nigerian goods through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) of the United States and leading by example in her dressing through the adoption of the Nigerian made Ankara fabric, a mode of dressing that the four–some of: Minister Okonjo-Iweala, Nenadi Usman (Minister of State, Finance), Oby Ezekwesili (Senior Special Assistant to the President and Head BMPIU) and herself, have popularized. <*>Dr. Dora Akunyili, as Director-General, National Agency for Foods Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has not only taken NAFDAC to a height unprecedented for an agency of its kind within a short time, but has put her life on the line in her assignment. She is shaping, on all fronts, the drug policy of this country. <*>Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Toyin Olakunri, the first female Chartered Accountant in Nigeria and a Past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), has quietly thrust her professional and personal integrity into the management of one of our nation’s largest chunk of intervention Fund in the most sensitive and volatile sector, as the Chairman of the Education Trust Fund, and the results are published in Daily Newspapers regularly for all to see. <*>Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo, First Lady of the Federal Republic, is using her pet project, the Child Care Trust to address the issue of disabled children nationwide. <*>Chief (Mrs.) Titi Amina Atiku Abubakar, Wife of the Vice President, has ensured that the sustainability of the efforts of her Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) is guaranteed beyond her tenure in office through the instrument of an Act of the National Assembly and indeed the establishment of a Government Agency to drive the initiative. <*>Chief (Mrs.) Mobolaji Osomo is implementing a new housing policy as Minister of Housing and restructuring the Ministry for a more effective service delivery. Never in the history of the nation have we witnessed the type of participation we now have from private developers. <*>Obong Rita Akpan readily throws her dynamism into mobilizing women even at short notice to respond to national issues. <*>Hajiya Bintu Ibrahim Musa works silently but very effectively as Minister of State for Education to ensure implementation of far reaching policies in the Education Sector. <*>Even among the male folks the world over, academics do not come in better mould than what we have in Prof. Joy Ogwu, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, whose tenure has not only revitalized the institute but taken it greater heights as the leading institute on international affairs on the continent. <*>Princess Funke Adedoyin, a very articulate and brilliant product of the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) whose Blue Print for Youth Development in her previous portfolio has been commended as one of the most comprehensive initiatives the sector has witnessed so far. <*>Ifueko Omoigui, has, within the short time of her appointment as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), barely nine months ago, achieved a superlative improvement in revenue generation, by introducing new strategies of tax assessment and collection. In order to sustain the drive, she is carrying out structural and process reforms of the entire FIRS. <*>Engr. Ebele Okeke, Director of Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, is not only the first female Civil Engineer in Nigeria, she is in charge of shaping the rural development policy of Government. <*>Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, the first female President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and now again the first female Chief Press Secretary to the President (as Senior Special Assistant to the President and Head Media and Publicity) brings into her job as Spokesperson for the President, accessibility, simplicity and a combination of personal credibility and native intelligence, borne out of deep cultural values and ethics, to secure listening ears of the public to Government policies. <*>Prof. (Mrs.) Gambo Laraba Abdullahi, is a distinguished academic, former Minister of State, Education and immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja who serves as a Member of the International Advisory Board of the Science and Technology Reform Project. <*>Amina Ibrahim, a highly cerebral and articulate dynamite of energy packed into a beautiful slim frame, and the National Coordinator of the Education For All (EFA) programme, is currently deploying here well-known patriotic passion to coordinate the establishment of a Virtual Poverty Fund (VPF) - a programme aimed at tracking public expenditure on the basis of transparency and accountability to gain more mileage for government on the limited resources channeled towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and NEEDS priorities. VPF is one programme instrument with which Mr. President aims at convincing donor and creditor countries of his Administration’s prudent management of resources and commitment to poverty reduction priorities, including Universal Basic Education and Healthcare, in order to secure debt relief and additional funding support to tackle those basic issues on which women are disproportionately, the greater victims. <*>Dr. Ladi Hamalai, Project Coordinator, Policy Analysis and Research, at the National Assembly, is using her strategic position to ensure gender sensitive legislative actions and policy agenda setting. Read this link for more inf...

quietswami  # 6 | 16.08.2009 19:01

@ Mulan, =mulan;381442>Quiet Swami, Having read a few of your submissions on other topics here, I have to say that this article does not do you justice. Poorly written, poorly researched and like you said in the last paragraphs, strewn with stereotypes, wrong assumptions and notions. Is it because you think you have to 'write down' to women? Pity that you fall into the same pit you have observed and seek to point out to your readers. FYI, gender discourse in Nigeria is not a new topic and has been both broached, explored and discussed to the highest levels in the country. You think no Nigerian woman has ever run for presidency? Think again...maybe the name Sara Jubril will help ring a bell? Want some more names? A paradoxical situation here! Your feedback does me both justice and injustice! Thankfully, my disclaimer holds me in good stead. Without any pretence of neither being a "writer", nor an academic, your observations of poor writing, and poor research are quite apt - call it random thoughts of a jaded man, bored at the inordinate male-domineering posturings on all things Nigerian politics! Do however, appreciate that neither qualities have distracted from the import of the thoughts expressed. May, however, have to disagree on the notion of "writing down" to women as well as falling into the “same pit” as others! Unsure of the pit you allude to but in no way is this intended as a put or write down of women – if anything a tongue-in-cheek appreciation of the role of women in the Nigerian society. The intent is to sample the opinion of women folk who may have genuine alternative policies, ideas, or thoughts on the Nigerian predicament - certainly, not intended to read as a topic on women as governmental mouthpieces, figureheads or token gender equal opportunities schemes conforming to male-driven agenda but rather as agents shaping the future direction of the country under their own steam. Appreciate the feedback and the link provided, certainly informing, but rather than read as a listing of Obasanjo’s women appointees, the subtle objective was to sample opinion of women, not as a gender debate of a feminist inclination, but women as a collective force who may have a “voice” not being properly acknowledged nor given due recognition in the Nigerian political space! A useful consideration for 2011! A discourse intended for women only – especially the women folk of the village - as a useful opportunity for men to listen and perhaps learn – no man, however liberal-minded, can truly express nor appropriately capture such views! Unfortunate, you read this piece as a condescending one towards women folk but do hope I have been able to re-direct any misperceptions! I will presume from your highlighted list of names, you will consider any one of them worthy presidential candidates, but wonder what sort of agenda you would want to see such women pursue to help reverse the fortunes of the country? Would have settled for the agenda, but personalities and agenda will do!

valteena  # 7 | 16.08.2009 19:20

Ummm!!! Quiet Swami wants a woman's revolution:). That may be the only thing that could bring about what you're asking for by 2011. You’re right that Women can effectively bring a different perspective into politics and governance in Nigeria. In other words, the more women asserts themselves on the political scene, the more it is possible to see a different horizon for a more positive impact of governance on the country. But sadly, Nigerian women are still the underdogs of our society despite making up at least 50.5 percent of the country's population. A critical examination of the status of women in Nigeria shows that despite the strides made by some women, our women remain at the lower rung of the ladder in all spheres of our life be it education, economic/finance, health, security, politics etc. In politics in particular which is the focus of your piece, women’s position as the underdog is even more glaring. For instance, only three percent of Nigerian women hold an elective or appointive position at the federal, state and local levels. According to records, in 1999, there were only 12 women elected into the State Assemblies as against 978 males. Also only three women out of 109 senators were elected into the Senate in the same year, while 13 women were equally elected into the House of Representatives as against 347 men. In 2003 for instance, the number of women who participated in elections increased slightly. In the State Assemblies, 39 women were elected as against 951 men. Also only 6.1 percent (21 women) were elected into the House of Representativesin contrast to 339 male House of Representatives members and 3.7 percent that is 4 women were elected into the Senate, against 105 males senators. Even in appointment into offices, records from 1999 showed that 833 persons were appointed with 86 of them women, representing only 11.9 percent. The 2007 elections was no difference, the figures as collated from the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that a total 7160 candidates (both men and women) contested in the April elections. Of this number, only 628 women participated. Out of the twenty five candidates that viewed for the office of the President, only one is a woman. Five women contested for the office of the Vice President. 474 candidates contested for the gubernatorial elections in the thirty-six states of the federation. Of this, only 14 women contested for the office of governor. 21 contested for the office of deputy governor. 799 contested for the senate, with only 59 women 2342 candidates contested for the House of Representatives, with 150 women ' 5647 contested for the State Assemblies with 358 women. From the records so far, there are nine female senators out of 109 senators and 27 women in the House of Representatives of 360 members. There are five female deputy governors in Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Plateau States. Also in Ogun State where a woman is presiding at the State Assembly. There are fifty-four female members of the State Assemblies. This is a mere two percent improvement on the gains of the 2003 general elections. And the fundamental factor responsible for the almost inconsequential role of women in our society and politics in particular is the patriarchial nature of our society. It has disabled women to a less privileged status so that economically, and otherwise they are unable to match the men in political activities especially in our political climate where money politics and god fatherism is the vogue. Not to talk of the violence and sexual harassment that still pervade our electoral system. These factors though not peculiar to Nigeria, does seem more entrenched in our country and it will take a radical reordering of our society to effect this change methink.

quietswami  # 8 | 16.08.2009 21:01

@Valteena, =valteena;381460>Ummm!!! Quiet Swami wants a woman's revolution:). That may be the only thing that could bring about what you're asking for by 2011. You’re right that Women can effectively bring a different perspective into politics and governance in Nigeria. In other words, the more women asserts themselves on the political scene, the more it is possible to see a different horizon for a more positive impact of governance on the country. And the fundamental factor responsible for the almost inconsequential role of women in our society and politics in particular is the patriarchial nature of our society. It has disabled women to a less privileged status so that economically, and otherwise they are unable to match the men in political activities especially in our political climate where money politics and god fatherism is the vogue. Not to talk of the violence and sexual harassment that still pervade our electoral system. These factors though not peculiar to Nigeria, does seem more entrenched in our country and it will take a radical reordering of our society to effect this change methink. "Revolution" may be too strong a term but you you do capture succintly the intent. Appreciate the stats provided - quite sobering indeed! Ironically, the allusion to "overbearing" state of affairs in the gender relationship, was to highlight the potential force of the women folk if only such can be harnessed for the desparately needed change the country requires. Quite rightly the "opposition" is formidable, but isn't this the more reason such options should be explored as a candid and realistic alternative - hence the pointed reference to Curazon Acquino of the Philippines! Intriguingly though, would the politics of the women folk be any different from the current status quo? Are there really any unifying causes that can realise such potential? Is gender really a factor in the current state or possibly future state of the country?

valteena  # 9 | 17.08.2009 11:01

=quietswami;381472>@Valteena, "Revolution" may be too strong a term but you you do capture succintly the intent. Appreciate the stats provided - quite sobering indeed! Ironically, the allusion to "overbearing" state of affairs in the gender relationship, was to highlight the potential force of the women folk if only such can be harnessed for the desparately needed change the country requires. Quite rightly the "opposition" is formidable, but isn't this the more reason such options should be explored as a candid and realistic alternative - hence the pointed reference to Curazon Acquino of the Philippines! I appreciate your point and there are other female point of reference other than Acquino like the Ghandi women in India, Bhutto in Pakistan. But you have to understand their history and society in order to appreciate why it was easy for them to succeed to the extent they have. India and obviously Pakistani due to their common origin before they became two different countries is to some degree a matriarchal society. Matriarchal societies place women in central decision-making positions such as family , community leaders, where they play a central role in the community and in the society. Of the few matriarchal societies that exist today, majority are in the Asian continent even though these cultures have lost some of these matriachal traditions through colonial domination, religious influences and interaction with neighbouring nations and the rest of the world. And are therefore not necessarily that matriarchal. But the basic framework for the acceptance of women in a leadership position already exist in their psyche. So it is to be expected that women are given more space to express their creativity and participate in governance in such society. In contrast, patriarchy which has been the dominant method of organizing human society, in most other countries including Nigeria allows for men predominating in roles associated with governing societies. And every institution and frame work has been established to entrenched this inequality in social roles between men and women. Therefore it will require a fundamental political and legal reform like guaranteeing equality in pay and access to finance, job opportunities, political structure, social security and education in our constitution to force a huge impact on the little progress made thus far. =quietswami;381472>Intriguingly though, would the politics of the women folk be any different from the current status quo? Are there really any unifying causes that can realise such potential? Is gender really a factor in the current state or possibly future state of the country? Yes I believe the politics of the women folks would be more different from the status quo. And yes gender is a factor in the current messy state of our country and the world in general and can be a major factor for a positive future . Why? Because women generally do not have the "high" destructive hunger for power, domination, hierarchies, wars which to me is organised killing and extreme violence towards other humans. With this propensity in men, little wonder that Nigeria and the world in general is in this sorry state of affairs. Therefore a society governed by majority of women given their nature, is bound to usher in a life that is organised based on needs and is more peaceful, less violent and simply human in my view. Maybe it's an utopia that is almost impossible to realise hence my use of the term "woman's revolution" to describe such possibility in Nigeria This is why it is highly important to recognise the significance of having more women in governance and leadership position as a way of solving our present dire failed society. Women I believe can show the path to an egalitarian society in Nigeria and the world in general that combines humanness with politics to create a different economy and society. As to whether there is any unifying cause that can realise that potential, again I say yes. As the saying goes, women’s right is human right. Meaning that the quest for equality for women exist apart from and as a part of the larger struggle to eradicate domination in all its forms. This fact in itself is one rallying point that unifies women’s goal for equality with that of the entire society. And women in Naija need to be able to factor in their narrower set of specific female objectives into a common political goal with other groups in the society by working to end all forms of oppression as a mass based socio-political movement. However sharing a common goal does not imply that woman and the other groups (men inclusive will not have radically divergent perspectives on how that goal might be reached. But the unifying goal remains to fight injustice in whatever form it rears its head be it tribalism/racism, sexism economic and sexual exploitation etc. And success in any of these injustices means a step closer in the quest for equal relevance in political governance in the country. In other words, opposing oppression in its many forms is not just instrumental to, or a necessary means to, bridging the existing wide gap for women in politics and governance in our society, but is intrinsic to it.

Shoko Loko Bangoshe  # 10 | 17.08.2009 11:10

...I believe the politics of the women folks would be more different from the status quo. And yes gender is a factor in the current messy state of our country and the world in general and can be a major factor for a positive future . Why? Because women generally do not have the "high" destructive hunger for power, domination, hierarchies, wars which to me is organised killing and extreme violence towards other humans. With this propensity in men, little wonder that Nigeria and the world in general is in this sorry state of affairs. Therefore a society governed by majority of women with their nature, is bound to usher in a life that is organised based on needs and is more peaceful, less violent and simply human. Valteena, The reality is that it is precisely people who have a quest for power who eventually get to the top. These people could either be men OR women - and they will have the same characteristics that you describe above. So while it's nice to wish for level-headed, peaceful people to be at the top, that simply will not happen as long as more aggressive, power hungry people also exist in society. Quiet Swami, A while ago, you criticised an article for saying what should be achieved, but not how it should be achieved. So I'm going to put you on the spot - how would you suggest that your idea of a woman-led society be brought to fruition?

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