At the time that I first thought of writing about this issue, the all important issue of gender equality in Nigeria, particularly, given the giant strides that I speak of; Strides that are in connection with gender equality, gender emancipation for Nigerian women. Gender agenda of our current national government, is therefore the befitting subject matter that will  herein be our focus.

I have mulled over this subject matter for quite a while, it is unstated or understated gender agenda by our current president; Perhaps, purposefully understated? Well, I finally settled on writing this article, I chose the present title because it captures, more adequately, the spectacular groundbreaking gender equality forays in Nigeria, since 1999.

Nigerians should be very clear on this issue. President Obasanjo has moved mountains in connection with gender equality agenda in Nigeria since the inception of his administration in 1999. And as I have written in the past, Nigeria is only one of two countries worldwide that has appointed a female as Finance Minister, Secretary for Treasury or as Director of the Exchequer. In plain words, it means the appointment of a female as the chief money or fiscal manager for the entire county of Nigeria.

Let us be clear, this has never happened in Nigeria, in Africa or anywhere else, in the recent past. The giant strides so far made by the current federal government in Nigeria, regarding the pride of place of our women folks, are unequalled and unparalleled. There have been many tangible and intangible accomplishments for women since 1999.

We concede that there is more that needs to be done to elevate women worldwide.

Even though unheralded by some, Nigerian women have faired so much better during Obasanjo’s presidency. The current president of Nigeria recognizes the availability in abundance, talented, educated, creative and experienced women technocrats of outstanding achievements and accomplishments. Our president has, as always, with a broad masterstroke, empowered eminently qualified Nigerian women by appointing many of them to high profile government agencies and organs.

Among the numerous outstanding federal appointments of women to high caliber positions is the appointment of the Honorable Justice Aloma M. Muktar who becomes the first woman in Nigeria’s judicial history to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Through this appointment, President Obasanjo broke the glass ceiling of female lawyers in Nigeria. It is a historical first. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has always been an all boys club since the founding of Nigeria as a nation.

Honorable Justice Aloma M. Muktar’s appointment gives credibility to Obasanjo’s promise to champion women’s empowerment.

Nigeria, during the Obasanjo’s presidency, have also been blessed with the appointments of many other females, such as Honorable Minister of state, Finance, Mrs Nenadi Esther Usman, as well as the appointment of Honorable Minister Mrs. Oby Ezekwsili of Ministry of Solid Minerals otherwise known as Madam Duc Process. Additionally, Dr. Dora Akunyili of NAFDAC and Mrs. Chikwe the former Minister for Aviation, and Mrs. Ojomo, who served as Minister for Housing. Nigeria’s Federal Internal Revenue Service is headed by Ms. Ifueko Omoigui and Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) is presided over by Mrs. Onyiuke. Mrs Chinwe Nora Obaji the Minister for Education and Mrs Halima Tayo Alao Minister of state, Education, Minister of state, Health Chief (Mrs) HU Esuene Presidential Liaison Officer Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Mrs Grace Ogwuche is one of the new cabinet ministers. This is by no means exhaustive list.

These are simply extraordinary and outstanding progress. If was legal to vote more than once and If I were in Nigeria and voting, I would have voted once each, for President Obasanjo, each vote in appreciation of our president, on the behalf of all my family members of the feminine gender.

Uproarious and dancing-in-the-street commendations ought to greet President Obasanjo for his boldness and courage of action, because his foresight in taking numerous swipes at women’s marginalization in our world. He is a man worthy of praises for denting, in a very big way, the age-old and perennial neglect of women; He has slashed and carved away, wanton neglect and the abhorrent practice that does not appreciate women as valuable national resource for development.

Even in America and other parts of the world, women continue to struggle for acceptance as full citizens, competent and qualified professionals trusted to hold important or key positions in the world, in both private and public sectors. This is changing in Nigeria, rightly so. Perhaps, in due course, Nigeria a president of our country whose gender is female; As the Americans are scrutinizing two high profile women for a possible run for the US presidency, that is, Senator Hilary Clinton and United States’ Secretary of State Dr. Condi Rice, two competent women, even though with different social philosophies, I hope that Nigerians will also scrutinize Nigerian super qualified women for Nigerian presidency. And Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, Mrs. Ezekwsili, Mrs. Akunyili etc comes to mind.

According to Mr. Sonala Olumhense, a self confessed critic of President Obasanjo, a virulent critic, I might add, President Obasanjo has had more than 27 women in assorted ministerial appointment chairs. Here is what he wrote in Nigeriavillagesquare.com (NVS)

 “I am impressed at how much opportunity he has provided in his cabinet for the female constituency. Since 1999, he has had 27 women in assorted ministerial chairs, and many more in significant other top positions. Despite my reservations about him, he deserves to be congratulated for this. It is a clever political move, of course, but as long as his choices for high office are among the nation's best and brightest, I will not begrudge him.

Among President Obasanjo's best investments is the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala. Owing to her commitment and her credibility, Nigeria has made tremendous strides in the management of her foreign debt. I know that this is only one component of her portfolio, and that she has made some questionable decisions and indecisions in other areas of it, but her foreign debt triumph is significant, and she deserves both our congratulations and our gratitude. It is also a clear sign of what happens when the right professionals, not contractors, party-hacks or clansmen, are invited to serve.

Mrs. Okonji-Iweala serves in a huge, market-square style cabinet in which, over the past seven years, there have been many faces and personalities. I have often wondered about life around that table, and around the presidential palace. As you know, there is also a whole army of presidential advisers, assistants and "kingsmen." Hopefully, some of these powerful people will publish their political memoirs shortly”

 Mr. Olumhense omitted the groundbreaking and spectacular appointment of the first female to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, just as he neglected to state the Finance Minister’s name accurately or correctly. It is Okonjo, not Okonji. Certainly, more needs to be done to empower women in the world and in Nigeria. Women are our mothers, sisters, aunts, wife, girlfriend, professional colleagues etc, there more women in the world population than there are men. Women are now outnumbering men, in college graduation numbers and admissions to the professions. It is unintelligent to neglect such huge segment of our human capital resources.

Clearly, President Obasanjo is obviously ahead of this all important worthy cause, the emancipation and empowerment of Nigerian women!

President Olusegun Obasanjo has frequently call on women to use their powers and skills constructively and collectively to effect positive change in society. President Obasanjo promised to champion electoral reforms that will require all registered political parties in the country to set aside 25 percent of their elective offices for women.

And as the flurry of activities in connection with the much debated Third Term or no third term continues; Nigerians will do well to accord credits to President Obasanjo myriad accomplishments and in particular, for having the vision and foresight to have commenced a gender agenda in our country to further gender equality in Nigeria.

President Obasanjo deserves all accolades and encomiums for women empowerment in Nigeria. President Obasanjo can deservedly add this to his retinues of laudable legacies.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Among the numerous outstanding federal appointments of women to ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 02.05.2006 22:08

Marie-Jay ABRAXAS  Villager

# 2 Hello, Bọbọs & Gẹgẹs! This is male chauvinism, spiced with pathological sycophancy, at its most nauseating extreme. Suddenly, the wheel has to be re-invented! (See what 3rd Term-mania can do?) Please hear him, (and simply laugh your head off): “…..General Olusegun Aremu (Baba 3rd Term) Mathew Okikiolakan Obasanjo has moved mountains in connection with gender equality agenda in Nigeria …blah, blah, blah! …blah, blah, blah! …Nigeria is only one of two countries worldwide that has appointed a female as Finance Minister …blah, blah, blah! …it means the appointment of a female as the chief money or fiscal manager for the entire COUNTY of Nigeria.â€� “…blah, blah, blah! These are simply extraordinary and outstanding progress…blah, blah, and blah! …and If I were in Nigeria and voting, I would have voted once each, for General Olusegun Aremu (Baba 3rd Term) Mathew Okikiolakan Obasanjo, each vote in appreciation of our president, on the behalf of all my family members of the feminine gender. …blah, blah, blah!â€� “He is a man worthy of praises for denting, in a very big way, the age-old and perennial neglect of women. He has slashed and carved away, wanton neglect and the abhorrent practice that does not appreciate women as valuable national resource for development.â€� “Women are our mothers, sisters, aunts, wife, girlfriend, professional colleagues etc; there more women in the world population than there are men. Women are now outnumbering men, in college graduation numbers and admissions to the professions. It is unintelligent to neglect such huge segment of our human capital resources.â€� “And as the flurry of activities in connection with the much debated Third Term or no third term continues; Nigerians will do well to accord credits to General Olusegun Aremu (Baba 3rd Term) Mathew Okikiolakan Obasanjo myriad accomplishments and in particular, for having the vision and foresight to have commenced a gender agenda in our country to further gender equality in Nigeria.â€� “…blah, blah, blah! …General Olusegun Aremu (Baba 3rd Term) Mathew Okikiolakan Obasanjo deserves all accolades and encomiums for women empowerment in Nigeria. General Olusegun Aremu (Baba 3rd Term) Mathew Okikiolakan Obasanjo can deservedly add this to his retinues of laudable legacies. …blah, blah, blah!â€� Never has the intelligence of rational Nigerians, particularly Nigerian women, been so recklessly trampled upon and brutalized as this piece of unsolicited drivel has done. Posted by Marie-Jay ABRAXAS| 02.05.2006 23:58

what?

# 3 After the long winded diatribe, Mr./Mrs/Ms./Mz., how many females are in your Governor's cabinet including Wives, Concubines, kpoms and relatives? Third term or not, something good is happening here. Posted by what?| 03.05.2006 01:49

UNREGISTER

# 4 Paul, Thanks for this piece. No other administration has done our women so proud. There are numerous other women appointees not covered by media attention. Mrs Ronke Omame, accomplished International Lawyer is in charge as Special Adviser, Urban Planning, Illustrious daughters of the following friends of Mr President also serve: Dr Alex Ekwueme, Prof Wole Soyinka, Chief Abraham Adesanya - these ladies are successful in their own rights but are recognised by Mr President and "drafted" by Mr President for public service of our fatherland. Mrs Remi Oyo is doing much better than her male pedecessors as Presidential Spokesperson - Special Assistant to Mr President on Media and Publicity. (By the way, it was Mrs Nenadi of the Ministry of Finance that first raised alarm at the massive corruption being perpetrated by some State Governors) There are numerous other unofficial women advisers that Mr President consults from time to time especially from the ivory towers. (Some of the words of our National Pledge were supplied even as far back as 1976 during his first coming by Prof Mrs Adeyoyin of the Faculty of Education University of Lagos) President Olusegun Obasanjo's gender upliftment for our women should not come as a surprise. If, his friends in NVS and other media who are digging and furnishing material's from the President's past research on our National issues would do their home-work, they would discover that one of the Thesis authored by our President is on the subject: GREAT WOMEN OF THE BIBLE. It is to the credit of these women appointees however, that none of them disappointed. Their hardwork, dedication, honesty and apolitical but patriotic service remain pillars that have sustained the Administration and brought its achievements accolades and recognition outside Nigeria. Should he get third term, it would be nice to have one of these national "gems of inestimable value" as our Vice President. Kudos to Mr President, kudos to our Amazonian Patriots and thanks to their "significant others" for granting them "leave of absence"! Posted by UNREGISTER| 03.05.2006 02:25

Ta' naja

# 5 For once Mr Adujie has perhaps said something that makes little sense. Our very dear President's love for women is evidenced by his no of wives (official and unofficial ones inclusive). As to the no of his concubines and children- only a world class audit firm in the mould of "Ernst and Young" can determine. Someone mentioned to me the other day about the existence of "The National Association Of Obasanjo's children". At the last count they had admitted more than fifty members and new members keep showing up from far and near. In all this one very thorny issue continues to puzzle me; Is there a correlation between the family and society? Can a man who has failed in family and family values effectively manage a whole country? Can an analogy be drawn between the current rancour and confusion in the Nigeria and the diarray in Mr President's polygamous home? Could his first son Gbenga have been right in the facts disclosed in his interview? Posted by Ta' naja| 03.05.2006 06:54

chocho  Villager

# 6 Abraxas....'The nabob of negativity' Is it beyond your imagination that some people might actually believe in Obj and his reforms,and subsequently want him to carry on for a third term due to a lack of viable alternatives. You are too quick to cast aspersions at others who hold opposite views to yours....e.g Mr Paul Adujie,Mr T.Anibaba...etc....This will not do at all. This forum is about interplay of opinions,no one has a monopoly on intellectual ideas. Has it occured to you and your co-travellers(anti-obj) to maybe pause and think why this man may be seeking a continuation of his term in office. Maybe, just maybe..he has seen the that the wolves are waiting at the door....those who are in government to line their pockets.Only the most uncharitable person would deny the root and branch reforms going on in Nigeria at the moment(we live here and we can see the transformation everyday). To hazard a guess,I think President Obasanjo's quandry is the difference between "enlightened self-interest" and a moral decision,that is, the extent to which it is directly contrary to his self interest, but necessary for the nation as a whole. Posted by chocho| 03.05.2006 14:44

Auspicious  Villager

# 7 Chocho et al: Two wrongs dont make a right. Kudos to Baba for pioneeering that level of the female gender representation in his cabinet BUT that, in addition to every other 'firsts' he has accomplished does not give him the carte-blanch to do as he wishes with tenureship. This is because this alone rubbishes everything we Nigerians have fought for. The excuses for extending his tenureship defies all reasonable logic and will forever remain so. If Olusegun Obasanjo cannot groom a successor he trusts enough in the last 7 years in power, then SHAME on him! Let anyone list the reasons why he should remain in power and I'll find them a junior secondary school student who will make nonesense of such sad excuses for failure. Let not fear guide our way forward in life. Politics of fear has never worked anywhere - it is what led America to Bush's second coming. "If y'all don't elect Bush, the terrorists are coming. Kerry is weak". The price? A series of bungled state policies and choices that continually result in failure on an almost daily basis. That is exactly what an subversion of the constitution for one man will result to eventually in Nigeria. Confidence is what we Nigerians need, not fear. Confidence and vows that not in our individual lifetimes will we allow thieves or failed/recycled leaders to find their way back to power! We need to master our fear of the unknown, and not let the fear master us. Fear that the oligarchs et al will come back to take over. Why don't we resist such instead of excusing the illegality of a 3rd Term? Third Term my FOOT! Posted by Auspicious| 03.05.2006 16:56