35% Affirmative Action: The Kogi Example

In 2021, Kogi state governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, CON received a Letter of Commendation from the United Nation Women Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS signed by Ms Comfort Lamptey in recognition of his giant strides in incorperating women into governance, especially with the emergence of women as the Vice Chairmen of all the 21 LGAs of Kogi State. This was an unprecedented achievement in Nigeria’s political landscape by all standards, especially with reference to the conservative northern Nigeria political culture.
This feat however, has not been given the due limelight it deserves.

Within the span of eight years the governor has shown his determined leadership posturing to ensure that women are made a part of the administrative structures of governance in Kogi State. This is obvious by the presence of several immediate women aides around him. Looking further soon revealed a plethora of women who are at the helm of affairs as Heads of strategic Agencies and Parastatals within his administration. With a woman as Secretary to the State Government for eight years, others heading critical agencies, up to the inclusion of women in critical recruitment exercises and the empowerment of market women and those at the grassroots through out the entire State, one can only but be deeply impressed.

The boldest evidence of his love for women inclusion in government was demonstrated through the opportunities given to women to become Vice Chairmen of LGAs in the last LGA election in the State. By this standards, the governor has surpassed the widely advocated 35% Affirmative Action for women in government as espoused by the United Nations, National Gender Policy and other global organizations.
The impact of these efforts in harnessing the potentials of our women to further the growth and development is immeasurable. It is hoped that this is sustained, as Kogi State is poised to reap bountifully from the value women are known to add to governance and society in general, when encouraged via opportunities.

With about 49.8 % of our overall population made up of women, our conservative patriarchal culture has over time prevented us from benefitting from the full leadership, political, economic and academic potentials of the women folk. In view of this, several women organization had arisen after the United Nation Affirmative Action on Women Empowerment in government and the development of the National Gender Policy since 2006 to make women-in-government-issues a front-burner in the national discus. In doing this, they have scouted for strategic friendly male leaders to aid their course. H.E Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello has demonstrated that he is a leader who will at all times not just advocate for women inclusivity in government, but also deliberately orchestrate policies that will grant them these opportunities.

At the national level, he further demonstrated this commitment by being the first Presidential Aspirant in the history of Nigeria to appoint a woman as his Campaign Director-General DG.
With the swearing-in just few days away, it is hoped that the incoming government will continue with the women-friendly legacies of his predecessor. We cannot but expect even more in the years ahead.

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– Abdulmuluku writes from Abuja.