Former first lady of Imo State, Zinaria Nkechi Rochas Okorocha has expressed optimism that the incoming president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will prioritize women’s inclusion in governance.
Okorocha who spoke at the maiden edition of her organization Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI) Women’s Summit which held May 22 to 23, acknowledged the abysmal representation of women at the recent elections, and the dwindling number of women in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration below the 35 affirmative action quota.
She, however, expressed optimism that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu government will carry Nigerian women along in his administration.
“What happened at the last election was quite unfortunate. I don’t know what went wrong, but we cannot dwell on what went wrong. We must move forward. I want to believe that the incoming president having being in governance before, and having a wife who is a senator, they will come to the table with a lot of things that will help Nigerian women and change whatever needs to be changed. Because the woman is key. She is important and there is no way we can deny that.”
Okorocha further notes that women must be determined and inspire themselves to reach their fullest potential, by thinking outside the box and being independent.
The summit topics, she said are designed to inspire women, to rouse the hopeless ones to action and provide them opportunity to network with the 49 panelists and potential mentors that speak to their different situations, goals or purpose.
While she affirmed there will be a measure of financial support for women participant, she said “it is not about how much”, but about being creative with what is given, by “thinking outside the box.
Post the summit, WODDI will focus on establishing structure to achieve its objectives.
“Besides being an annual summit, we want to ensure that we are strategic about what we are doing. If we must change the narrative, and have the Nigeria of our collective dream, Nigerian women must rise up and collaborate, because no one man or woman can do it alone. This summit will give us the platform to do the needful.”
The event further saw the conferment of Diamond Nurturer Awards to several present and former governor’s wives for their contributions to the growth and development of women and their society. Awardees include, Dr Amina Abubakar Bello, first lady, Niger State; Betsy Obaseki, first lady Edo State; Hajiya Turai Yar’adua, first lady, Katsina State; Nkechi Ikpeazu, first lady, Abia State; Architect Yemisi Suswam, former first lady, Benue State; Chief Mrs Doris Ajimobi, wife of ex-governor of Oyo State; and Bisi Adeyele Fayemi, wife ex-governor of Ondo State, while the Plantinum Nurturer Award went to Oladolapo Osinbajo, wife of Nigeria’s Vice President.
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