9th N’ Assembly: 150 Women Groups Drum Support For Tinubu, Onyejeocha

PRESS STATEMENT

WOMEN AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS CANVASS FOR MORE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, WRITE TO THE CHAIRMAN OF ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC), COMRADE ADAMS OSHIOMOLE FOR SUPPORT FOR HON. CHIEF MRS. NKEIRUKA ONYEJEOCHA AND SENATOR OLUREMI TINUBU VYING FOR THE POSITIONS OF SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT RESPECTIVELY.

A group of concerned citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the auspices of a campaign platform called ‘More Women’, has submitted a letter of support to the chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomole calling on party leaders  to do the needful by supporting the expression of interest of two women; Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and Senator Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, both women have distinguished themselves in the National Assembly and are both vying for the position of Speaker and Deputy Senate President.

More Women Campaign is a group of diverse non-governmental organisations, concerned with the continued marginalization of women in leadership positions in the country and committed to ensuring that women are in decision making positions in line with Nigeria’s international commitments on gender equality.

According to the group, Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Elected on the platform of APC) is vying for the position of Speaker at the House of Representatives, Hon Onyejeocha has acquired a great deal of legislative experience while serving as honourable member representing the Isuikwato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State in the House of Representatives from 2007 to date. She is the current Chairman, House Committee on Aviation for the Second consecutive term. In the just concluded 2019 general elections, her constituents for an unprecedented fourth time re-elected her to continue to serve them, giving her the impetus to desire to take the up  the Speakership position for greater impact.

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is no doubt a ranking member and has recorded landmark achievements, worked tirelessly to advance and institutionalize societal development. As a Federal Lawmaker, her attendance and participation at parliamentary sittings is phenomenal, Hon. Onyejeocha has successfully put together and assisted in the passage of several bills into laws of the federation of Nigeria. Moreover, as the current House Committee Chairman on Aviation, Hon. Onyejeocha has consistently supported the Transformation Agenda of the current Administration and has significantly contributed in bringing sanity to the aviation sector that was becoming a source of nightmare to Nigerians and a reproach to the nation at the international community. These laudable efforts have been commended by all stakeholders’ in the industry.

Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is a dynamic, vibrant and a well-informed legislator, whose records of accomplishments both in the public and private sectors have left no one in doubt about the height she is yet to attain. She had dealt with a wide spectrum of issues of national, regional and local importance. Her honest and practical approach sets her apart from the other candidates. She has shown great concern for the nation, and her willingness to listen to people’s problems is commendable.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Elected on the platform of APC) is vying for the position of Deputy Senate President of the Upper Chamber, former first Lady of Lagos State and currently a ranking senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. She has served the party dutifully and has held several positions within the NASS including being the  Chairman of Women Committee and Environment at different times, Chief Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu is very connected to her consitutency and holds frequent town hall meetings with the people, a record which distinguishes her from the very many pool of people in NASS who are often disconnected from their constituency, she is a regular, vocal and distinguished  member of the hallowed chamber who hardly misses any sitting and at different times expressed support for the popular views of the people in the senate.

More Women Group therefore show her support for these highly-distinguished women and their campaign as it is important to have women in leadership positions at all levels especially in legislative arm of Government.

The group therefore calls on the leadership of the party and members of the NASS to consider these eminently qualified female parliamentarians for the posts they are vying for, more so that they are both ranking members and possess all the attributes expected of the said positions.  Taking this step, will not only position All Progressives Congress (APC) as a gender friendly party but it will go a long way in placing Nigeria in the comity of nations committed to gender equality and women’s participation in power and decision making. It will set a precedent for other governments across Africa and increase the gender rating of Nigeria

Signed by

Co-Conveners, More Women Campaign, Nigeria and endorsed by 150 organisations across Nigeria

1. Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, PhD LAGOS

Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre

(WARDC) & Chairperson, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)

2. Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo , ENUGU

Executive Director, Women Aid Collectives (WACOL)

3. Dr Lydia Umar

Gender Awareness Trust KADUNA

4. Prof Patricia Donli BORNO

Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre (GEPADCE)

5. Mimido Achkpa ABUJA

Women’s  Rights To  Education (WREP)

6. Emem Okon

Kebetkache Women Development and Resources Centre PH

7. Mary Ikoku Emerge Women
8. Toun Okewale, Women Radio
9. Mufliat Fijabi Nigeria Women Trust Fund
10. Felicia Onibon , 100 Women Group A

Endorsed by :

1. 100 Women Group
2. 9jafeminista
3. African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)
4. ACTS Generation GBV
5. ADEM Community & Human Development Foundation
6. Advocate for Health and Development Initiative
7. African Women’s Initiative (AWI)
8. Ajegunle Community Project
9. Alliances for Africa (AfA)
10. Aminchi Women Cooperative Society
11. ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF)
12. Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF)
13. CEE-HOPE Nigeria
14. Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities CEEGa
15. Center for Economic Empowerment Initiatives
16. Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG)
17. Centre for Health and Development in Africa(CHEDA)
18. Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN)
19. Centre for Peace Education and Community Development
20. Centre for Women’s Health and Information
21. Centre For Women’s Health And Information (CEWHIN)
22. Change Managers International Network
23. Charity Women Spring of Salvation
24. Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society
25. Choung-dung Women Association.
26. Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS)
27. Christian Women in Nigerian Politics
28. Community and Youth Development
29. Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI)
30. Community Life Project (CLP)
31. Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society
32. Community Rescue Initiative (CRI)
33. Community Women Initiatives
34. Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL)
35. Courageous People Health and Development Initiatives
36. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation
37. Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation)
38. Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives (ECOWA)
39. Education as a Vaccine (EVA)
40. Emerge Women
41. Equity Advocates (EA)
42. FAME Foundation
43. Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON)
44. Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN)
45. Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN)
46. Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
47. Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI)
48. First Future Leadership
49. Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM)
50. Gender Action Awareness Trust
51. Gender and Development Action (GADA)
52. Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)
53. Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative(GERI)
54. Gender Awareness Trust
55. Gender Development Initiative
56. Gender Equality Center
57. Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre (GEPADCE)
58. Gender Technical Unit (GTU)
59. Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives
60. Girl Child Education, Care & Rehabilitation
61. Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)
62. Green Spring Development Initiative
63. Hadis Foundation
64. Heal Disability Initiative
65. Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria(HERFON)
66. HEIR Women Development (HWD)
67. Hope for New Life
68. Inter Africa Committee (IAC)
69. Inter Gender Peace Foundation
70. International Action Network on Small Arms Women Network of Nigeria
71. International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN)
72. International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH)
73. Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation
74. Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing
75. Jana Health Foundation
76. Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC)
77. Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM)
78. K/mashi Gamji Women
79. Kebetkache Women Development and Resources Centre
80. Kimpact Initiatives
81. Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)
82. League of Queens International Empowerment
83. Lift Initiative
84. MBULA Women Association
85. Media & Teens Network.
86. More Women in Politics
87. Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT)
88. National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
89. National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
90. Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA)
91. NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society
92. Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)
93. Nigeria Labour Congress, Women Committee
94. Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)
95. Nigeria Women Trust Fund
96. Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI)
97. Ogun Women Alive
98. Onomese Foundation
99. Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative
100. Partners West Africa
101. Peasant Dragnet
102. Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI)
103. Project Alert on Violence Against Women
104. Ray’s of Hope Community Foundation
105. Relief development initiative kaduna
106. Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation
107. Support for Needy Children and Women Initiative(SUNCHI)
108. SWOFON National Abuja
109. The Priceless Jewels Foundation
110. The Inclusion Project (TIP)
111. Transition Monitoring Group
112. Transformation and Development Center (TDC)
113. Tunde & Friends Foundation(TAFF)
114. UC Women Commission
115. Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)
116. Voice Of Ogun Women (VOW)
117. West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP)
118. Widows Development Organization (WiDO)
119. Woman-Being Concern Nigeria
120. Women & Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN)
121. Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD)
122. Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)
123. Women Aid Collectives
124. Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative (WYEAHI)
125. Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
126. Women Empowerment and Initiative Development
127. Women Farmers Alliance
128. Women Fm 91.7
129. Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative
130. Women Foundation Initiative
131. Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN)
132. Women in Africa Initiative
133. Women in Agriculture
134. Women in Mining
135. Women Information Network (WINET)
136. Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE)
137. Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN)
138. Women Lead Agric
139. Women of Vision Development Initiative
140. Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN)
141. Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)
142. Women Protection Organization (WOPO)
143. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom ( WILPF)
144. Women’s Right to Education Programme
145. Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)
146. Youth Future Savers Initiative
147. Youth Future Savers initiative (YFSI)
148. Youth orphans and Widows Empowerment (YOWE)
149. Zango Women Empowerment
150. Zinovi Educational Foundation