NAWOJ: Stakeholders Tasks Women In Politics To Support One Another, Change Narrative Against Marginalization

By Abisola Ariwodola,

Stakeholders in Osun state have urged women in politics to brace up and support one another, as well as change the narrative of marginalization of women in politics into their favor.

This were the words of the Special Guest of Honor, the Wife of the Chief of Staff, Mrs Balikis Akinleye and other stakeholders at the Public Lecture of the two day program, by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Osun Chapter, in the state capital.

Mrs Akinleye pointed at lack of education as one of the major reasons why women are marginalized in Nigeria politics, adding that women have to stand for themselves, as no one will speak for them.

Also the Chief Host, the Commissioner for Information and public enlightenment, Honorable Kolapo Alimi, emphasized the need for awareness on issues bothering on Nigerian women in politics.

He commended NAWOJ for the program and theme, harped on collaboration with women at the helms of affairs to pass home the message, while partnering their media colleagues to spread the message. 

In the same vein, one of the royal Fathers of the day, HRM Oba Qamarudeen Adeyanju, the Olororuwo of Ororuwo, charged women to shun ego and have the right etiquette for their interaction with the opposite gender.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Public Enlightenment, Hon Eniola Odeniyi also called on the women to reason together, choose and sponsor their representative.

The Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Solomon Adebola, Vice Chancellor Adeleke University opined that statistically women are more in number, he added that there is need for the 35-percent affirmative to be honored.

The Chairman represented by Dr Mrs Moji Aina, stated that women are gifted, and should included in governance, adding that the representation will encourage other women, hence boosting cooperation.

In the public lecture that held at the NUJ Press Centre, the resource person, Dr Mrs Margaret Faremi, Senior Lecturer, Osun state University, UNIOSUN said that gender inequality has been a problem right from the creation of man as she highlighted the way to tackle the issue going forward.

She posited that the male gender cannot be in politics alone, and she clamored for inclusion of women, despite the dominance of the males in the circle.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Osun state Council, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu who lauded the women journalists for being the voice of their counterpart, admonish them to fully support themselves, and vote for any women who indicate interest in contesting for a political position.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson of NAWOJ Osun Chapter, Mrs Motunrayo Ayegbayo said the lecture served as an opportunity to discuss the way forward to the marginalisation of women on politics.

She urged the women to come together as a voice to reject marginalization, adding that in unity, a lot can be achieved for the development of the states and country through women inclusion in politics.

NAWOJ supported members of the Joint Association of Persons with Disability who attended the program with palliatives, which was presented by the Special Guest of Honor, Wife of Osun Chief of Staff, Mrs Balikis Akinleye.

Similarly at the medical check-up and health talk that held on day one of the program, Nigerians especially women were admonished to always take care of their health through eating of healthy diet, while also engaging in frequent exercise, and avoiding stress in other not to fall victim of hypertension.

The Chief medical director of Osogbo central hospital Dr Akinola Ajayi, who was represented by Dr Opeyemi gave the advice at the free health talk organised by the association, he said there is need for people to always go for medical check-up, also stressed the need to observe rest and as well reduce their intake of alcohol as these are parts of the causes of high blood pressure.

The medical practitioner in his lecture adopted the association acronym NAWOJ to pass across his basic medical advises to the people in the following ways,

Ńeed for people to rest,

A is alcohol consumption must be reduced,

W is the need to exercise regularly,

O stands for observe and manage your health while, 

J is a caution to stop smoking.

Medical tests were also conducted on the participants at the programme, which were attended by Osun state Association of Veteran Journalists led by Prince Adepoju Atobatele, various women groups, Joint Association of Persons with Disability, and other non-governmental organisations, among others.