Tinubu uses occasion of International Women's Day to promise action on gender equality

NIGERIA'S new president-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has used the occasion of International Women’s Day to promise that his government  will stick to its promise to enhance the role of females and enable then contribute more towards economic development.

On Saturday February 25, Nigerians went to the polls to elect a new president and Asiwaju Tinubu, the former Lagos State governor, has been declared the winner of the contest. During the campaign, there were calls on all of the candidates to set a minimum ratio for women in elective positions and political appointments.

Although Asiwaju Tinubu did not commit himself to any specific target, he said his administration  would aspire to meet the goals laid down by international bodies like the United Nations. Today, he took to Twitter to congratulate all Nigerian women on International Women’s Day, promising that his administration would champ-ion their cause.

Asiwaju Tinubu tweeted: “As we celebrate our women today, I hold sacred my promise to provide the enabling environment for these goals to become manifest and usher another dimension to the strength of Nigeria – our women. Happy International Women’s Day.”

Globally, the United Nations observance of International Women’s Day, under the theme DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality, recognises and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

Also speaking today, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the wife of Ekiti State governor, emphasised the important roles women play in the development of the family and society. She stressed that women have responsibilities to address the declining moral values in society, hence the need for them to be given leadership positions.

Dr Oyebanji congratulated Ekiti women, home and abroad for witnessing the annual celebration, urging them to rise up and contribute their quotas to the Ekiti project. She pointed out that many Ekiti women have excelled in various fields at local and on the international stage, hence the need for others to strive further and make excellent statements.