Stakeholder Advocates For More Opportunities To Contribute To Nation Building

Olabode Adaramola

A case has been made for the Federal Government and other nation builders to reconcile traditional values with progressive ideas involving women’s participation in nation building as a significant contributor to stability and not being viewed as a risk factor.

Active participation of women/ladies in nation building will not only lead to speedy growth and development of peaceful and just society for the even development of Nigerian girl child and women who have proved their worth in various spheres of life within the country and at the global level.

Guest lecturer at the 26th Founders’ Day of the El-Amin International School, Mrs. Fatima Musa who made the declaration over the weekend said it was sad that despite immense contributions, the Federal  and State Government’s have failed to act on the 35percent gender affirmative action.

Fatima,  who paid glowing tributes to the founder of El-Amin International School and late former Nigeria’s First Lady and Wife to a former Military president,  General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), Maryam said her legacies has remained an indelible mark for present and younger generations to come to emulate.

Speaking on the topic; ‘The Critical Role of Women in Nation  Building’, Fatima said it was pertinent for especially state governments to come up with gender-friendly laws that will encourage girls, ladies and mothers to pursue their goals and attain full potentials in life.

“Women have proved their worth in all sphere of life, adding that, “For the overall development of women, focus must be given to factors such as education, gender friendly laws and strong political commitments for women development”.

Fatima also noted  that, “Mainstreaming women related issues, empowerment, increasing their participation and creation of effective environment for overall development and participation in nation building is important towards achieving equitable, peaceful and more prosperous society”.

Nation building according to Fatima, “should therefore be more about; working to reconcile traditional values with progressive ideas involving women’s participation in society as it is a significant contributor to stability and not a risk factor and less of rhetoric.

Nigerian women are not challenging the God-given authority or headship of the men as the head of families, Fatima pointed out, adding however that all that the Nigerian women/ladies are asking for is the opportunity to prove what they can do as helpmeet for the men.

All that the women/ladies are asking for is, “To be allowed to have control over their own lives or situations they are in, make decisions about own living/existence and surroundings join workforce and contribute to family income and as well take part in decision making in family and society at large”.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the School, Dr.Mohammed Babangida said though it hasn’t been a smooth journey the family and management of El-Amin International have strived to keep alive the legacies of late Maryam Babangida, thirteen years after her demise.

Babangida who expressed gratitude to all those who contributed financially and through other personal commitments to the success of the 26th founders’ day anniversary said the school have sustained the standard bequeathed by the founder and will continue to uphold same in the coming years.

Our correspondent reports that, while guests were treated to drama sketches, music by the school’s choral group, awards were also presented to persons who have contributed in one way or the other to the growth and development of the school.