The wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has called on women in the state to make themselves available and be relevant politically and seek for elective offices rather than taking the back seat.
Mrs. Obaseki made the call while addressing women at the Edo Women Submit, Employment and Award Ceremony in Benin City as part of activities marking the second year anniversary of her husband’s administration.
Edo first lady pointed out that the era of sitting, clapping and taking the back seat in the nation’s politics is over, adding that women must make concerted effort to make themselves relevant politically in order to contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation.
She said the important of women in any given society can never be underestimated because of their numerical strength, just as she noted that any politicians who neglected women’s relevant is prepared to loose an election.
The State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in his speech assured women in the state of adequate representation in his government.
He said when he discovered that women were not adequately represented as members of his commissioners, he created an avenue for them to be part of his cabinet with adequate representation, saying that he has never regretted having them as they have performed excellently well.
“Let me first and foremost, assure that as long as I am the governor of Edo state, women will have priority.
“Yes, it may take time to have the balance, so when I found out that i do not have the number of women I wanted as commissioners, I created an opportunity for more of them to join my cabinet and I am very proud of what the women working with me are doing.
“Whether it is the attorney general or the woman who built 2,000 houses for the first time in almost 16 years in Edo state, Isoken Omon in EDPA, or the amazon of a woman who is changing Education in Edo state, Dr. Joan Oviawe, I could go on.
“All the remarkable achievement we are making in my government, is being spare headed by women and I thank all of you”, he said.
Obaseki said politics is a process and that he is not ignorant of their numerous contribution to the development of politics in the state, and assured them of adequate compensation in his government.
“Do not worry, politics is a process, we cannot always assumed that women will be there from morning when we go for rally, they will be there canvassing for votes for us, they are faithful followers of the party, we know that, we realized that and we ensure that you are adequately compensated.
“You cannot be the ones who mobilized and at the end of the day when we get to power, we keep you behind. We bring and give you the responsibility and the role that you deserved having helped us come into power.
“So, for those who are not happy for just happened, do not worry, we will correct them. Do not despair, continue to be faithful to our party and continue to support our government”, the governor said.
In her speech, the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen, said the summit was to expose the women to more opportunities and also availed them a platform to commend the current administration on its effort to continue to improved women’s involvement and engagement as the state continue to move forward.
On her part, former women leader of the party, Dr. Aisosa Amadasun, said there must be a paradigm shift to change the narrative for women to a comprehensive inclusion in governance, politics, and other critical sectors that will galvanize them to greatness.
She commended the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki for her economic blue print in rising the level of awareness of women and re-defining their roles in nation building adding that, that is the reason they must speak with one voice irrespective of political affiliations if their quest to remain relevant in the nation’s political terrain must succeed.
