Ahead of the 2011 general elections, Nigerian women have insisted on 40 percent representation in political positions in government houses, ministerial appointments and legislative houses.

Consequently, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with other women groups are already planning a national political summit in the first quarter of 2010. The seminar is aimed at strategizing for active participation of more women in politics.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, who made this known during her 2009 National Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, said the decision was aimed at broadening the ownership of gender equality principles that would enhance wide implementation of the national gender policy is now in the offing.

Speaking on the ministry’s achievement in the first three quarter of the year, Mrs. Suleiman said the ministry has launched its Website to enhance operations and ensure adequate and uninterrupted engagements with various stakeholders all over the world.

She said: “Of specific significance is the recent passage of the Nigerian Disability Act 2009 by both the Senate and the House Representatives at separate sittings. What remains is the endorsement of the document by a joint sitting of the two chambers before Presidential assent, which is expected anytime from now.”

She also disclosed that her ministry in partnership with the universities of Abuja and Benin have signed a memorandum of understanding that would enable them run Masters Degree (MA) programme in Gender and Peace Building, which is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2010.

While commenting on why the suspension of debate on the Bill to Domesticate the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women was stood down by the National Assembly, Mrs. Suleiman announced that efforts are being made through series of meetings with stakeholders to reintroduce the bill and ensure its successful passage.

Also speaking, the Country Representative of UNICEF, Dr. Suomi Sakai, commended the ministry on the passage of the Child Rights Act which has been passed in 23 States, and called on the remaining 14 states to hasten the passage of the Act.

She urged the government to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to the basic standard of living as well as ensure that the next generation is gender sensitive.

Earlier, Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akuluyili, who chaired the occasion, had disclosed that government was committed to the implementation of regional and international obligations towards the advancement of women especially the African Union Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, in the country. (END)
 

The Finance Minister of State, Mr. Remi Babalola has disclosed o that policy agenda of the Federal Government would bring succour to the socio-economic crises in the Niger Delta as the government is determined to realise its 7-Point Agenda and the National Vision 20:2020 agenda of positioning Nigeria among the top 20 largest economies in the world.

The minister also confirmed that laws which had hitherto hindered private sector investments have been either amended or repealed for orderly divestment of government’s shareholding to private operators in vital areas of the economy such as mining, transportation, electricity, telecommunications, petroleum and gas and petrochemicals.

Babalola, who was the special guest of honour at a book launch in Lagos, stated that the strategic reforms adopted by the government in various sectors of the economy were aimed at meeting the aspirations of Nigerians.

The book titled “Kill Your Own Goliath” was authored by Mr. Tunde Onadele.
The minister said, “We have adopted reform strategies that are realistic, quality driven, knowledge-based and time-bound, so that the outcomes will surpass the aspirations of all Nigerians. 
“The determination of this government is to ensure that whatever policy option we have envisioned in the agenda is implemented in the overall interest of our country. Thus, the strict pursuit of the 7-Point Agenda will widen opportunities that would inevitably deliver on the 20:2020 Vision.

“The realisation of the key Agenda items in the short and medium-term involves addressing the challenges of the critical infrastructure gap, bringing succour to the chronic socio-economic crises in the Niger Delta, achieving enhanced human capital development, ameliorating the inadequacies of our food sector, implementing land tenure and home ownership reforms aimed at freeing the wealth in our land resources, addressing the challenges of National security, and creating a conducive environment for wealth creation.”

Major reforms have been implemented in the areas of taxation, public service, pension, insurance, capital market, banking, public expenditure, the judiciary and telecommunications, which are all critical to national development. 

The minister added that a lot of investment incentives had been put in place by the government to stimulate private sector investments from within and outside the country.  

“The business and leadership issues raised in the book by Mr. Onadele are critical to both individuals and institutions in the public and private sectors. The issues of commitment, discipline, hard-work, vision, passion and motivation are universal and cut across individuals, organizations, and even nations.

“They are relevant to the attainment of individual’s success, as well as that of a nation. Indeed, the desire to aspire to greater height is a universal phenomenon, and a major concern for individuals, nations, organisations and communities,” Babalola said.

Onadele explained that the book was about his personal life experiences, lessons, successes, challenges, failures, mentorship and milestones garnered in his career spanning over 26 years.

He stated that the book was aimed at inspiring and motivating present and future leaders to learn the basic principles of management and leadership required for career development and successful life.  

The author stressed the importance of hard-work, patience, vision, commitment, discipline and uprightness as the major building blocks of a successful life.

The Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Bio has constituted a five-man committee to look into the implementation of the Cabotage regime since its inception in Nigeria and investigate the issuance of Temporary Permit to vessel owners and identify loopholes in the process.