By Emmanuel Aziken

The minister of solid minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has called on women to take position in the public space as a step towards resolving the crisis of values in the country.

Fayemi: I am ready to defend my actions

Dr. Fayemi spoke as guest lecturer at the annual Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) lecture. The lecture themed, “Crisis of Values: Reclaiming our Society,” delivered by Fayemi, had in attendance, some of the country’s leading women in the professions among whom were Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, chairman of First Bank, Mrs. Nike Akande, chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce    and Industry, LCCI, Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson, the immediate past minister of communications, Dr. Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, activist and former Ekiti First Lady, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, the immediate past First Lady of Lagos State among many others.

Noting the excellent contribution of women in the professions, Dr. Fayemi said the women could well harness their potentials to lift the core values of society.

He said: “Women across the African continent, and here in Nigeria, have done an excellent job of pushing for access of women in decision making. The case they have made is that the implications of women being excluded from decision-making are serious. It means if women do not have a voice where key decisions which affect their lives are made, then their capacity for full development and equality is severely limited. Women’s involvement in decision-making contributes to redefining political priorities, placing new issues on the political agenda which reflect and address women’s gender-specific concerns, values and experiences, and provides new perspectives on mainstream political issues.

Without the active participation of women and the inclusion of their perspectives at all levels of decision-making, the goals of good governance and inclusive, transparent democratic processes cannot be achieved.