By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Abuja—The European Union has said  it is ready to support Nigeria in its bid towards bridging gender inequality in the country.

EU envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, spoke at a Gender Essay Competition in Abuja where a member of the House of Representatives, Nnena Ukeje, called for the adoption of a persistent and feasible framework to bridge the gender inequality gap currently existing in the country.

Karlsen, who is the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the Union was eager to support Nigeria to facilitate a balanced gender system for women and young girls.

Karlsen said addressing challenges that hold women back, especially gender stereotyping will encourage the participation of women in key sectors of the nation’s economy.

He said at the very top of the agenda of Africa and Europe, the EU is pursuing    courses of action that are aimed at breaking down barriers against women which is vital for Nigeria’s development.

“It gives me hope, I must say, when I hear that more than five hundred young Nigerians decided to participate in this competition. I read some of the wining essays and I think there are wonderful thoughts, very powerful messages in all of your work, so hopefully your reflections will help define the future of where you come from, of Nigeria, of Africa and the world as such”, Karlsen said.

Also speaking at the event, a Member    of the House of Representatives, representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Nnena Ukeje, called for the adoption of a persistent and feasible framework to bridge the gender inequality gap that currently exists in Nigeria.

In her vote of thanks, the political counsellor of the EU Delegation, Pauline Torehall, expressed optimism that the initiative would go a long way in changing the gender narrative of Nigeria, while encouraging the award recipients to remain gender parity ambassadors for life.