By Ebunoluwa Sessou & Elizabeth Uwandu

Participants at this year’s Vanguard  International Women’s Day Roundtable have tasked women in Nigeria to be more involved in active politics as well as channel their energies towards economic empowerment rather than singing praises of politicians.

Speaking on the theme: Redirecting Nigeria’s Future; the role of women, held in commemoration of 2019 International Women’s Day with women drawn from various sectors including politics, business, manufacturing, maritime among others, it was agreed that there is need to harp more on active participation in policy- making by Nigerian women in a way to ensure growth and development of Nigeria as well as stabilising the economy of the country for a better Nigeria.

The participants also agreed that the nation had not yet reached its potentials due to its patriarchal nature. They highlighted a 10-point agenda including  mentoring the younger girls, sponsoring women programmes, maximum collaboration of women, improved education system, political participation, 75 per cent appointment of women into positions of power, removal of complexity, alleviating poverty in the country, taking politics to the grassroots as well as leadership relationship for women, housing, and social development.

Although they had divergent views on how to redirect the future of the country for a better Nigeria, yet, they all believe that nothing can be done without collaboration, mentoring as well as cooperation by women at all levels.

Women should be role models—Lucy Omosefe-Ajayi, Executive Director, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex

Women should be role models to their generation. You train a woman and you train a nation, therefore, it is what you imbibe in the woman that she gives out to either her male or female child. Some people became politicians because of Lucy Ajayi because they believe I am a politician with a difference. They see other politicians but they feel they have not achieved results. They believe I am a unique politician and they are ready to support the right person.

On the Lagos International Trade Fair, I have been able to tackle the issues by 50 per cent therefore, there is no issue whatsoever. I understand the ease of doing business and I believe that the president is also committed to ensuring that things are done properly in LITFC.

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One thing I will say about my party, APC, is that it gives women all the space in electoral positions as it is free to take a form and that is a lot of encouragement. But I think what I found out at the grassroots level is that some of the women have phobia which we are trying to take out of them; phobia in the sense that they say it is a male-dominated thing, we do not have financial muscle and others. I say well, but we have the warmth which we do not know exists. Most times, I have been in all-male politics and I am asked if I am not afraid to be there, I answer no because when the ego thing comes up then the warmth comes in. You bring the brotherly warmth, the sisterly warmth and you see that at the end of the day, you are the one controlling them. I told them because they did not go to school does not mean they can’t aspire for greatness and that you did not go to school does not mean you are not intelligent.

What needs to change to drive women forward—Folashade Ambrose Medebem, Director Lafarge, Africa Plc

Let’s take some action. It should not be a talk show. We should list three things to do including collaboration, prioritise, what are the key areas we should leverage on, where we can achieve skills and impact. Thirdly, there is a sense of urgency, let us make sure we work together and make it happen. What needs to change to drive women forward? We know in Nigeria, there is a dearth of data. Data legislature;  collaboration among women. The question we should ask ourselves is if we are doing enough to pressure people to make legislation that allows affirmative action for women. We must be given opportunities to be able to redirect the future of this country. We do not need to beg.

There is urgent need to focus on the youths—Kudirat Fashola, CEO, Kuddy Cosmetics

The focus of redirecting the future of Nigeria is for everybody to focus on the youths. Bringing them up in the way of the Lord as well as ensuring that they are built up with integrity because it is important. Whatever position we find ourselves, we should know that integrity is important and we should live an exemplary lifestyle. Youths, especially Nigerian youths, must be encouraged in whatever way we believe we can encourage them. We should also pay attention to their plight, aspirations and make them feel important in the society. The youth we build today becomes important personality tomorrow. I have workers whom I have nurtured to believing in themselves and that is why we should come in as an institution. Most of us are gifted, we are a body with eye,nose, ears hands, legs with different functions, so we must be interested in how the children become better and how to help them.

Okikiola Taiwo Jalupon,  aspirant, African Action Congress, AAC, who contested for Lagos State House of Assembly in the 2019 general elections.

Redirecting the future of this country is to orientate the youths. We must stop living a fantasy and be realistic. We talk about so many things and we are not being realistic. I believe by the time we start changing the face of education, health, among others, we will move to the next level.

My experience was a great one. I had so many challenges but I was born an overcomer. I have so many things I want to change and that is why I founded a foundation where I help children to build the country.

We should take it to the world—Erefa Coker, Founder, HR, Expo Africa

I believe it is more than talking. We should come together, form a pressure group and we should not limit the talk to the corridor of Radisson Blu, we should take it to the world. We should actively look out for something we can give birth to so as to build a better Nigeria.

Women need to lobby, be aggressive—Ifeyinwa Okafor, Politician.

Women have to lobby more and be aggressive. Women have to show interest in the affairs of the country and we have to rally around and collaborate around issues that affect our children including  education and housing. Women should be saddled with the responsibility of encouraging one another and the men should also see issues beyond the gender perspective. It is important that women begin to look into the political leadership of the country. At least, 75 per cent of the appointive positions should be given to women in order to balance the elective position gaps. If we are talking about balance for better, in the political leadership women should consider it as a matter of urgency. We should finish the election now and what would be on the front burner is appointment of political leaders, so, we should give 75 per cent positions to women to balance the political  gaps.

We need to take this issue to the grassroots—Uju Uzo-Ojinnaka,  CEO, TOFA, Traders of Africa

Interesting!  good narrative! Awesome women with divergent views. I am looking forward to us implementing some, if not all that we have enumerated. I am to be part of the people who are saddled with the responsibility of redirecting the future of Nigeria. We need to take this issue to the grassroots and the enlightenment must begin in earnest.

Women are not magnanimous politically—Mrs. Helen Ominiabohs,  representing former First Lady, Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola.

I always say if you want to go to Ibadan and you enter a bus going to Port Harcourt, there is no amount of fasting that will get you to Ibadan. So it is important we begin to hold discussions, serious ones. My vision for Nigeria is the opposite of where we are now. We can take this country to the standard of the countries we visit on vacations.

Take the bull by the horn—-  Foluke Adebisi, Head HR, Wartsila marine and Power Services Nig. Ltd.

The opportunities should be for everybody and women should take the bull by the horn. They should not be treated as second class citizens. They should be competent and bold to take concerted decisions capable of moving the nation forward.

Women suffer if they fail to change the narrative—  Fausat Ibrahim

Women need to stand up to their responsibilities. We do not need to sit and fold our hands. If we do not do something, nobody will do anything for us. We will suffer if we fail to change the narrative and do the needful to make Nigeria work again.

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Every woman should register under a particular political party—Faoziah Shade Gamu, Lecturer/Chartered Estate Surveyor and Valuer, University og Lagos

We need to act as women and own our world. Every woman should register under a particular political party to make a statement. Men are not running this country very well and that is why I said God made this country to be the woman’s affair. We need everybody’s contribution to move this country forward.