Patience Jonathan’s Visit: Day Kogi Women gave their final endorsement

The collective consciousness of women regarding the feminine mystique, which saw women’s identity restricted to the roles of wife and mother are gradually fading off as more women are liberating themselves by making their voice heard politically.  Currently statistics indicate that out of the 109 senators in Nigeria only six are women, while out of the 360 members of the House of Representatives only 26 are women, and in the State Houses of Assembly where there are more than over 1000 lawmakers across the country, only 53 of them are females. These figures represent only 5 percent which is grossly inadequate. By implication there are some states of the federation with no single female lawmaker either at the state or national levels.

But things seems to have changed when Dame Patience Jonathan, Wife of the President took the centre stage leading an onslaught for a better deal for Nigerian women. Today, Nigerian women are not only celebrating 35% affirmative action, presently the women occupy offices in the past regarded as the exclusive preserve of women under the President Jonathan’s administration.

Still insisting on a better deal for women, while addressing women in Lokoja, at the campaign rally organized to gather support for President Goodluck Jonathan ahead the March 28 Presidential election, Dame Patience Jonathan, eulogized the people and government of Kogi State for their support for the PDP, urged for more support to enable women attain complete independence.

Mrs. Jonathan described the PDP as a moving train, urged those who are yet to make their mind to join the train as it is a winning team geared towards uplifting the living standard of women.

She described President Jonathan as a promise keeper, said he will deliver on all the promises he made to improve the well-being of Kogi people if re-elected.

While noting that the commitment of Mr. President to Agriculture, ensured that he flagged off the dry season farming in the State, urged the people to vote him to enable him do more for the people in making the State a food basket.

While noting that the place of women is no longer in the kitchen, Dame Patience described women as trustworthy and reliable, urged them to turnout and vote for a candidate, whose passion to make women part of policy and decision making organ of the country knows no bound.

She described the President as a man who is concerned about teaching women how to fish, said through YOUWIN and SURE – P programme, the President has empowered many youths and women to be gainfully employed.

The future she added belongs to the youths, said the PDP is a better platform that offers them opportunity to become leaders, called on Nigerians not to be deceived by the falsehood of opposition political party.

While assuring women of 45% affirmative action for women, in appointive positions, assured that the President is committed to the fight against insurgency and corruption, commended the military for its successes in the fight to free communities in the North – Eastern part of Nigeria of Boko – Haram activities.

Mrs. Jonathan said the present administration has build schools for the girl child, put in place measures to reduce infant and maternal mortality, appealed to women to vote President Jonathan and all PDP candidates ahead the March 28th and April 11, general elections.

In his remarks, Capt Idris Wada assured of the support of Kogi people to the aspiration of President Jonathan, disclosing that the State has benefited tremendously from the administration location of a Federal University, on – going efforts to revamp the moribund Ajaokuta Steel and Itakpe Iron – Ore Company.

The Governor added that the on – going rehabilitation of the Kabba – Ilorin road, Lokoja – Abuja road and Ajaokuta – Anyigba road are reasons why the people are throwing their weight behind President Jonathan.

Capt Wada equally added that the dredging of the River Niger, siting of a River Port at Idah and Lokoja as well as the Federal Government Agricultural policy on rice and cassava production and the NIPP at Geregu are added impetus why the State is routing for President Jonathan.

Capt Wada assured that the State will vote President Jonathan and all PDP candidates ahead the forthcoming general election, disclosed that the decision is fired by the administration’s transformation agenda, geared towards making the country a country that will be a pride of all.

Speaking at the rally, Mrs. Helen Mark, wife of the Senate President said women in the North – Central States of Nigeria have vowed to re-enact what they did in 2011 by voting enmass for President Jonathan in the 2015  general election.

Mrs. Mark, called on the women to protect their PVC’s and vote enmass for the PDP, disclosing that the PDP remains the best platform that can deliver women of the country from their relegated place.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, Hajia Halimat Wada, wife of the Kogi State Governor, described the State as a PDP State, said re-electing President Jonathan would enable him continue to work for the progress and development of the country.

Hajia Halimat said people of the State are resolved in their support for the PDP, said aside the achievements of the administration for which the State has benefited tremendously, President Jonathan has achieved the women 35% affirmative action describing him as a genda friendly governor who has empowered women in various ways.

The State first lady urged the women to shun sentiments as the vote, assuring that President Jonathan has a full grasp of the needs of the women.

Other speakers at the rally who included Rose Igonoh Momoh, Magret Orebiyi, Ladi Ibrahim, Bar. Hadiza Onotu and Violet Obiora, appealed to women of the State to secure their future and that of their children by voting for President Jonathan.

Similarly, Hajia Jibrin Halimat of CAWAN, Remi Kuku and Beki Igwe of the PCO, said women in Nigeria have never had it good, disclosing that President Jonathan has placed issues of women a top priority in his administration’s efforts, solicited their support for another term in office.

The rally which was well attended, by all standard signals the final endorsement by Kogi women for President Jonathan and the PDP. Yomi Awoniyi, the Kogi State Deputy Governor, at the rally said another term will enable the President if re-elected do more for the people of Kogi State described the women who turned out in their hundreds as “Amazons”,  working to secure their future and that of their children.

The rally which is coming exactly a month after the visit of President Jonathan to the State, was a convergence of Nollywood actors, was make more colourful with the music of Nigerian artist such as Faze, Olu Maintain and Psquare, added glamour to the Jonathan’s endorsement.

By Abu Micheal