Olaolu Olusina
8 October 2008
Lagos — As Nigerians await the much publicised cabinet shake-up, President Umaru Yar'Adua has been called upon to redeem his pledge of reserving at least 30 percent of government positions at the federal level to women.
Making this call in an interview with THISDAY in Lagos was the Executive Director, Nigerian Network of Non Governmental Organisations(NNNGO), Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti.
Ms. Ransome-Kuti who is also a member of the Advisory Board of The Alpa Institute, a Lagos-based NGO, disclosed that President Yar'Adua made the promise when he had a meeting with Civil Society Organisations(CSO's) at the Civic Centre in Lagos while campaigning to become the president of Nigeria.
"He has not fulfilled that promise yet," said Ms. Ransome-Kuti."We are using this opportunity to remind him since he has projected himself as a man of honour to maintain the rule of law and good governance."
Ms. Ransome-Kuti stated that with imminent change in the cabinet, "he (Yar'Adua) has another opportunity now to keep his word and ensure that women have their quota within the government structure at the federal level."
The call on the president for more female representation and gender balance in federal appointments came as the NNNGO in collaboration with the Alpha Institute announced a shift in date of the Women in Politics and Government (WINPOGOV) Conference and Awards earlier scheduled to begin at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel , Abuja next week .
NNNGO Secretary General, Ayo Adebusoye, who confirmed the shift in date to THISDAY yesterday afternoon said the Conference is being postponed to May next year to allow for more participation.
The conference, THISDAY gathered , is in pursuit and achievement of the objectives of Principle 4 of the Universal Declaration of Democracy .
The Principle states that "The achievement of democracy presupposes a geniune partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which thy work in equality and complentarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences."
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