The Nigerian first lady decried the “abysmal” presence of women in her husband’s cabinet during a meeting with Liberian Vice-President Jewel Howard-Taylor in Abuja.PRESS RELEASE • JANUARY 18, 2022
first lady, Aisha Buhari (Photo Credit: BBC)
The First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria has called for more concerted action towards better recognition of the contributions that women make in national development, saying power-sharing arrangement must reflect this both within political parties and in government. She was speaking while receiving the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday 17 January 2022.
The First Lady said, “From the Political Party level to Government, within the Executive and Legislature the sharing arrangement is abysmal and something must be done to change this narrative. We have to adopt better strategies to maximise elective positions and other opportunities for Nigerian women.”
Mrs. Buhari expressed the belief that the record of Dr. Taylor as a former First Lady, a professional in politics, a parliamentarian, and her work on education, social projects, and health in Liberia belies the fact that Nigerian women have gotten the right ally and partner for this important task. She further notes that her visit to Nigeria for this important occasion underscores the importance she attaches to the development of women in general and African women in particular.
Earlier, the Vice President of Liberia, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor said she was in Nigeria to attend the Progressive Women Conference of the All People’s Congress. She stated that Nigeria sets the pace in the West African sub-region in terms of politics; therefore, she needs to key in and share experiences for the benefit of African women.
Dr. Howard-Taylor further called on women to pay more attention to legislative seats because that is where laws are made, and that is where budgets are approved for girl child education, HIV/AIDS, for social networks. She called on women to find their way to the decision-making table.
The event was attended by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, the chairperson of the Progressive Women Conference, Mrs. Stella Okotete, and Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Executive Chairman, NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa, and many others. The visiting Vice President was accompanied by Deputy Ministers of Health and Labour; Mrs. Norwu Howard and Mrs. Yvette Freeman, respectively.
