Ogun State women's groups write Governor Abiodun asking for 35% of appointments

WOMEN'S groups in Ogun State have written to Governor Dapo Abiodun asking him to ensure that at least 35 of all the commissioners he appoints into his cabinet are ladies as part of a programme to promote gender equality.

Governor Abiodun who took office on May 29, is in the process of forming his cabinet and as he contemplates sending his list of nominees to the Ogun State House of Assembly, a coalition of 150 women have asked him to make gender a central issue. Under an umbrella body called More Women Campaign, the groups, who are an initiative of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, has sent a formal letter to the governor.

Signed by the chairperson of the Transition Monitoring Group and co-convener of More Women Campaign, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the executive director of Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative Ms Mojisola Akinsanya and the executive director of Partners West Africa Kemi Okenyodo, the letter also advocates for other disadvantaged groups. Copied to the speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly and secretary to the state government, the letter called for 35% representation for women from 2019 and beyond.

It read: “We urge you to listen to the yearning of the people and support a pro-people government that portrays representation that is above board and can support development.. We are concerned by the continued marginalisation of women in leadership positions in the country and hereby request Your Excellency to consider 35% representation of women in the cabinet who will lead your agenda in the state.

"We also urge you to consider other social groups, including the youth and people with disabilities. We believe that the appointment exercise is a critical tool to steer affairs of the state towards a desirable and sustainable future and such future can support the state towards the achievement of 2030 global agenda.”