There
is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women—Kofi Annan (1938-2018) former United
Nations Secretary-General.
Nigeria is not picking durable lessons from events around
her, from countries whose equal-gender institutions are speeding them to
achievement. We (or is it our leaders?) appear to be running with others in
this global village in the race against time, yet we are rooted to the same spot,
when other nations in the competition have moved on, moved on to destinations
where we can’t even sight their tail lights, after squinting into the distance.
One of the big factors that have winged their traction for meteoric move is the
preponderant or balanced presence of their women in government at the top, not
on the periphery of political office, government and bureaucracy. They invest
enormously in the fair sex to enlist them for work for the state and its
people, the same way they press the male into national assignment, gender no
stumbling block. Their women can conquer the peak to become the head of
government and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
