Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to the improvement of women and youth involvement in public service and governance in Nigeria through innovative legislative interventions.
This Deputy Senate President who decried women participation in public governance in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is presently below 24.7 percent said creative legislative measures would help address this anomaly.
Omo-Agege who made this known during a digital presentation at a high-level conference on strengthening women and youth participation in the National Assembly explained that it is important to develop these innovative legislative interventions to help optimize the potentials of the nation’s youth population.
According to Omo-Agege, no country can ever maximize its potential without fully exploring and harnessing the energy in its youth population, underlying the fact that “there is the need to drive inclusion and inclusive governance in both the Legislative and the Executive Arms of Government.”
” This is a necessary step to achieving gender equality and full democratic governance,” he added.
A statement issued by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, further explained the rationale behind the initiative. The statement reads partly:
“Because women represent more than half of the Nigerian population and the youths are the most energetic and dynamic segment of our society, I have no doubt that with many more of them participating in the decisions that shape our lives, they would pave the way for a more just, equitable, and peaceful society…
“While it is broadly acknowledged that there is no universal model that fits all circumstances, I am proud of the National Assembly’s commitment to the provision of equitable opportunities for the participation of Women and Youth in the Governance Process, by way of legislation and even by Constitutional amendment.
“I trust that the gains of this discourse would aid further engagements and help significantly as we engineer our home-grown solutions. It should also help set benchmarks for accountability on this all-important issue of greater women and youth participation in democratic governance. For us in Nigeria, we are ready,” he stated.
To prepare the youth and women for effective political participation, the lawmaker representing Delta Central at the Upper legislative chambers made a case for funding schemes for youth-run enterprises to empower them economically.
In addition, Omo-Agege who doubles as chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution said the Ninth National Assembly leading the drive for the removal of clogs hampering the actualization of a comprehensive self-development of women and youths through legislative interventions.
According to Omo-Agege, the passage of the Sexual Harassment Bill by the Senate, awaiting concurrence at the House of Representatives is a clear evidence of the Senate’s commitment to the goal of actualizing a comprehensive self-development for women and youths through appropriate legislations.
