A MEMBER, House of Representatives-Elect, who has also been endorsed by the All Progressives Congress, APC as the next Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu has said, inclusion of women in governance is a key strategy in building a better Nigeria.
News Point Nigeria reports that, Hon Kalu stated this during a media parley with a select senior journalists in Abuja, Tuesday.
According to the lawmaker, his team will ensure that gender related Bills are assented to by the President in line with the policy direction of the Joint Task Team.
“We have to be strategic in our gender balance approach, and provide gender policies that will deliver the expectations of Nigerians. If we’re going to build a nation, all hands must be on deck. You bring and I bring. That’s reflecting our diversity. It’s a diversity sensitive organisation.
“Though we’re diverse in tribe, religion, that shouldn’t be a disadvantage, it should be an advantage that differentiate us as a unique people worthy to be called the giant of Africa”, he stated.
He, however, noted that while it’s important to consider gender inclusion, meritocracy should also be a key consideration.
“Because if Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala walks in here, you’ll forget she’s a woman. If Arunma Ottey walks in here, you’ll forget she’s a woman. If Amina Mohammed, who’s at the UN walks in here, you’ll forget she’s a woman because they have track records that speaks for them.
“So when we talk about gender equality, it’s not just about being a man or being a woman. Let’s also consider competence”, he emphasised.
Kalu added that, Nigerians are looking forward to a legislature that will solve problems and not a legislature that will take decision based on emotions and affiliations.
“We want a better policy architecture that will deliver the expectations of Nigerians. It’s important for us to give Nigerians the independence of the legislature by upholding and sustaining what we call Parliamentary Sovereignty”.
“Nigerians are looking for the sustenance of institutional trust. Institutional trust that will make Nigerians believe more. That cannot be possible if it’s not birthed by competence, transparency, accountability and credibility.
He further emphasized that working together does not undermine the role and functions of each arm of government, but that their roles must compliment each other without encroachment on the other’s jurisdiction.
