By Oki Samson
As part of the celebration of the Presidential Inauguration, a women’s political advocacy group, Evolving Women In Politics (EWIP) recently eulogized the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima for their resilience and commitment to championing democratic ideals in the country.
The women’s group also used the opportunity to honour their Grand Matron, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo who played immense role in strengthening the advocacy organization for more than four years.
It is important to stress that the Evolving Women In Politics (EWIP) was one of the few organizations which encouraged and lobbied Nigeria’s 16th President to race for the coveted seat since early 2019.
The event which took place in Abuja had the gathering of Nigeria’s top women politicians, business women. These include Iyaloja-General of Nigeria/Daughter of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Mrs FolashadeTinubu-Ojo, member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara; Abuja-based business tycoon, Mrs. Omolola Ademosu; the Vice President of Ikorodu LGA, Aarebirin Hon. Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba; former Chairman of Coker-Aguda LCDA, Hon. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe, Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Women Affairs, Hon Asman Gogo Kabir, CEO Madel Apartments and Homes Ltd, Kamolu Olumayowa, CEO Rephilus Energy Ltd, Rebecca Theophilus, Billy Umar-Garba, CEO Choice Construction and Fabrication, Hajia Halima Apollo, Founder of Nuit de Paris, Maryam Nomvar, Amb. Tosin Sanusi, Barr. Rabiyat Aliyu Ohindase, Dr. Lee Akin Badeji, MD of Parmass Oil and Gas, Aisha Imam, and several other top women. The former Manager of NIGCOMSAT, Engr. Rufai also attended the event.
In her welcome address at the event, the National President of EWIP, Hajia Fatima Bello remarked: ‘we are here to appreciate our journey so far and to celebrate our father, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his inauguration. EWIP is a group of women supporting women to bring the best out of us.’
On the President, she noted: ‘Our principal talked about 35% women inclusion, we have visited about 200-300 Obas in 4 years and they said yes to us. His leadership is second to none. He is talk and do. Only God is 100% but we trust that he wll be able to do all that he promised. We called him to come and contest. We know he can fix Nigeria. We trust that he will appoint more women in his government. We are proud of him.’
The honouree of the ceremony and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria who personally attended the event, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo shared: ‘I want to appreciate Nigerian women. This is our turn, our hope is renewed. I must appreciate the commitment of this group, EWIP, for what we have done, the love is overwhelming.’
‘All that you have committed to this cause, may God return it to you in a million fold. What you have done for someone else, may your children enjoy it while you are alive. Thank you for being patriotic, you spent your money, time, and resources towards this cause. Thank you for your patriotism’, she prayed for EWIP.
Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara who gave a speech at the celebration said: ‘EWIP has been my baby, I have known EWIP before SWAGA happened. EWIP is very strategic and important if we want women participation in politics to increase. These women are already interested and passionate to go into politics. I want to charge us to tell more women to join EWIP.’
‘Politics is very interesting but you have to be resolute. If anybody tells you that there is shortcut in politics, don’t agree with them. Believe in merit, believe in what God has called you to do, you mwe are ust be hardworking, you must be prayerful and spiritually strong, and start from the grassroots. Look at where you are popular, is it your husband’s state or your own state of origin. For me, I am from Ogun state but my husband is from Lagos. let us be determined and resolute.’
Ogbara advised Nigerian women, ‘Finally, as women, let us be our sister’s keeper. Don’t allow men use you against your sister. What she will get can’t stop what you will get. When we are united, there is nothing that we cannot get.’
The former Manager at NIGCOMSAT, Engr. Rufai also present at the event hinted that women are better managers and should be allowed to drive the wheel of the Nigerian nation. His words, ‘According to Napoleon, give me a good woman and I will give you a good nation. It is because of this that United Nations says 35% affirmative action. When you subject your decision making process to women around you, you are likely to mitigate all the risks in it. They are better managers, that management is inherent in them. It is natural to them. I strongly advise that we should get even more than 35% when it comes to assigning responsibilities in this nation.’
Also speaking at the event were other executives of the advocacy group. The Vice President, Hajia Raliat Abdulsalam informed that this meeting is not just for celebration, ‘it is also for our sisters to mentor us, to talk to us on their journey and how they are doing it so that we can also learn’.
The Natonal Treasurer, Olori Aderonke Erinle on her part said: ‘we are here to jubilate. We are here to celebrate our new President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our father and father of our grand matron, Iyaloja-General Folashade Tinubu-Ojo. We expect so much from him and we trust that he will deliever. We all need to support him, pray for him, and build a right team for his administration. Women in politics are few, we need a good number in the cabinet because we can multitask and we have done well wherever they put us. We want more women to join us in EWIP.’
