BENIN CITY- Edo State Governor, Senator (Professor) Oserheimen Osunbor has charged female politicians to eschew all forms of bitterness, rumour mongering in the struggle for political relevance.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a one-day National Conference for state female parliamentarians in Benin City yesterday, Governor Osunbor enjoined the women to strive to be on the driver’s seat from where they could positively impact on the lives of women, children and the society in general.
Represented by his wife, Lady Ussieh Osunbor, he used the forum to appeal to the women to massively support female candidates that have been cleared for elective offices, adding that by doing so, women would be sending a powerful message to the society that they had come of age.
According to the governor, in spite of the fact that we have just one female member in Edo State House of Assembly, she has proved herself to the envy of her male colleagues, to be the lone and powerful voice for Edo Women”.
However, we are grateful to God that for the first time in the history of Edo State, we have an elected female Chairman, Hon. (Mrs.) Itohan Osahon of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council.
Earlier, the chief convener of the forum and member representing Uhunmwode constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Elizabeth Ativie disclosed that the forum was to facilitate the exchange of ideas, share experiences and forge a strong network among female parliamentarians nationwide, with a view to increasing female participation in politics and parliamentary affairs.
Hon. Ativie, however, commended the state governor for being Gender sensitive in appointing more women to cabinet positions, Special Advisers, Special Assistants.
Permanent Secretaries, supervisory councillors in 18 Local Government Council as well as into Boards and parastatals.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs.) Dorothy Obasi advocated that for Nigeria to move forward, women must be empowered educationally.
On his part, the representative of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Levis Osaretin Aigbogun commended the initiator of the forum for holding its maiden edition in Edo State.
Hon. Aigbogun who is the Deputy Speaker at the state House of Assembly, stated that the Edo State House of Assembly was Gender sensitive in matters relating to women empowerment.
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