The National Council of Women’s Societies of Nigeria (NCWS) has called for women’s education on how to elect the right candidates during the 2023 general elections.
Its President, Chief Priscila Kuye, made the call on Thursday in Ibadan at the organisation’s annual conference, which was themed “Women, Election and Decision Making.”
Kuye said that NCWS, registered in June 1965, started in Ibadan when some organisations and women decided to form a common front to promote women’s education and political and economic development.
She, however, called for the group’s support in realising its objectives of improving the lives of women economically, socially, and politically.
“We want women to earn more money; we want women to be highly educated and participate in governance,” the group president said.
Kuye urged women to be part of the decision-making process during the electioneering period.
She also argued that women should be part of the political process and not see politics as a dirty game.
“Don’t leave everything to men alone, because they don’t know where the shoe pinches when it comes to women’s affairs.
“Encourage yourself, your children, and females to be involved in politics and vote wisely in the 2023 elections,” Kuye said.
In his remarks, Joseph Tegbe, Oyo South Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman of the occasion, said it was the right time for women to take a leading role in decision-making in Nigeria.
Tegbe commended the involvement of women in governance, saying that there were notable rights activists from the late Mrs Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti to the likes of Sen. Monsurat Sumonu, who were accomplished politicians.
“But the issues, I believe, that are drawing back women from active participation in decision-making during elections are gender disparity, violence and poverty.
“These are things that we can confront. Our women should try to focus on capacity, self-confidence, collective support from themselves, and personal empowerment,” Tegbe said.
Also, Dr Olajumoke Akere, the Capacity Development and Programmes Director, NCWS, South-West zone, said that the event was geared toward the 2023 election.
Akere said, “As we believe, we need to educate women on how to make the right decisions on who to be elected into different positions.
“We should decide on whom we need to vote for and the best candidate to vote for.
“We can see what is happening currently in the nation; the exchange rate is high, there is a high level of poverty and students staying at home due to strikes and also, the environment is not conducive for people to thrive.
“So, this is the right time for our women to make the right decision so that we can rightly position this country.”
Akere noted that Nigeria has many resources, from human capital to natural resources and good weather. Hence, the country needs to solve the leadership issue to reposition itself among the best countries in Africa.
