Fawaz Adebisi
The Ogun State deputy governor, Naimot Salako-Oyedele has lamented inadequate representation of women in politics in the state, canvassing that Nigeria is ripe for female president.
Salako-Oyedele made this statement on Thursday, during a 5th edition of the Egba dialect debate and choral competition for Secondary Schools in Ogun central senatorial district, which held at the main auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The programme, which was organized by Senator Dr. Lanre Tejuoso, featured a debate session with the topic, Nigeria is ripe for a female president, as students argued and supported the motion.
She lamented that the female gender are always being put at the back stage in politics and not always given the chances to rule.
According to her, only few females are in power in the country, adding that same is applicable to Ogun state.
She said, “We can’t give someone power, it has to be fought for, and we have to start bringing female into politics, even if it’s from the grass level, so that they can gain enough experience to lead the country.
“If she can start from being a councillor and she sees she’s capable, the she can move to the next level.
“In Ogun state, we have 236 councillors but only 18 are females, we have 20 Chairmen, only two are females among them, we have 26 seats in the house of Assembly, only two are females, house if representatives, we have nine, one is female, we have three senators, no female and we have the deputy governor who is also a female.”
However, she commended the governor of Ogun state for giving a female the opportunity to become his deputy, as she urged other states to follow suit.
Speaking at the programme, the governor of Ogun state, represented by his deputy, applauded the promotion of the indigenous language, adding that the state is also doing everything to promote the Yoruba culture.
He added that the state government is supporting the Yoruba cultural center that is being proposed in the university of Ibadan, to boost the indigenous language.
He said, “we are very proud to be associated with this programme in Ogun state, the language is generally accepted as an expression of culture and it’s a window to people. This culture is very rich and we believe our children, through this type of programme will identify the richness of our culture.
“Many children don’t speak Yoruba not to talk of their dialect but with this kind of programme, it will bring interest into speaking Yoruba.
“We will support every individual who wants to promote the yoruba culture. We as Ogun state are supporting the Yoruba cultural center being proposed in the university of Ibadan, which is going to be a resource center which is going to be accessible all over the world .”
Sen. Tejuoso also explained that the programme is aimed at promoting the Yoruba culture and indigenous language.
He further said that it is also aimed at promoting the local language in secondary schools.
Other prominent people present at the Programme are; Oba Dr Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, the Osile of Keina Egba; Senator Prince Dr Lanre Tejuoso; Former speaker of Ogun state, Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbu; President Ogun state council of Baale’s, Baale Tunji Ifalola; Chairman of traditional council of baales, Baale Oluwole; Permanent secretary ministry of education, Mrs Bamidele Makinde, Mr Sunday Akindele; Representative of Oba Alake, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo, represented by Chief Oluwole Odekunle, Asoju Oba Of Egba land; Iyalode of yorubaland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, represented by Prince Dimeji Kayode Adedeji; Otun Owu Akoro of Egbaland, chief Doja Adewolu MFR; Chief Ishola Akinsipo, the Akogun of Owu; Senator Chief Bode Mustapha; Chief Sikirulahi Atobatale, Balogun of Egbaland ; Former president , Olusegun Obasanjo; Senator Chief Adegbenga Kaka; former speaker of ogun State, Suraj Adekunbi; Permanent secretary culture and tourism, Mrs Oloko moriamo Oluwatosin; and Alh. Kored Lawal, a retired permanent secretary Ogun state service.
Schools that were present are; Abeokuta Girls Grammar School, AGGS and the Egba Owode Grammar School, Nawarudeen grammar school, Obantoko; Alaba Lawson Royal College, Abeokuta; Premier Grammar School, Abeokuta; Kobape High School, Kobape; Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi Aba; Buckswood College, participated in the choral competition
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