Dr. Kema Chikwe, former Minister of Aviation and Founder, Women Leadership Institute (WLI), on Thursday, urged government at all levels to ensure women inclusiveness in leadership positions for accelerated development.
Chikwe made the call at the official launch of Girls Leadership Circle and Empower Her
Programme, with the theme: “Lift her, Lift all,” in Abuja.
She stressed the need for government to always carry women along in the implementation of programmes, policies, and in recruitment.
She added that “the theme of today’s event is to remind the society, especially the political class and governments that lifting a woman is lifting the world around for development.
“Unfortunately, only two women emerged senators and 13 into the House of Representatives in the 2023 elections.”
The WLI founder, who expressed the commitment of the institute to empower women, said that the younger girls needed orientation of leadership and self esteem.
The former minister said the institute launched a network to fullfil women’s vision of reaching out to critical mass of women and enhance their leadership potential.
She affirmed the determination of the institute to inculcate values in young girls by establishing the girls leadership circle in secondary schools.
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According to her, this will enable them to successfully deal with contemporary challenges that undermine their progress.
Prof. Charity Angya, former Vice Chancellor, Benue State University and keynote speaker, reiterated the imperatives of women empowerment.
Angya said the inclusion of women in leadership positions would improve productivity and engender development.
She described women as caregivers who would showcase their potential to the fullest if empowered.
The keynote speaker called on all, especially government at all levels to galvanise policies that would empower women for national development.
Earlier, Prof. Seth Akutson, former Economic Advisor, World Bank, commended the institute for championing programmes aimed at projecting women and girls to limelight.
Akutson urged women to continue to advocate for gender equality and empowerment for an equitable and developed society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WLI is not only about women in Nigeria but an international leadership development organisation for women. (NAN)
