As National Assembly receives memoranda for constitutional amendment at various geopolitical zones of the country, the National Coordinator of Excellent Women International, Dr. Christabel Okoye has called for the implementation of Beijing Declaration on women in the constitution.
Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly, Dr. Christabel said the current constitutional amendment should provide for one-quarter of House of Representatives members should be women.
According to her, women are very important segment of the population with passion to do the right thing.
“We are mothers, we have passion for doing the right thing. When women are included, you see a lot of difference. Sorry to say, so many women are not corrupt. Women are out to build. So, I plead that one-quarter of women be included in this constitution for a new beginning”.
For the Senate and other elected positions, she said one out of the three senatorial districts in each state should be reserved for women and two for men.
“One senator should be a woman and two men from every state. This is a very good consideration for us as women. But currently in the 10th Senate, out of 109, we have only three women in the Senate. Is it not laughable, funny and insignificant? The number is almost nothing, it is zero; it’s not fair”.
Dr. Christabel also expressed dissatisfaction with women appointment into offices, adding that “let Beijing Declaration (30% Affirmative Action) be included in the constitutional amendment. Let 30% of appointments go to the women. Please, consider women, we are human beings and we have this heart to do things right. Beijing has declared it and so many countries have implemented it. why won’t Nigeria do the same?
She debunked the believed that women are the enemies of themselves as women do not support women in election. Instead she is of the view that women are not as strong as men.
The consideration that women are fighting one another, she thinks “that was then because now, women are out for women”, adding that she has coordinated excellent women international for 24 years and this year they will be having their 24th year annual international conference.
She said it is a place where women gather to encourage each other. “Please, do not have this impression that women are fighting each other. Women will come out and vote for fellow women.”
Dr. Christabel who is also the Executive Secretary of National Association on Nigerian Drug Monitoring, NANDROM, and the Editor-in-Chief of Christabel magazine condemned drug abuse, which she said is “wrecking down our youths and if we don’t do anything fast about this, we won’t have youths in this nation.
“Don’t you see what is also happening in hotels? Killing recklessly; you cannot even get to hotel and rest. You see youths walking on the street and talking, murmuring despite the good job NDLEA are doing”.
She also canvassed for implementation of local government autonomy, in line with the Supreme Court judgment wondering “what is the essence of court when a judgment is given and it is not implemented?”
State Police is another thing Dr. Christabel said must be considered in the constitution now, adding that “if there is state police, you won’t see these reckless killings; you won’t see this illegal trespassing. This recklessness everywhere will come to a halt”.
