By Our Correspondent
Former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen has frowned at the low number of women in decision making in Nigeria.
Tallen, a former Deputy Governor of Plateau State who bared her mind in Abuja while speaking to newsmen, noted that Nigerian women have paid their dues and ought to be given more participatory space in the governance of the country.
The former minister of state for science and technology, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing more women into his cabinet.
She expressed appreciation to God for giving her the grace to serve the nation in various capacities so far.
“The bible teaches us that in every situation we should give thanks to God. So I thank President Tinubu for the position he has given women so far, but to be honest, we are not yet there.
“Nigerian women have paid their dues. They were at the forefront of his campaign, not only for Tinubu, but in every election.
“They are the engine room of any campaign. Come rain, come sunshine they are always there and for that we deserve more. In as much as we thank the president, we thank his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for advocating very strongly for women, carrying them along, but we are not yet close at all,” she said.
On Nigeria’s stand for 35 percent Affirmative Action for women, Dame Tallen observed that the country is yet to measure up.
According to her, “The 35 percent affirmative action, we are not close, though the president has not finished his appointments yet. Most of the parastatals and ambassadorial appointments are yet to come out; so we pray and hope that he will make up in these areas.”
