It’s no news that Nigeria as a nation celebrated its Independence from the United Kingdom this week.
The usual grandiose banquets, and military parades were muted and low-key this time around.
The multiple economic challenges in the nation have put paid to that.
Even diehard ‘Emilokans’ cannot justify such flamboyant events that characterised past independence anniversaries.
Eagle Square would have been prepped for dramatic display of our military might, not to talk about entertainers from across the globe who would have been contracted for multiple gala events already.
By now red carpet dinner soirees would have taken place at top hospitality spots in Abuja.
Perhaps, there’s still cause for some celebrations.
Maybe, we should still pat ourselves on our backs on account of 25 years of unbreakable democracy.
We’ve witnessed change of civilian power from one Party to another at federal and state levels since 1999 when the khaki boys left town for good.
Democracy, however flawed or imperfect is our brand. It’s been the dominant style ever since.
Have you not noticed a rush of alignments lately? Have you not witnessed a thaw in relationships of hitherto frosty brothers?
Let’s break it down.
Clandestine meetings hitherto done in the dark are now been held ‘opendentially.’
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the ageless one, visited former Presidents Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalam Abubakar in Minna.
He cheekily posited that it was a birthday visit to Maradona, and that the state of the nation was not top of the agenda. Tell that to the Marines, if you ask me.
I then chuckled when pictures were released of immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, also on a visit to General Yakubu Gowon in London.
Were they ever close?
So what’s going on here guys?
These top guns had their time in the sun. Some of them ruled the nation twice.
For starters, there’s an official forum for ex this and ex that where they can go to pontificate on goings on in Nigeria, If they so wish.
The Council of States is an eminent elder statesman’s club designed to advise the government in power.
But, it is known that some of our past leaders routinely shun the forum for political reasons.
While the men are ululating at their mastery of the political landscape, women are missing in action at the zenith of political dispensation.
The men’s club has shut out women where it matters most.
Few women are participating at policy formulation, planning and execution of major political parties.
Official census figures put half of Nigeria’s population as women.
That’s roughly 100 million women. So, where then are the female Governors, Deputy Governors, Speakers, Ambassadors or Ministers?
Where are the female super Perm Secs?
In times past, we had female Ministers like Mrs. Janet Akinrinade, Dr Kema Chikwe and Ebun Oyagbola with serious portfolios.
We had female Deputy Governors in Lagos, Osun, Ogun, and Anambara states.
We had a female Speaker in Ogun state.
So what has happened to those gains?
Today, women are consigned to sharing Asoebi, palliatives or pumping hands of children. Not good enough.
Across the nations of the world, the story is remarkably different. There was Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher. She served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She sent shivers up the spine of her colleagues in her time.
Vice President Kamala Harris is on the ballot as the Democratic candidate for the US election next month.
Kemi Badenoch too, a former Minister, is rooting to become the next Tory leader in the United Kingdom.
Angela Merkel was German Chancellor for over a decade.
It’s time to remind the political juggernauts in Nigeria about the Beijing Declaration. At least 30% elective posts should be reserved for women.
I certainly would like to see more women in 2027 as Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Speakers and Ambassadors.
If women are excelling in blue chip companies why not politics?
Women control the boardrooms of banks, big pharma, entertainment and manufacturing.
Naturally, politics is the next frontier.
We are therefore calling on all political parties to earmark certain political slots for women.
Do you agree that it’s not yet a swan song for women as Nigeria celebrates it’s 64th independence anniversary?
Please send your comments and feedback to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com.
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor.