Olayemi Oyebanji, the first lady of Ekiti State, has urged Nigerians to support the Reserved Seat for Women Bill, which aims to increase the number of women in state and national assemblies.
According to the governor’s wife, there is a pressing chance to address the imbalance and formalize gender-responsive provisions through the ongoing constitutional change.
At “A conference to endorse the Reserved Seat Bill,” which was organized by the Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development in collaboration with the Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs, United Nations Women, and the Government of Canada, Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday. She was represented by Bolaji Egbeyemi-Ayegbaju, the Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
In order to address the underrepresentation of women in Legislative Houses, the Reserved Seat Bill aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly. This will be accomplished by allowing women to run for and fill special constituencies, which will increase the political representation of women.
“We cannot afford to waste this moment; we must all come together towards this very special bill for the reservation of seats for the National Assembly members,” said Oyebanji’s wife, who opened the conference and urged attendees to work for the bill’s success.
“Advocacy must give way to action. Gender quotas are rights and essential to sustainable development; they are not a favor. Today, let’s raise our voices to create an unstoppable force. We are here on endorsement, we are here to support the cause of women.”
“In Ekiti State, for example, the inclusion of women in governance has brought good dividends, greater transparency, stronger community engagements, and more inclusive decision making,” the First Lady remarked, implying that greater representation of women would lead to progress.
She praised Biodun Oyebanji, the governor, for taking significant actions that have made Ekiti State the state with the most women in government in the country.”Women should be given the desired space in governance,” stated Peju Babafemi, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs, who also stated that the ministry is happy to collaborate with BIGIF on the project.”Women should be given the desired space in governance,” stated Peju Babafemi, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs, who also stated that the ministry is happy to collaborate with BIGIF on the project.
Babafemi, who said the Reserved Seat Bill was necessary to give room to women so that the country could enjoy the benefits, said, “Nobody can champion the cause of women like women”, assured, “We are in a fight that we must win.”.
The Executive Director, BIGIF, Oluwatumininu Akerele, said that the gathering was “to advance and endorse the Reserved Seat Bill, a legislative initiative that holds the power to transform our nation’s political landscape”, as she hailed all those who believed in the future of Nigeria through the empowerment of women.
The BIGIF boss, who described the Reserved Seat Bill as “a bold legislative tool that promotes this
agenda,” added, “Endorsing this Bill is endorsing justice. It is saying women deserve their rightful
place at the table where decisions about their lives are made.
“This Bill seeks to alter the longstanding narrative of exclusion and underrepresentation
that has marred our political system. By reserving seats for women in the national and
state Assemblies, we are not asking for handouts or charity – we are demanding fairness, equity, and a structure that reflects the rich diversity of Nigeria.
“The stark reality is that the continued underrepresentation – and sometimes outright exclusion of women in governance presents a future Nigeria should not and cannot be proud of.
“We must rewrite this narrative. And to do so, we must act collectively, intentionally and urgently. When women lead, communities thrive, and societies blossom. That is the foundation of sustainable democracy. That is what balanced development looks like. That is inclusive governance.”
Akerele urged the gathering to support the Reserved Seat Bill. Vote ‘yes’ to Special Seats for Women in our national and state Parliaments.
Among stakeholders at the conference were Ekiti State Commissioner for Capacity Development, Prof. Patrick Tedela; the Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade; House of Assembly member, Abimbola Solanke; and the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Committee, Daramola Owoola.
Others included the state Director, National Human Rights Commission, Oluwaponmile Sodeinde, State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mrs Kemi Akomolede; Representatives of traditional rulers, religious leaders, political parties and civil society groups.
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