Date: 2009-10-16

The National Secretariat of Peoples’ Democratic Party, Women wing has given Dr. Bukola Saraki pass mark for conforming with the philosophy of Affirmative Action on Women Issues.  

According to a Report from the office of the North-Central Zone coordinator of Affirmative Action on Women Issue, after an elongated investigation, discovered, verified and confirmed that Governor Bukola Saraki has no doubt conformed with the beliefs of Gender Equality in participation of Women in politics by appointment, elected and gave women contracts in Kwara State.   

The Report stated that, Governor Bukola political largesse to women from the state transcend Kwara. Many women were elected and appointed at Federal levels amongst who are; Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, Hajia Halimat Tayo Alao, Ambassador Nimota Akanbi, Memunat Adagi and Nimota Oba Suleiman. The last two are members House of Representative.   

However, at the state level, Justices (Mrs.) Raliat Elelu-Habeeb, Chief Judge of Kwara State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebun Owolabi, Deputy Chief of Staff and five other as Commissioner. While 4 are Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor. Three are members of Kwara State House of Assembly.   

Further from the Report, six women were appointed permanent secretaries in various ministries. In the local level, 26 women were elected as Councillors and Vice Chairmen while others were on appointment as Council Secretary, Liaison Officers, Supervisory Councillors and Youth Employment Coordinator; and 26 others were given appointment as members in initially all the Boards and Parastatals in the state.   

Also, in the party structure, both state and National, Governor Saraki ensured women are not left out by giving the chance for a women as BOT member of PDP, Mrs, Nimota Ibraheem while Mrs. Ramat Uthman get the slot as North Central coordinator on women issues. The rest four women have various position in the state party executive.   

The Report summed it up that the total of 69 women have been considered for elected and appointed position from the state.   

  
Mas’ud Adebimpe

Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor.

16/10/08