x

Constitutional amendment: We’re addressing gender balancing in political participation, care for PLWDs – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that gender balancing to give fair participation in governance to both men and women in Nigeria is an important part of the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution by the 9th Assembly.
He also stated that the Federal Character Principle, as currently captured in the constitution, was being re-defined to go beyond ethnicity by including gender and other variables.
Gbajabiamila spoke in Abuja on Wednesday when a delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly.
The Speaker also informed the delegation, led by the CPA’s Secretary-General, Mr Stephen Twigg, that care for Persons Living With Disabilities had received the attention of the Nigerian legislature.
He explained that a number of bills seeking to amend the constitution by making clear provisions on gender balancing, federal character review and the disability question were in progress at the House of Representatives in particular.
The speaker stated, “What we are doing is that we are going through a constitutional amendment process.
“We are looking at gender issues in a way to address the two sides.
“Even in the way we apply the federal character principle, we want to go beyond ethnicity to include gender and others as well.”
Gbajabiamila noted that the House and the CPA would appear to be on the same page since the association too had promoted gender equality and drawn attention to the challenges faced by people living with disability, like exclusion from governance.
Speaking on the relevance of the CPA, Gbajabiamila told the delegation that it had fostered relationships among parliaments.
He briefed the delegation on how the 9th House under his leadership introduced Parliamentary Diplomacy as a tool to assist the Executive arm in resolving disputes that could negatively affect the relationship between Nigeria and other countries.
“We have used it in Ghana, in South Africa and other areas where we needed to intervene to resolve some issues”, he added.
The speaker also informed the delegation about the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments (COSAP), which he initiated in 2020 to “help our various nations to address development challenges on the continent.”
He cited the plea to creditor nations to cancel the debts owed by African countries as one of the main agenda of the group, which would hold its first physical meeting in the first quarter of 2022.
Speaking earlier, Twigg praised Gbajabiamila and the House for the “brilliant initiatives” he had read in the Legislative Agenda of the 9th House.
He particularly commended the initiative to “expand the scope of participation in governance by women and the disabled.”
Twigg also said seeking debt cancellation was a “bold” effort by the CoSAP and encouraged the group to continue to push for it, hoping that the members would have a reason to celebrate eventually.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Arokodare Scores as Super Eagles Hold Russia to 1-1 Draw

Tolu Arokodare opened his Super Eagles goal account as...

Strong Capital Market Key to Nigeria’s Economic Future – NGX Chairman

Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Dr. Umaru...

Veteran Highlife Legend Mike Ejeagha Dies at 95

Renowned highlife musician and folklorist Mike Ejeagha, famed for...

Eid-el-Kabir: Northern CAN Greets Muslims, Urges Govt Action on Security

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),...

Sultan Commends Sokoto Governor for Delegating Authority to Deputy

The Sultan of Sokoto and spiritual leader of Nigeria’s...

Eid Mubarak: NUJ FCTA Chapel Felicitates with Muslim Journalists, Prays for Peace and Unity

By Joyce Babayeju As Muslim faithful across Nigeria and the...

Eid-El-Kabir: Fatimah Observes Prayers with Kogites in Eika Ohizenyi

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Kogi State Commissioner for Women...

Former Chief Justice Mohammed Uwais Passes Away at 89

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, has...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img