Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial district, expressed concerns on Friday about the difficult living conditions in the nation’s capital, highlighting that many residents are struggling with hunger and hardship, exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Speaking at the 8th Voice of Women Conference and Award in Abuja, organized by the VOW Foundation, a non-profit promoting women’s leadership, Kingibe emphasized the growing challenges faced by FCT residents. “Life in this environment is tough. Everyone is hungry, asking for money or food,” Kingibe said. She noted that while people often look to her for immediate relief, her focus is on long-term solutions, such as advocating for rent reforms to ease financial pressure on tenants.
Kingibe explained that she represents her constituents by fighting for their rights, pushing for reforms to prevent exploitation, and ensuring fair distribution of resources. She shared how, during recent aid distributions, she personally oversaw the process to ensure that the support reached those most in need. “I even went directly to the market women myself during the last empowerment initiative to make sure the aid was fairly distributed,” she added.
The senator acknowledged the difficulties of being a female lawmaker in a male-dominated National Assembly and the challenges posed by her constituents’ expectations, many of which fall under the responsibilities of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. “People have misunderstood governance. Some think it’s about handing out money. But that’s not my role,” Kingibe explained. She noted that her job is to lobby for essential services like water, healthcare, and infrastructure, ensuring the FCT receives the attention it needs from ministries and federal agencies.
Kingibe also highlighted her work in empowering women through partnerships with major companies such as Google and Microsoft, aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs. She emphasized that while it’s impossible to meet every individual who voted for her, the key is improving lives. “For instance, in Karu, I helped build a road. The residents are happy even though I don’t know all of them personally, because they can see the impact.”
The senator also mentioned her ongoing efforts to address safety concerns in the Karu Market area, following the tragic death of a woman who was hit by a vehicle. She is working to resolve issues with the overhead pedestrian bridge in the area.
At the event, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, convener of the Voices of Women Conference, stressed the need for more women in leadership roles, urging President Tinubu to prioritize appointing women to high-level positions to promote gender equality. Okewale-Sonaiya also called for the passage of the 74 extra seats bill in the 10th National Assembly to elevate women’s political participation in Nigeria to a global standard.
