The Excellent Women International Organisation has expressed support for the ongoing efforts of the House Committee on Constitutional Review ahead of its public hearings scheduled to hold across five geopolitical zones of the country this weekend.
The National Coordinator of Excellent Women International and Executive Secretary of the Association on Nigerian Drug and Monitoring, NANDROM, Dr. Christabel Okoye, voiced her support during an interview with journalists in Abuja.
She also highlighted key issues expected to be addressed during the review process.
Dr christabel believed that with the current security situation in the country, the issue of excessive use of illicit drug among the teaming Youth should top the agenda of the review because of its excessive consequences on the future of our developmental plans on Youth.
She assured that such illicit drug abuse was the brain behind most of the criminal activities going on in various parts of the country , saying if left unchecked the future of our teaming population of both sexes would be totally ruined.
Christabel commended the efforts of president Bola Ahmad Tinubu in curving the menace of drug abuse and insecurity ravaging many communities in Nigeria.
She further reaffirmed their support behind the creation of state police, saying this should be the first item to be supported going by the security situation.
Christabel argued that with the establishment of state police, reckless killings and attacks would come to a halt, expressing hope that peace and security would be achieved in the near future.
On the issue of women’s rights in Nigeria, Christabel Okoye stated that the implementation of the Beijing Declaration on women’s rights is long overdue.
She therefore urged stakeholders in the constitution review process to give it the necessary support for proper implementation in the country.
Christabel also believes that it is time to give women at least one-third representation in the National Assembly.
She recommended that each state should allocate at least one Senate seat to a woman, while men could occupy the remaining two.
In the area of political appointments, she advocated for a 30 percent quota for women.
She also strongly supported the implementation of local government autonomy in Nigeria, arguing that the absence of such powers at the grassroots level has left many Nigerians unaware of the impact of government in their communities.
Christabel said going by the recent supreme court judgement on that issue is enough for our leaders to implement local Government autonomy immediately to achieve the much needed socio economic development in Nigeria at the grassroot levels.
The National Coordinator also refuted claims that women do not support each other during elections, stating that while women, like all humans, have their shortcomings, things have changed.
According to her, with vigorous awareness campaigns, there is now a growing sense of unity and collective strength among women to fight for their rights in society.
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