Get your PVCs to elect credible leaders – NAWOJ charges Nigerians.
From Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
As 2023 General Elections draw nearer, the National Association of Women Journalists, Nawoj has called on all Nigerians to ensure that they get their PVCs ready to enable them elect credible leaders in the various political positions in the country.
This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the maiden summit of the NAWOJ, North-East Nigeria held in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
The association held that the only way Nigerians would get credible leaders of their choice into different political positions is through their permanent Voters Cards, hence their call for all eligible Nigerians to obtain their PVCs.
The association equally called on women to fully participate and compete favourably with men in the various political offices across the country to enable them occupy some of the offices to contribute their quota maximally to the development of the nation.
Addressing guests at the summit, the North-East Vice President of NAWOJ, Dorcas Philemon, applauded Women who gallantly contested and won different political positions in the just concluded primary elections across the country and assured them that women in Nigeria are solidly behind them.
She equally appealed to those who by virtue of one reason or the other did not succeed, not to give up but follow the trend of political issues as they await another opportunity.
While harping on some issues confronting women and children in the country, Dorcas noted that prevailing economic, social and political situations in the country had placed women and children in a most vulnerable state where they continuously receive enormous challenges including domestic violence, rape and child abuse.
She appealed for their protection by all tiers of government in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) Charters as well as the Convention for the Elimination and Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) among others, even as she called on women to be good mothers and wives any where they find themselves.
In a paper presentation at the occasion, Dr Joseph Gimba who dwelled on the theme of the summit, “The Role of Women in Nation Building: Challenges and Prospects,” stressed the uniqueness of women and their contributions in Nation Building and called on Nigerians to give them optimum support to do more for the country.
Dr. Gimba in his presentation, encouraged women to be courageous and always care for their children to shape their behaviours to enable them grow up and be good citizens of the country.
He however, challenged women to get rid of envy, jealousy and other forms of wickedness, which according to him are the most common ugly behaviour of women that are preventing them from exploring the greatest potentials that God has bestowed in them.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner overseeing the Ministry of Information, Taraba State who was represented by Nathaniel and the President, National Council of Women Societies, NCWS Taraba State Chapter, Punariman Daniel as well Len Ada, all appreciated the role of women in nation building and encouraged women to always live up to their responsibilities even as they charged them to always stand against all forms of evil by “saying something when you see something”.
