The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D (North Central), has lauded Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State for his administration’s commitment to promoting affirmative action and gender inclusion in the state.
Vice President of NAWOJ in the zone, Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, gave the commendation in a statement issued by Mrs Juliana Ofoku, NAWOJ Zone D Zonal Secretary, in Abuja on Friday.
Ogbeche lauded the governor for his commitment to implementing an Executive Order that reserved all local government secretary positions for women, aiming to enhance women’s participation in governance.
She also commended Bago for making it mandatory that all vice chairmen of local government areas would be women in the upcoming local government council elections in the state.
She further applauded the governor for his pledge to surpass the 35 per cent affirmative action target.
Bago had set a new goal of achieving 50 per cent female representation in governance, particularly as the world celebrates International Women’s Day in 2025.
Encouraging other state governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration to follow suit, Ogbeche highlighted Bago’s leadership in advancing gender equity.
She expressed hope that Nigeria would reach a stage where the rights of women and girls would be universally recognised and treated as fundamental human rights.