Deputy Speaker Urges Women to Pursue Leadership Roles at Grassroots Level

• Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu urges Nigerian women to advocate for leadership at grassroots levels, beyond federal positions
• Kalu commends gender advocacy and pledges the National Assembly’s commitment to reconsidering rejected gender bills for equitable development

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has encouraged Nigerian women to extend their advocacy for inclusion in leadership positions to the grassroots level. During a courtesy visit from the Women’s Round-table for Development and Good Governance delegation in Abuja, Kalu stressed the need for women to advocate for leadership roles, not only at the federal level but also at the grassroots, including councillorship positions in local government and House of Assembly membership in states.

While acknowledging that the focus has primarily been on the federal legislature, Kalu emphasized the importance of initiating leadership from the grassroots, adopting a bottom-to-top approach. He commended President Bola Tinubu for including women in his administration and reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to reconsidering and passing rejected gender bills.

Expressing gratitude for the early engagement in advocacy, Kalu noted the significance of addressing gender equality and inclusiveness in a society aspiring for equitable development. He encouraged women to explore opportunities beyond the federal legislature and engage in various leadership gaps, ensuring a comprehensive approach to gender representation.

The leader of the advocacy group, Hon. Princess Nikky Onyeri, appealed to the deputy speaker to support the reintroduction of gender bills, emphasizing the need for domestication in line with Nigerian culture before reintroduction to gain widespread acceptance among men and women in the country.