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The recent announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, appointing the Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) should have been a historic step towards regional development.
Instead, it feels like a disheartening slap in the face of Northern Women. Not a single female name appears among the nominees forwarded to the Senate for confirmation. It goes against the grain of the National Gender Policy, the President’s promise of at least 35% affirmative action for women in his appointments and all sense of justice and equity.
Northern Nigeria has a rich history of formidable female leaders, professionals, and activists who have tirelessly championed socio-economic progress. Indeed, numerous women exist, who through sheer determination and resilience, have driven initiatives to educate the girl-child, combat malnutrition, reduce maternal and infant mortality, as well as address sexual and gender-based violence and the escalating mental health challenges. In every sphere of competence, across finance and accounts, public administration, the judiciary, good governance, health, education, data analysis, business, technology, advocacy, and peacebuilding, you find women excelling by applying themselves in the diverse fields.
Their glaring absence from the NWDC Board is profoundly telling and troubling.
The blatant disregard of the female voice also speaks volumes about the mindset of those who are in charge of the nomination process.
Indeed, it probably conveys why, in fact, the North West region is lagging furthest behind on so many human capital indices. The statistics are alarming, to say the least. The mulit-dimensional poverty ratings in those 7 States range from 72% to 90%. Four of those 7 States have more children out of formal school, than in school. The vast majority of those States have less than 20% girl-child literacy rates. Citizens with insufficient food consumption in those States hover between 72% and 80%. What could be more telling?
The decision to exclude women from pivotal decision-making roles suggests a conviction in high places that the contributions and perspectives of women are inconsequential to solving these pressing problems. This glaring omission is an opportunity lost for all. And the region can only be the worse for it.
When will our leaders recognize that addressing these deep-rooted societal issues requires inclusive, diverse perspectives? While it is true that a handful of women may have already been tried and tested in the past, thousands of others do exist, that have the capacity and competencies to record huge successes in achieving the sustainable development goals in a timely manner.
Our upcoming, exceptional and passionate Northern women, excelling in every field imaginable, must be involved in efforts at positively transforming the region. The exclusion of our young women from such critical governance roles speaks not only to a deplorable, inexcusable failure at harnessing their energy, brilliance and potential, it also undermines the very real possibilities for swift, holistic and sustainable development.
The promise of development through the NWDC can only be fulfilled if it embodies true representation and inclusivity. If we are to effectively confront the myriad of socio-economic challenges in the North, it is essential to harness the expertise and insights of all members of our society, and for peacebuilding, particularly women who command respect within the communities. Who possess innate negotiating skills, compassion and grassroots experience to achieve scale, impact, and sustainability.
But is anyone listening? Do we truly yearn for development, stability and peace, or is this North West Development Commission merely a statement about political ambitions, and procurement? Well, as the Hausa proverb implies: ‘the Friday that heralds hope could be discerned from the Wednesday before.’