By Kingsley Obiegbu
It has been reckoned globally that the immense contribution of women in the socio-economic advancement of the continent can’t be over emphasized.
This and many more are the reasons for the need to include women in administrative roles for sustainable development in the country.
The Nation’s National Assembly in its 10th Assembly, are on the verge of electing notable lawmakers to direct its affairs for the roles of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Deputy Majority leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip to mention a few, and recently the National Working Committee of the ruling party APC endorsed Hon. Tajudeen Abbass (Kaduna) and Hon. Benjamin Kanu (Abia) as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
This move has not gone well with some lawmakers, thereby asking the NWC to seek for deep consultation.
This move by the party to select those that will steer the leadership positions in the Federal house of Representatives seem to have thrown up dissenting voices that are bent on rocking the boat and thereby going against it’s party approved candidates to elect those they seem as right for their interest.
In this ensuing drama in the House amongst Members-elect of the Lower Chambers of the National Assembly, a woman from Imo state by name Rt Hon Princess Miriam Onuoha seems to be the only female lawmaker poised to make a good impression for good governance in leadership as she has spoken to be considered for a spot in the top four of the House leadership as who gets what hots up.
The agitation for women to be considered for the Top 4 position at the National Assembly became paramount and a necessity for the sake of gender equity.
And one of such women is RT Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha representing Okigwe North at the House of Representative.
She is the only female Lawmaker from South East and South South elected to serve in the incoming 10th Assembly to be inaugurated in June.
She earlier made made her aspiration known for the post of Speaker of the 10th Assembly a month ago but chose to abide by party laid down decisions to choose whom they selected to lead the House.
A ranking member by all means, Rt Hon Princess Miriam Onuoha has displayed significant character, indepth legislative knowledge and indeed a bold voice in the affairs of the House of Representatives since she was continued to play vital roles in matters affecting the legislative house and the country at large, little wonder the call of service of her fatherland is about to take her higher in her pursuit of delivering good governance to her constituents and the Nation at large.
Her appointment into the House Leadership will in no small way, contribute significantly to inclusive governance and National development as many women are frowning at the level of being under represented at all tiers of governance in the country.
RT Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha is ready to bridge that gap and discharge her duties diligently to the admirations of the citizens.
The incoming 10th Assembly, will find in her qualities it needs to pursue a cohesive leadership as required in sane climes, where women are given a voice to speak out for their constituents.
It is also on this vein of gender equality as highly recommended by UN that a coalition of over 231 women organization, under the umbrella of Womanifesto demanded the inclusion of women in the leadership of the 10th Assembly.
A woman like RT Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha if called to become one of the members of House Leaders will represent about 50% of women in the country, which will serve as a matter of equity and social inclusion.
This move if implemented will surely sooth the mindset of women groups in the country and encourage more women participation in the politics.
Record has it that in the Nigeria’s 24years of democracy, no woman has become Senate President nor Deputy Senate President.
It was Hon. Patricia Etteh who in 2007 was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Hon. Mulikat Akande became the first female Majority Leader at the National Assembly.
The call for women inclusion among the Top 4 at the 10th Assembly has began and RT Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha is best qualified for any of the slots available to her.
A brief foray into her education history shows that she also attended Aquinas Model Secondary School Osu, where she got her Senior Secondary School Certificate. She proceeded to study at the University of Lagos and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Estate Management.
She attended the University of Abuja and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Planning and Protection (MEPP).
RT Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha, before her election into the House of Representatives served as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State on International Development Cooperation amongst other previous political engagements.
She was also a board member of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation ( NTDC). She was a member of State Implementation Committee (Subsidy Reinvestment Program Sure-P) Community Services, Women and Youth Employment Scheme: a task which earned her the name – MAMA SURE P.
RT Hon. Princess Miriam Odinaka Onuoha was elected on 25 January, 2020 on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) into the House of Representatives, representing Okigwe North Federal Constituency. During her first tenure in the Green Chambers, she was the maiden House Committee Chairman on Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, she sponsored many impactful motions and bills, one of which is the establishment of Federal College of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Sciences, Isiala Mbano LGA, Federal College of Horticulture, Okigwe, Federal Medical Centre, Okigwe all at the Senate for concurrence and Presidential assent.
The female lawmaker endeared herself to her constituents, by offering robust and visibly impactful representation to them. Little wonder, they overwhelming returned her for another tenure in office on Saturday, 25 February, 2023.
Indeed this Amazon who is the lone voice for all female politicians in the House of Representatives from the South East has a lot to offer in line to service delivery to the growth of the Nation, and what better way to reward excellence than to ensure that her elevation into the leadership of the Lower Chambers is given utmost priority.
Let the Amazon fly.
Kingsley Obiegbu (K-Zone) writes from Abuja
