By George Ozalla
Aside from being one of the proud children of late elder statesman and former Governor of Plateau state and pioneer Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar, Honorable Beni Lar has carved a niche for herself as a passionate advocate for women’s inclusion and a shining amazon in Nigeria’s political landscape. Hon Lar was elected five good times to represent the good people of Langtang North and South federal constituency in the Green Chamber, Lar’s commitment to her constituents and the broader society is unwavering.
The bill seeks to reserve 14 special seats for women in the National Assembly, a move aimed at addressing the glaring underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s governance structure.
Speaking to pressmen on the sideline of a Media Briefing event at the National Assembly Monday for the passage of the bill and expected subsequent assent by Mr President, Honorable Lar expressed her wholehearted support for the bill. She stated that she believes so much in this bill. Hon Lar stated that it is a bill that they started advocacy on right from the 8th and up to the 9th Assembly but the bill did not see the light of the day. However, she is now happy that under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kalifat Ogbara, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Ireti Kingibe and indeed every supportive stakeholder, she said that is very happy that very soon and by the special grace of God, Nigeria will make history in Africa and will turn the tide around for women.
Hon Lar further stated that for the first time in the history of this country and by the special grace of God, the 10th Senate will make history, “it is something the whole world has been looking forward to. Honorable Lar asked rhetorically, why will Nigerian women be marginalized for all these years?
She further stressed that she has been in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and part of this 10th Assembly and she hopes that this bill will be passed so that the 11th Assembly will see more women in the National Assembly. The special reserved seat for women bill will not affect the number of men we have now at the National Assembly, it will not affect that at all. So I am hoping that this bill will be passed and I am sure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will assent to it and optimistic that the tide will change for Nigerian women with the reception or assent to this bill.
When asked if the seats are sympathy seats or seats for capacity and striking leadership model, Honorable Lar responded that in terms of having women of intellect and capacity, Nigeria has a lot of them to fill the seats. However, she emphasized that women are discouraged due to tough political terrain. “Women are indeed discouraged from putting themselves forward because the political terrains in Nigeria are rough, we all know it, so women have become totally disinterested or even if they try, they are often pushed aside. So this bill when passed and assented to, it will ensure that some of those women who have the capacity to lead will make it to the positions of leadership and representation of their fellow citizens and constituents”.
She concluded by joyfully stating that this bill will determine the future of our children, our daughters, and even generations unborn.
When asked if the seats are sympathy seats or seats for capacity and striking leadership model, Honorable Lar responded that in terms of having women of intellect and capacity, Nigeria has a lot of them to fill the seats. However, she emphasized that women are discouraged due to tough political terrain. Women are indeed discouraged from putting themselves forward because the political terrains in Nigeria are rough, we all know it, so women have become totally disinterested or even if they try,they
