Presidential Candidate for Labour Party, Peter Obi has promised that if elected the President of Nigeria at 2023 general polls, will ensure 60-40 gender balance in appointive and elective positions.
Obi who made the promise at the 95th anniversary of Queen’s College Lagos Old Student Association (QCOGA), said his administration will aim at 35-40% with aggressive gender mainstreaming action plan and rigid benchmark.
He recalled during his tenure as Anambra State Governor, his administration was able to achieve close to a 60-40 gender balance in appointive and elective positions.
According to him, “The national target has hovered around 30-35%. We intend to progressively aim for between 35-40%, with aggressive gender mainstreaming action plan and rigid benchmarks”.
He added that when become President, him and his team will recreate a nation where the rich and the poor are equitably and fairly represented.
“Where Citizens’ interests will supersede political interests and the existing trust gap between the government and the governed will be reduced to the barest minimum”, Labour Party Presidential Candidate said.
Peter Obi noted that gender mainstreaming and social inclusion in education, enterprise and politics will always be a priority.
“Our commitment to the wellbeing of the girl child and women is total and will be fully reflected in our broad and gender-specific policies.
“We will reset and reboot Nigeria in all ramifications –leadership and governance, security of life and properties, economic and political freedom”, he said.
He said further that his government shall prioritize education to serve the following functions: technical and industry relevance; alignment with local comparative advantages and factor endowments; modern skills proficiency, critical thinking, ethical citizenship values, global competitiveness, and talent export.
Adding that his administration will prioritize a structured approach to developing the digital skills of the young population to give them the competitive advantage to receive offshore jobs in the new gig economy.
“We will pursue a Marshal plan-type programme on education that incorporates compulsory technical and vocational skills, sports, entrepreneurship, programming, and digital skills from primary to the secondary level.
“Inevitably, we will improve access to finance, MSMEs, youths and women, to significantly reduce unemployment and insecurity. We will introduce a mandatory “No Child left Behind” educational policy.
“Mindful that Nigeria’s inadequate investment in the social sectors, health, education, and housing has resulted in the current dismal social and demographic trends reflected in low life expectancy, high maternal mortality rate, large number of out-of- school children, huge unmet housing needs as well high youth unemployment”.
“We will promote intangible assets that underpin democracy; namely, good governance, rule of law, security of lives and properties and robust institutions. There will be visible and measurable indices of governance the people can experience”.