By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Members of the Oyo state House of Assembly on Thursday cleared Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s younger brother,Teslim Ajimobi, the son of former governor Adebayo Alao Akala,Olamiju Akala and 53 others of the 57 nominees as Local Governments and Local Council Development Authority caretaker committee Chairmen.
Presenting the report of the House Committee on local government and Chieftaincy Matter,the Committee Chairman Hon Bolaji Badmus declared asked the executives to forward the names of two more people to replace Hon Taiwo Adeleke of Asabari LCDA and Mudasiru Agbaje of irepo local government
He stated that the committee in the report recommended that the executive arms of government should be gender sensitive in its appointment
Contributing, Hon Oladeji Bimbo representing Ogbomoso North state constituency demanded 35 percent women representation saying the House should look into the issue of gender imbalance in the appointment of the council Chairmen.
“Women should be given the opportunity, there is no single female here, I have been in this house performing my duties likewise other women have been performing tool, Hilary Clinton performed well as Secretary of State in the USA. There are examples of women who have performed well too. My submission is that subsequently there should be slots for women. Women should be nominated”she said.
Hon Oladeji cited the examples of herself, Hilary Clinton and other women who have excelled in their chosen carrears” and that the Beijing conference of China in 1995 and the 35 percent affirmative action which reserves at least 35% slots for women in any elective or non-elective positions in Nigeria.
“In this House, we have two female lawmakers and we are doing well, also at the executive we have two female commissioners and they are doing fine, they were never found wanting in the discharge of their duties. So, therefore, I want to urge the executives to ensure that subsequent names should be female”.
Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation counterpart, Hon. Bolanle Agbaje (Ibadan North 1) in her contribution said the list was “gender biased” and an attempt to silence the women folk.
Hon Agbaje maintained that it was wrong that there “is no single woman nominated to head any of the council areas”.
However, Speaker of the House, Hon Michael Adeyemo said the fault was not from the House but from the executive saying the house does not have right to nominate but to screen.
“Your submission is noted, the committee has noted it, so it is inside the report and we have already noted the observation. It is part of our recommendations”.
