
Stakeholders at the day two Zonal Public Hearing organized by the House of Representatives Special Committee on Constitution Review in the South of West of the Country has demanded that every child should be entitled to Free, compulsory and universal primary , junior and secondary school educations
This was just as the stakeholders asked that, the constitution needs to reflect gender-neutral and sensitive language , stressing that, the use of “he” is gender-biased which undermines the women and girls participation.
The Group also want equitable women Representations in the government through a minimum of 35% women Representations in elective, appointive office at the the Federal, State and Local Government levels as well as young women and young women disabilities.
The leaders of the Youth Advocacy, Olumide Daramola and WVL Partners Mrs Bola Fasuyi made the demands while presenting their papers at the hearing on Tuesday , along other stakeholders such as Osun and Ekiti States Government Representatives that spoke on the same page.
They also agitated that, in every Senatorial district, Federal constituency should established additional seat for woman according to Section 77 subsection (1) and (2) Act which shall return one member who shall be directly elected to the Senate or the House of Representatives in such manner as been prescribed by the act of the National Assembly.
The stakeholders said , “According to a new report, Nigeria has one of the largest number of children in the world who are out of school; there is an estimated of 10,193,018 children out of school. Furthermore, according to the 2018 Statistical report on women and men in Nigeria, the literacy rate for women, was 59.3 percent compared to that of men which was 70.9 percent.
” As Young people , we appreciate the opportunity to be given to us to be part of this process and we advocate for gender equity and increased participation of women and girls in public life. Nigerian women and girls currently face gender – based discrimination in every sphere and increased gender based violence, as noted during Covid-19 .
“The constitution of Nigeria must ensure equitable women Representation in government through a minimum of 35% women Representation in elective and appointive office at the Federal, State and Local level. This should be inclusive of young women and young women with disabilities because of the significant barriers they face.
“Another important aspect where discrimination arise in Nigeria Constitution is Citizenship right. The constitution, which prescribed the standards for Nigerian Citizenship, recognized the right of a Foreign woman to Citizenship by virtue of her marriage to a Nigerian man in section 26(2)(a).
“However, the same Constitution is silent on the case of a Foreign man married to a Nigerian woman. This amount to discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex as a result of the fact that this omission does not recognize the capacity of Nigeria women to bestow citizenship to their foreign partners or of Foreign men to acquire citizenship from their Nigerian wives legitimately.
The House Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Petter Ohio Zoji Akpatason in his closing remarks assured the people that the National Assembly is capable of saving Nigeria from it current situation.
He said ” I assured you today that, the National Assembly is capable of delivery us out the situation we are now. The constitution review is the Contribution of the National Assembly to the society.
When asked if the current review will prevent the report of the 2014 Confab, he said “Constitution Review is Something that is done from time to time to address issues that needs attentions. It is right of every Nigeria to call for Confab anytime .
The ongoing Review is not a ground for Nigeria to agitates for Confab but if the Nigerian’s are not sanctified ,the opportunity is there to do what we need to do to make Nigerian government serve the people better. Review is different from 2014 Confab .
He thanked the Governor , Akeredolu Oluwarotimi, his Deputy and entire state for the support given to the Committee and success of the program.
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