By: Rejoice Yohanna
First of all, I will like to introduce or define the term “Women” according to oxford advanced learner’s dictionary, the term “Women” is as an adult female human or female human in general, while “nation building” based on my own understanding is the contribution of both male and female citizens of a country or nation to provide adequate Ideas or support in order to move their nation forward.
Women in Nigeria today are in competitive with their men counterparts in the building in various areas of our economy.
In the three arms of our Government for example, we have women making major contribution in moving Nigeria forward. We have in the legislature, women councilors and local Government chairpersons, elected to lead the people .Also in the national Assembly we have elected women senators, women house of Representative members contributing in
Law making .At the executive arm of government we have women ministers e.g. ministers of finance, ministers of women affairs to mention but a few. In the same vein there are women special advisers, special Assistants to Mr. President like wise in the Judiciary we have for today a woman Chief Justice of Federation, in the person of Maryam Muktar Alooma, women Justices at state and federal levels. In addition we have women lawyers, magistrates’ and other serving in the various capacities in the judiciary.
Looking at civil service we have women permanent secretaries, directors and top civil servants working hand in hand with men. Also in various ministries and local government councils women are appointed in various positions.
In various sectors of our economy we have women employed as Doctors and Nurses including auxiliary contributing to our health to our health development .Additionally we have women in our world bodies e.g. WHO, UNESCO,UNDP etc .Educationally we have women professors, lecturers, teachers, administrators, all contributing to educational development of Nigeria as part of our nation building.
In the Agricultural sector women contribute in the production of foodstuff both at the local and state levels. In Michika today for example women produce 90% of the food requirement.
Politically we have today women in the office of the First Lady Patience Jonathan, wives of state Governors and local government chairpersons.
In the security, we have women as army commanders, police officers, officers in SSS (state security service), we have them in customs, Immigration and so on. This, in a nutshell is what I can present in the question “the role of women in nation building”.
In conclusion, we have women serving in the mass media that are Journalists in television houses, radio houses, Newspapers/Magazines and other communication agencies e.g. global com. Glo, Mtn,Airtel etc. Also there are female workers in the private sectors e.g. Banks, Insurance companies and elected agencies.
Rejoice Yohanna,wrote this piece from No.7 Likuni Road,Hausari word, Michika II, Michika Local Government area, Adamawa State .
E-mail: yohannarejoice@gmail.com
Tel:08108657336