By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Newly-inaugurated woman lawmaker, representing Ogoja state constituency of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Agbo Ayim, has pledged to provide effective representation to her constituency by joining hands with the leadership of the House to come up with legislations that would provide succour to the people.
Hon Ayim made the pledge while responding to questions from journalists shortly after the inauguration ceremony, where she took the oath of office alongside other lawmakers on Tuesday in Calabar.
She said, “I shall serve with diligence; make input that would assist the House come up with legislations that would move the state forward.”
Anyim, who also emerged the Deputy Minority Leader said, “We had done a lot of politicking during our campaigns, when we were seeking opportunity to come to the House.
“Politicking is over, now is time for governance, irrespective of the party we belong. God on our side, our Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, is a man who we so much cherish. I assure him of my maximum support to enable him lead the House.
“My major pre-occupation is to join hands with other legislators to make laws that would move the state forward.”
Anyim, who a former chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area of the state, who was voted into the House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, advocated for the inclusion of more women in governance, stressing that the nation’s political space had been over-dominated by men.
She said that the advocacy became neccesary, given what played out in the 10th CRHA, where only two women were inaugurated alongside 23 men, a development she said depicted serious gender imbalance.
The woman lawmaker, who once served the state as Commissioner for Women Affairs, under the former Governor Ben Ayade-led administration in his first tenure stated that the inclusion of women in governance can attract progress and give the nation respect among the commity of nations.
The woman lawmaker averred that providing more space for women in governance can attract progress to the nation and bring respect to Nigeria in the commity of nations, and provide a sense of belonging with regards to issues of governance.
She added, “We need more women in seats and positions of authority. Can you imagine only two of us are going to serve in Cross River State House 10th Assembly among 23 men.”
She stressed further that from local to global level, women’s leadership and political participation had been so restricted.
She decried the relegation of women to the background in the nation’s political scene, adding, “Women are underrepresented as voters, as well as in leading positions, whether in elected or appointed office, to civil service, the private sector and the academia.
“This occurs despite women’s proven abilities as leaders and agents of change and their rights to participate equally in democratic governance.”
She therefore pledged to take part in the making of legislation that would encourage education for the girl-child so that obstacles faced by women to participate in politics would be removed.
She continued, “Structural barriers through discriminatory laws and institutions still limit women’s options to run for offices.
On the issue of capacity gaps, the lawmaker stated that women are less likely than men to have education, contacts and resources needed to participate effectively in leadership roles.
Anyim pledged to key in to government programmes that revolves around grants to assist her constituents in the agriculture chain value.
