Ministerial nominees, female lawyers cry of marginalization

       International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of marginalizing the women folk in the list of ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate for screening.

Chairperson of the Kwara state FIDA, Mrs. Oluronke Adeyemi ‎said this yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital as parts of activities to mark its week.

‎Mrs. Adeyemi said that: “We are surprised with just one lady among the ministerial nominees. It is not acceptable to us and other women in the country. Nigeria have women who merit the ministerial list.

“We support the president’s effort at appointing credible people. He should appoint credible people even if they are all from the same state. Nigerians should learn to do things in a new way. Whether all the ministers are Christian, Muslim or from one part of the country, all we need are competent people to drive the nation to greater height but number of women should be increased because we have many of them who have impact in their chosen careers.”

On the theme of this year’s celebration titled “Protecting the Children, securing our future, she said that the society cannot continue to pretend that all is well the Nigerian children which was why the association is calling the attention of all to the plight.

She said “many children have been assaulted, some were poured hot water, some burnt, mercilessly beaten while others were put to hard labour. Many of them lived among us and we have invited about 350 teachers across the state to come and listen to experts talk on how to identify these categories of children and how to access help for them.

On rights of children, Adeyemi said ‎there are laws in place on abuse of children but people are not willing to press charges.

“Those who inflict pains on children does that on orphans. The problem is a systemic issue and to solve the problem of children abuse there should be laws allowing taking children away from the cruel hand. It is working in Kwara state already and a family court has been established in Kwara to look at domestic violence including children’s maltreatment,” she added

‎She stated further while condemning Boko Haram attacks in the country that their programme is targeted at preventing another set of Boko Haram with FIDA week this year.

She added that “any child raised with cruelty will grow up to be cruel. We have no value for human lives; It obvious that they aren’t fighting to Islamise Nigeria but to destroy the country. I Prayed for President to succeed in the war against terror and I urged all Nigerians to support the government. I believed in discipline but discouraged been cruel to children.”