2019: Connecting Gender Engages Kaduna Female Candidates …Says, Media Key to Success

Connecting Gender, COGEN an NGO based in Kaduna has described the media as a veritable tool to reaching out to people.

The Executive Director, Connecting Gender, COGEN,Ngukwase Surma made this known while educating female candidates for the 2019general election on why they need the media in the actualization of their dreams.

The realization of this fact she said led to the creation of a platform whereby candidates can engage the media, interact and have a robust rapport that could open up windows for discussion on issues germane to their quest to positively impact on the lives of the electorates.

The interaction between the media and the candidates brought to fore certain arrears of concern.

Some critical arrears highlighted in the cause of the interactive session were,

That there was the need for candidates to be resilient; to remain relevant and not phase out after election only for them to come on scene at the nick of another election. Such practice does not augur well for a candidate. The meeting observed. 

The meeting had stressed on the need for women to build up their confidence. They are to go into the race with the determination of a winner. Though, politics it said is not all about winning as such, a looser should not be discouraged by opting out of the game for there are other areas of engagement that could make meaningful impact on the society.

It was also observed that women are always running away from the media. If they must succeed, there is the need to work in partnership with the media as it remains the platform with which they can sell themselves and get votes. If possible, candidates should have media aids.

 Part of the observations was that many of the women do not have good strategies and that inmost cases, Surma pointed out “what happens to most women is the fact that the core people you work with sell you out.”

 This means that a lot of planning and strategizing must be taken seriously. An aspect which her NGO engages in. She said.

While the media throws open its door to any of the candidate’s willing to partner with them, COGEN together with its sponsors, the National Democratic Institute, (NDI), would continue to reach out to different constituents as well as partner with the media in her bid to enhancing the skills of the female candidates. It would also not rest on its owls to ensure that needed exposure are provided to the female candidates for according to her, not many people are aware of their existence; both  in the state and some parts of their communities. It noted.

Surma,while taking a look at a picture of women representation in elective offices said Nigeria has not fared well and that Ruwanda  has the highest record with 68 percent of their women in elective position while Nigeria the giant of Africa is left behind.

Women representation at the legislative level is nothing to write home about. A look at Kaduna state both at the national and state level has not been impressive. In1999, Kaduna at the legislative level had only two representatives. Hon. Binta Massi Garba and Hon. Florence Diya.

The trend had since remained slow. So also is that of Kaduna state House of assembly which recorded no representative at all this assembly.  COGEN is doing all its best to ensure that Kaduna Assembly gets a good number of  female representatives this time around. She assured.

With the efforts of stakeholders and COGEN commencing discussion, a lot of interaction would take place. The Executive Director added.

The total number of thirteen female candidates from 8 political parties were identified from Zone one and two Senatorial Districts.

 Five from Zone 3 senatorial district of the state are contesting various positions on different political parties in the 2019general elections.

The following candidates had in a brief given a hint on their activities and what likely to be the expectations once they get there.

 Hon. Patience Abbah Bako is a candidate under the MEGA party. She is vying for the seat of the state House of Assembly, under Sabon Gari Constituency. Her project is geared towards helping the less privileged women.

“My interest is to help the less privileged women.Women are home makers and are passing through a lot of challenges. They are not well taken cared by the men. I see it as a project supporting women in getting something doing to assist the home.”

Hon. Jemila Mohammed is of MPM party, candidate under Makera constituency; seeking for the seat in the House of Assembly.  According to her it was a call from people of her constituency to serve them.

  “I want to be there as good messenger for the people of my constituency. If elected, l would ensure that there is peace and security in my constituency. I would ensure that  people get soft loan. I would help to pass  bill on education. I also have plans for the youth. She added.

Hon. Grace Sylvester is of APGA party, Kajuru Constituency. The interest is that of touching the lives of the orphans.

”Mine is to better the lives of orphans. If elected,l would do my best for womenfolk. I, as a woman have seen life. The youth are very much behind me. I have their full support and would also not forget them.

Hon. Hannatu Yusuf is another candidate for Kaduna House of Assembly. She is of the MEGA party , under Makera Constituency. Hers is helping the widows. Being a widow, She knows where the shoe pinches. Widows,youth and children are  her concern.

“I want to help widows, youths and children. I pray that l am able to take them to the level they want to reach.  She said.

Among the candidates was a running mate to a gubernatorial candidate of the Massive Movement of Nigeria, (MMN) Rukaya AliyuLadan whose commitment is to assist the Guber candidate Suleiman Abdulrasheed in ensuring that the people of Kaduna state enjoy the dividend of democracy.   

 The programme coordinator, COGEN, Ebenezer Omolekun earlier in his opening remark had said the joint meeting of journalists/2019Female candidates held at  Poly Motel,Kaduna was meant to foster good relationship between the two. The overall coverage on women politicians he said have been very minimal as such needed media strategies to support them.