The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Abbas Tajudeen has told the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, that the Nigerian parliament is seeking inclusion of women and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in political governance in Nigeria.
Speaker Abbas noted that as part of its efforts, the House sought the backing of President Bola Tinubu, on bills seeking to reserve legislative seats for women and PLWDs in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
The Speaker made this known in Abuja when hosting guests on separate visits to him.
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Welcoming the newly posted envoy to the People’s House and Nigeria, Speaker Abbas noted that the House is one of the first Nigerian institutions to be visited by Vowles.
The Speaker informed the British High Commissioner that one key area where Nigeria is lagging behind in the world is women’s representation, noting that bills to reverse the trend are now at various stages of consideration.
Disclosing that the Legislature has lobbied the Executive arm of the government “to be part of this history,” Speaker Abbas said, “This initiative is going to be an innovation that has not been tested in any part of the world.”
Unlike the conventional voting system, the Speaker explained that women and PLWDs will be selected by a form of electoral college.
“Women and persons living with disabilities will be elected by elected officials. This will significantly increase the participation of women in parliament,” he said.
Speaker Abbas also told the British envoy that President Tinubu has adopted the bills, which will be transmitted to the National Assembly as executive bills.
Noting that the UK has been passionate about democracy, inclusion, and equal opportunities, the Speaker said, “I want you to know that we are equally passionate, like the UK.”
Speaker Abbas told Mr. Vowles that the doors of the House remain open to the UK for strategic engagement and advisory.
Earlier, The new British High Commissioner, Vowles, led the Political Counsellor, Greta Morris, and the Governance Adviser, Matthew Ayibakuro, on the visit.
Mr. Vowles, who described himself as the “Brand New British High Commissioner to Nigeria,” said he was posted to Nigeria about four weeks ago.
The envoy noted the deep relationship between the UK and Nigeria, stating that the courtesy call to the Speaker was to “pay respect to your office and to know what we can do together.”
The second visit was by renowned Hollywood actor/Founder, Guardian Girls International, Mr. Shin Koyamada, who led the President, Guardian Girls Africa, Mary Ehi Obande, President, Guardian Girls Nigeria, Dr. Ruqayya Ahmed and Secretary General, Guardian Girls Nigeria, Aisha Alhassan, and Legal Adviser, Mike Patrick, to the Speaker.
Guardian Girls Nigeria
Mr. Koyamada said the visit was to inform the Speaker about the launch of Guardian Girls Nigeria (GGN), which comes with receptions and self-defence seminars hosted with the Embassies of Japan and Vietnam and the National Martial Arts Federations.
Mr. Koyamada, who noted that he is originally from Japan, said he spent 26 years in the United States, during which he started in Hollywood, before his return to Japan to establish the Guardian Girls International.
He said the NGO is active in over 20 countries with UN agencies such as UNFPA, diplomatic missions, and sports federations, using self-defence, sports and education to protect women and girls from gender-based violence (GBV).
The Last Samurai actor also said he founded the NGO dedicated to advancing gender equality and campaigning against gender-based violence.
He noted that the organisation has partnered with United Nations bodies, sports governing institutions, and other NGOs.
According to him, Guardian Girls International is focused on engagements to prevent GBV and empower girls, especially with education.
“Today, we are launching Guardian Girls Nigeria in Abuja,” he said while reeling out the activities ahead of inauguration.
Mr. Koyamada also disclosed that his NGO has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with relevant partners in Nigeria.
