Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on improving Nigerians’ welfare as the country grapples with significant economic challenges.
Speaking at the 2024 Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) conference, Osinbajo highlighted the urgent need for social welfare programs and accessible healthcare as Nigerians struggle with rising costs in essentials like food, transportation, and housing.
“The cost of living is overwhelming Nigerians’ hope for survival,” Osinbajo remarked. He emphasized the growing issue of food insecurity, particularly affecting children, and called for stronger support systems to ensure basic needs are met.
Addressing the country’s literacy challenges, especially in the northern region, Osinbajo noted that over 67% of women in northern Nigeria are illiterate.
“A country where half the population is socially and economically disempowered due to illiteracy will find development difficult, if not impossible,” he warned.
To tackle this, he stressed the need for large-scale social interventions that address systemic issues, including literacy and economic empowerment.
Reflecting on the theme of the conference, “Dream, Dare, Do,” Osinbajo praised WIMBIZ for exemplifying resilience in pursuing impactful change.
“It’s not just about having dreams or starting enterprises—it’s about resilience and the courage to persevere through challenges,” he said. He also addressed the unique pressures faced by Nigerian entrepreneurs, who often feel compelled to maintain an image of success that exceeds their business’s financial reality.
“There is immense pressure on Nigerian business owners to sustain an appearance of success that their businesses cannot always support,” he added.
Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director of WIMBIZ, also spoke at the event, focusing on the obstacles women face in leadership, including stereotypes and self-doubt. She explained that the conference theme aimed to inspire both women and men to pursue their goals confidently.
“WIMBIZ is working to change the narrative on national impact by advocating for policies that include women in decision-making roles,” Akingbohungbe said. She noted that WIMBIZ continues to push for a minimum of 35% representation of women in leadership positions, a target she hopes will strengthen governance by bringing together the unique strengths of both genders.
Akingbohungbe contrasted Nigeria’s 6% female representation in parliament with countries like Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa, where women hold over 45% of seats. “This isn’t about pitting one gender against the other—it’s about recognizing the value that both bring to leadership,” she asserted.
The WIMBIZ conference underscored the critical need for inclusive policies, robust social welfare, and economic empowerment as pillars for Nigeria’s development.
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