The National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has rated Kano state governor Abdullahi Ganduje as “the most gender-sensitive governor in the country”.
“Ganduje gives priority to women development; he is the best in gender mainstreaming,” NAWOJ President, Ifeyinwa Omowole, said on Thursday in Kano, when she paid a courtesy visit to the governor.
Mrs Omowole explained further: “We have been to many states. We are not here to beg you to include women in governance. You have already done beyond what is expected.
“Your administration has accorded all the priorities due for women with the number you have appointed into your government.
“You gave sensitive positions to women. The Head of Civil Service and 12 Permanent Secretaries are women. That is a great feat,” she added.
While commending the governor for his laudable projects in the last five years, Mrs Omowole called on other states to emulate his commitment to a better life for the people.
In his response, Mr Ganduje said that the administration had more women in government than any other state.
“In Kano, we have more women in our administration than any other state. This was not done by accident because we examined our election very well and understood that women formed the significant percentage of the electorate. There were more women on the queues.
“We also understand that if women are involved in administration, they are not only interested in gender issues, they are also interested in good governance.
“We want to revolutionise gender issues in Kano. We want to put women in strategic positions because we believe they can deliver,” Mr Ganduje said.
NAN reports that the NAWOJ President was in Kano to officially open a three-day training for female journalists.
The training, which focuses on “Gender safety and gender sensitive reporting”, began on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and will end on Friday, Oct. 2.
NAN
