The National Democratic Institute is elated over ongoing constitutional reforms initiated by the House of Representatives to enhance gender balancing and accommodate more women in political offices in Nigeria.
The House, under the leadership of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, has also given priority to tackling gender-based violence and the promotion of the rights of women and children.
A delegation from the NDI, led by its Chief of Party, Mr Stephen Snook, paid a courtesy visit to Gbajabiamila at the National Assembly on Wednesday, where it expressed gratitude to the Speaker over the reforms.
One of such reforms is the bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to create one senatorial seat and two House of Representatives seats to be occupied by women in each of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Whip of the House, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and referred to the Adhoc Committee on Constitution Alteration after it passed second reading.
Receiving the visitors, Gbajabiamila reassured them of the commitment of the House to push the bill through and to continue to promote all other gender equality legislation before the House.
“That it came this far speaks to the fact that many of our members are on the same page”, he stated.
Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
