Some former female ministers have shed light on the crucial need for empowerment and mentorship of young women to sustain female representation in public service.
They made the calls at the retirement and 60th birthday ceremony of Dr Joan Jummai-Idonije, Director of Planning Research and Statistics (PRS) of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a book titled, “Matriarchs of Nigeria’s Public Service”, spotlighting Nigeria’s female permanent secretaries, was launched in her honour.
Mrs Josephine Anenih, a former Minister of Women Affairs, said that mentorships, training, and networking opportunities to equip women with necessary skills and confidence to excel in public service, were crucial in sustaining women representation.
“Empowerment of women in public service is crucial for promoting diverse perspectives, innovative solutions, and inclusive decision-making.
“Mentorship for young women by women who have gotten to the apex levels of leadership in the public service is the key to sustaining the achievement of women upon their retirement.
“We should not just retire and leave without motivating others to aspire to greatness or attain even greater feats than those who have retired,” she said.
Anenih urged the media to mainstream women with outstanding achievements and performance in public services alongside their male counterparts.
This, she said, was a way of constantly motivating, especially young women, across sectors in the public service to continue to aspire and work to break barriers and pave the way for more female representation in government.
Also speaking, Mrs Amam Pepple, former Minister of Environment and former Head of Civil Service, harped on empowerment, mentorship, and leaving lasting legacies in public service.
“The celebrator of today has worked with different administrations and she is leaving an indelible print as an active, vibrant, resourceful, and ever-ready-to-work woman,” she said.
Mrs Pauline Tallen, a former Minister of Women Affairs, lauded the retiring director for her resourcefulness and urged her to create an accessible platform for young women to gain knowledge from her.
Mrs Erelu Adeleye-Fayemi, wife of former Ekiti State governor, said that networking opportunities should be created to facilitate connections and collaborations among women in public service.
On her part, Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Chairperson of Nigeria’s Governors’ Spouses’ Forum, urged young women in private and public services to emulate women of substance and approach them for guidance in government.
Mrs Asabe Bashir, Director-General, Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, lauded the retiring director for her zeal, commitment, dedication, and passion towards women development in the country.
She described the celebrator as a dedicated and powerful women advocate.
On her part, Jummai-Idonije, the retiring Director thanked her family, friends, and colleagues for their support throughout her public service up till her 60th birthday and retirement.
Jummai-Idonije thanked women who paved the way for herself and other women to rise in public service.
She promised to remain accessible and available to share her experience and provide necessary resources to boost productivity and guide women to attain great feats in public service.(NAN)
