“When you educate a person, you educate a person, in the event you educate a lady, you educate a household, a nation”, was coined by Malcolm X. It’s an previous African proverb. Prehistorically, males have at all times dominated just about each sphere of life, not simply training.
The twentieth Century nonetheless has witnessed an enormous drive for the training of the girl-child particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This has tipped the size fairly dramatically as we arguably have a steadiness of the variety of educated individuals no matter gender.
Northern Nigeria, which had been recognized as lagging behind in western training, has needed to deploy an invigorated method in direction of educating its feminine inhabitants, because the norm of treating ladies as marriage materials solely, went by a renaissance. Islam encourages Muslims, not simply the menfolk, however each particular person, to hunt training. Typically the North should still be contending with extra out-of- college kids, however on the steadiness of all of it, the extent, high quality and depth of western training within the North, isn’t solely akin to that of Southern Nigeria; however can contest with that of many different areas of the civilised world.
Impressively, over time, Arewa has carried it’s womenfolk alongside, in a highstakes quest for training in an period of technological developments. From the many years of handing out seats and positions to ladies for inclusion, Arewa ladies have proven outstanding developments of their abilities, capacities and {qualifications}, driving them to compete with the menfolk.
For the reason that nation’s return to democracy in 1999, I dare to say that Arewa ladies have by no means had it higher. They’re now reaping the fruits of their labour through the years. Beforehand, they’d attend the identical faculties, earn the identical levels, and possess the identical experience as their male counterparts, but miss out on positions and appointments they’re eminently certified for. Beneath the present administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has given alternatives and appointments to Arewa ladies, greater than we have now ever witnessed. These appointments have come on benefit. Their scholarship, stewardship and dedication to nation-building are being recognised.
Throughout completely different professions and fields of research or work, at this time, you discover extremely positioned Arewa ladies as chief executives, chairpersons, vice chancellors, and different comparable positions. Arewa ladies on this administration have mentioned that it’s “awa lokan” (our flip), and Mr. President has obliged them.
Arewa has this lengthy retinue of excessive rating officers together with Hadiza Bala Usman as Particular Adviser, who “evaluates” all ministers for Mr. President. You’d agree with him {that a} girl would do a extra diligent job. Iman Suleiman in fact, is the Minister of Girls Affairs, and Hannatu Musawa is the Minister of Tradition, Arts and Tourism. Prof. Suwaiba Stated Ahmad is Minister of State for Schooling, and Dr. Mahmoud Mariya can also be Minister of State for FCT. Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas is the Particular Adviser to the President on Well being. All these are cupboard members.
Others embody Hajiya Aisha Garba, the brand new Government Secretary of UBEC, and Hajiya Aisha Bakari, the Chief Government Officer of the Nigeria Monetary Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Aisha Rimi is the Government Secretary/CEO of Nigeria Funding Promotion Fee (NIPC), whereas Haj. Halima Kyari is the Chairman of the Nationwide Insurance coverage Fee (NAICOM). The Director-Common Nationwide Emergency Administration Company (NEMA) is Zubaida Umar, and Dr. Amina Hassan is the Chief Medical Director, Nationwide Eye Centre. Fatima Shinkafi was reappointed Government Secretary, Stable Minerals Improvement Fund, and Prof. Fatima Kyari is Registrar/CEO, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. Additionally, you will discover fairly quite a few Arewa ladies as CMDs of various Federal Medical Centres throughout the nation that had been appointed by this administration.
The emphasis on girl-child training within the North, particularly within the well being sector has yielded fruits. Not forgetting the indefatigable Prof. Aisha Maikudi who additionally made it as vice chancellor (VC), Yakubu Gowon College (aka College of Abuja). This not counting the very quite a few EDs, and board memberships the place we have now a excessive proliferation of Arewa ladies.
All of those Arewa amazons are professionals in their very own proper and have deserved these appointments. They’ve been good ambassadors of Arewa and have excelled of their careers. Their appointments have subsequently come on benefit. They’re additionally a symbolisation of a world phenomenon that’s upending the regime the place sure job hierarchies are the unique reserve of males.
Girls are attaining these profession heights the place they in the end get to be recognised as consultants and specialists, with the cognate expertise essential to run these workplaces. Their friends as males with far much less qualification or expertise attain these positions resulting from gender inequality.
However the tide is altering and the local weather afforded them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is sort of beneficial. These heights are not dizzying and cloudy. All they want do, is to proceed to excel of their completely different professions. The obstacles that historically restricted their participation and longevity in service to their nation, are steadily being eroded by insurance policies in governance, which can be opening up new frontiers for them.
