Women have called on the Federal Government to focus its Corporate Civic Responsibility (CRS) initiative towards more representation of the gender in the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari and his fight against Corruption.
This disclosure was made by a 5-member panel of discussants at the 4th edition of the MMS Plus’ Woman Of Fortune Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony, with the theme: Capacity Development Evolving A Viable CSR initiative, in Lagos.
Women have called on the Federal Government to focus its Corporate Civic Responsibility (CRS) initiative towards more representation of the gender in the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari and his fight against Corruption.
This disclosure was made by a 5-member panel of discussants at the 4th edition of the MMS Plus’ Woman Of Fortune Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony, with the theme: Capacity Development Evolving A Viable CSR initiative, in Lagos.
The discussants were: the President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Jean Chiazor Anishere, National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Eugene Nweke, the Secretary General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Morbod Group, Barr. Margaret Orakwusi and the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Lami Tumaka.
Eugene reiterated that as an administrator, it is his opinion that in every organization and at every level there should be a woman occupying a position, stressing that there should be a percentage of seats that should be devoted to women, especially in government to bring about change in the fight against corruption.”
Similarly, Orakwusi posited, “More women should sit on corporate boards and management team of government agencies to be part of the decision making system of the industry if we truly want to see growth and development in our county. It is unacceptable to deny a woman a job just because she is a woman. Banks should create accounts specially dedicated to women, where they can have easy access to loans to own businesses without having to be subjected to the rigors of conditions that currently exists in loan facilities in Nigerian banks.”
According to Anishere, “there are ways through which social responsibilities can be achieved, these are through active participation in resolving some of the social problems. By making donations or providing periodic up keep through social and cultural interest engagements toward the good of the community, it is the social responsibility of finance companies to be more socially responsible. Social responsibility could also mean eliminating corrupt, irresponsible or unethical behavior in the community, among a people or even in an environment.
“It is the responsibility of leaders to say what they will do for the people and make sure they do it, positive development according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is a program through which individuals and organizations try to obtain and sustain Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and objectives. Positive development can be achieved by developing individual skills or investment capacity development.” She added.
She further stated, “Community building programs and education should, as a matter of urgency be made available to all as information is key. Capacity and community building should be pursued through networking, visits to relevant institutions within the country etc. In viewing the relevant steps to take, attention should be given to the role of technology. Corporate organizations should develop Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) trainings, to empower women in skill acquisition programs as the slogans says, train a woman you train you train a nation.
Usoro said, “Focusing on women development, I have observed that corporate organizations are targeting women empowerment programs, gender issues should be at the forefront of the policy of any organization both in the public and private sector. It is important to find out whether corporate organizations promote career paths for women the same way they promote for their male counterparts; they should see this as a burden to provide equal training opportunities for men and women, so that we can have capable and adequate number of women in the pool of women who are qualified for promotion.
“Women on their part should not always wait to be given the opportunity, there is always room to create the opportunity they want. Now that MDGs have been geared to women development, it must be sustained through the right mechanisms and policies, it is wise to look at organizations to see whether they promote the growth of women through their training programs or whether it chooses men more than women. Some must take it as a policy to ensure 50/50 training opportunities for both genders so that in the pool for promotion women have the same chance as men. Also women should create opportunities for active mentoring among themselves, let the younger women reach out also and not always wait to be reached by the mentor. Women should make themselves more visible and available.” She further said.
Tumaka opined, “CRS was automatic because of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country and we at NIMASA have been quite passionate about the plight of women in the society, we have made it a priority to resettle them back into the society, we also working out modalities on how to assist the families of soldiers who have lost their lives to Boko Haram especially for their children and those in the camps.”
Meanwhile, the lady of songs and the Director General of National Centre for Women Development, Lady Onyeka Onwenu who made the list of the2015 Class of MMS plus Women Of Fortune Hall Fame, in her address called on all corporate organizations Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and wealthy Nigerians to identify with the current challenges of IDPs and to contribute meaningfully in helping government to resettle IDPs especially women and children.
“There are children and women caught in this terrible situation, of course, all persons caught in the web are all very important and the government is making efforts to resettle them in their homes and places of abode before they were pushed out. This is the time to identify with them. They are a part of us. We must not be far from them, we must show that we care and love them. We must contribute and help with the long lists of resettlements programme.” Onwenu said.
Four women of substance were inducted into the2015 Class of MMS plus Women Of Fortune Hall Fame, and they were; the lady of songs and the DG, National Centre for Women Development, Lady Onyeka Onwenu; the CEO and Co-founder of The African Gas Association (TAGA), Ms. Anne Etoke; the General Manager, Medical Department of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Chinwe Abama and Dr. Ibilola Amao, the Principal Consultant of Lonadek Oil and Gas Consulting.
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