Senator Kola Balogun has called on the womenfolk to remain resolute, focussed and use their numerical strength to bring about whatever change as related to the Gender Biil recently turned down by the National Assembly.
The senator, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, restated his support for the Bills and urged women not to be deterred by the initial setback to the Bill.
Senator Balogun, a younger brother to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Dr. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll, said this while responding to a request by the chairperson of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ogun State chapter, Dupe Sobukola, at the Alarere residence of the Olubadan.
Some female journalists, led by Sobukola, had accompanied the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson, who led some other Iyalodes and other female chiefs across Yorubaland on courtesy visit to Oba Balogun.
The NAWOJ chairperson had asked Senator Balogun to prevail on his colleagues to revisit the Gender Bill which she described as product of intensive research on how there could be growth and development through women participation in politics.
Responding, Senator Balogun tasked the womenfolk to check the record, noting that they would discover that he was among the lawmakers that voted in support of the Bill because of his belief in women and the need to give them their dues in the polity.
The federal lawmakers also admonished women to work on their representatives from the various constituencies across the country in order to make the Bill a reality.
Senator Balogun said: “Some of us appreciate your roles in the polity and what your dues should be. But we need the number to push through and that is where the job comes back to you to scrutinize and push forward those that share your vision and mission. You have the number, you can do it.”
Chief Lawson said the purpose of the visit was to felicitate the new Olubadan, noting that his emergence at this particular point in time was significant in the history of Ibadanland and Yorubaland in general.
She also stressed that the expected unity among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland should be encouraged.
The Iyalode of Yorubaland, who is also the Iyalode of Egbaland, said the team she led to the Olubadan showed the oneness of all women in Yorubaland.
She noted that she deliberately limited the number with a promise that any other time that the need arises to be with the Olubadan, every eligible woman would be involved.
The guests were received Otun Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade, Maye Olubadan, Senior Chief Lekan Alabi, Aareago Olubadan, Ade Odunade and Baale Kalemori, Bashir Balogun.
Responding on behalf of Olubadan, High Chief Ajibola commended Iyalode Lawson for her initiative and promised that the Olubadan Palace would be ever ready to respond to whatever request the womenfolk may make to aid the growth and development of the country.
