The recently concluded PDP Presidential Primaries compelled quite a lot of attention. Despite all its intrigues, one personality stood out – Mrs. Sarah Jubril. With only one vote recorded against her name, Sarah Jubril lost her bid for the Presidency, for the 3rd time running. The preparedness of Mrs. Jubril for the job, can, and has been debated. But her fate underscores one salient issue.
Historically, the role of women in governance and leadership in Nigeria, and across the world has been abysmal. The wide ratio of uneducated girls to educated boys reflects the prevailing system’s insistence to deny women platforms for leadership.
Society’s relegation of the woman to the background has often been justified by the fact that God created the man to lead. This is true. But in pursuit of His desire for stability in all of creation, God created them male and female. He created them, not Adam and Steve, but Adam and Eve. And the woman He created with corresponding capacity and faculty for leadership, not to usurp the authority of the man, but to work with him in creating an excellent and stable world.
This stereo-type has however been disproved by women, few albeit, who at different times have risen, in various spheres of life, to provide strong and able leadership. Women like Deborah, Esther, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Queen Amina
of Zaria, Queen Candance of Ethopia, Nandi, queen of Zululand, Yaa
Asantewa of the Ashanti Empire, who remain towering examples of the leadership capacity of womenfolk.
Unfortunately, more women have succumbed to society’s narrow definition of their roles. Their potentials are underutilized and their dreams of greatness suppressed. It was Wangari Maathai who said, “In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when, we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.” Indeed, now is the time for more women to arise to their role of complementing the men in providing quality leadership. Women must strive to educate and equip themselves in this regard. They must begin to realize that God has created them with certain qualities for leadership which the world desperately needs. They must network, and continue to build support systems that enable them leverage on the strengths of one another for the benefit of society as a whole. In recent times, the world has witnessed women ascend the corporate leader and hold political offices, effectively. But the truth is, more women are needed for these transformational roles.
Remember, no one will make a way for you. You must assume the responsibility of making a way for yourself, as God has given you the grace. So quit wasting valuable opportunities to influence the quality of leadership in your nation. God has used women as agents of change when there was no solution. Now you can create the opportunity. Resolve not to disappoint God and let your generation down. Arise like Esther! For you have been born for such a time as this.

You can make that difference.

NIGERIA HAS A GREAT FUTURE.