Remi Tinubu meets with UN reps, says more women needed in government

Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the president, says she is ready to partner with the United Nations to address the role of women in public institutions.

Speaking on Thursday when Matthias Schmale, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, and his team paid her a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja, Remi said there is need for increased participation of women in the economy.

She said she is interested in issues relating to women, adding that she wants more women in decision-making positions like the legislative arm.

“Because if laws are not changed, this would be the same game continuously,” Remi said.

“However, are the women ready to sacrifice? We are the ones that need to stand to help ourselves.

“Education is very vital and I don’t believe that a woman cannot get all that she wants once she is educated, but our focus on education is for all, both boys and girls and even less privileged women.”

On his part, Schmale promised on behalf of his organisation to collaborate with the office of the first lady based on her interests in the area of women and children.

“Secondly, it is our understanding that the president has made the economy an important stone; again, we know that women play a key role in the economy considering food and security as a national emergency,” he said.

“We are ready to explore what more we can do to support the government and your excellence in increasing the role of women in the economy and revitalising the economy.”

Schmale further said that the UN would support the first lady in ensuring that issues like polio, out-of-school children, child labour and violence against women are brought to a minimal level.

“The third issue is violence. Former President Muhammadu Buhari had, three years ago, declared violence against women and children a national emergency. Again, we are offering support to the UN family in overcoming this emergency.

“Finally, there are issues around children that we think are of particular importance, the issue of school children out of learning environment and the issue of over 15 million children under the age of 14 in child labour in Nigeria obviously need attention.”