Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has congratulated the Founder of Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji on his 60th birthday, noting that his life has been eventful with marks of achievements in many spheres.
This is a the former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro emphasised on the need for every citizen to be included in governance without discrimination.
The renowned academic, who made the submission while delivering a paper as guest speaker at the fifth anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on Tuesday, pointed out that political marginalisation of women in Nigeria can be attributed to factors such as cultural and religious beliefs which are further institutionalised by Nigeria’s political party system and structure.
Expanding on the lecture topic, “Burden of Inclusivity, and Nigeria’s Democracy”, Bogoro said: “For instance, Nigeria’s current political party structure is built on party practices like the lack of internal party democracy, political exclusion, and marginalization of vulnerable groups. This is reflected in the constitution of the party leadership, membership management, and candidate nomination. All these processes are skewed to favor a select few.
“In addition, to the hurdle women face at the party level, there is the challenge of mobilising voters to vote for a woman and then contesting in a flawed, highly commercialized and violent electoral process. These challenges make it difficult for women to emerge as candidates or win the election”.
He stressed that people living with disabilities are mostly disadvantaged in the political structure, stating that discrimination against this sets should be critical looked into, to avoid margination
He further said: “In 2017, YIAGA AFRICA’s Centre for Legislative Engagement conducted a study to determine the extent of the representation of women, youth (under 35 years old) and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria’s legislative bodies. In the Senate, the study found women made up just 6.4 per cent of seats and there were no members of the youth and no PWDs.
“In the House of Representatives, only 5.8 per cent of the representatives were women, while youth made up 0.8 per cent. There were no legislators with disabilities. At the state level, the study found that only 4.9 per cent of representatives across all the State Houses of Assembly were women; 5.8 per cent were youth and 1.4 per cent were persons living with disability”.
In his sub-theme, the Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD), Mr. David Anyaele frowned at what he described as institutionalized margination of people living with disabilities.
He noted that the only time the set of people are remember in governance is during charity or campaigns, which he said deprived the special people of living their full potential, while contributing to the development of the country.
Anyaele therefore called for a consistent and deliberate efforts at including the PWDs in government, emphasising that there is much more ability in disability.
“Everyone at a point in our life time would have disabilities. So, it is so wrong to discriminate or neglect the critical value of the set of people, which we all belong to one way or the other. We want to assure equal opportunity if we have people with disability as commissioner in the state is not bad”, he added
Kayode-Adedeji called on the government and critical stakeholders in the country to avoid the act of neglecting people with disabilities, advocating that, they should be involved in the government.
He noted that the theme of the event was deliberately chosen, as part of the media organization’s effort to make the voice of people with special needs heard, which is part of the social responsibility that the media outlet has taken upon since its inception.
The journalist, who is a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers and International Press Institute, explained that Penpushing Media has been robustly nurtured on the journalistic ideology of adding value to journalism worldwide, by ensuring credible sources of news around the world.
He said: “Penpushing is indeed set to correct and tackle the menace of fake news which is almost becoming daily occurrence in the world with its greater negative impact in our clime, particularly owing to myriad of online communication channels.
“Similarly, it aims to revive the dwindling fortune of journalism practice and be a credible platform for genuine news to its readers across the globe. In line with our mission we shall consciously want to err on the side of caution to authenticate news for dissemination on Penpushing platform”.
In a letter dated 20th July 2023, which he personally signed, Abiodun said that he is delighted to felicitate with the Penpushing founder on behalf of the Ogun State Government.
In the letter titled, ‘A Bouquet of Hearty Cheers as a Trail-Blazer Turns 60’, Abiodun thanked the Almighty God for His benevolence in the life of the veteran journalist over the past six decades, pointing out that he is a symbol of what an individual can achieve with dedication and passion.
The governor wrote: “It is with great delight and joy that I convey the very warm felicitations of my family, the Government and good people of Ogun State to you as you gracefully attain the Diamond age of 60. Congratulations!
“I join you, your family and other well-wishers in celebrating this milestone and thanking Almighty God for His benevolence in your life over the past six decades. Your life has been eventful with marks of achievements in many spheres”.
The governor emphasised that the celebrator is a symbol of what an individual can achieve with dedication and passion, even in a challenging environment, adding that in him the younger generation find a source of inspiration and a mentor
Abiodun said: “Indeed, you are a symbol of what an individual can achieve with dedication and passion, even in a challenging environment. In you, the younger generations find a source of inspiration and a mentor. Your years of experience as a seasoned journalist with repute have strengthened you to handle multi-task challenges.
“The Board, Management and staff of Penpushing Media have benefitted immensely from your professional competence over the years since it was established. We are very proud of your numerous accomplishments in various positions you have held in the past. Indeed, we are grateful to God for the rare gift you represent in our clime.
“As you celebrate this diamond age. I join you in giving gratitude to Almighty God for the fulfilled life He has granted you. We pray for many more years in good health and sound mind so that you can continue to serve the nation and humanity at large. Once again, please accept my hearty congratulations and the assurance of my highest regards”.
