The Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma Egwaba, has called on women to rise above cultural, religious, and societal barriers and actively participate in politics and governance.
She made this statement while featuring as a guest on the 23rd episode of the Open Governance Forum, a programme focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
Rt. Hon. Egwaba described women as unique in nature and powerful in leadership, noting that women are natural game changers when given the opportunity to lead. According to her, women bring dedication, empathy, and strategic thinking into governance processes.
In a striking metaphor, the Deputy Speaker said she had once disliked attending late-night meetings often referred to as “witchcraft meetings,” but now proudly identifies as being part of such meetings held at midnight to “change the narrative” about women’s participation in leadership. She explained that the statement symbolizes her commitment to breaking stereotypes and redefining perceptions about women in politics.
Rt. Hon. Egwaba further advised women to set clear goals and remain focused on achieving them, warning against distractions that could derail their political ambitions, stressing that governance is not reserved for men alone.
She also emphasized that leadership development must begin at the grassroots level, particularly within political parties, and called for the inclusion of more women in political leadership structures at the ward and local government levels.
The Open Governance Forum continues to serve as a platform for dialogue on inclusive governance and citizen participation, with a special focus on strengthening women’s voices in leadership and decision-making.
