Empower women through equal chances, not affirmative action, says Nwabueze 

A professor of English Language in the Department of English, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Iyabode Nwabueze, has underscored the need for women to be provided with equal opportunities and a fair chance to succeed, rather than being given special treatment or sympathy through affirmative action. 
  
The don, therefore, advocated for a level playing field where women can compete and thrive.
  
Nwabueze disclosed this, yesterday, at the university headquarters in Abuja while delivering NOUN’s 27th inaugural lecture.  
  
Titled, ‘The Woman is First Human: The Linguistic Exploration of Her Womanhood,’ the scholar explored the concept of womanhood through a linguistic lens, emphasising that women’s humanity should be recognised before their gender. 
  
The inaugural lecturer and former staff of The Guardian stressed the need for women to recognise their self-worth and dignity as God’s creations. 
  
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the institution, said: “First and foremost, society needs to move from doing her a favour by allowing her to flourish. The woman should have access to all she requires to excel rather than giving unnecessary concessions.

By her makeup, she may need a bigger muscle to carry a bag of cement.

That is what physiological structure made her to be, to have lesser muscle than the male. There is nothing to contest in this. 
  
“However, she does not need to depend on anyone to write a paper or an examination, which she can do using her brain. What may help is for the man that wants her to work all day and still come home to slave over the stove to realise that partnership is about mutual respect and understanding.”