Ruling class, parties stifling women participation in politics, says Wike

• Donates N200m to Fowoso
• Ondo partners ADFB, ADB, secures $161m credit facility on potable water

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has decried the continued decline in participation and involvement of women in politics, stressing that the trend is not healthy for the polity.

Wike, who spoke yesterdayat the fourth Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Official (FOWOSO) summit held in Akure, Ondo State capital, represented by Rivers State Head of Service, Mr. Rufus Godwin, frowned on how Nigeria was ranked 181 out of 193 countries in the gender equality index for countries with low women representation in governance.

He, however, donated N200 million to FOWOSO to assist the association, encouraged gender advocates to mobilise the womenfolk across Nigeria to request the National Assembly to revisit the four gender equality bills it recently rejected during the recent alteration process of our constitution.

Wife of Ondo State Governor and founder of the association, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, said there was need to do more in collective strife to elevate the status of women.

On his part, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, appreciated the FOWOSO’s founder for her passion for womanhood, describing it as second to none.

Akeredolu said that his wife’s contributions would be indelible in the hearts of people in the state.

IN another development, Ondo State government, in partnership with French Development Agency (AFD) and African Development Bank (AfDB), yesterday, launched the rehabilitation of Owena Multipurpose Dam project to ensure residents have access to safe and potable water.

Akeredolu, who disclosed this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said that the state was able to secure $161 million credit facility from the international agencies for the project.

He said that six local councils in the central senatorial district of the state would benefit from the scheme when completed.