Joe Okei-Odumakin is the president of Women Arise, a non-governmental organisation that concerns itself with women activism. In this interview with Senior Correspondent, ISHAYA IBRAHIM, she says Nigeria’s First Ladies, both past and present, have failed to live up to the billing of that office.
How are First Ladies expected to carry themselves?
It is important that we know that existence or practice of having First Ladies is not peculiar; the only missing link here is the inability of the many of the occupants in Nigeria to effectively use the position as it is demanded. The position of the First Lady should be seen as a platform not only to assist their spouses who are the elected public officers but also to create a general awareness on the role of the women in any society. Occupants of this position are expected to use their position to drive meaningful programmes and ideas that seek to elevate the women and children who, in most cases, are under-represented in the leadership positions in the society. This, in my opinion, should be their focus rather than engagement in politics of those affairs which are not their business.
Why are our First Ladies reputed for controversies?
Relatively, I will want to say that the entirety of the First Ladies might not have associated with controversies; but if we take critical look at those cases where First Ladies have been involved in one controversy or another, it has always been based on their involvement in political matters, which in the first instance should not have been their area of priority.
What should be done to bring respect to the office?
Well, respect is always earned and not demanded. The only way to bring respect to the office of the First Lady is for the occupants to understand the limitations of their office, the demands of their position and their ability to stay off practical politics which had often brought ridicule to the office.
What is your reaction on the battle between Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Mrs. Patience Jonathan, and involvement of Professor Wole Soyinka?
I think it is time Nigerians realised that what is happening in Rivers State is not alien to the ruling PDP, and it can best be described as their “family affair”. The issues in contention in Rivers have nothing to do with the people, but the idiosyncrasies of leaders. It is therefore my view that Prof. Wole Soyinka, as a patriot, must have been riled by the assault on democratic values in the process of the whole show of shame.
@Daily Independent
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