We’ll give women 50 per cent slots in our cabinets – Umma Getso

Umma Getso is a political activist, and the running mate of Kingsley Moghalu, presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP). She is the daughter of Abdullahi Getso who was elected a senator in 1983 on the platform of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) She spoke with Fatima Binta Muktar on some of her intentions for Nigeria’s women if voted come 2019 among other issues.Excerpts;

What is your template for women in Nigeria?

My vision for an average Nigerian woman is better life which she has been craving for all this while. We intend to train and equip them with working tools and soft loans to start practising what they learnt. And those that improve themselves shall be given secondary attention of encouraging others. This will help in eradicating poverty among Nigerian women. Thus there shall be ; 1. Guidance and counselling team, 2. Monitoring team, 3. Training team and 4. Authenticating team.

What alternative are you bringing to the table?

What we intend to do differently in our government is to give women 50 per cent slots in our cabinets and other appointments across boards. This will enable women to function better than ever in history of Nigeria. We shall be given the healthcare sector the robust attention it deserves as a way of reducing childbirth mortality rate. Presently, the health sector budget is put at 3 per cent of the nation’s budget. we intend to increase to 15 to per cent to meet the current AU standard.

The party has not spread, how can you convince Nigerians?

I think this is a misconception about our great party, the Young Progressive Party (YPP). The party is widely spread across the 36 states and the Federal capital Territory, Abuja. We have candidates for gubernatorial positions, senators, house of reps. states assembly, chairmen and councillors. So the YPP is widely spread.

What measures are you working on, as regards boosting Nigeria’s economy?

Our energies will be hugely vested in the constitutional restructuring of Nigeria along geopolitical lines or states such that mineral resources found in whatever state shall be used for the development of such state. Therefore, and a define percentage shall be given to the centre. We shall also create an enabling atmosphere for an innovative economy. We shall equally create economic diversification similar to that of Saudi Arabia that will ensure prosperous path beyond dependency on crude oil.

What do you intend as regards job creation and youth unemployment in Nigeria?

Our government intends to invest in the creative prowess of the Nigerian youths by prioritizing the National Youth policy of 2009 with emphasis on education and encouragement of the youths to participate in democratic process at all levels.

Do you think Nigeria is ripe for a female vice-president?

Yes of course. Nigeria is long overdue to have a female Vice President because of the fundamental roles women have been playing in the nation’s political landscape for decades and its general development. It is time for the paradigm shift for a patriotic female to emerge. Bedsides, it is agreed in the local parlance that whatever a man can do, a woman can do it, and even better. So, I am calling on the Nigerian women to give us their support by voting Kingsley Moghalu and Umma Getso candidature?

Some Nigerians think there seem to be the issue of disunity, what is your take?

The issue of disunity in Nigeria is not new. But this is not enough to say it is insurmountable if patriotic leaders emerge. But in a situation whereby we continue to have a carefree government for decades. The citizens will definitely lose faith in the integrity of the government. For instance the current regime’s one-sided appointments of the service chiefs points to the lack of will power by the government to unite its citizenry. Like I have earlier pointed out, our government intends to have 50/50 gender equality which will use the federal character template in all its appointments. This way, every state shall be adequately represented. By so doing, plus other policies which the government will introduce, Nigerians will once again be united which is the bedrock of all developments.