NIGERIA'S NEXT PRESIDENT SHOULD BE A WOMAN.
Nigeria is currently undergoing another transition programme from military to civilian rule. Next year, it is expected that a new civilian president will emerge to direct the affairs of the country. The presidential candidates for each of the parties have been nominated but there is one thing that I am sure most of us have not noticed. All the candidates are men!
Sometimes. I sit down and wonder why we cannot have at least a woman among the presidential candidates. Since we got independence in 1960 no woman has been given the chance to contest the presidential election and I think that our great nation is making a mistake. First and foremost, if Nigeria has a woman as her president, there are so many advantages and benefits that we can enjoy. One of such benefits is that a woman president can be more honest than men. When we have an honest president, then we can begin to think of economic growth.
Furthermore, we all know the popular saying which goes thus: "What a man can do, a woman can do better". Indeed, this saying is true because women have proved to be better leaders than men. For instance, look at the famous Magaret Thatcher. She is a woman of virtue. discipline and honour. She has proved that women can in fact excel in a man's world.
In addition to this, if Nigeria's next president is. a woman, she would be upright, disciplined and very firm. She would realise that she is in a man's world and that at s.he is facing many challenges in which she cannot afford to fail because she wants to prove a point. Therefore, this will make h. er work very hard and to be firm in decision-taking. She will not bend for anybody. If we have a president who is. very firm, bribery and corruption will be curbed.
Similarly, there will be less chances of waging war. The country under the rule of a woman will be at peace with her neighbours. Instead of going to war, a woman will easily negotiate for peace and she will also make sure that she is always at peace with the citizens of the country.
I must also state that women are usually compassionate by nature, although they can be firm. If Nigeria has a female president, she would feel strongly for the little children, the poor, the widow and the less privileged who beg by the roadsides. Also, those people who do not have clothing and shelter will be taken care of.
Finally, I must say that if Nigerians elect. a female president,. it will be a great turning point in the history of the Country. it will ill also be an honour to have will s first. woman president after the long military rule. If Nigerians can give Women a chance, I am sure that they will not regret it.
Kunle Adetimilehin.
O.I.G.S. Lagos.