Politics
A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay, has called for involvement of more women in politics at all levels of governance in the country.
Alli-Macaulay, also made case for their participation in the forthcoming local government election in Lagos State, saying that they should be encouraged to take active part.
The lawmaker, representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency I, made the call at an interactive session with newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to her, women should be given not less than 30 per cent positions when considering people at all levels of government in accordance with the Beijing Conference’s resolutions in China.
Alli-Macaulay, also the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Jobs Creation, urged Nigerians to develop a heart of giving and help people around them, especially those in need.
The lawmaker described Ramadan period as a time for everybody to show love to their neighbours and help those in need.
She said in the spirit of Ramadan, she would give out food items to some people in the next few days, apart from others that would be fed before the end of the holy month.
According to her, the period is also a good time to pray for the country and the rest of the world against insecurity, poverty and the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic.
“The essence of Ramadan is for Muslims to put themselves in the position of those that are hungry so that they can know how it feels to be in need.
“Just like Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that anytime we are in the Ramadan period, we should always remember that there are some people somewhere who do not have food to eat.
“So, whatever you have and no matter how little it is, we should try to share it with the people around us,” she said.
Alli-Macaulay, popularly referred to as “Mama Amuwo’’ said her office had reached out to no fewer than three thousand people through her empowerment programme.
The lawmaker said that food items that were available for distribution to people during Ramadan include: milk, milo, sugar, spaghetti, garri, semovita, noodles, just to mention a few.
She noted that the gesture was from her own personal money, denying allegation that she used palliative items meant for her constituents for her birthday celebration in 2020.
“I didn’t use palliatives items for my birthday as it was spread by some media outfits. However, the ceremony was a birthday and women empowerment.
“It was a coincidence that 90 boxes of indomie (the palliatives) came at the time and had to be shared anyway to the rightful owners.
“I am a woman of compassion. I cannot take what is meant for my people. Even, before I became a member in 2019, I have always touched people’s lives,’’ Alli-Macaulay said.
She said that her act of benevolence was not about politics, religion, gender, adding that there should be no sentiment in doing things to worship Allah.
The lawmaker said this was the time to remain faithful to God and forgive one another, adding that it was also a time to ask for forgiveness.
According to her, this is especially in these last 10 days of this glorious month to worship and get close to Allah.
Alli-Macaulay also prayed for the peace and unity of Lagos State and that of the country in general.
NAN
– MAY 05, 2021 @ 19:05 GM
Tags: Lawmaker calls for involvement of more women in politics
