Kalu expressed his commitment to championing the cause of women’s rights and empowerment and ensuring their representation in legislative processes.
Kalu made the promise during the 40th anniversary of NEWS Engineering Limited and the launch of the NEWS 40/40 Leadership Development Fellowship, held on Monday in Abuja.
The event was attended by dignitaries including traditional rulers such as the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; a former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Executive Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Ifeoluwa Oyedele, among others.
The deputy speaker eulogised the current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of News Engineering, Josephine Nwaeze, for her exceptional ability to lead the company successfully following the loss of her husband during a plane crash in 2006.
He emphasised the need for Nigeria to recognise and appreciate the power of women.
He said, “It is high time we stopped underestimating the power of a woman. Everything they handle with dedication they multiply. As the chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, I have a lot of work in my hands to make sure the repositioning of women folks in our country is achieved.
“The President, the Vice Lresident, and the Chief of Staff are products of the parliament, the Secretary to the Gvernment of the Federation is also a product of the parliament. So, they understand the role that legislative intervention plays concerning this kind of intervention that is needed and what is. That women should be given their place.
“The President gave it to his wife that was why she became a senator. So, when we take it to her she might say accent to this bill and what the bill suffered previously will not be suffered again because the Presidency believes in women.
“I am sure when we take the Constitutional Amendment Bill to Mr. President that will preach gender equality, that will preach gender equity, that will preach gender inclusiveness, the President will not say no to it. So, keep hope alive because we are coming with the Renewed Hope Agenda that will renew the hope of women and bring them into the scheme of things.”
Nwaeze said, “We sincerely hope that all will be inspired by our experience through these years as you will find stories of perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence against all odds.
“As we mark this significant stage of our corporate history, we also cast our gaze towards the future, a future that holds the promise of greater achievements and enduring success.
“In this journey, we shall harness the full potential of technology to seize opportunities and explore innovations. Our commitment to excellence will drive us to develop and deploy the most relevant structures and architectural frameworks that ensure the sustainability of our legacy.”
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, who commended Nwaeze for building on the legacy left behind by her husband, stressed the need for women to be given key positions in government to fast-track Nigeria’s economic development.
According to him, the impact of women in nation-building cannot be ignored.
The monarch said, “I am sure there were many temptations to look at and wonder how he (her husband) could have done so much because I am sure those were very large shoes to fill. Sometimes, we freeze looking at big shoes to fill and while we might want to honour and respect the shoes before us, we must not fall into the temptation of stepping into those shoes. This is because the same God who created who left those shoes behind gave us our unique shoe size.
“Deputy speaker, you spoke how a lady has made such impacts but this shouldn’t surprise anyone because whatever it is that you give to a woman, they will nurture it, incubate it and they will produce a full manifestation of that seed that is given to them. The seed that he left with her, she has been able to incubate, nurture it and produce a standing, functional and thriving organisation better than what her husband left for her.”
