‘Why I’m a dogged fighter for women liberation’

I am a graduate of Urban and Regional Planning from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. I did my master’s degree in Public Administration and currently doing my PhD in Security and Strategic Studies.

I was the national woman leader of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP). Before then, I was the national vice chairman of the party for two terms. I was the first elected vice chairman of a political party in Africa. I have also been the anchor person for President Muhammad Buhari in the North Central zone. I never changed a political party until the formation of the APC. I am a dogged and die-hard believer in President Buhari for his vision and passion to develop Nigeria.

Actually, I never gave it a thought. When I graduated, and after my sojourn in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, as well as personal enterprise, I ran the Project YES Women and Youth Empowerment Strategy. I registered it as a non-governmental organisation. I was teaching them (women and youth) the act of tie and dye, fish farming, in conjunction with the Social Development Secretariat. Then came the Project Clarion Call. Don’t think that people do not see what you are doing. The world has ears; so they called upon me to contest for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 2 federal constituency. Before then, I joined the Buhari Movement where I campaigned for President Buhari in 2002 unrelentingly, alongside Ireti Kingibe.

I was also the managing director of Intermediaries Nigeria Limited, a company that is into construction, bridge making and landscaping. In that business I met a lot of people.

At a time, I was also a special adviser to the chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council in the FCT, on Women Affairs, Youth and Social Development. When we lost our area I didn’t relent. That was when it dawned on me that there was much gap between the governor and the governed. Now, what I feel because of my desire to change some ways and perception of women has become a way of life.

A woman in Nigerian politics faces a biased, sexist response. She is often not well respected. They focus more on a woman’s domestic life. It is not unusual. When you are able to stand tall and define yourself and rise up to the challenges with integrity, your voice becomes one that will be heard. I happen to be from a royal family whose members have washed their hands off politics; so in the beginning, embarking on this journey wasn’t an easy Hajiya Ramatu Tijani Aliyu is the national woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She is also the current president of the Council of African Political Parties. Among other things, she spoke on the participation and chances of women in politics. one. However, we are overcoming theses challenges, one step at a time.

Absolutely, women are becoming aware every day. We are educating and equipping them with mentorship. We are getting them to understand that politics is the only way to bring good tidings to your people. And of course, when you equip a woman you have equipped a whole people. We are queuing behind Rwanda, which was rated the most genderbalanced nation on the African continent. It’s all about women development and emancipation. Nigerian women are moving. We are believing; and we will turn out as much as we used to turn out, or even more; not as followers or supporters but as candidates and competitors. We are equal to the task. For a very long time, because of tradition, some religious beliefs and various barriers, there has been gender gap; but today, I think we are closing up. We are rising up to the occasion. Women have come to play very key roles in the development of the nation. In the legislature, for instance, women tend to be the voice of the underprivileged and the suppressed. They are the representatives of the children, and so on. Any nation that refuses to engage women is definitely heading for doom. Women play roles in mending fences and building bridges. Women are always on the path of peace. They look at things from a larger perspective. Women have so many roles to play to bring succour to the society. Due to political and religious divide, as well as tribalism, women are suppressed. A lot of voices and passion go unheard. When you go to a woman, most times you would hear her say, “I have to talk to my husband or brother. My uncle is in this party’’ and the other party is offering her a ticket. Despite her competence, she would rather go with the party of her uncle or husband, even if that party isn’t offering her the same ticket. We are calling on women to first and foremost identify platforms they could vie on and see where their strength lies. They should identify fellow women who are stronger in certain fields and queue behind them and give them support.

We are also doing a door-to-door advocacy, telling them that if they want good education for themselves and their children, good road to market their products, goods and affordable health care, certainly it won’t come to them in the comfort of their homes. They have to get out of their comfort zones to bring succour to the downtrodden.

We are speaking to them, mobilising them and engaging them in mentorship. In this mentorship, we are talking to all that care to listen. We are getting them to get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) ready. For those that are educated, we are getting them to be card carriers of the political party.

The next step is to see that 85per cent of women are engaged in such a way that their voices are heard and their passion and skills harnessed for the betterment of Nigeria and Africa. I want to see where the entire women of Nigeria are networked towards development, irrespective of political parties. That real change will come to bear in Nigeria. Attitudinal change must begin with us. I am an unrepentant Buharist because I believe he holds the key to the kind of change we need. So I am queuing behind him. Project Nigeria is my passion.

Next for me is what the world throws at me. I am fully aware that power is never served on a platter, neither is it a buffet, so I am reaching out to wherever, whomever and whatever I can find in the political space that would move the women forward.

My late father was a disciplinarian and an educationist who always pushed us to reach our peak and achieve our aims. He never let us feel indifference as girls. He placed us on the same level as the boys, being that the first three were girls. We were taught never to use gender as an excuse because in a royal home, the girl- child is not really considered or given adequate attention. He instilled in us the fact that we could do it better.

Maybe it’s yet to come, but so far, nothing beats the moment like when people walk up to me and say I touched their lives. I see that as a reward.

I was a 100-meters race runner in my secondary school days. I belonged to the Debating Club. I was also an artist and interior decorator. Now, due to time, I can no longer freely enjoy those moments.

I am a mother to many children, but I have three biologically. It is a blessing to see them grow up into beautiful people who think for themselves and become your advisers through the journey of life. The happiest moment for me is watching them interact with one another. My heart is filled with so much joy and pride. I am grateful to God for allowing me to see them through life.

I wake up to a day filled with duties at home and in the office. I keep myself updated and multitasked as I am also responsible for overseeing my teams as they progress on various tasks. I check in and help them with any issue at hand. My husband’s love, trust and commitment, and my children from God. We met when we were young. I would like to think we were