Residents Express Confidence in Female Council Chairmen

Despite their gender, considered to be feeble, female council chairmen are strongly competing with their male counterparts in term of performance.

Residents in their various communities have expressed confidence in their female council chairmen, rating their performances higher in comparison with their male counterparts in other local councils.

Ten out of 57 local councils in Lagos State are currently manned by females who were elected as the chairmen after contesting with their male counterparts.

They are Dr. Funmilayo Akande-Muhammed of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA; Hon. Mrs. Bolatito Abiodun Shobiwale of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA; Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun of Epe LG;  Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba of Ijede LCDA; Hon. Banjo Adeola Adebisi of Ikorodu North LCDA; Hon. Bada Abolanle Sammy of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA; Hon. Adu Rasheedat Abiodun of Iru-Victoria Island LCDA; Hon. Essien Imolola Rashidat of Lagos Mainland LG; Hon. Olabisi Adebajo of Mosan-Okunola LCDA and Hon. Ramotallahi Hassan Akinola of Oriade LCDA.

For instance, the residents of Epe LG under the chairmanship of Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, testified to the achievements of their chairman.

Within her few months in office as a first time chairman, Animashaun listed about 20 achievements which surpassed many other local governments controlled by men.

While speaking to ECHONEWS, the chairman said the female chairmen are competent and have been delivering across the state.

She noted that some of her achievements within her few months in office include renovation of customary courtroom, saying the project was in line with her promise to the people of Epe land to deliver dividends of democracy at the grassroots and make the impact of governance to be felt by all.

Part of the her achievements so far is the distribution of items such as tailoring machines, grinding machines, generating sets, exercise books, school bags and stationeries among others.

She disclosed that the impact of her administration has been felt across key areas such as infrastructure, sports, education, health, security, agriculture, tourism, staff welfare and economic empowerment.

Others include recruitment of teachers, rehabilitation and training of local security officials such as OPC and Ibile, empowerment of artisans, welfare support for the aged and widows and commemoration of World Tourism Day with the launch of Epe Alaro Tourism.

“The significance of being in office is to render account to the people and let them know that they didn’t elect a statue but someone who can represent them well. I want to show that I’m capable and with God on our side, there’s nothing we cannot achieve. As a woman and the first female executive chairman, I want to totally change the face of Epe. There is nothing the male ones can do which we cannot do.”

In Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, the chairman, Dr. Funmilayo Akande-Muhammed, who is serving her second term is said to have performed well in her first term in office.

According to her, her first term success earned her another mandate to continue in office.

The council boss thanked the management, legislators and staff for their cooperation towards her successful first term in office, saying her goal is to surpass the previous achievements.

Hon. (Princess) Olabisi Adebajo of Mosan-Okunola LCDA said she has capable people working with her to record greater achievements.

Testifying to her leadership prowess, an elderly community man, Mr. Abayomi Asoobowa said the council boss has excelled in infrastructural development especially road construction and the construction of the Mosan-Okunola LCDA’s new administrative block.

He said the council boss has proved to show that female leaders can do even more than male ones if given the chance.

Some of the female council chairmen who spoke to ECHONEWS revealed that they face discrimination even at the party level but their determination keeps them moving.

They said despite their performances, some people including their female counterparts still do not have confidence in them.

Meanwhile, a political analyst, Kayode Omisore said female can do wonder if given the chance to rule the nation.

He noted that gender discrimination has discouraged many females to participate or take front place in Nigerian politics, saying the orientation has to be changed.

He bemoaned the low ratio of female to male in politics, comparing the 1:4.7 of the local council chairmen in Lagos, which, according to him, is lower in other state.