The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Wednesday disclosed that plans are ongoing for the proposed 12 Regional and National Public Hearings on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution across the six geo-political zones of the Federation.
The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Albright Stonebridge Group, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
According to him, the forthcoming exhibition on gender inclusion, tagged “Art for Governance,” scheduled for next month, was organized by the Special Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in partnership with the Advocacy for Civic Engagement Centre (ElectHER) and the National Assembly Library.
Addressing the delegation, Hon. Kalu explained that the initiative leverages art as a tool for advocacy, focusing on gender inclusion in leadership, particularly through the lens of the Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024, which seeks to reserve seats for women in the Nigerian National and State Houses of Assembly.
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According to him, the exhibition, which will be held at the National Assembly Library, also seeks to creatively engage stakeholders, foster public discourse, and catalyze action on gender inclusion in governance through the power of art.
The Deputy Speaker noted that while the participation of women in Nigeria’s political sphere has gradually increased over the years, it remains far from optimal.
He referenced the low representation of women in the country’s legislative houses, assuring that lawmakers are committed to addressing this issue through gender-focused bills.
Hon. Kalu also informed the delegation that the Constitution Review Committee intends to hold 12 Regional and National Public Hearings and sought their collaboration in optimizing advocacy to understand the cultural barriers that hinder women’s participation in governance.
According to him, this initiative will help drive deeper awareness and understanding of the bills before parliamentary votes.
He commended the delegation for their efforts in driving economic growth and advancing opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Hon. Kalu said:
“On behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, PhD, I welcome you to the People’s Parliament, the House of Representatives. It is gratifying to meet with you today, Hon. Paul Ansah, and your team, especially given the work you have done globally.
“With the established sterling achievements of the Founder, Madeleine Albright, we have no doubt that the current team, led by Hon. Ansah, will continue to reach significant milestones. We are honored to hear about your positive impressions of our leadership role in the House of Representatives in shaping a new Nigeria that expands opportunities for women’s empowerment through transformative legislative policies.
“The National Women’s Economic (WEE) Policy Dialogue, to which you have made significant contributions, is one such legislative intervention.
“It may interest you to know that, in line with the legislative agenda of the 10th Assembly, led by the dauntless leadership of Rt. Hon. Speaker Tajudeen Abass, PhD, we emphasize women’s political representation and participation. We have proposed a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
“Women remain underrepresented in the country’s legislative houses, and we are committed to addressing this issue through this bill. It is a temporary measure subject to periodic review but will ultimately lead to better representation for women. Additionally, there are four other gender-focused bills aimed at prioritizing women’s inclusion and empowerment.
“We hope to do more, as we recognize the invaluable contributions women make. As I always say, ‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.’ We believe that improving women’s political representation and participation in Nigeria is essential for achieving a more inclusive, balanced, and democratic society.
“There could not be a better time for collaboration, as we are on the verge of launching the “Art for Governance” artistic expression. This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in partnership with ElectHER, the Advocacy for Civic Engagement (ACE) Centre, and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, leverages the power of art to inspire critical conversations on governance, inclusion, and nation-building.
“This exhibition will serve as an advocacy platform for affirmative action bills, particularly the special seat bill, and will display works that reflect themes of female empowerment. By showcasing these pieces, we aim to foster dialogue on how governance can be more inclusive, representative, and impactful for all citizens.”
Speaking earlier, the group, led by Paul Ansah, informed the Deputy Speaker that they visited to share insights on their work in the social impact space, with a primary focus on gender, health, and nutrition.
He expressed interest in collaborating with the parliament in these areas as they continue to support the Nigerian government.
