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I don’t see my gender, age as hurdles – 26-year-old Kwara assembly member-elect Shittu

Published

1 year ago

April 7, 2023

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The member-elect of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing the Owode/Onire Constituency, Rukayat Shittu, has asserted that her identity as a woman and youth are not barriers in politics.

On May 31, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Not Too Young to Run Act into law with the aim to reduce the minimum ages for elective offices provided for by law.

The enactment paved the way for Shittu’s historic emergence as the youngest female House of Assembly member-elect in Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily on Friday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) member stated that the stereotype of being a young person and a woman did not stand in the way of her political ambition.

“I don’t see that as a hurdle to me; it is not an obstacle, because I believe no matter what you want to do in life, you just have to face one thing or the other,” she said.

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“Regarding my age and gender, the atmosphere in Kwara has already redefined the roles of youths and women in governance, so I didn’t find it so difficult for me to sell myself to people because I am a female or a young person.”

The 26-year-old described her drive and enthusiasm for governance and community development as a strong test to counter stereotypes in the political sphere.

“I have been someone who has been very passionate about governance and politics and this is something I have engaged myself with since my university days,” she said.

“I have been able to prove to people that I have the capacity, I have the capability to do things and I know what the legislative work is all about. I did so well to occupy the legislative arm of the student union government.”

The former Senate President of Congress of NOUN Students (CONS) admonished young people to be optimistic, responsibility-inclined and not to shy away from political positions, adding that competition is a major part of achieving democracy.

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“This is not something I woke up from the bed one day [to pursue]. Young people need to be optimistic. We don’t have more youths, we don’t have more women in the decision-making table,” she said.

“If I am privileged to get this kind of position, I want to use it judiciously to inspire young people and women in governance.”

Related Topics:KWARA ASSEMBLY MEMBER-ELECT Shittu

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UPDATED: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

5 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

Ngelale said Tinubu believes that Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience to ensure that no Nigerian student suffers a paucity of funds in the quest for tertiary education.

On April 3, Tinubu signed the student loans amendment bill into law to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education.

The law will allow Nigerian students in tertiary institutions to access low-interest loans for tuition and other academic needs.

Subsequently, the president appointed Akintunde Sawyerr as the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund.

Tinubu also appointed Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala as the executive director of finance and administration, while Mustapha Iyal will serve as the executive director of operations of NELFUND.

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

7 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

More to follow…

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ICPC detains TETFund boss ‘over questionable N7.6bn project’

Published

11 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, confirmed the development on Friday.

Bakare said that Echono was invited by the anti-graft agency on Thursday.

“The executive secretary of TETFund is here with us. He has been invited for questioning. He is still in custody. He was invited yesterday.” Bakare said.

“He was invited on Thursday. He has not been released. He’s still with us. Investigation is still ongoing.”

It was earlier reported that TETfund awarded two contracts to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) within two months at the cost of N3.8 billion respectively without the approval of the federal executive council (FEC), which is required for the contract size.

The contract was to provide capacity building course and learning management systems to about 2 million students across higher institutions in the country.

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In a rejoinder, TETFund said it did not award N7.6 billion contracts to two companies without due process.

The agency said it was wrong to say they were contracts, whereas they were ICT projects implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which doesn’t require competitive bidding in public procurement.

TETFund further said its disbursement guidelines were approved by the president on the recommendation of the “Fund’s Board of Trustees and concurrence of the Honourable Minister of Education in line with the TETFund Act 2011″.

In an interview with TheCable, Echono said there was no form of irregularity in the N7.6 billion project.