March 08, (THEWILL) – The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed concern over the plights of Nigerian women occasioned by the economic crisis bedevilling the nation.
Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, bemoaned the severe economic challenges women faced in Nigeria.
He said so many Nigerian women have been forced to close their businesses, faced with pervasive hunger and inaccessibility to adequate healthcare, adding that Nigerian women have nothing to celebrate as they mark the 2024 International Women’s Day.
The statement reads, “In a momentous reflection on the plight of Nigerian women amidst a sinking economy, OHANAEZE NDIGBO issues a wake-up call to President Tinubu to appoint a woman to spearhead the nation’s economic revival.
“As Nigeria faces severe economic challenges, realising the themes of International Women’s Day 2024 – “Invest In Women: Accelerate Progress” – seems like an elusive dream, with Nigerian women bearing the brunt of the economic turmoil.
“The harsh reality on the ground paints a dire picture: Nigerian women are disproportionately impacted by the ongoing crisis. The lack of accessible healthcare facilities has led to an alarming rise in maternal mortality rates.
“Inflation rates have crushed the dreams of small and medium businesses run by market women, while pervasive hunger has made it a daunting task for mothers to feed their children or afford their education costs.
“OHANAEZE NDIGBO makes an impassioned plea to President Tinubu to avert Nigeria’s total collapse. The current economic team is struggling to find solutions, and the deep-rooted damage cannot be fixed by their efforts alone. Only a globally experienced Nigerian female economist can steer Nigeria away from the brink of disaster and offer a glimmer of hope in the tumultuous economic landscape.
“Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of OHANAEZE NDIGBO, emphasises the bitter truth that Nigerian women have little cause for celebration compared to their global counterparts thriving in prosperous economies. The call to action is clear.
“President Tinubu must make tough decisions, including overhauling his economic team. The blame isn’t solely on the federal level; state Governors should also shoulder responsibility for Nigeria’s economic woes. Immediate intervention is crucial at all governance levels to prevent further suffering among women, children, and youth.
“In this critical juncture, OHANAEZE NDIGBO offers prayers for President Tinubu’s wisdom in navigating Nigeria through these economic storms towards a brighter future for all.”
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