Jonathan confident Nigeria ’ll produce first set of female service chiefs

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed confidence that Nigeria will produce its first set of female service chiefs.Jonathan hinged his optimism on the recent re-admittance of women into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) to train to become combatant soldiers. The Federal Government had lifted the ban that prevented women from enlisting into the NDA to train as combatant soldiers. He said, during the opening ceremony of the 7th Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) holding in Abuja, with the theme: ‘The Africa Woman: A voice for Peace, that: “For the first time we admitted women into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy to prepare them as full combatants in the Army, Navy and Air Force. “We have admitted women into NDA and we are hopeful that in few years to come, a woman could be Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff or even Chief of Defence Staff. “We have commenced the journey and we’ll get there; I just listened to my sister, Banda, who advocated women to grow to be heads of their armed forces with her pronouncement. “In Nigeria, except you pass through NDA, you cannot dream of becoming a service chief,” Jonathan said. He said, as women and mothers, women had the power “to control the gladiators that cause conflict in Africa and being mothers can control the youth used for violence.” The president said his administration remained resolute in the implementation of policies on effective representation of women in all aspects of governance. “I urge you all to encourage governments to implement existing international legal frameworks that promote peace, security and human development. “You must also summon the will to speak up wherever and whenever these frameworks are abused. But the task is not for you alone, raising the standards of survival in Africa is a collective task,” Jonathan added. The president said if Africa must move forward and be competitive in the 21st century, then gender equality must be a major component of national policies. This was even as he called on African countries to intensify efforts to remove all barriers that limit women and the girl-child from actualizing their dreams, insisting women must be protected against all forms of discrimination and be given equal opportunities and access to education, politics and the economy. He added that the most sustainable way to support womanhood and guarantee peace was through empowerment.  “In this respect, our transformation agenda as a nation goes beyond the 30 – 35 per cent of political offices being demanded by women, but creating various opportunities for women empowerment.” Jonathan said the summit reaffirmed the sense of urgency that the continent felt about the challenging political and security situation facing several countries.  “As we grapple with old challenges, new threats such as drug and human trafficking, climate change, kidnapping, terrorism, poverty, sectarian conflicts and others take centre stage. All these undermine our determined efforts to work towards achieving sustainable peace and development in our various countries. “It is of great concern that women and children, especially the girl-child, are the main victims of this unfortunate situation. They are not only subjected to dehumanizing conditions, they are, often times, the targets of abuse, resulting in the violation of international conventions on the rights of women and girls, to which African countries are parties. “There is no doubt that the prevailing circumstance requires strong advocacy, cooperation, human development, the sharing of knowledge and the protection of basic rights. Credible voices that draw attention to the dangers of conflict, the plight of women and children under difficult circumstances need to be heard more loudly.” President Jonathan acknowledged the role Africa’s First Ladies have to play in the promotion of peace and security on the continent. “Our history is rich with examples of the enviable role that our women played in maintaining peace and stability in our societies. In recent times, the contributions of women to the ECOWAS mediation efforts that led to the resolution of the civil war and political crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone is particularly noteworthy. “The AFLPM must continue to serve as a voice for the disempowered, the dispossessed and the violated, especially women and children. More importantly, it must continue to stand firm as a special advocate for peace and the growth of our mother continent.  “The African First Ladies Peace Mission has committed itself to the cause of peace and the advancement of women in Africa and we must support you to realize your vision. “Nigeria shares the laudable objectives of the AFLPM and will continue to lend support to the attainment of its goals. As a demonstration of that support, we are hosting the interim secretariat where this meeting is taking place and providing facilities to ensure its works. A parcel of land that will host the permanent site of the AFLPM secretariat here in Abuja has also been provided,” he said.