By Chinedum Francis , Founder and CEO of www.Chinedumiwomen..com


Your Excellency
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode
Lagos State Governor, Head of State
Government House, Ikeji
Lagos.

Your Excellency sir, we write with most sincere pleasure as the governor of Lagos State and render our special gratitude to you and bring you peace of God which surpasses all human understanding in the name of our lord Jesus Christ and Savior.


We cannot commend you highly enough for your unflinching, passionate and undivided attention you have demonstrated in empowering women in your government. Your significant and remarkable role you have played in safeguarding the lives of women against domestic violence portrayed that you are truly a domestic violence eradication advocate.

Your Excellency, we are over-excited and have joyously noticed how well you had passed a bill to ending domestic violence against women in Lagos state. It is indeed marvelous to know that your good work will earn you a resounding result. We cannot hold ourselves from writing you this letter to express how deeply happy we are when we heard and read how you have waned into matters relating to women abuse in Lagos State. We know that you will be sustained by God Almighty throughout your administration. Your Excellency sir, we believe that women empowerment is the critical possibility of becoming a developed nation and the ability to participate in Global Economy Competitors. Women are an important element of our society. The basic unit of society is a woman. Domestic violence against women is looming high in Nigeria. So many women's lives have been shattered in the name of marriage. So many women are emotionally, psychologically and spiritually traumatized. The incessant beating, punching, kicking, slapping, etc., have jeopardized the lives of women. So many women have been burnt in an abusive marriage. So many women's lives have been tarnished in an unsavoury marriage.


Your Excellency sir, no woman deserves such an inhuman treatment in the name of marriage. We have heard and read all sorts of agonizing stories everyday of the evil that men do to their wives. It’s so disturbing. So many women are dying in silent because of the threat from the abusers.




Your Excellency sir, domestic violence is fast becoming a norm in our nation. We need to speak up and lend our voices as much as possible and encourage the victims to speak up early enough to avoid a nasty fate. Alarming number of women think spousal abuse is sometimes ok. We all know that it is never ok, it is never accepted for a husband to hit, push, burn, punch, pinch, shoot, slap, kick, stab, and cut his wife no matter the gravity of her incompetence. Your Excellency sir, you are one in million. In years to come, Nigeria, Africa, West Africa and the world at large will continue to be grateful to you and your generation, many thanks to you and your administration.

Your Excellency sir, we think it is an excellent idea to talk about gender parity in your administration. Women are the life blood of our nation. A nation will fail to blossom without women. A nation's freedom will not be complete until women and girls were free from all kinds of abuse, poverty, and deprivation. Life in this phenomenal world is impermanent without women.

Your Excellency sir, with all due respect, we also want to use this medium to implore you to treat women equally in your administration. Women should equally be recognized in your administration. They should be empowered equally among their male counterparts in your administration. Women are not inferior to men.

Your Excellency sir, the progress of any nation is measured by the degree of progress which women have achieved. There should be an active and equal participation of women in your administration. It is not too late, something can still be done. Gender imbalance should be discarded in your government. With all due respect sir, we demand you passed gender equality bill that will distinguish you among your contemporaries around the world. We challenge your administration to work with more women. For the few women your have appointed in your administration, we say, kudos to you. More grease to your elbow. More women are needed.

Permit us your Excellency sir, to go back to the issues of domestic violence; we can still recollect the advice of Her Excellency, Mrs. Bolande Ambode, the first Lady of Lagos State said. She lamented that, “Domestic violence in the form of assault on wife, child - battering and other uncivilized behaviour against women seemed to have got fresh fancy from some men who are still living in the primitive times.” Speaking further, she said, “ Many victims of domestic violence become victims of their own psychological realities. So many men have callously turned their wives into a punching bag. How can a man descend on his wife so heavily at the slightest annoyance?” This is globally unacceptable to us.

Your Excellency sir, the idea that government should not wane into domestic violence cases is totally and universally prohibited. We commend you for your passionate interest in protecting women. Sir, we are imploring that you should extend this to other women who have no courage to speak as a result of threat from the abusers. You are indeed a great leader, an indefatigable leader, a distinguished leader and a gender - sensitive leader.

Your Excellency sir, another key area your administration should look into is girl - child education. To denial their rights to education is to denial their economic opportunities, which will in turn lead to economic backwardness. Early, forced and child marriage should not be allowed to exist. Girl- child should be sent to school to acquire the skill to change her world. She should be empowered to enjoy equal opportunity like the boy - child.

When a boy child is educated, an individual is educated, but, when a girl child is educated, the entire world is educated. Girl child is not a lesser being. She has no fish brain. Your administration should channel more resources in investing in education of the girl child. The important of educating the girl child can not be over - emphasized. Your administration should envisage the education of the girl child as a priority.

Your Excellency sir, words would not be sufficient to express our sincere appreciation to you. We would not cease to applaud you and your administration. You are a true African leader. You should never to stop fighting for the rights of our women today and tomorrow. If this is done, sir, women will be proud of you.

In conclusion, we want to say thanks a million for the time you have created in reading this letter despite your busy schedule. May God grant you the wisdom and energy to pilot the affairs of the state effectively and efficiently. God in its infinite mercy will never leave you and your household unrewarded. May God bless you beyond human imagination.

Long Live Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Long Live Women and Girls
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria and Its Citizens

Chinedum Francis
Founder/ CEO
www.chinedumiwomen..com


Letter Via https://chinedumiwomen..com.ng/2017/11/open-letter-to-lagos-state-governor-mr.html