From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has been lauded by Nigerian women for his commitment to gender inclusivity. This follows his approval of Folashade Adekaiyaoja as the first-ever female Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), marking a significant milestone in the agency’s history.
Adekaiyaoja’s appointment, which was recommended by DSS Director General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, and facilitated through National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, aims to enhance the agency’s efficiency and structure.
This move is part of broader reforms initiated by President Tinubu to improve security services across Nigeria. Women from various civil society organizations, including the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA), visited the DSS Director General in Abuja to express their appreciation.
Led by Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, they praised President Tinubu for promoting gender balance and empowering women in key positions.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Jonathan Eze, the Minister highlighted President Tinubu’s visionary leadership in supporting women empowerment, noting significant budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Women Affairs and the National Centre for Women Development. The women see the appointment as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to creating opportunities for women in leadership roles, inspiring young women across the country.
“It takes a visionary leader to promote women. I appreciate a visionary leader like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who continued to promote his wife even after he left office as Lagos State Governor.
“I commend the President for showing the political will through budgetary allocation of over 1,000% at the ministry and 500% at the NCWD. I pray that the tenures of the President and DG be resounding,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.