If You Show Capacity You Will Lead Because The Hill Top Is No Man's Land - Dr. Betta Edu

 "Capacity and Competence with hard work Would Naturally Place Women At An Advantageous Position To Take Up Leadership"

 

The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu has beckoned on women to get actively involved in nation-building and also contest for leadership positions in the country. She also revealed that women who occupy leadership positions are doing tremendously well, especially when their mother instincts are being translated to administrative roles and leadership management. 

 

Dr. Edu made this known while speaking at a One-day Public Lecture organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar while expressing plausible but divergent views on the issue of Affirmative Action for Women in Nigeria. The Public lecture was held at the Institution’s International Conference Centre with the theme, ‘’ Zoning Women Into Leadership Positions In Nigeria: Between The Convenience Of Affirmative Action And Demand for Competence’’, as part of activities to mark the 2021 Law Week.

 

Speaking during the Lecture, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu strongly disagreed with the notion that Women must seek leadership positions by fighting Men. According to the commissioner, Competence and Capacity automatically would give women the edge and enable them to take leadership positions. And challenged women to set their goals and pursue them to actualization.

 

 

‘’Once you proffer solutions to societal problems you will naturally lead. I do not believe Women must be on a battlefield with Men. If you show capacity you will lead because as HillTop Is No Man's Land, we must be prepared for leadership roles so that when the opportunity presents itself you won't be taken by surprise. As you can see, we have great Women like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iwealla, Dr. Dora Akunyili, Fumilayo Ransome Kuti, Chimamanda Ngozi, etc in Nigeria who have proven that Women can be great when allowed to lead.`` she said.

 

 

Also speaking, the Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Dr. Stephen Odey, mentioned that it is not wrong to zone women into positions while observing that most women have done exceedingly well in various positions as leaders. Adding that men and society must strive for inclusiveness.

 

Senator Odey who was represented by the Head of Department of Sociology, Dr. Mike Ushie, described women as being better organizers and less financially greedy people, said that women should be given all the backing they need to occupy leadership positions stating that they have demonstrated adequate capacity.

 

 

While speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Joe Edet, stated that in all aspects of the society, women deserve to be equally represented and further reminded Law Students of the necessity of good behaviour and diligence in their studies which will help them become great leaders.

 

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, speaking on the essence of the public lecture, revealed that he is challenged to partake in the vision and mission of the current administration of the University by enthroning academic excellence.

 

Other presenters at The Public lecture also includes Dr Comfort Oko, Dr Mrs Grace Edu, Dr Mrs Maria Umo and a representative from Engr. Ben Akak foundation.