By Emmanuel Mogbede
Niger, (Niamey) – Mr Saka Azimazi, a former Executive Secretary, Network of National Human Rights Institution in West Africa has decried the absence of Nigerian Parliamentarians at the ongoing ECOWAS Parliament Fourth Legislative De-localised meeting in Niamey.
Azimazi while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Niamey, on the sideline of the meeting, described the development as a “dent´´ on Nigeria.
The Fourth Legislature ECOWAS Parliament De-localised meeting with the team:“Harmonisation of Gender Policies within the region” is focusing on gender, women empowerment, child and social protection, human rights and the vulnerable groups.
The meeting, which is expected to end on Oct. 7, would also discuss the commission´s challenges, perspectives, its role and the respect for women´s rights, healthcare and education in member states.
The harmonising of national laws, international treaties and conventions relating to gender policies, maternal mortality, discrimination and violence against women, female empowerment and other issues affecting citizens in the region is also being discussed at the meeting.
Sen. Stella Odua, Solomon Ahinawi and Rilwan Akanbi that were supposed to represent the Nigerian parliament at the meeting were conspicuously absent.
While Odua is a member of the committee on Gender, Women Empowerment and Social Protection, Akanbi is a member of the committee on Human Rights, Child Protection and other Vulnerable Groups of the ECOWAS Parliament.
Azimazi described the development as “unfortunate’’, but however, noted that their absence would not affect the outcome of the meeting.
“I do not think it will have any adverse effect on the meeting, but it portrays Nigeria as a country not serious.
“We are discussing about half of the population of West Africa and the people that are supposed to represent Nigeria are not here.
“It is a dent on our image, because leadership is not just in being a big country, it includes the participation in activities that are necessary for the development and progress of your people.
“We are discussing issues that affects women here, and the people that are supposed to represent Nigeria are not here, I do not think that this is a good sign,´´ Azimazi said.
According to him, the Nigerian parliamentarians cannot claim that they are not aware of the meeting, because the ECOWAS Parliament and headquarters is situated in Abuja, Nigeria.
He, however, said that Odua’s situation was understandable due to the political situation in her state (Anambra) and its forthcoming governorship election slated for November 18.
According to Azimazi, Odua may be engaged in political campaigns with a view to securing her base for future election even though she is not contesting for any position.
NAN reports that the ECOWAS Parliament is made up of 15 member countries, which include Nigeria, The Republic of Niger, Togo, The Gambia, The Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d´Ivoire, and Ghana.
Others are: Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone. (NAN)