By Joan Nwagwu
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), has called on women to be more involved and aspire to leadership positions in union activities.
Mrs Agnes Nti, the National Coordinator of SSANU said this at the 8th National Women Conference 2024, on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is: “Mainstreaming Women into Union Activism”.
Nti said that the era where women takes backseat roles had gone, adding that it was time for them to drive for greater leadership roles.
According to her, there is the need for women to move beyond supporting roles within the union.
“That is why they have to prepare themselves for the leadership positions, including the office of the national president.
“Also, that is why as the women national coordinator, we have organised various training sessions and workshops to equip women and prepare them for these roles.
“I have always encouraged our women to develop themselves because a time will come when women will take over the leadership of SSANU,” she said.
Nti, while speaking on the theme of the conference said the it was apt as it had become imperative for women institutions to brainstorm on how to be more involved in activism.
Also speaking, Mr Hadiza Kabiru, a former national women leader of SSANU called on the women to aspire to top leadership positions rather than being contented with minor roles.
Kabiru said that it was imperative for women to be united to ascend to higher offices within the union.
She urged women to be courageous and prepared, saying with the help of family support, they would excel in leadership roles and contribute significantly to the union’s progress and national development at large.
In his remarks, Mr Mohammed Haruna, SSANU President, commended women’s contributions to union and reaffirmed commitment to gender equity.
“It is heartwarming to see so many powerful, intelligent, and dedicated professional women gathered here today, united by our shared commitment to empowerment, growth, and positive change,” he said.