THE ROLE OF WOMEN DEVELOPMENT IN OGUN STATE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Woman are seen as; the weaker vessel, feeble minded personality, child bearer, emotional being, man’s helper, caretaker, man’s better half, man’s wealth preserver, man’s soul mate, home managers, among others (Okereke, 2010). Despite the number of categories the woman is placed on, she is more than all these. A woman is powerfully created with high structures. She is uniquely made by her maker. The emergence of 21st century laden with sufficient evidence; scientifically and otherwise, has proved that women are capable of holding leadership positions as men. Woman, as many think, are not naturally weak. They do not have limited capacity or lower intelligence quotient compared to men. This is proved in the likes of women like Margaret Thatcher “the iron lady”, former Prime Minister of Britain, Indira Ghandi, former Prime Minister of India, Queen Elizabeth II of England, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia. In Nigeria, we have women like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Finance Minister, Late Professor Dora Akunyili, former Minister of Information and Director of NAFDAC, Dr. Ndi Okereke Onyiuke among others who distinguished themselves in leadership and administration of Nigeria. In the last 20 years ago, debates, on the status of women and the need to integrate them into development process of any nation have ranged on at national and international workshops, seminars among others. In Nigeria today, the women have come a long way in business, politics, education, sports and other professions Olaleye (2008). They have left an unforgettable mark in their efforts to overcome the limitations of the past which have tried to place them permanently in the kitchen and bedroom. Lack of educational, economic and political power necessary to actualize their innate potentials has relegated Nigerian women to the background. According to Ifedili and Ifedili (2012), Nigerian women are hindered by culture, which made them, vulnerable to effectively join the workforce and contribute to economic and thus, national development