Women should demonstrate leadership capacity – Goma

Honourable Agatha Goma is the Commissioner for Local Government Administration in Bayelsa state. She thinks Nigerian women should demonstrate capacity for leadership rather than begging for appointive political offices. She speaks with JOY EMMANUEL on this and other issues
Interest in public service A teacher with zeal for service, she discovered her potentials in politics earlier in life. In 1991, and at the tender age of 27, she was elected into the old Rivers House of Assembly where she represented Ekeremor Constituency I. She became not just the first woman to be so elected, but till date the youngest parliamentarian in the history of that House. She was Deputy Minority Whip in that House. As a legislator in old Rivers she was convinced that she would provide better service for greater number of people in public office.
“My political career started at the age of 27 when I was voted into the Rivers State House of Assembly and I got married while I was there. I was the Deputy Minority Whip at the time. Thereafter, I became a political appointee in Bayelsa State during the first civilian administration in 1999. “I was one of the pioneers who established the Niger Delta University and I also served in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as a commissioner.
I later came into the Bayelsa State House of Assembly in 2011 to 2015 and after that, I served as a Special Adviser before I got appointed as the Commissioner for Local Government Administration. “When I started my political career, there were no gender issues for me and even if they were, I just didn’t recognise them. Before I ventured into politics, I read the Nigerian constitution and I understood my rights. With that mindset and the kind of father that I had, I have never had to suffer from that kind of discrimination but if I happen to observe it, I will shove it aside and not comment on it.”
Women in politics Most of the women have finally discovered that they are also an equal partner in the quest to build an egalitarian society if they want to live in an upgraded world. So women need to work for it themselves. This is the only way to transform the society into an equal abode. No, the human society is not driven by men alone, women have a fair share of responsibility as well. So, it is apparent that no appreciable development can be made either at the local, national or international platform without recognizing women as key players.
However, women need not be beggarly because that is demeaning, it does not show capacity. Therefore, Nigerian women need to demonstrate capacity and leadership will be entrusted on them. In places where women have made great impact on their societies, they have fought for recognition and in fact seized leadership through dint of hard work. Challenges of your office Well, as the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government Administration in Bayelsa State, bringing development to the grassroots is surely a daunting task in itself.
But the secret has been remaining focus, setting attainable goals and ensuring that one is consistent, positive and courageous to square up with whatever hurdles lie on the path. As a woman from a humble background, I have had to develop and maintain stringent ideology, build complete faith and always be ready to think on my feet. So these goals have helped me in no small way to make a positive change wherever, whenever and in whatever position I have found myself. She has been able to stand for her beliefs because she has a clear path to walk on.
She inspires whoever comes in contact with her.
Little wonder a lot of younger Bayelsa women look up to her for mentorship and for all forms of assistance. She has put smiles on many faces, brought succour to homes and communities. Driving force “I have put faith in Almighty God. One cannot afford to do otherwise; one must rely on the creator to take decisions that will affect the people positively. So I trust in God and it makes it possible for the good people of Bayelsa State, who always reposed great confidence in me, to hope responsible and responsive leadership”.
Besides, although she is not from a political exposed home but through dint of hard work, focus and love for the people and her desire to make impact in the society, she has become politically exposed. According to her, one of staying power has been placing emphasis on integrity, in leadership, service to the people, good moral and strong family and moral values. She says she cannot deviate from this path as she as continues to move on in the political ladder. Her utmost remains to be the best she can in whatever position she may find herself subsequently. Community service Hon Agatha Goma has been consistently involved in community service; a social responsibility she believes not draws her to her community and people but ensures that she comes face to face with their needs. In this regard, she has since Goma proven to be more than a token woman that rests on her parent’s laurels.
Indeed, she has become a force in community development, and a personality reckoned with by all in her community. A woman of many parts, Agatha has traversed the nation’s private and public sectors meritoriously with amazing ease and constancy. As Commissioner for Local Government Administration in Bayelsa State, she is the first recent memory to occupy such esteem office. Indeed, as the saying goes “a golden fish has no hiding place”.
Through painstaking but merit-based processes, she has found her in among the privileged class of the selected few serving Governor Seriake Dickson’s cabinet and seriously engaging in the daunting task of steering the state to peace, security and prosperity. For an amazon, it speaks volumes.
Plans for 2019 The Honourable Commissioner says she has not declared interest to contest for any political position for now. Instead, she is preoccupied with her demanding official engagements in the Ministry for Local Government Administration where she is determined to help the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson to deliver not just on his campaign promises but the dividends of democracy to Bayelsans, who yearn for infrastructural and human capital developments.
“My foremost assignment is to see to the smooth administration of the local government areas in the state and ensure that the policies and programmes of the state government are implemented at the grassroots level. I am determined to make the people at the grassroots to feel the impact of the administration. “I want to ensure that these policies conform to the state government’s restoration theme. Yes, Governor Seriake’s desire to transform and restore dignity to the people, boost their confidence in governance.
“At the local government level, we carry out developmental projects and our primary assignment is to ensure that whatever projects are being embarked upon at the local government level are in agreement with the state government’s policies. Part of my assignment is to also ensure peace and unity. Since we run a unified local government system as a country, we try to ensure that it extends to all local government area”.

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