Cover Photograph By: i.Domiya Photography
The emergence of Prof. Kaletapwa George Farauta as the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State has been described by many as historic. It holds a great deal of opportunity for the female gender and the quest for inclusion in the political leadership strata in the state.
Though women have had a handful of success politically in Adamawa state, it has been limited to legislative offices, we have had women emerge as senators in all the 3 senatorial districts in the state, and a few at the State House of assembly, even holding positions of Deputy Speaker. But this is the first time a female will be occupying an elective executive office of the Deputy Governor in not only Adamawa state but the entire North-East Nigeria.
Suffice it to say that Kaletapwa stands out as not just a politician but an accomplished academic. She held the office of the Executive secretary, Adamawa state universal basic education board (ADSUBEB) later commissioner for Higher Education from where she was appointed the Vice Chancellor of the Adamawa State University (ADSU).
Prof. Kaletapwa’s emergence as the Deputy Governor is expected to change the dynamics of political leadership in the state, firstly, women and the girl child are now fully represented at the echelon of administering the affairs of the state. She is expected to advocate and stand to promote the issues that will better the life of women and the girl child.
The state is expected to reap the benefit of having a surge in the girl child school enrollment, now that a female is deputy Governor and an academic. This is a social menace that the Deputy Governorship of Prof Kaletapwa should hold dear to heart.
Another aspect that the people of the state will expect a turnaround is the lack of adequate access to Medicare that mostly women and children face, especially in our rural communities. As a woman and a mother, the expectation of the women folk will be focused on how Kaletapwa will influence the Government to prioritize this highly needed healthcare delivery.
Kaletapwa’s tenure as deputy Governor should is expected not to just end up as a historic mention, the calendar should record a remarkable achievement and influence on people centered interventions as she is expected to introduce empathy love and deep concern for the plight of the poor in the state.
Poverty is gradually eating deep into the fabrics of our society, the most affected are women and the youths. This is an area where the women with high hopes are going to look up to the Deputy Governor as one of their own to truly bring about a process that will gradually reduce the poverty level of especially the women. Result-oriented empowerment towards making our enterprising women self-sufficient will be the expectation. If the women folk have an established and steady income a good percentage of the unemployed youths will have a succor and a direction, taking them away from the streets and from evil vices. The number of women involved in different kinds and types of trading on our streets and the local markets only indicates that if provided with necessary help and polished skills most of these women will not only provide for themselves and their families but create jobs for others.
Kaletapwa’s emergence is also expected to be a springboard of encouragement to the school-going girl child. A professor and a successful political leader should catalyze the female gender towards knowing that no height is too high to attain and that someday a female can be the Governor of Adamawa state as they strive to succeed in their endeavors.
A popular saying says uneasy is the head that wears the crown, this exactly describes the emergence of Prof Kaletapwa as the first female Deputy Governor of Adamawa state and North East Nigeria. The expectations are high, the desired benefits are humongous, Stir360 can only pray for a harmonious working relationship with her Boss the state Governor, Rt. Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, then and only then will she be able to make a difference and her impact felt.
Meanwhile, congratulations to the first female Deputy Governor in Adamawa state and North East Nigeria, Congratulations also to the good people of Adamawa state.
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