The Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has urged policymakers to ensure gender parity across the country, stressing that equal opportunities for women are vital for rapid national development.

The DG made the call on Friday in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the Fifth NILDS Internship Program on Legislative Drafting and the inauguration of the sixth batch of interns.

According to him, the Batch Five set comprised “very brilliant and exceptional interns,” with scores so close that four female participants emerged as first runners-up.

The DG revealed that Adesanwo Oluwaseun, Rufai Maryam, Alfa Talatu, and Oluwatoyin Ihinmikalu all scored 87 points, while Mr. Titus Bulus claimed the top spot with 88 points.

“Our girl-child should be given more placement in our society; all these ladies graduated from the university with either first class or second-class upper honors,” Suleiman said.
“We are proud of them. If I have my way, I will not go by 35 per cent affirmative action but by 50 per cent. We in power and positions of authority should think deeply on how to ensure gender parity in our country. There is nothing a male child can do that a female child cannot do.” He stated.