March 8th every year, women all over the world celebrate and are celebrated. This years’ theme is ‘Equal rights, Equal opportunities, an idea central to the general empowerment of women. The day should particularly shed light on how far women have come since 1975 when they were first celebrated at the first International Women’s day organised by the United Nations. Thus far women have achieved a lot and done quite a lot to earn their place and respect.  That a day is set aside to celebrate women irrespective of their colouring is a noble gesture because women are victimised, discriminated, intimidated against everyday.

So, women coming together under a platform to adderess these myriad of issues will continuously move women forward and empower them to rise above economic pressure, ignorance and  illiteracy that sometimes affect them.

In Nigeria women realise they have achieved a lot and much more could be done to empower them to attain their potential. Mrs Atta, a trader says it is a day worth celebrating as women are important both to the family and country and if women are given more opportunities they could do much more. 

 In Uganda women’s rights activists say equal rights for women are Non existent, Mothers still suffer and deliver babies on the floor.  According to Wangari Maathai, a 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate and founding member of the Nobel Women’s Initiative “For years, we have been hearing African leaders calling for African solutions to African problems. And for many years, we have been waiting to see our leaders rise to the occasion and demonstrate strong leadership to resolve the many conflicts that are plaguing our continent.

Maybe it’s time African women take the bull by the horns and rise and shine, articulate their problems and proffer solutions to them.  Most important, become resourcefull enough to overcome obstacles what ever they may be. 

There is need therefore to

As South Africa prepares to host the world cup, Abedi Pele a former Ghananian player says it is good for Nigeria to go all out to excel because he would not want other African nations to fail because it is important that all countries do their homework well. He believes all players should be excited that the world cup is in Africa and be motivated, as such, all players need to be motivated. He reinterated this at a FIFA 2010 World Cup presentation in NIgeria, on how fans in Nigeria can enjoy the 2010 FIFA World Cup Matches.

According to Abedi Pele, The only disadvantage would be the credit card system which is not available to everyone in Nigeria but having to operate it manually is an option. 

He furthur said Ghanaian football was looking bright because of the developmental programme adopted in the past five years. On the other hand, the absence of a coach in Nigeria should not hinder the success of the team; the assistant coach Daniel Amokachie is still there. who is doing very well. Nigerians are generally very confident when it comes to football and they have positive confidence on the pitch, which I believe will be an advantage.

On African teams at the World Cup, while, Ivory Coast disappointed at the African nations cup, the World cup is a totally different ball game and when Africa nations play against European teams it is also a different ball game. What it is important is that African teams go to the second round and have the advantage of the crowd.

Only, Last week the senate was still undecided on what to do, despite the current Minister for information, Dora Akunyili, submitting a memo urging the President to transmit a letter to the National Assembly to facilitate a smooth hand over and the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) giving the Vice President Good luck Jonathan seven days to take advantage of Section146 (1) of the constitution and assume the responsibility of President.

Hopefully, the Nigerian constitution will be implemented and a smooth hand over will be ensured and the Niger Delta youths and the political class in the South- South will remain silent and dialogue will persist leading Nigeria on to a path of continued stability and democracy.

Finally, the question on if Jonathan would be able to act should be put aside. He has been very cautious which has played to his advantage but he should take the bull by the horn and prepare to be president. The necessary support must be given by Nigerians and they in turn insist that he provides the needed leadership to stir the country in the right direction.