BY Oluseyi Awojulugbe
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Innocent Ujah Idibia, aka Tuface or Tubaba, has lent his voice in support of the equal opportunity bill that failed to receive a second reading in the senate.
The bill, which speaks to gender parity and equal opportunities for women and girls, was shut down by a majority voice vote, with several senators including Sani Yerima citing religious and traditional reasons.
Bukola Saraki, senate president, said the bill suffered a setback “because there are some parts of the bill that some senators disagreed with along the lines of religion and tradition” according to Bukola Saraki, the senate president.
In a post on his social media accounts, Idibia wrote: “Imagine, after all the preaching, our senators say na lie, 50/50.”
The African Queen crooner joined celebrities like Omoni Oboli, Uche Jumbo and Simisola Ogunleye, better known as Simi, in raising their voices against the senate’s decision on the bill.
Simi, clearly displeased, shared her opinion on her social media accounts.
“One of these days, we will be accorded the dignity we deserve. They’re afraid of what we’re capable of. Scared of our brilliance. Terrified of the strength of our minds. This will not stop us or hold us back. One of these days…they will have no choice #5050,” she wrote on Instagram.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the senate president said the bill would be re-presented.
“I have it on good authority that Senator Biodun Olujimi who introduced this bill will reintroduce it after re-drafting it to address some of the reservations that were expressed on the floor of the senate,” he said.
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