Women in Benue State have called for the constitutional recognition of the office of the wives of the president and the governor of a state.

  The women said the offices of the First Ladies wielded a lot of influence and political goodwill that would be better harnessed for the benefit of women, if given the legal backing through constitutional recognition.

  The commissioner of women affairs and social development, Mrs. Diana Ochoga, who presented the women’s position to the Speaker of Benue state House Assembly, Mr. Terseer Tsumba, in his office, last week, said the proposal was based on the fact that these first ladies have been performing functions  which complement the roles played by the offices of the president and that of the governor.

  Ochoga said the complementary roles of the first ladies have been prominent in the areas of health, women, youth, children, aged and the vulnerable members of the society. "These functions often involve expenditure of funds because of the programmes and projects that are carried out, hence, constitutional recognition will therefore make room for proper funding and accountability," argued Mrs Ochoga.

  She also said that the offices of the First Ladies could further bridge the gap of communication between government and the people.

  The commissioner who was accompanied by the Vice- Chancellor of the University of Mkar , Mrs. Nancy Agbe among others, lamented that "our leaders have been paying lip service to the issues affecting women in this country".

  She said the Nigerian constitution has been militating against the progress of women, insisting that the review of the constitution should be aimed at prohibiting all forms of discrimination against women.

  The speaker accepted the report with a promise to table it for consideration when the National Assembly Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution visits the state for inputs.