Women Affairs Minister visits Bauchi, pledges empowerment projects for women
Story by Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has pledged to transform Nigerian women within six months through mass empowerment schemes.
Ohanenye made the pledge on Tuesday when she paid a courtsey visit to Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, in Bauchi.
She said her ministry intends to change the way things are done by making sure money meant for women goes into empowerment programmes for women with no advocacy, consultancy, saying the advocacy and consultancy done in the past are enough.
She said her ministry will initiate favourable schemes for farming so that women will go back to farm and feed their families and the nation.
“We will give you fish, through fish farming women in Nigeria will make fish affordable and available.
“I don’t want to hear poverty, hunger again. We will empower all Nigerian women and after empowerment, if we see any woman begging, we will arrest her.
She expressed concern on the way the ($250,000,000) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars relesead for the treatment of fistula patients was used for the training of doctors.
The minister said, “The $250,000 was given to treat Vesico Viginal Fistula VVF patients annually by the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), they diverted it to train doctors instead of treating the patients, but now we have come in, we will ensure that ECOWAS release the money, when we get the money we will treat the patients, rehabilitate them and empower them.”
Ohanenye said she is touring the 36 states to seek governors’ support and collaboration on the best way to empower women.
She commended Governor Muhammad for his dedication to women’s empowerment, praising the state’s efforts in promoting gender equality.
Barrister Ohanenye expressed her ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the state government to implement policies and programmes that would uplift women.
“Governor Muhammad’s administration has shown a strong resolve to improve the living standards of women in Bauchi State, and this partnership is expected to yield positive outcomes for all Bauchi women,” She said.
Responding, Governor Muhammad reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to improving the lives of women in the state.
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The governor emphasised his government’s resolve to implement programmes and policies that would ascertain gender equality and women’s empowerment.
He acknowledged the crucial role women play in shaping the society and expressed his commitment to providing opportunities for their economic, social, and political growth.
The governor highlighted various initiatives his administration has undertaken to improve the womenfolk, including vocational training, microfinance schemes, and educational programmes.
He also mentioned the establishment of a gender desk to address gender-based violence and other gender-related issues.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
