…Targets 6000 women at first phase
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated the Benue state chapter of “No Woman No Nation”, renewed hope, a Benue state women empowerment initiative.
The first lady who inaugurated the initiative on Friday, December 1, 2023, in Government House, Makurdi, explained that No Woman No Nation forum is the women wings of National Coalition of all support for Batshettima mandate for all women across the Nigeria; from national to state level including the 774 LGs and wards, to empower women and promote the good work of her office for better Nigeria.
She said it is an NGO under renewed hope initiatives for better Nigeria and is committed to advancing gender equality, empowering women across states to support widows, end gender-based violence and empower women economically.
Mrs Tinubu who was represented by the National Chairman of “No Woman No Nation” Amb. Akintola Oluwasayo, said the No woman No nation forum will lift 6000 out of poverty immediately after the inauguration in Benue state at the first stage.
The first lady noted that the vision of the initiative is to have a new Nigeria where the community will be crime free, corruption free and where information will be useful for Humanitarian growth and solicited the support of the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, for a secretariat and vocational centre in the state.
Speaking, Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia, appreciated the First Lady for inaugurating the state chapter of the forum with him as the grand patron and for stamping her feet to ensure that women in Benue are considered for empowerment in the humanitarian project like their counterparts elsewhere in the country.
“Your goal is to lift over 6000 women out of poverty and in addition ensure the attainment of communities free from crime and corruption. These are noble goals and as a Government, we will support this initiative to make it happen,” he assured.
He recalled that when he was going for elections, most of his ardent supporters were women and that is why he is determined to serve them just as he will not take their support for granted.
He said his administration will support individuals and groups that desire to take Benue’s development and commercial growth to great we heights.
While assuring Benue women of protection, Governor Alia said Benue government will abolish every custom and laws that afflict pains on women
“Benue women, I have your back. The Alia Cares initiative also has best hopes for Benue women and more and more Benue women will feel this positive impacts,” he promised.
The National Director Welfare and Planning, North-central “No Woman No Nation”, and Commissioner Cooperatives, Urban and Rural Development Benue state Hon. Joy Luga, said Nigeria is blessed with both human and material resources, and Nigerian women arguably constitute about more than half of the population of the country and are known to play important roles as Child bearers, house workers and house managers, community organizers and social and political activists among others.
She noted that in spite of the potentials women hold for their country, women are highly ignored in the development effort due to some cultural stereotype, economic limitations, unfavorable traditional practices, religion barriers, lack of recognition for women in positions of authority, lack of clear policy for women political ambition as well as patriarchal societal structures.
“The opposite of these aforementioned challenges are clearly the solutions to Women non-participation or less participation in both Politics and other socioeconomic endeavours.”
She called on the legislators both at the state and National assemblies to proactively and deliberately make laws to favour women participation in almost all public activities.
“For the Executive arm of government, | see a “Decisive Affirmative Action” to encourage women participation in all public activities and Programmes as key in addressing lack of women involvement.
“For us as Women, I strongly advise that, stigmatization of women politicians by fellow women which discourages the political participation of the former should be completely done away with to allow for seamless feminine participation in the public space.
She commended Governor Alia for appointing Women into key positions including herself and pledged that the women will not disappoint him.
Addressing the women earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, encouraged the women to be security conscious and help the government ensure security of lives and property in their various domain.
Har said, “Know your neighbour, be watchful, do not join in any form of protest. Help this Government secure Benue. If you see something say something.”