The Kogi State Governor, Capt Idris Wada, says he will continue to give women their rightful place in the transformation agenda of the present administration.
The State Governor made the promise at the Inauguration and Sensitization of State, Liaison, Zonal, Local Government and Ward Coordinators for Women for Change and Development Initiative, held in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said his administration places high premium on women issues, disclosed that he has embarked on several programs aimed at reducing problems of poverty and under development affecting women.
Capt Wada said his administration respects the place and potentials of women in nation building, said he has taking positive steps towards attaining the 35% threshold for the affirmative action for appointment of women.
Capt Wada commended the wife of the President, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, for her foresight, aimed at gender equality and women emancipation.
The State governor urged women in the State to take the platform presented by the inauguration to participate in programmes and policies geared towards charting a way forward for the all round development of women.
Wada described the women for change and development initiatives as a strong unifying voice to better the socio-cultural well-being of women and to improve their economic status.
The Governor said the inauguration is coming at a better time,commended the public campaign against all forms of violence against the girl child and women by wife of the President.
The Governor specifically commended the role of the wife of the president in mobilizing support for the release of 234 school girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State.
Speaking at the inauguration, Wife to the Kogi State Governor, Hajia Halima Wada, described the Women for change and development initiatives as a programe geared towards preaching peace and harmony, said no nation can attain progress and development in an atmosphere of violence and rancor.
Women as nation builders, she disclosed should engage their children on the need for peace.
Hajia Halima commended the Wife of the President for preaching peace and progress at a challenging time of the nations history.
The Kogi First Lady promised to collaborate and to key into the aims and objectives of Women for change and development initiative, geared towards achieving the 35% affirmation.
Hajia Wada, stressed the need for cooperation amongst women, charged women at all levels to work for the progress of the PDP at all elections
In her remarks, the National Coordinator, Women for Change and Development Initiative, Princess Rabi Ibrahim, called on women in the State to get actively involved in politics.
She advocated the 35% affirmation action for women to be appointed and elected into political offices,described Kogi women as intelligent and who can hold their own.
She said the Women for change initiative is aimed at making women contribute their own quota to nation development.
Princess Ibrahim also said the NGO aims at putting Nigerian women in their proper perspective by bringing out their potentials, said the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan has using the NGO impacted on the lives of Nigerian Women in all spheres of life.
The NGO the National coordinator disclosed has provided succor to women, youths and the vulnerable in the society called for greater collaboration.
In her speech, Evelyn Onyilo, North Central Coordinator, Women for change and development initiatives, called on women in the state to avail themselves of the opportunities presented by Women for change and development initiatives to acquire skills and be self reliant.
Mrs Onyilo described the launch in the state of Women for change and development initiatives as coming at a better time,said it will enable the women to be financially independent.
Earlier in her welcome remarks,Augustina Idachaba, said the inauguration of Women for change and development initiatives in the state will mark the turning point in women empowerment and emancipation.
Mrs Idachaba, called on Kogi Women to be responsible and work hard-working as the strive for political and appointive positions.
Highlights of the inauguration was goodwill messages from, Rose Igonoh, Princess Falade, and Mrs Okino Juliana, representatives of women from the three senatorial districts of the state, Mallam Jimoh Usman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and social development, inauguration of the various chapters of women for change and development initiative and the presentation of empowerment items, such as clothing’s to the wife of the state governor by the National Women Coordinator, Women for change and development initiatives.
