By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has reiterated the resolve of his administration to support women to achieve their heights in every field of endeavours.
The Governor also stressed that women will not be left out in the running of the affairs of his administration the more reason he ensure that more women were appointed.
Bala Mohammed was speaking at the close out and dissemination event of Women Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-Nigeria) held on Tuesday in Bauchi.
Represented by the Commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, Muhammad Salis Gamawa, the Governor commended Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria for implementation of the project in the state.
He expresses happiness that the project had in the last 5 years impacted positively in the lives and wellbeing of women in the state particularly rural women through the various employment programmes.
The Governor also said that in order to ensure that women are involved in political decisions, he has directed that at least, there should be Three women concillors in each of the 20 LGAs in the state in the forthcoming LGAs elections.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of Women Affairs, Barr. Uju Kennedy – Ohanenye, said that the Close-out was essentially organized to review, take stock and highlight key successes and outcomes on the implementation of the Women Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project in Bauchi State.
While expressing her joy over the successful completion of the project which has brought about acceleration on the increase of women’s voice, their participation and visibility in leadership positions especially in the seven states that participated in the programme viz, Enugu, Lagos, Cross- River, Kwara, Kebbi, Gombe and FCT in Nigeria, She sincerely commended ActionAid Nigeria and all her implementing team for their dogged commitment all through the implementing period.
The Minister added, “It is also my pleasure to appreciate ActionAid Nigeria for their continued funding support in the implementation of various other programs geared towards the general wellbeing of Nigerian women.*
“On this note, I must place on record here that over the years, ActionAld Nigeria have been supportive to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs through several programmes geared towards the achievement of the mandate of the Ministry,” She added.
According to her,”They have been particularly supportive in areas of Violence Against Women and Girls, Women’s Political Participation and Governance, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Women, Peace and Security, Women’s Unpaid Care Work, Commemoration of various Women’s International Programmes, Mobilizing and supportive in the passage of various gender bills currently at the National Assembly, Advocacy and supportive in insuring Nigeria’s participation at various national and international fora, active member of our development partners gender group (DPGG) amongst several other supportive initiatives with key milestones achieved.”
The Minister then prayed that these supports particularly in the passage of the gender bills before the National Assembly would be resuscitated and passed at this 10 National Assembly.
Uju Kennedy added that,”It is equally pertinent to note that, in line with the report reaching us, the Women Voice and Leadership in Nigeria has increased women’s participation in leadership and key decision making processes in the respective states driven by this project; as women have been able to utilize their inherent leadership and negotiation skills to address overwhelming issues of governance in their communities, states and the country in general which earlier defied previous efforts.”
“In recognition of this, it is my pleasure to once again on behalf of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, appreciate ActionAid Nigeria and their implementing team for this key milestone and urge you all to further support the Ministry in fast racking the achievement of her mandate of ensuring the entrenchment of gender equality, women empowerment and social inclusion in the country in line with Nigeria’s policy agenda and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals: Agenda of leaving no one behind,” She added.
“In conclusion, I call on Action Ald Nigeria and her team that participated in the implementation of the Women Voice and Leadership Nigeria Project, to consciously ensure the sustainability of the achievements and lessons learnt from the project with a view to expand the same to the remaining states of the country,” the Minister concluded.
The Emir of Dass who is the Co-Chair of State TaskForce on Primary Healthcare, Alh Usman Bilyaminu Othman commended ActionAid Nigeria for successfully implementing the project for Five years in the state.
The Royal father assured that the traditional institution will continue to support programmes and projects that will impact positively on the lives of people particularly women and children who are the most valuable.
The Five years project was implemented in Bauchi state by16 implementing partners such as; FAWOYDI, FOMWAN, ASHHF, RW, CIG, AIDCODE, KWAYUDA, RIGHT, WEIN, RHISA, SWOFON, SABEERASH, SISWACHI, CAN and AZURFA.
