The Delta State Government has assured that it will look
critically into the provision of better services and the enabling environment
for the survival, proper development, protection and participation of the
teeming women and children living with disabilities as well as the elderly in
ensuring that succour is brought to citizens who are vulnerable in the State.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, gave the assurance at
Asaba yesterday during an advocacy visit by the Minister for Women Affairs and
Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, who was represented by the
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello.
Represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Dr. Okowa
noted that government and governance is all about enhancing the life of its
citizenry, through the provision of social and welfare service, especially to
the women, children and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable set among the
people in the society.
The governor asserted that government appreciates the fact
that enhancing the life of such vulnerable in the society can only work out
well when the needed institutional structures like the Ministry of Women
Affairs and the legal framework is put in place to drive home the objectives.
According to him, this feat can only be achieved through
consistent advocacy in partnership and collaboration with all segments of the
society.
“As a government, we would take a critical look into the
entire issues raised as regards the abuse of our women, children, as well as
the elderly in the society. We hope to through the structure and institution we
have put in place, do all in our power to ensure that we partner and
collaborate to ensure that we bring succour to our vulnerable citizens”, he
said
Earlier in an address, the Minister of Women Affairs and
Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, represented by the Permanent
Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Binta Bello had noted that the advocacy visit
is aimed at discussing issues that are critical to the development of the state
and Nigeria in general.
Senator Alhassan, who noted that the Federal Ministry of
Women Affairs and Social Development has the mandate for promoting and
protecting the right of the vulnerable groups and integrating their concern
into national development, solicited the support of the state government
towards the actualization of the ministry’s effort in empowering the women,
children and other vulnerable groups.
According to her, Nigeria remains the largest country in
sub-Saharan Africa with a population of over 160 million people, out of which
49.10 per cent are women, noting that the total number of vulnerable groups,
like women, children and persons with various disabilities constitute about 70
per cent of the entire population.
She urged the state government to focus and give urgent
attention to some of the issues affecting the vulnerable groups which includes
implementation of the Child Rights Law, violence against children, orphans and
vulnerable children.
Others are, National Priority Agenda on vulnerable children,
Nigeria Children’s Parliament, improved maternal and child health, as well as
women empowerment amongst others.
While saying that women organisations play a vital role in
the mobilisation of fellow women for social development, aimed at promoting the
welfare of the family and society, she emphasised that advancing the cause of
women will go a long way in ensuring the attainment of national goals.
Present at the occasion were the wife of the Delta State
Deputy Governor, Engr. Ebierin Otuaro, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Rev.
Omatshola Williams, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah and the
Deputy Chief of Staff Government House, Hon. Steve Oruotor among others.
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