Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has assured the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) of her unwavering support in tackling the challenges faced by women and girls in Nigeria.
She also commended the society for being a vital partner of the ministry in championing the rights, welfare and empowerment of women across the country.
A press release signed by the Chief information and Public Relations Officer in the ministry, Chinwe Owen Udouwem, said the minister spoke in Abuja recently when a delegation from the Council paid her a courtesy visit.
Suleiman-Ibrahim said the body has consistently demonstrated a commitment in the discharge of its mandate by addressing the challenges faced by the female gender, amplifying the voices of Nigerian women and advancing their status in the society.
She assured that the ministry remains committed to enabling and strengthening the activities of the NCWS by providing it with the necessary guidance, technical support and advocacy for gender equality while encouraging its members to continue being active and united in the face of fierce challenges.
The minister seized the opportunity to commiserate with them on the demise of their elected President, Hajia Lami Lau, who passed on some months ago.
She reminded the delegates not to be distracted from the vision and mandate, saying, “Together, we share a vision of building an inclusive and equitable society where women and girls are empowered to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, the leader of the delegation who is the Acting National President of the NCWS, Mrs Geraldine Ita Etuk, reiterated that council is the umbrella organisation for women groups in Nigeria.
She said: “We champion the rights and well-being of women across Nigeria, fostering inclusivity, equity, and progress.
“Our mission is to advocate for the social, economic,and political empowerment of Nigerian women, providing a platform for their voices and advancing education, health and welfare.”
Etuk stressed that the organisation’s objective aligns with the ministry’s goals, hence she stressed the need for meaningful collaborations, noting that it would drive meaningful change.
While outlining the council’s initiatives which need the ministry’s collaboration, she advocated for the return of NCWS budget lines both at the federal, state and local government levels for the smooth running of the council.
In her vote of thanks, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Kashinro, expressed confidence in their leadership and admonished them to keep up the good work.
She assured of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with them in order to move Nigerian women forward.
