Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has disclosed that the state, under his leadership, is committed to promoting gender equality and affirmative action.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, made this disclosure while declaring open a two-day North Central National Women Sensitization Workshop, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, on Monday.
He added that in Niger State, gender equality was recognised not just as a moral imperative but also as a key driver of sustainable development and social progress, which, according to him, was evidenced by the appointment of a Special Adviser on Gender and Affirmative Action and the strengthening of agencies dedicated to combating the social menaces in the state.
The theme of the workshop, "Community Participation, Critical Stakeholders Support, and the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development as Essential Partners in the Fight Against Insecurity, Drug Abuse, Trafficking, and Violence Against Women and Children in Our Society," which the governor said was apt and underscored the urgent need for collaboration and collective action by all stakeholders in tackling these social challenges,.
He observed that the event was coming at a time when gender inclusivity has taken the mainstream and the women folks are getting more involved at every level of governance in our nation, stressing the need for deliberate efforts through programmes and policies to change the trajectories in order to achieve a better society for all.
While appreciating the organisers of the event, in collaboration with Osjones International Services Limited, the Governor also appreciated the invaluable contributions of the Office of the Wife of Governors, especially the First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Umar Bago, in supporting the eradication of gender disparities and the marginalisation of women in rural communities across Niger State and Nigeria at large.
In her keynote address, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors' Spouses Forum and First Lady of Kwara State, Amb. Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said drug abuse and trafficking have a link with all the societal ills in focus, which included trafficking in persons, insecurity, and violence against women and children, among others.
The Chairperson, who was represented by the First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Umar Bago, disclosed that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, had reported that over 40% of Nigerian youths engage in drug abuse, with a sizeable number of these statistics being women, contributing to the high prevalence of substance use disorders.
She added that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey had established that among every four drug users in Nigeria, one is a woman, saying previously drug abuse was an urban problem but now thrives in rural areas.
While commending the organisers of the event and their partners for putting up the event, she observed that the workshop was a sign of commitment towards creating ways for curbing drug abuse as a public health concern and creating pathways to ensuring that our people and communities were not used as agents of the illicit drug trade.
In his goodwill message, the member representing Bida, Gbako, and Katcha Federal Constituency, who is equally a member of the committee, and the host of the event, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdul, said there was a lot women could do for their emancipation and liberation, adding that it was enough for all the talk shows and that it was time for action.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, observed that we all have a role to play in the development of Nigeria under the renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She disclosed that the choice of Niger State as host of the event was a result of the positive steps taken by the state government under the leadership of Governor Umaru Bago to revitalise education, agriculture, infrastructure, health, and the security of the state.