By Justina Auta
The New Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has affirmed her commitment towards empowerment, rural farming, health for women and children in the country.
Kennedy-Ohanenye stated this on Monday on assumption of duty and meeting with the media in Abuja.
According to her, the ministry would work towards ameliorating the sufferings of women and children, particularly improved access to health care services and farming for those in the rural areas.
She explained that women across the six geopolitical zines will be trained on various skills, which they will also cascade to others to improve their livelihood, nation’s GDP, address street begging and insecurity.
” These are some of the things I will achieve from now to 100 days in office such as empowering women, teaching them skills, train the trainees for them to empower at least 10 people for us.
” I intend to start the train the trainees in the six geopolitical zines, which we will choose states or ballots to decide the states we will start from.
” And if we are able to achieve it in 100 days, we will definitely look at for people that will donate the materials for the people trained to start working on their skills, but on condition that each of them will train 10 people, which we will equally empower them,” she added.
On rural farming, the minister appeal to the public to desist from using their positions and connection to grab program targeted at a group.
” If we ask rural women farmers and you use connection to grab what belongs to them, when you know that you are not going to the village to do the farming.
“These are some of the things that we will not tolerate because I want to work with women and see those that are suffering, we look towards them and assist them,” she said.
She, therefore, urged the staff and other stakeholders to support the government towards achieving it’s mandates for the overall good of the nation.
” I want you to understand that I am not here to victimise anyone, unless you are not ready to work.
” I am here to motivate the women to work hard , teach them how to fish and protect their children with the little power president Tinubu has given me, that is my job,” she said.
The minister also urged partners and other stakeholders to support government through insurance scheme that will enable women and children in rural areas access quality health care services.
She also called for allocation of at least one per cent from taxation on alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and others to be channeled towards health care services for women, especially in rural areas to reduce mortality rates. (NAN)
