Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti, has mentioned that his administration would proceed to be gender delicate in recognition of the large influence of girls in societal growth.
He acknowledged this in a goodwill message to Nigerian girls on the 2024 Worldwide Girls’s Day, describing them as embodiments of resilience, devotion to responsibility within the residence entrance, office and within the bigger society.
“Right here, in Abia State, our administration is very gender delicate and this has seen to the elevated variety of girls appointed into the State Govt Council and Ministries, Departments, and Companies of presidency.
“It’s worthy of be aware that ladies occupy strategic positions in well being, training , agriculture and poverty alleviation within the State Govt Council, whereas out of the full 24 Everlasting Secretaries within the state, 17 of them are girls,” he mentioned.
The Abia chief govt identified that the entrance function positions that ladies now occupy in Abia is unprecedented within the historical past of the state civil service.
He mentioned that Nigeria, and certainly the world, owe girls a debt of gratitude for his or her contributions in direction of making certain world financial, social and political growth.
The Abia governor specifically congratulated girls for his or her achievements regardless of quite a few challenges imposed on them by nature and the society.
He additional described Nigerian girls as epitome of grace, information, magnificence and power, noting that they’ve achieved a lot in several areas of life nationally and globally.
Talking on the theme of this yr’s Worldwide Girls’s Day, ‘Encourage Inclusion’, Otti mentioned his authorities has been deliberate in its coverage of empowering girls thereby giving them a way of belonging and inclusiveness.
In response to him, this has been made doable via improved budgetary allocations to the varied sectors which have direct influence on the welfare and well-being of girls and girl-child.
He acknowledged that his administration has demonstrated dedication within the fee of a counterpart fund for the Nigeria for Girls Mission (NFWP) that seeks to assist improved livelihoods for ladies in focused areas of Abia and Nigeria.
“This purpose can be achieved by influencing social norms associated to gender equality, selling social inclusion and establishing institutional platforms that enhance girls’s entry to important life, enterprise and technical abilities.”
To this finish, the Abia governor mentioned that he has already given approval for the state to start instant disbursement of funds at zero curiosity to girls entrepreneurs engaged in small and micro companies within the rural areas, via the state’s cooperative programme.
“That is in achievement of our marketing campaign promise to empower our girls in constructing their companies on the grassroots and assist to create wealth throughout the state. A minimum of 50 individuals per ward are anticipated to obtain the sum of N100,000, every,” he mentioned.
Whereas rejoicing with girls on the celebration of the IWD, Otti thanked all Abia girls, together with his spouse, Priscilla, for his or her assist, and for having religion in him and his authorities.
