Gov Bala receives Governors’ wives in Bauchi, reiterate commitment to war against SGBV, poverty
Samuel Luka
Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed has reiterated the commitment of his administration towards waging war against Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) as well as fight poverty among the citizens of the state.
The Governor who stated this on Tuesday when he received in audience at the government house, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF) who were in Bauchi for their annual retreat and quarterly meeting, said his administration has rolled out various empowerment initiatives to keep the state economically viable.
Represented by his deputy, Rt. Honourable Mohammed Auwal Jatau, Governor Mohammed commended the forum for its stand against all forms of discrimination against the women and other vulnerable members of the society.
The Governor further applauded the laudable achievements made by the Forum in addressing various social issues through empowering women and promoting gender friendly policies.
According to him, the various initiatives of the Forum has impacted positively in the lives of numerous individuals, especially women, children, and vulnerable groups.
The Governor noted that by embarking and executing various programs that have impacted positively in the areas of education, healthcare delivery, skills acquisition, economic empowerment, among others, the forum has made practical what service to humanity is all about.
Bala described the forum as an excellent platform for exchanging ideas that will help in shaping government policies and programs towards achieving gender equality and empowering women across the country.
“As you are aware, Nigeria has always recognized the essential role of women in our society. Women have exemplified their capabilities, resilience, and leadership qualities and again, proving that they are an integral part of our nation’s progress”, the Governor remarked.
Bala Mohammed expressed confidence that with the gathering of the Governors’ Wives in Bauchi to chart the way forward for Nigeria’s collective interest, it will pave the way for a brighter and better Nigeria.
He informed that Bauchi state government shared the same vision with the forum for empowering women and ensuring their active participation in every aspect of life in the society.
The representative of the Governor further noted that the present government in the state has implemented various programs towards uplifting the youth and the women.
According to him, such programs and initiatives include, promoting girl-child education, providing access to quality healthcare services, and initiating income-generating projects focused on skill development and entrepreneurship.
Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of the Forum and First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq thanked Governor Bala Mohammed for according them warmth reception during the courtesy call.
She recalled that in June 2020 at the hight of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria Governors’ Wives came together to establish a forum known as the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Against Gender-based Violence.
She said that the establishment of the forum was primarily to take measures against the then increased in Gender-based violence at the hight of the pandemic.
“We called on our husbands to declare state of emergency against Gender based violence, which they did, subsequently, the president at that time set up committee and suddenly all hands were on deck to counter gender based violence in our society”, the Forum’s Chairperson said.
She said that the establishment of the forum had made them to extend their areas of intervention to include, drug abuse prevention, cancer sensitization and awareness, Nutrition, women and youth empowerment, promoting children’s education, skills acquisition, among others to complement the efforts of their spouses (the Governors).