group of women in Kwara on Friday appealed for support from traditional rulers to give them more opportunities to contribute to national development.
Mrs Afusat Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, made the call during an advocacy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari, in Ilorin.
The visit to the Emir’s palace in Ilorin was part of activities designed to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD).
The theme for the 2021 IWD scheduled for Monday is ”Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World”.
Ibrahim appreciated the efforts of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for providing an enabling environment for women, saying that the significance of the celebration is part of the revitalisation of Kwara women for rightful position in the society.
She said that the role of a mother was an instrument for inculcating societal norms and values at home.
She commended the Emir for ensuring the security of lives and property in his domain, noting that women bore the consequences of any situation of insecurity in the society.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Paullen Tallen, also said that women mattered in the socio-economic development of the society, noting that girls should not be seen as slaves or house maids, rather as personality with high potentials.
“There is the need for increased women empowerment programme. The role of the Civil Society Organisations is taking sensitisation to the grassroot,’” she said.
Responding, Gambari called on the women to wake up to their tasks reminding that “what a man can do, a woman can do better”.
The first class traditional ruler said that a good woman would always work hard at home and at work, as development of the entire family laid on her hand.
He urged the women to take their responsibilities seriously in the society.
Similarly, the delegation visited the Emir of Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, who said that poverty was at its peak, and called on the government to empower women based on their individual needs.
Abdullahi commended the state government for being humane and passionate for grassroot people, while assuring the presence of delegates at the IWD.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team also visited the palace of the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi.
Among the delegates was the President, National Council of Women Society, Mrs Zainab Audu. (NAN)