OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIRES IMPROVED ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND FUNDING... Says Women Affairs Minister At Budget Defence

Barr Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Women Affairs Minister during her budget defence at the Senate, recently.

"Empowering the Nigerian women and children which makes up about 70% of the nation's population, will enable them make positive contributions to the development of their families thereby contributing to the socio-economic growth and development of the nation." Kennedy-Ohanenye, Women Affairs Minister

The Ministry of Women Affairs has called on the members of the National Assembly for an improved budgetary allocation and funding, to enable it deliver on its mandate. This is with a view to improving the lives of Nigerian women, children and the vulnerable in society. 

Making this passionate call today is the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye during the Ministry's budget defence session with members of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Barr. Kennedy-Ohanenye, at the budget defence, informed the members that, "in order to meet up with the core mandate of the Ministry which includes tackling issues of out-of-school children, early marriages, maternal mortality, gender-based violence, amongst others, there is need for improved allocation of resources."

According to her, "empowering the Nigerian women and children which makes up about 70% of the nation's population, will not only provide opportunities for children to go to school, reduce the rate of early marriages but also, it will enable them make positive contributions to the development of their families thereby contributing to the socio-economic growth and development of the nation."

In a statement issued and signed by Grace Njoku, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the Ministry, Barr Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that "this will further reduce poverty, unemployment as well as promote peace and harmony in homes, communities and the society at large."

While thanking the Senate Committee members for their understanding and support towards the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, the Honourable Minister assured that the Ministry is committed to initiating and implementing more policies and programmes that will have direct impact on women, children and people with disabilities, in line with the policy thrust of the present administration 

In her remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe advised the Management to ensure they explore and capture areas that have direct bearing on the lives of the people in line with the Ministry's mandate.

She assured that the Committee was ready to support the Ministry in order to  enable it deliver on its mandate.