Zulum calls for social welfare to tackle poverty, insecurity in Nigeria

….as Sanwo-Olu charges women to vote Tinubu

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babangana Zulum has said boosting social welfare through woman empowerment intervention has become essential to address the problems of poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.

Zulum, who spoke as the special guest of honour at the closing ceremony of the 22nd National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) said issues of social welfare as a way of pulling many Nigerians out of poverty and tackling insecurity must be increased through women empowerment.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Spring forth, Stand Out”, Zulum who was represented by Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Auwal Abubakar, said individuals, groups and organisations and government at all levels must collaborate and strive hard to improve the situation of young women in Lagos and Nigeria.

Zulum said: “Women are usually confronted with socio cultural hurdles that prevent their participation in governance and development, these hurdles undermine women’s ability to fully contribute to societal development which is exacerbated by poverty and lack of skills and formal education in our communities.

“We must therefore recognise community leadership and civic engagement skills as essential tools that will enable young women to participate in governance and development.

“There is the need for collective action by men, women and youths in addressing existing barriers. This can generate more innovative and effective out comes.”

Noting that young women need to be seen as partners in governance and development, Zulum said that would be dependent on changing men’s negative belief and attitude, giving young women the skills and education that will enable their participation; and facilitating open communication about the barriers to young women’s participation.

“The issues of social welfare as a way of pulling many Nigerians out of poverty and tackling insecurity must therefore be increased through women empowerment which is one of the key objectives of the Committee (COWSLO).

“It is vital to empower young women by supporting them to handle their educational and professional lives so as to enhance their ability to raise their voices against violence.

“Young women are also encouraged to participate in the agricultural development of the State through the provision of fertilizer, improved seeds and tractors hiring provided at affordable rates.

“Similarly, to ensure that all our young women are established, skills acquisition centres where women are taught different trades should be increased and managed well just as we do in Borno State to enhance our recovery efforts after 13 years of insurgency.

“I therefore urge all the State governments to create and facilitate conducive environment for young women to realise their potentials.

“I also call on Governments at all levels to campaign assiduously against the trafficking of young women and children with a view to preventing this ugly trend and inhuman activity,” he said.

He appealed to government at all levels in the country and donor agencies to encourage and assist women empowerment programmes so as to bring about the much needed development.

In her remarks, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said it’s time for women to lend their voice to insecurity issues and poverty eradication in the country.

She said out of the more than 261 borders in the country, over 137 are porous, adding that the situation demands firm contributions from all strata of the society to address the challenges.

“Women, we need to talk with a lot of confidence. It is time for women to lend out our voice and not leave it only for our men to make sure everyone is a security person. Everyone must be interested in the security issues. We have 261 borders, we have 137 of these borders that are porous.

“It is time for us to lend our voice out there to ensure that this country is safe; to ensure that poverty is eradicated. It is only when poverty is eradicated; it is only when insecurity is eradicated that people would want to come into Nigeria to come and invest,” she said.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while also speaking at the event, called on women to use their power as nation builders to restore the country on the path of developmental trend by voting the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Sanwo-Olu was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Femi Hamzat as the chief host at the closing ceremony.

He said: “Because women are extremely significant to nation building, they must exert their nation building power by voting for Tinubu who has the required precedents to build the country.

“No woman no nation! What then that means is that if we want to build the nation, we must go out pull our husbands and children to go and vote for Tinubu.”