… Pledges to deliver on mandate
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The newly appointed Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim on Monday, assumed duty at the Ministry’s headquarters after receiving hand over notes from his successor, Barr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye.
Barr. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, appointed alongside 44 other Ministers in August 2023, after 14 months in office, was among the five recently sacked by President Bola Tinubu’s during a cabinet reshuffle last Wednesday.
The other four are Lola Ade-John, former Minister of Tourism; Tahir Mamman, former Minister of Education; Abdullahi Gwarzo, former Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development; and Jamila Ibrahim, former Minister of Youth Development.
Speaking in an atmosphere filled with jubilation, Suleiman-Ibrahim thanked Mr. President for the trust and honour he has placed in her with the appointment, and for his unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of Nigerian women, children, and vulnerable groups.
While promising to consolidate on the achievements of her predecessors, the Minister pledged her commitment to deliver on the Ministry’s mandate in addressing the concerns of women and girls in the country.
“These mandates from Mr President are very clear, and I am immensely grateful to him for his confidence in me to lead this charge. I will not betray that confidence or let Nigerians down. We will work to make the adjustments necessary to become Africa’s leader in gender equity. I have a proven record from my tenure at NAPTIP, where I led Nigeria from a Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 1. Tangible results are achievable when we commit to our objectives. Once again, I pledge to deliver,” the Minister assured.
She defined women as the heartbeat of this administration, saying that it is the desire of President Tinubu to ensure that there is peace and development for the women.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era for every Nigerian woman, child, and vulnerable citizen, as I step into this role as the Minister of Women’s Affairs. I stand before you not only as a representative of the government but as a woman, a mother, and a Nigerian with a strong commitment to ensuring that every woman, child, and marginalized group in our nation has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, purpose, and freedom.
“In a nation where women make up nearly half of the population, we cannot tolerate the fact that so many Nigerian women continue to face significant barriers that inhibit their ability to reach their full potential. These challenges cut across every sphere of society – whether in business, employment, political representation, education, or sports. Nigerian women still face social, economic, and political barriers that limit their contributions and deprive our nation of their full potential. These realities are contrary to our core principles as a nation, and we must address them with urgency, resilience, and dedication,” said the Minister.
To buttress her point, Suleiman-Ibrahim said women currently hold less than 5 per cent of elective positions nationwide and occupy less than 22 per cent of senior leadership roles in the private sector. Additionally, women own appropriately 41 per cent Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), an astounding 23 million female entrepreneurs operate within the micro-business sector, demonstrating the power, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women.
“Imagine what more we could achieve if we provided them with the resources, access, and support they deserve.
“Under the progressive leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, we are resolved to bridge this gender gap by untangling deeply rooted discriminatory practices. We are committed to empowering women through skills development, entrepreneurial support, employment opportunities, and political participation,” she noted.
Furthermore, the Minister commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her steadfast commitment to women’s empowerment and advocacy for inclusivity. She also extended her appreciation to local and international partners for their unwavering support and called for collective action to achieve the set target.
