BUJA – The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has commended the foresight of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, in mobilising and empowering women to pursue peace and development in the country.
Maku made the commendation in Abuja on Thursday when he received a delegation from the Nasarawa State Chapter of Women for Change Initiative.
He described Jonathan as the most successful First Lady in the history of Nigeria, especially in the political empowerment of women.
Maku said she worked tirelessly, campaigning for women to occupy key public positions in the country.
He said that her relentless commitment to the course resulted in the appointment of 13 women into the current federal cabinet and 16 women permanent secretaries.
The minister said the Women for Change Initiative was an agenda that was timely and tasked the Nasarawa State Chapter to emulate the first lady in the campaign for peace in the state.
The minister expressed sadness over the frequent eruption of violence in Nasarawa the state and urged the women to be in the forefront in the campaign for peaceful co-existence.
Maku thanked President Jonathan for removing the barrier between men and women in key appointments.
He said that no government had given women visibility in public service like the Jonathan administration.
The minister said: “Ministries hitherto exclusive preserve for men were manned by women under the present administration as well as the appointment of women to oversee the top echelon of the judicial arm of government.”
Maku explained that the initiative in the state was well organised and pledged to support them to actualise their programmes.
The state Liaison Coordinator of the group, Mrs. Maryamu Nghargbu, said the visit was in appreciation of the minister’s support.
She said that the achievements recorded by women in the current dispensation were due to the support of President Jonathan and his wife.(NAN)
