By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto – The Federal Government on Monday urged the National Council on Women Affairs and Social Development to articulate a common programme to address challenges confronting vulnerable groups in the country.
Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said at the opening of the 17th meeting of the council in Sokoto, that collective action was required in tackling the problems.
She said women, children, those with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable Nigerians require special intervention projects and programmes to ease out of their predicaments.
“We therefore need to deliberate and marshal out programmes of actions and design projects that will reduce to the barest minimum incidences of the numerous challenges facing the target groups in the country,’’ she said.
The permanent secretary stressed that the council should “look in the direction of the policy thrust of government taking into cognizance, the importance of synergy and awareness creation, sensitization and advocacy
“This, for the enlightenment of the public on projects and programmes that will facilitate the achievement of our collective mandate as it affects women, children, elderly, people with disability and other vulnerable members of the society.’’
She added that the theme: `Peaceful Society and Social Investment; A Frontier Approach to Sustainable Development,’ was in line with the policy thrust of the administration to stem negative tendencies in the society.
“It is my conviction that this particular council will be a remarkable and memorable one in the direction of new development in our country today, and particularly to the vulnerable members of the society.”
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry for Women and Children Development, Hajiya Aisha Dantsoho, urged the participants to discuss issues germane to the total well being of all vulnerable groups in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were drawn from states ministries of women affairs, gender based groups and relevant government agencies. (NAN)