NAN-H-80
Taskforce
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, March 6, 2018 (NAN) The Oyo State Government is set to establish a special task force to tackle destitution in the state.
Mrs Atinuke Osunkoya, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, said this at a news conference in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the news conference was part of activities to mark the 2018 International Women’s Day.
The theme for the 2018 Women’s Day celebration is ‘Time is now: Rural and Urban activities Transforming Women’s Lives.’’
Osunkoya decried the increasing numbers of destitute persons in the state, saying the task force would be adequately empowered to totally evacuate them from the streets.
She stated that such effort was to ensure that the destitute persons were captured, rehabilitated and possibly reunited with their families.
The commissioner also stated that her ministry would continue to sensitise women on the need to empower themselves to become more relevant in the society.
Osunkoya further said her ministry would collaborate with relevant stakeholders toward ensuring gender mainstreaming in policy formulation, planning and budgeting.
“This ministry has created enabling environment for rights to survival, protection and development of the people, especially the most vulnerable groups.
“We won’t relent in our efforts at ensuring the rights to survival, protection, development and participation of the vulnerable groups.
“We will also ensure they are empowered and benefit from the socio-economic development process,’’ she said.
She stated that the celebration was aimed at acknowledging the leading roles of women in the nation’s development and their efforts at fostering human rights principle.
The commissioner gave an assurance that the state government would continue to recognise the pivotal roles of women in the nation’s development.
Osunkoya disclosed that her ministry had empowered 126,961 women across the 33 local government areas in the state under its empowerment programme.
“The celebration of International Women’s Day commemorates the political, social and economic achievements of women.
“Over the decades, the objective of the celebration has evolved and embraced culture and ethnicity to emerge as a celebration of appreciation, respect and love toward women,” she said.
She added that the wife of the governor, Florence Ajimobi, would on Wednesday lead a sensitisation campaign to mark the celebration while a forum would be held at the Ibadan Civic Centre on Thursday. (NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)