‘We’re Committed To Women, Vulnerable Groups’ Empowerment’

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said the federal government remains committed to initiatives that empower women, lift families and improve the lives of vulnerable groups in the country.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim gave the assurance at the inauguration of the Ene Obi Development Centre (EODC) at the National Assembly Library, Abuja.

The minister described the EODC as a beacon of light shining brightly in the pursuit of a brighter future for Nigerian women, girls, families, and the less privilege in our society.

“The centers focus on providing training, skills development, and support services, the testament to the power of education, and hard work in creating positive change in our society.

“The Federal Government is committed to supporting initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and developing, change the lives of families and of course, hold forth the best privilege in our society.

“And I believe that this centre has the potential to be the game changer in our efforts to achieve gender inquality and women’s empowerments.

At the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, our doors are open for collaboration and you know that you have my support all the time,” she said.

Also speaking, the founding executive director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Dr Otive Igbuzor urged government to guarantee civic freedom to protect human rights and participation in the affairs of the state.

He asked the National Assembly to pass the Women Reserve Seats Bill while civil societies should remain courageous and united in tackling the troubles of the ordinary Nigerian.

“Silence is not an option. I call on women and youth to embrace and lift their voices and assert their positions, Nigeria needs your leadership. I call on our development partners to invest in institutions like the EOD to drive community development, and social justice.”

In her remarks, the founder of EODC, Ene Obi said the center is a fulfillment of a journey that began many years ago to among others provide mentorship for younger Nigerians and Africans.

The civil society leader noted that the life of a young woman is something that is really special, but there are barriers and someone needs to open the space for them.

“Every day in Nigeria, we witness brilliance, resilience, and potential, but we also see the struggles.
The barriers that keep young people from opportunities, inequalities that limit women, systems that fail communities, and social injustices that silence the vulnerable.

“It is for this that the centre was created; we exist to champion gender, equality, to strengthening governance, and human rights, support youth leadership, promote equity and ensure that the marginalised groups are not forgotten.

“We exist to create programmes that changes lives, shapes and stimulate communities; for each city, we advance their rights of the well being of Nigerian women, vulnerable people, promote transparency and accountability,” she said.