CLOSING REMARKS BY HER EXECELLENCY, THE FIRST LADY FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA HAJIYA (Dr) TURAI UMARU YARADUA

AT THE MEETING OF THE FIRST LADY, WIVES OF STATE GOVERNORS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON STRATEGIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, CHILD AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS IN THE SOCIETY AT THE BANQUET HALL OF THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA ON 30TH APRIL, 2009 PROTOCOLS, First of all let me express my delight at this all important meeting with your Excellencies, the wives of State Governors, and distinguished guests here present. I wish to also use this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman for putting this gathering together. 2. I am aware that the 11th Regular session of the

National Council on Women Affairs & Social Development which is designed to formulate policies and map out strategies towards the improvement of the lives and

situations

of

women

and

children

has

just

ended.

Information at my disposal revealed that the occasion was used to evaluate programmes and activities which the Federal and various States Ministries of Women Affairs & Social Development had implemented in the past one year with a view to improving on their performances towards the realization of set goals and objectives. I therefore wish to commend the FMWASD for providing the platform for discussing issues affecting welfare and Development of women, children and other vulnerable groups in the society. 3. This gathering could not have come at a better time

than now and therefore wish to commend your contribution at improving the condition of women and other vulnerables in our society. I have listened to with rapt interest the lead paper presented by the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs & Social Development, various contributions by the State Governors wives, comments from Development Partners
2

and other stakeholders. They are well taken and I assure your Excellencies of my intervention where necessary towards the upliftment of the welfare of our women, children and other vulnerables.

4.

Several interrelated factors have led to the poor

economic status of a larger segment of Nigerian women such that a greater percentage of the nations population living below the poverty line are women. The factors that limit womens economic growth, include poor literacy levels that hinder their capacity to access and process

information on modern business practices, lack of access to wealth creating assets and opportunities due to inheritance laws that are gender discriminatory as practised in most parts of the country; lack of credit facilities due to stringent conditionalities tend to exclude women from the process. Let us in this gathering, lay greater emphasis on the provision of soft loans for women in business as a poverty alleviating strategy. This will go a long way to promote
3

hard work and encourage activities that are likely to increase self employment and job creation among women.

5,

We are all aware, that NGOs render very important

social and humanitarian services that complement the efforts of the Federal and State governments fulfillment of their mandates. in the

This therefore implies that

NGOs as indispensable partners in progress should take up more greater challenges of partnering with government at all levels towards improving the quality of life of every Nigerian woman, child, aged and the physically challenged. 6. Having attended this meeting, I urge you to

expeditiously implement the outcome of the deliberations in your various states. Efforts should be redoubled to

mobilize various NGOs, the public and the organized private sector and other relevant partners to assist in the achievement of our target goals.

7.

It would be recalled that in April 2008, a meeting was

organized by my office to sensitize the wives of State Governors on the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, with a view to taking multi-faceted approach to address this disturbing situation. An action plan was consequently developed at the end of the workshop, which identified key issues to be addressed, and guidance to you on activities and programmes that should be implemented at the state levels, including a step-down gathering such as the one we are witnessing today.

8.

In fulfillment of our commitment to the reduction of

maternal and infant mortality and improving on child health as well as women reproductive health rights, I want to call on all stakeholders, especially leaders among us to bridge all gaps and ensure that there are basic infrastructure and availability of resources, technical skills, capacity building, affordable drugs, awareness creation, community

mobilization, participation and ownership.

5

9.

The adoption of UN Convention on the Elimination of all

forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) should be followed to the letter. We must not relent in our efforts to uplift the living standards of women through various programmes aimed at empowering women and bringing them into limelight. I call on States to develop a statewide plan of action that identifies concrete issues, strategies, and actions that could be implemented at Government and community levels. States, Local

10. Another area that deserves our urgent intervention is Girl Child Education. marriage, poverty, Male preference syndrome, early traditional, religious and cultural

barriers have contributed to the low school enrolment and high school dropout rates for girls in Nigeria. These rates vary in different parts of the country, but are generally higher in the Northern States than in the Southern States. We must pursue girl child education vigorously, not only
6

because it is a strategy for delaying marriage, but because it prepares the girl child for meaningful adult life

characterized by health seeking habits and an ability to make informed decisions concerning her health.

11.

A Child Right Act was enacted in a bid to guarantee

the rights of children to Survival, Development, Protection and Participation as enshrined in the various conventions, statutes and declarations to which Nigeria acceded to. Further to the enactment of the Child Right Act, a National Policy on children was also formulated to ensure effective implementation of the Act as well as serve as an administrative tool. I am delighted to note that 21 States have so far passed the Act into law. There is need for the remaining States to follow suit to secure a better future for our dear children.

12. You will agree with me that the challenges before us are enormous. However, with renewed commitment and
7

collective effort, the sky will be our limit as regards this onerous task of guaranteeing the rights of our women and children.

13. It is on this note that I commend you for your attendance and immense contributions to the success of this meeting.

14. Thank you and may God bless you all.

WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MRS SALAMATU SULEIMAN AT THE OF FIRST LADY FEDERAL REPUPLIC OF NIGERIA , WIVES OF STATE GOVERNORS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON STRATEGIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, CHILD AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS IN THE SOCIETY AT THE BANQUET HALL OF THE TH PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA ON 30 APRIL, 2009
PROTOCOL
8

I am delighted to welcome you all on this all important meeting with your Excellencies, and distinguished guests here present. This gathering could not have come at a better time than now, when there is a great need to synergize with you all at the Federal and State levels. I therefore begin by expressing our special welcome to our host Her Excellency, the First Lady Federal Republic Nigeria, Hajiya (Dr) Turai Umaru YarAdua

2.

No doubt, this meeting is an appropriate opportunity to

reflect on how far we have come and to chart the way forward in our developmental efforts. It is also important that we use this forum to look at issues of violence as it affects women and girls, Girl Child Education, Male preference syndrome, early marriage, poverty, traditional, religious and cultural barriers

3.

It could be recalled that in April 2008, a meeting of this

type was organized by my office to sensitize you the wives of State Governors on the high rates of maternal mortality in Nigeria, with a view to taking multi-faceted approach to
9

address

this

disturbing

situation.

An

action

plan

was

consequently developed at the end of the workshop, which identified key issues to be addressed, and guidance to you on activities and programmes that should be implemented at the state levels, including a step-down gathering such as the one we are witnessing today.

4.

In fulfillment of our commitment to the reduction of

maternal mortality and improving womens reproductive health rights, I want to call on all stakeholders, especially leaders among us to bridge all valley and ensure that there are basic infrastructure and availability of resources, technical skills, capacity building, affordable drugs, awareness creation,

community mobilization, participation and ownership.

5.

To ensure adequate grassroots mobilization, I call on

States to develop a statewide plan of action that identifies concrete issues, strategies, actions and responsible parties at state, Local Government and community levels to improve maternal health.
10

6.

Another area that deserves our urgent intervention in A

2006 was 52.85% at both primary and secondary levels.

marginal 0.6% was recorded for primary school enrollment 2001 and 2006, while the secondary enrollment for girls increased by 2.9 within the same period.

7.

These figures however, vary in different parts of the

country, but are generally lower in the Northern States than the Southern States.

8.

Considering these implications, the Federal Ministry of

Women Affairs and Social Development has contributed to the efforts of Federal Ministry of Education in the drive to increase female school enrollment and retention rates, by implementing several activities funded under the MDG debt relief fund.

9.

It is equally plausible for us to use this forum to deliberate

on the issue of economic empowerment for our women.

11

10

Several interrelated factors have led to the poor economic

status of a larger segment of Nigerian women such that a greater percentage of the nations population living below the poverty line are women. The factors that limit womens economic growth include poor literacy levels that hinder their capacity to access and process information on modern business practices, lack of access to wealth creating assets and opportunities due to inheritance laws that are gender

discriminatory practiced in most parts of the country; lack of credit facilities due to stringent conditionality tend to exclude women from the process.

11. Let us in this gathering, lay greater emphasis on the provision of soft loans for women in business as a poverty alleviating strategy. This will go a long way to promote hard work and encourage activities that are likely to increase self employment and job creation among women.

12. We are all are, that NGOs render very important social and humanitarian services to complement the efforts of Federal
12

and State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development in the fulfillment of their mandates. This therefore implies that NGOs as indispensable partners in government activities should take up the greater challenge of partnering with government at all levels to work towards improving the quality of life every Nigerian women, child, aged and physically challenged.

13. Having attended this meeting, I urge you to expeditiously implement the outcome of our deliberations in your various states. Efforts should be redoubled to mobilize various NGOs and other relevant partners to assist in the achievement of our target goals in this pursuit.

14

Thank you for your attendance and God bless.

13