Kogi govt. wants safe environment for women, girl child to pursue their life ambition

By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja

The Kogi State Government has called on the three tiers of government in Nigeria to provide a safe environment for women and the girl child to pursue their aspirations in life

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social development, Hajia Mrs. Fatima Momoh, stated this during a one-day young women mentoring and intergenerational women’s dialogue in Lokoja targeted at Advancing Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Kogi State.

The meeting was put together by the Kogi State Ministry of Eomen Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Community initiatives to promote Peace , Challenged Parenthood Initiative, (CPI) and Kogi Women Constituency Lead and supported by Mercy Corp.

According to the organizers, the meeting was aimed at mentoring young women and celebrating the accomplishments of women as well as address the critical issues surrounding women empowerment in the realm of peace and Security in Kogi State.

The Commissioner while describing the event as timely amidst the spate of insecurities in the Country, called on the girl child to believe in themselves and take cue from other women that have made their mark in Nigeria and beyond.

The Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiative, Eunice Abimbola Agbogun in her opening address explained the rational for the meeting and emphasized the need for more security architecture specifically designed for women in Nigeria.

Agbogun advised young girls to remain focused, avoid being distracted and take up the challenges of life, saying if other women can succeed, they can also succeed.

Her words, “In Kogi State, as in many parts of the world, women continue to confront a myriad of challenges on their journey towards equality, peace and security. From systemic barriers to economic opportunities and political participation to pervasive gender-based violence and discrimination, the road to empowerment is fraught with obstacles.

She noted that in the face of adversity, women in our community have demonstrated unparalleled resilience, courage, and determination in their pursuit of a better future for themselves and future generations.

“It is against this backdrop of challenges and opportunities that we gather today to engage in dialogue, reflection, and action.

“We recognize that achieving sustainable peace and security requires the active participation and leadership of women at all levels of society. We also acknowledge the pivotal role that intergenerational dialogue and mentorship play in nurturing the next generation of leaders and change-makers.