By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined the rest of the world in celebrating the annual International Women’s Day, marked to celebrate women across the globe.
The President who said women have pivotal roles to play in the development of the economy of the country said his administration will prioritise the welfare of women and protect their rights.
He added that his administration is working to give several women important roles in the enormous task of nation-building.
The president made this known in a statement signed by his media aide, Ajuri Ngele.
The statement reads:”The president affirms that in every discipline and field of human endeavour, the standout achievement of Nigerian women have become a testament to the resilience, strength, courage, and ingenuity of all women across the world, a well as a mark of their exceptional quality as emissaries of hope and responsibilities.
“President Tinubu notes that the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate progress’, fits well within his administration’s policy initiatives on educating and empowering women, not only through inclusion in governance, bit also by ensuring that they remain relevant and unimpeachable voices in the development process across all sectors in the economy.
“The president states that his administration is focused on providing investments in educating the girl child, while fostering inclusive programmes and initiatives that bolster their active roles in the areas of knowledge, science, technology, research and innovation into the future.”
Likewise, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has congratulated women on the occasion of the 2024 International Day of Women, saying they deserve all the respect.
Akpabio, in a statement, to celebrate the women by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, singled out Nigerian women for praise saying they are a full package and a special breed.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” was apt because no nation succeeds without investing in women as it is popularly agreed that “Train a woman and you train a nation”.
The Senate President assured that the National Assembly under his chairmanship will continue to advocate for the improved welfare of our women adding that “We are very conscious that failure to invest in women is akin to killing development and destroying a nation”
According to him, the campaign theme of the 2024 IWD celebration, “Inspire inclusion” was in tune with the thinking of the 10th Senate, which is working assiduously to enact laws that would increase girl-child enrolment in school, fight against sexual exploitation and generally give what is due to the womenfolk.
“I wish to use the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day to proudly celebrate our women- mothers and sisters. On behalf of my family, Constituents, the Senate, and the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I sincerely wish our women a peaceful and fruitful celebration. I must say you are the best and I sincerely appreciate you”.
