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Ciroma cautions
Niger-Delta youth
By ATIKU S. SARKI, Abuja
THE youths of Niger Delta have been advised to tread the path of dialogue
while pressing for their demands.
A release signed by Evelyn Onyilo, the chief press secretary to the minister
of Women Affairs said the minister, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma gave the advice
while receiving an award of excellence conferred on her by the National
Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The minister encouraged the youths to support the activities of government
and also to participate in promoting government activit ies.
Hajiya Ciroma expressed her appreciation for the award and said that
militancy amongst youths tends to portray Nigeria in bad light to the
international community.
According to her, she was receiving the award on behalf of women in the
country and her minstry has been up and doing to ensure that women
participate in the development of the country.
While commenting on the Child Rights Act, the minister explained that it was
meant to ensure that children have access to education and good health among
other things.
She also said that the Act had been passed at the federal level while some
states are still foot-dragging.
The national president of NASNS, Hembe Ovkuma said that the aim of the award
was to reappraise advocacy and identifying with those who have contributed
immensely to national development.
The national president who was represented by his vice, Mr. Ismaila Yakubu
said that NANS merit award had been conferred on President Olusegun
Obasanjo, the governor of the Central Bank, Professor Charles Soludo and the
Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Adamu.
He enumerated the achievements of the minister as including advocacy for the
implementation of the Child Rights Act and crusade of inter-women
trafficking and child labour, adding that her tenure has brought about high
participation of women in politics.
Mr. Yakubu howeveer, explained that they were recognizing Mrs. Ciroma as the
best minister of the year and to give her support in her future political
endeavours.
In another development, the All African Students Union has adopted the
minister of women affairs, Mrs. Maryam Ciroma into its Hall of Fame.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the leader of the delegation,
Ambassador Obayemi Success described the minister as “the most outstanding
African woman affairs minister.
According to him, the minister is being given recognition in her
contributiion towards the passage of the bill on the Child Rights Act.
While expressing appreciation for the recognition, the minister of women
affairs observed that the present administration had put in place so many
programmes to alleviate poverty amongst women.
She also said that the administration had also come up with National Gender
Policy which was geared towards educating Nigerians on the important role of
Nigerian women in national development.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 2006