By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone D, has lauded the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, for putting smiles on the faces of women and vulnerable families in Benue State as part of efforts to cushion the impact of insecurity and economic hardship.
NAWOJ Zone D comprises Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, and the FCT.
NAWOJ Vice President, Zone D, Mrs. Chizoba Ogbeche, in a press statement signed by the Zonal Secretary, Mrs Juliana Ose Ofoku, Tuesday in Abuja, decried the recurring violence and displacement of several communities in Benue State with women and children adversely affected.
The Association commended the Minister for the timely intervention in Benue State, noting that Hajiya Sulaiman Ibrahim, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to directly support women so that they are economically empowered to contribute to national development.
The Minister delivered empowerment packages of cash grants, 400 bags of rice, 20 bales of Ankara fabrics, fairly used clothes, grinding machines, and sewing machines, as well as a message of compassion from the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Twenty women farmers received N1million each, with an advance payment of ₦500,000 already disbursed and the balance scheduled for later in the year; just as cash support was also extended to women’s groups and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV),” the statement added.
The Association tasked security agencies and government at all levels to be more proactive in preventing such attacks in the North Central and other parts of the country; even as the women journalists tasked the Department of State Security (DSS) on judicious prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the Benue killings to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Association congratulated the Minister on her conferment with the prestigious title of ‘Dooshima of Benue’ meaning the ‘Love of Benue’ people; noting that the title was well deserved in appreciation of programmes of the Ministry of Women Affairs which are impacting lives across the country including economic empowerment schemes which provide capital and skills to women entrepreneurs and farmers; protection of women and girls from GBV, and provision of shelters for survivors; as well as social investment initiatives targeting widows, orphans and vulnerable families, among others.
