Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has emerged as a champion for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria. During a recent courtesy call by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, at the Government House, Governor Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing programs and policies that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The Governor acknowledged the crucial role women play in shaping society and expressed his dedication to providing opportunities for their economic, social, and political growth. This commitment is evident in the various initiatives his administration has undertaken, including vocational training, microfinance schemes, and education programs.
One of the most significant initiatives is the establishment of a gender desk to address all gender-based violence and other gender-related issues. This move demonstrates the state government’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by women in Bauchi State.
Governor Mohammed’s administration has also prioritized girl-child education. He informed the Minister that his administration would continue to support girl-child education by providing a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning for both teachers and pupils in schools across the state. Since his inception into office, the administration has renovated hundreds of schools and plans to build and furnish more blocks of classrooms.
The Governor’s commitment to executing more developmental projects capable of improving the living standards of citizens, particularly children, is commendable. He emphasized the administration’s aim to build a society that guarantees equal access to social, economic, and wealth creation opportunities for all, irrespective of gender, while prioritizing the protection of children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye, praised Governor Bala Mohammed’s dedication to women’s empowerment and the state’s efforts in promoting gender equality. She expressed her Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the state government to implement policies and programs that benefit women.
The meeting demonstrated the shared commitment of the state government and the Ministry of Women Affairs to promote gender equality and empower women. Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration has shown a strong resolve to improve the living standards of women in Bauchi State, and this partnership is expected to yield positive outcomes for women in the state.
Bauchi State’s efforts in promoting gender equality and girl-child education are particularly significant in light of the challenges faced by women in Nigeria. According to a study, women constitute a larger proportion of poor people in the country, which hampers gender equality in political representation because poverty denies women the financial and human resources required for leadership positions. The rejection of gender bills by the National Assembly in 2022 further highlighted the need for concerted efforts to advance women’s rights and representation in Nigeria.
Governor Bala Mohammed’s leadership in Bauchi State serves as a model for other states in Nigeria. By prioritizing gender equality and girl-child education, the state government is not only empowering women but also investing in the future of the state and the nation as a whole. As more states follow Bauchi State’s example, Nigeria can move closer to achieving the goal of gender equality and women’s empowerment set by the National Gender Policy in 2006.
