As part of efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and ensuring job creation in the country, especially among the feminine gender, the Federal Government has inaugurated a Pink Riders Scheme with a view to empowering women to earn a living and contribute meaningfully to the upliftment of the lives of their families and the nation at large.
Unveiling the Scheme today at the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the initiative is targeted at boosting the economic status of women so as not to only make them self-reliant and entrepreneurial but to also create an opportunity for the actualization of their potentials in life.
She informed that statistics has shown that women constitute about 49 percent of the country’s population, thus, if adequately empowered, it will no doubt contribute to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.
Kennedy-Ohanenye observed the need for conscious efforts to be put in place by stakeholders towards the improvement of the lives of women in accordance with global realities.
The Minister stated further that the Scheme launched today was one of the many projects of the Ministry initiated to empower the feminine gender in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.
Kennedy-Ohanenye who explained that the commencement of the Pilot phase at the military barracks was to ensure adequate provision of security as well as seamless operation for the women, added that this will make room for proper coordination, consistency and sustainability for the Project which is being test run before extension to other States of the Federation.
She therefore called on the beneficiaries of the Scheme to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Federal Government to transform their lives and also contribute to the development of their families and country at large.
In a welcome address, the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja, Major General Isoni assured of maximum security for the Pink Riders as well as proper monitoring to ensure efficiency and continuity of the Programme.
He commended the Ministry for the initiative, which he said will go a long way in boosting the gender’s confidence in the present administration’s commitment to the upliftment of their lives.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Julie Idris assured that they will put in their best to ensure the success of the programme so that more women can be empowered through the Scheme.
She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in particular, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye as well as the Management Staff of the Ministry for placing issues of women empowerment on the front burner.
Signed
Mrs. Grace Njoku
Head, Information and Public Relations
