The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has called on all sectors to work with the Ministry to build strong families.
The Minister disclosed this during the commemoration of the International Day for Families in Abuja.
Represented by Alhaji Ali Grema, the Director Humanitarian Affairs, the Minister said, ” These efforts must start with programmes to strengthen families by protecting vulnerable members of the society such as the children, women, persons with disabilities and older persons. By working together, we can do more to create a caring society”.
She stated that the Ministry has empowered 30 (Thirty) families financially as part of measures to mark the celebration of International day of Families in Abuja. The thirty (30) families were empowered with the sum of (N25,000) as a grant to improve their wellbeing.
She also used the forum to re-emphasise the need for families and communities to support and protect people with disabilities and other societal issues.
According to her, “celebrating the International Day for Families also brings into focus the importance of family solidarity wherein members of the family work together to sustain the unit through challenges, trials and tribulations”.
“The theme of this year’s event is “Families and Urbanization” which is designed by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable and family friendly urban policies. The United Nation through this year’s theme, “Families and Urbanization” is pinpointing the fact that Urbanization is one of he most important megatrends shaping the world, the life and the wellbeing of families worldwide”. Sustainable Urbanisation is related to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, such as SDG1 (Poverty eradication) SDGs3, (Goodhealth and wellbeing).
“One of the major challenges facing families is the problem of domestic violence, especially gender based violence. We need to address the violence within our families and be good role models for our children”.
“Other issues confronting families today are substance abuse and financial constraints. The Ministry is working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other stakeholders to prevent drug abuse and the harm it causes in families.” “The Ministry has initiated various programmes and activities towards uplifting the living standards and wellbeing of the families such as Family tracing and Re-unification, Family Empowerment, International Family Mediation and Family Casework Management” She added.
Earlier, in a goodwill message by the Chairman, House Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Rt. Honourable Abdullahi Salame, represented by Hon. Mohammed Bawa, Clerk of the House Committee said “the Committee has supported all the Ministry’s programmes particularly those designed to address poverty at all levels”.
He added that through legislative interventions the committee ensured that funds were appropriated to fund these programmes and would continue to synergise and support policies and programmes of President Mohammadu Buhari as it concerns poverty and family values.
The representative of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. John Duru, praised the effort of the Ministry in putting the programme together to cater for the wellbeing of the families.
Grace Osuji
Principal Information Officer
For: DD(Information)
