By Our Reporter
Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has disclosed that the 19th Regular National Council Meeting on Women and Social Development hosted by the state government would go a long way at providing the needed opportunity to further discuss and have resolutions on issues affecting women, children, elderly, people living with disabilities, as well as the vulnerable in the society.
The governor stated this while declaring open the 19th edition of the national council meeting, held at the International event Centre (The Dome) Akure, Ondo.
Akeredolu who was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, stressed that the council meeting would also afford the government and other stakeholders the necessary avenue to reflect on experiences in social development issues in the society.
Read Also: Akeredolu backs NDDC’s audit
Akeredolu added that the state government is doing all that is necessary to support the womenfolk in the state through provision of soft loans, skill acquisition and empowerment programmes.
The governor also stated that the theme of the meeting “Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: A Panacea for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in Nigeria” was a pointer to the fact that concerted effort must be made to ensure gender mainstreaming in the social development agenda. He stressed that social inclusion also serves as way of finding a stable society where no one is discriminated against, which he said would guarantee peace, security and sustainable development.
He therefore challenged women to rise up and play their roles in national development.
Earlier in her welcome address, the first lady of the state, Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu, said Ondo State was privileged to host the 19th national council meeting.
Mrs. Akeredolu said the annual event has created the unique opportunity for participants to interact, network and get acquainted with culture of host states in a bid to forge national integration.
Leave a Reply