By: John Bassey, Kebbi.

The Kebbi State Government has recorded remarkable progress in women empowerment, child protection, social welfare, rehabilitation, and the formulation of policies aimed at protecting vulnerable groups.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Hajiya Halima Hassan Kamba stated this while highlighting the achievements recorded by the Ministry under the administration of Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, describing the government’s policies as people-oriented and transformative.

As contained in a statement by Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser(SA)on Media and Publicity to the Kebbi State Governor, the Commissioner made this known on Monday during the Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Conference Hall of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ultra Modern Secretariat Complex, Gwadangaji, Birnin Kebbi.

Hajiya Halima Hassan Kamba presented a detailed scorecard of the Ministry, outlining key milestones achieved within the three years of Governor Nasir Idris’ administration in the areas of women empowerment, child protection, social welfare and rehabilitation.

She explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development plays a critical role in promoting social progress through policy formulation, implementation of welfare programmes and protection of the rights of women and children across the state.

Kamba described the administration of Kauran Gwandu as “Gender friendly and protector of women and children”.

According to her, the administration has continued to empower women and youths through various skills acquisition and training programmes aimed at enhancing self-reliance and economic productivity.

The Commissioner disclosed that the wives of the Executive Governor have also been actively involved in supporting empowerment initiatives for women and youths, thereby complementing government efforts towards poverty reduction and sustainable development.

She further stated that the Ministry had successfully facilitated support programmes for overgrown orphans by providing them with cash grants and livelihood support materials to enable them establish small businesses and become productive members of society.

Hajiya Halima noted that the welfare of children and vulnerable groups had received unprecedented attention under Governor Idris, revealing that support for feeding and general welfare across social welfare institutions under the Ministry had increased by over 200 percent.

The Commissioner also commended the Governor for sustaining the annual mass wedding programme for less privileged men and women, noting that the initiative had helped strengthen family values, reduce social challenges and ease the financial burden on beneficiaries through the provision of household materials and other essential support.

“By June this year, InshaAllah, 300 couples under the mass wedding programme will get married “, she said.

She announced that the administration had renovated, upgraded and commissioned the Kauran Gwandu Children’s Home at Kawara, providing a conducive and modern environment for the care of orphans and vulnerable children.

In the same vein, she disclosed that the state Remand Home had been relocated to a fully renovated and furnished facility to enhance rehabilitation services and ensure proper care for inmates.

The Commissioner added that the government had continued to provide direct assistance to orphans and vulnerable persons through the distribution of houses, tricycles, motorcycles and household materials based on requests forwarded through the Ministry.

Hajiya Halima Hassan Kamba praised Governor Nasir Idris for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of women, children and vulnerable persons, stressing that the administration’s interventions had significantly improved the lives of many families across Kebbi State.

The Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing was organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture under the leadership of the Commissioner, Hon. Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, as part of efforts to further enlighten the public on the achievements of Governor Nasir Idris over the past three years.