TheCable

Remi Tinubu, the first lady, says the federal government will give more room for women to contribute their quota to national development.

A statement by Busola Kukoyi, special adviser on media to Tinubu, said the first lady spoke when she hosted Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, minister of state for police affairs, who led senior female police officers on a courtesy visit to her office at the state house, Abuja.

The first lady noted that a number of women are actively involved in securing the country and that efforts to reshape Nigeria and address societal ills plaguing the female gender require active participation of all women.

“It is the beginning of a new dawn for women in the country as the current administration will give women more room to contribute their quota,” she said.

“I am also looking for ways to contribute. We can not have a Nigeria without people doing new and great things.”

On how the female police officers and other women can help forge a better Nigeria, the first lady charged them to lead the action in addressing societal ills such as rape, child abuse, human trafficking and proliferation of baby factories.

“Women must thrive and be empowered in a safe environment. We want to see our children not abused through crimes and maltreatment, rape of minors and children,” she said.

“There must be reduction in cases of human trafficking, organ harvesting and baby factory.”

She added that she is looking forward to a day when a female will become Nigeria’s inspector-gneral of police.

On her part, Sulaiman-Ibrahim applauded the first lady for setting the pace and advancing the interest of women in the country.

The minister noted that gender equality, safeguarding of human rights and empowerment of women are key anchors of a just and fair society.

“We are working on a bold initiatives aimed at not only addressing existing challenges, but fundamentally reshaping the Nigeria Police into a modern, responsive, intelligence-led and technology-driven institution,” the minister said.

“We recognize the limitations of past reforms and are now taking a more proactive and holistic transformation that permeates every facet of police operations.

“We are here today not just to discuss but to seek your collaboration, for we understand that the collective advancement of these crucial issues requires your esteemed support and partnership.”